Published: October 21, 2008 12:16 am      

Seeing stars ... again

What if you were always in the public eye and then suddenly unknown? Well that’s what happened to several former child stars that were gigantic in the 1980s. Sad but true, some of the greatest teen actors and actresses fell short of the A-list after stardom in the ’80s.

In the 2003 comedy film “Dickie Roberts Former Child Star,” funny guy David Spade portrayed a former child star who went from fame to lame.

It seems that things have taken a turn and some stars are ready for their second chance. They are ready to be glammed up and let their love of acting show.

Corey Feldman and Corey Haim (AKA “The Two Coreys”) were outrageous with their hit movies “Dream A Little Dream,” “License to Drive” and several other successful movies. They were the hottest things in a girl’s’ eyes during the mid-’80s. The Coreys were postered all over teenage girls’ lockers and all over their hearts. Slowly and surely, they are making their way back to the big screen and into the hearts of a new generation.

The Brat Pack was a group of teen actors and actresses who usually starred together in some of the greatest movies of all time. The Brat Pack usually consisted of Molly Ringwald, Emilio Estevez, Judd Nelson and Anthony Michael Hall, all who played in the most notable Brat Pack movie, “The Breakfast Club.” The Brat Pack has changed throughout the years consisting of different members. These stars were the highlights of the ’80s top movies.

Molly Ringwald, an ’80s teen queen, was famous for her role as Samantha in the 1984 film “Sixteen Candles.” She then went on to star in many other well-known flicks, including “Pretty in Pink” and “The Breakfast Club.” Now she is grown-up starring in the hit teen show, “The Secret Life of the American Teenager,” in which she steps outside of being a teenager and into being a mother who is concerned about her pregnant teenage daughter.

Another fellow Brat Pack member, Anthony Michael Hall, shed out his geeky image and opened up for a complete surprise in his 2002 show, “The Dead Zone.” In this mysterious show, Anthony Michael Hall learns that he has psychic abilities, far different from his character Brian in “The Breakfast Club.”

Ashley McGee, a senior at North Marion High, had this to say about this once ’80s nerd.

“I think it’s weird to see Anthony Michael Hall playing in these now up-to-date shows with a different role other than being a geek in the ’80s.”

Several others linked to the Brat Pack, who are still successful include Kiefer Sutherland, who played in “The Lost Boys” in 1987 and now stars in the hit TV show “24.” John Cusack had a role in the 1986 movie, “Stand By Me.” In 2006, he hit the lead role in “Martian Child.” Jami Gertz also co-starred in “The Lost Boys,” but in 2002 starred in her own sitcom “Still Standing.”

“It is nice to see some of the former child stars returning to TV and movies as an adult and seeing how they have changed.” said Sarah Satterfield, a senior at North Marion High, about these comeback stars.

As it shows, these actors and actresses are ready for work and perhaps rebuild back their huge fan base.

“I think it’s awesome that these stars are coming back because ever since I was little my favorite movies were ‘The Breakfast Club,’ ‘Pretty in Pink,’ ‘Weird Science’ and ‘The Lost Boys.’ I think people should appreciate these movies because these are the classics. They’re the best movies of our time,” stated Ashley Grier, a senior at North Marion High, on her love for these ’80s icons.

Which makes a point why many young people are loving these ’80s idols and their flicks are becoming more popular as well as their new acting going on today.

Kitty Dixon, a senior at North Marion High, had this to say about her favorite movie.

“My favorite movie from the ’80s is definitely ‘Stand By Me.’ I really enjoyed watching Corey Feldman, River Phoenix and Wil Wheaton.”

With a blink of an eye, these ’80s stars are now becoming millennium stars. Teens, if your parents have to look twice at the TV screen, don’t let them be alarmed: Yes, the ’80s are coming back.