John Hughes' Filmmaking Legacy

When we think of John Hughes, who died on August 6 at the age of 59, we think, of course, of his movies: the '80s teen classics he directed that we know by heart ('Sixteen Candles,' 'The Breakfast Club,' 'Weird Science,' 'Ferris Bueller's Day Off'), and the many others he wrote, but didn't direct ('Pretty in Pink,' 'Some Kind of Wonderful,' 'Home Alone'). To those who grew up in the '80s, he felt less like a Hollywood figure than a friend who knew you better than most adults ever could.

Hughes was also a mentor who shepherded the Brat Pack to stardom. And it wasn't only leads like Molly Ringwald and Matthew Broderick who owed their careers to Hughes; actors like Robert Downey Jr., John Cusack and even Steve Carell all found early work with the director who clearly possessed both an ear for teen-speak and an eye for talent.

As the news of Hughes' death sinks in, fans aren't the only ones mourning. Take a look at the extended John Hughes family, the many actors and directors whose careers the director launched.
When we think of John Hughes, who died on August 6 at the age of 59, we think, of course, of his movies: the '80s teen classics he directed that we know by heart ('Sixteen Candles,' 'The Breakfast Club,' 'Weird Science,' 'Ferris Bueller's Day Off'), and the many others he wrote, but didn't direct ('Pretty in Pink,' 'Some Kind of Wonderful,' 'Home Alone'). To those who grew up in the '80s, he felt less like a Hollywood figure than a friend who knew you better than most adults ever could.

Hughes was also a mentor who shepherded the Brat Pack to stardom. And it wasn't only leads like Molly Ringwald and Matthew Broderick who owed their careers to Hughes; actors like Robert Downey Jr., John Cusack and even Steve Carell all found early work with the director who clearly possessed both an ear for teen-speak and an eye for talent.

As the news of Hughes' death sinks in, fans aren't the only ones mourning. Take a look at the extended John Hughes family, the many actors and directors whose careers the filmmaker launched.

