Anthony Michael Hall on Why He Won't Rewatch 'The Breakfast Club'
The Brat Pack is having a moment, in part thanks to Andrew McCarthy’s Hulu documentary Brats (now streaming). But really, when are they not? Movies like Sixteen Candles and The Breakfast Club may be four decades old, but they’re also timeless.
Anthony Michael Hall, who played the lovable nerd in both flicks, is used to being asked about his early work. And although he doesn’t like to reminisce too often (he passed on appearing in Brats for that very reason) he’s happy to indulge on occasion.
Ahead of his latest Netflix movie, Trigger Warning, in which he stars opposite Jessica Alba as her father and the film’s villain, Hall spoke to Parade about being a child actor, his one year on SNL, and more.
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You weren't part of Brats. Why is that?
I was not, no. I was asked to be a part of [it]. I think Andrew is a great guy. I met him at some shows, doing some signings, and he’s an interesting guy, too; I like the kind of career that he’s carved out for himself. He’s a travel writer and directs. But I just chose not to because I’m more interested in what I’m doing now and what’s ahead, so I’ve never been retrospective in my thinking in that way. But I respect that he did it and I hope it turned out great; I’d love to see it.
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Can you share a bit about what the Brat Pack experience was like?
I think we all still share a nice connection for all these years. When we see each other, it’s very positive. But to be honest, I didn’t really feel like a part of a group. But I certainly love them all and looked up to them back then. I spent some time with Judd Nelson recently, and it was great. A few of us were in Pittsburgh at a Comic Con signing, and we had fun with that. Then afterward we met back in L.A. and hung out, and that was really cool. I certainly love a lot of the people that I’ve worked with and it’s great when I get to see them.
The experience of [The Breakfast Club] definitely bonded us because the five of us worked closely with one another. It was very personal, like filming a play in a way, and [writer/director] John [Hughes] was great because he allotted for rehearsal time. John gave us a week or 10 days of rehearsal time, so we could go through the script and work on it together.
If you’re at home and you’re browsing the channels and Sixteen Candles or The Breakfast Club are on, would you watch them?
Not The Breakfast Club, because at this point I think it feels like group therapy. With Sixteen Candles, when it comes on, sure. I like to watch it for a few minutes at a time. It’s fun to reminisce just about the feeling of doing it. It conjures up all of those memories, too, of how I felt as a kid when I was at the beginning of my career, so that’s nice.
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The public is always fascinated by child actors, young stars, and how they grow up, and if they can stay relevant. Did you feel those eyes on you over the years? Did it impact you positively or negatively, or both?
The first thought that came to mind is that’s true to anybody, any age group, but it’s certainly true for child actors. I think there’s obviously additional layers of stress and pressure. I certainly can say that I felt that at times. I think that after the three films I did with John Hughes, I had a career.
I would often joke with my parents growing up that it was too much too soon. But then the flip side of the joke was it’s better than flipping fries at a fast food joint. There’s nothing wrong with doing that either, [but] I was very fortunate in my life. I had great parents who gave me a solid foundation. Being a kid raised in Manhattan was a lot, I think that was a great education in itself. I also think my personal faith helped a lot. I happen to be Catholic and just practicing that, developing my faith over time, having good parents [kept me] grounded.
Photo credit: Courtesy of Netflix
What attracted you to Trigger Warning?
I had a phone call with [the film’s director] Mouly Surya, who was a really cool, really nice lady. I saw her 2017 film Marlina the Murderer in Four Acts prior to the call, and I thought that she was a fine artist and a great filmmaker.
I asked her about her vision for Trigger Warning, and we had a really nice conversation. Typically, there is a screen test involved, but in this case, it led to the job. Now that the movie is completed I love that it is such a fun ride, a terrific revenge thriller and a great popcorn movie.
What was it like working with Jessica Alba?
She’s a kick-ss lady, who just launched this production company called Lady Spitfire, and I think that’s a great description. She’s very strong-willed, very talented, very take-charge and a very good actress, I enjoyed working with her. As a producer of the film, I had great respect for her.
What do you remember about your one year on Saturday Night Live with Robert Downey, Jr.? [Hall was the youngest-ever cast member on SNL from 1985 to 1986.] Is it a distant memory? When you see the show do you think about it and go back to that time?
Well, let me say this, to give it context, I have loved the show since the '70s when I was a little kid. I would have to ask my mother to stay up late to watch it, it was like a ritual. Growing up, my heroes were comedians—I loved George Carlin and Richard Pryor. So the fact that I was a part of it is still incredible to me. Honesty, I feel very blessed to have been a part of it. In truth, though, it was probably the worst season in 10 years of the show, and I say that with love and respect, because to this day I still love and watch it and I see all the changes through the decades.
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Will you return for the 50th anniversary if you're invited?
I would. I’d be honored to, despite that minor blemish of that season. It was an interesting season because it was Lorne [Michael]’s first season back. He created the show and did it for five years, and then left it for five, and then that 11th season, everybody was scrambling. But it was a blast, it was really great. I loved all the people I got to work with.
Could you talk a little bit about becoming a first-time dad at age 55?
Honestly, it’s the greatest thing ever; it’s everything it’s purported to be. My wife and I are just madly in love with our son, Michael Anthony [who turned 1 on June 1]. It’s amazing to watch all the stages. I'm just really enjoying every day and feeling the purpose and the extra energy and all the beauty that it provides. Our son is kind of at the cub stage now, so he’s crawling all over me, pawing at me, and punching me in the neck.
Would you let your son watch Sixteen Candles when he’s older?
Yes, if he wants to. And hopefully, he will have a laugh.
Trigger Warning is now available to stream on Netflix.
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