Molly Ringwald
She was America's sweetheart and John Hughes' muse, starring in 'The Breakfast Club,' 'Sixteen Candles' and 'Pretty in Pink.' Though her career faded after that, she's made a comeback recently playing the mom on 'The Secret Life of the American Teenager.'
Anthony Michael Hall
If Ringwald was Hughes' muse, then Hall was his presumptive alter ego. Playing the lovable nerd in 'The Breakfast Club,' 'Sixteen Candles' and 'Weird Science' (not to mention the kid brother in 'Vacation'), Hall finally escaped the Hughes legacy when he starred in the TV series 'The Dead Zone.'
Ally Sheedy
She followed 'War Games' with what remains (in our minds, anyway) her most memorable role as Allison, the chronic liar with a fondness for Cap'n Crunch sandwiches. Her success continued through the '80s with movies like 'St. Elmo's Fire,' 'Short Circuit' and 'Maid to Order.'
Robert Downey Jr.
He's Iron Man. He's Sherlock Holmes. He's one of the biggest stars on the planet right now, having made more comebacks than Lenny Bruce; but many people don't remember that Downey appeared in 'Weird Science' as Ian, one of two bullies who make Gary and Wyatt's lives hell.
Andrew McCarthy
As Blane in 'Pretty in Pink,' babyfaced McCarthy became the quintessential '80s cutie that girls pined for, solidifying his membership as one of the leaders of the Brat Pack. And he's still got that baby face, headlining TV shows two decades later.
Jon Cryer
Duckie! He's the Emmy-nominated star of the CBS series 'Two and a Half Men' (alongside fellow Hughes alum Charlie Sheen), but to us he'll always be Duckie Dale, the lovelorn geek who digs Otis Redding and pines endearingly -- or annoyingly, depending on whom you ask -- after his BFF Andie.
Emilio Estevez
The misunderstood jock of 'The Breakfast Club' enjoyed some time in the spotlight as a hot young star ('St. Elmo's Fire,' 'Young Guns') before the 'Mighty Ducks' movies came along. These days he's taken a page from Hughes' book to concentrate on directing.
Judd Nelson
He was larger than life as John Bender in 'The Breakfast Club,' and though his career never really took off after his Brat Pack years, he did find some success on the sitcom 'Suddenly Susan.'
John Cusack
He may have shot to stardom in the movies of another teen movie auteur, Cameron Crowe; but Cusack's very second movie appearance was in 'Sixteen Candles' as one of Anthony Michael Hall's geeky (err, geekier) friends.
Matthew Broderick
The hero of school-ditching kids everywhere has had quite an illustrious career -- on both stage and screen -- since starring in 'Ferris Bueller's Day Off,' but he'll always be Ferris to us (especially whenever we hear 'Danke Schoen').
Jennifer Grey
Before she was Baby in 'Dirty Dancing' (and before the nose job) she was the embittered Jeanie in 'Ferris Bueller's Day Off,' whose resentment toward her charmed little brother is only alleviated when she gets to beat up the principal.
Steve Carell
The future star of 'The Office' made his movie debut inauspiciously -- with a bit part (of the blink-and-you'll-miss-him variety) in what was to be John Hughes' final directorial effort, 'Curly Sue.'
James Spader
Spader has made a name for himself playing the bad boy (he's still doing it on 'Boston Legal'), and his illustrious career trajectory was set in motion with his memorable performance in 'Pretty in Pink' as smarmy, jet-setting playboy Steff.
Eric Stoltz
He'd starred in 'Mask,' but in that movie you couldn't see his boyish good looks like you could in 'Some Kind of Wonderful.' Further leading-man roles never materialized, but he's been a standout on TV ('Chicago Hope,' a recent powerful guest stint on 'Grey's Anatomy').
Mary Stuart Masterson
Though she'd co-starred in 'At Close Range' the year before, Masterson's true breakout role came in the form of tomboy Watts, who was crushing on her best friend in 'Some Kind of Wonderful.' Just a few years later she was headlining thoughtful dramas like 'Fried Green Tomatoes' and 'Benny and Joon.'
Lea Thompson
The elusive Miss Amanda Jones in 'Some Kind of Wonderful' starred in several teen-type movies before landing her very own sitcom, 'Caroline in the City'; she also appeared in a total of three 'Back to the Future' movies.
Michael Schoeffling
True, the 'Sixteen Candles' dreamboat didn't end up having much of a movie career -- in fact, he's no longer acting (word is, he owns a woodworking shop). But he's JAKE RYAN, most perfect boy in the history of all boys, anywhere. Jake Ryan ... Sigh. He will live forever.
Macaulay Culkin
Hughes plucked 10-year-old Culkin from virtual obscurity and made him a household name by casting him as the adorably mischievous Kevin McCallister in 'Home Alone' (and its sequel). To this date Culkin remains one of the most famous child stars of all time.
Chris Columbus
After writing 'Goonies' and 'Gremlins' for Steven Spielberg, Columbus hit the big time when he directed 'Home Alone,' which Hughes wrote. He went on to become a "name" director, helming the hit 'Mrs. Doubtfire' as well as the first two 'Harry Potter' movies.
Charlie Sheen
With 'Red Dawn' and 'Lucas' already on his resume, Charlie Sheen proved he was a scene-stealer as the hunky druggie in 'Ferris Bueller's Day Off' who charms Jennifer Grey's Jeanie off her feet at the police station. ("Drugs?")
Ben Stein
"Bueller ... Bueller ... Bueller" ... who could ever forget the hilariously monotonous teacher in 'Ferris Bueller's Day Off'? In fact, the American public probably wouldn't know his name if the former presidential speechwriter hadn't parlayed his success into his own game show, 'Win Ben Stein's Money.'
Jennifer Connelly
Long before she was bringing the heavy drama and winning an Oscar, she was the emerging star indulging Frank Whaley's fantasies in the 1991 John Hughes-penned comedy 'Career Opportunities' (such a fitting title for a breakout movie). The same year's 'Rocketeer,' of course, also helped her shoot to new heights.
Jane Krakowski
Before she landed a regular gig on 'Ally McBeal,' the '30 Rock' star got her start way back when as the pot-smoking, potty-mouthed, country bumpkin Cousin Vicki in 'National Lampoon's Vacation.'
Bill Paxton
He became an action star and an upstanding polygamist on 'Big Love,' but our first memory of Paxton is as Chet, the obnoxious older brother in 'Weird Science' who ultimately gets his when Lisa turns him into a giant pile of crap. Literally.
Kelly LeBrock
Gene Wilder tapped this model-turned-actress for her debut role, in 1984's 'Woman in Red,' and Hughes smartly followed suit a year later. Her film career may have sputtered since, but she'll go down in history as the dream girl so impossibly sexy, she could've only been created by 'Weird Science.'
Kristy Swanson
Her bit parts as the Duckette in 'Pretty in Pink' and the classmate who breaks the news to the school that everyone's fave student is sick in 'Ferris Bueller's Day Off' opened the door for Swanson to become Buffy the Vampire Slayer.