History of Molly Ringwald in Timeline
Molly Ringwald is an American actress known for her roles in iconic teen films. She started as a child actress, gaining recognition for her role in the film "Tempest." Her most notable work includes John Hughes films like "Sixteen Candles," "The Breakfast Club," and "Pretty in Pink," which earned her the "Brat Pack" label. She transitioned away from teen roles with movies like "For Keeps" and "Fresh Horses." Beyond acting, she's also a writer and translator.
February 18, 1968: Birth of Molly Ringwald
Molly Kathleen Ringwald was born on February 18, 1968, in Roseville, California.
1968: Early Life and Family Background
Molly Ringwald was born in 1968 to Adele Edith, a cook, and Robert Scott Ringwald, a blind jazz pianist. She began her acting career at age five in a stage production of 'Alice in Wonderland' and later recorded a jazz album with her father.
1978: Stage Role in 'Annie'
At the age of 10, Molly Ringwald was chosen to play Kate in the West Coast production of the musical 'Annie' in 1978.
1978: Publication of Stephen King's 'The Stand'
Stephen King's post-apocalyptic novel 'The Stand' was published in 1978.
1979: Television Debut in 'Diff'rent Strokes'
In 1979, Molly Ringwald appeared on the television series 'Diff'rent Strokes' and was initially selected for its spin-off, 'The Facts of Life'.
1979: Early Television Roles
In 1979, Molly Ringwald began her acting career as a child actress, appearing in the sitcoms 'Diff'rent Strokes' and 'The Facts of Life'.
1980: Voice Acting for Disney
Molly Ringwald showcased her vocal talents on two Disney albums in 1980: 'Yankee Doodle Mickey' and 'Disney’s Merry Christmas Carols'.
1980: Departure from 'The Facts of Life' and Voice Acting
Molly Ringwald was cut from the cast of 'The Facts of Life' after its first season. She also lent her voice to two Disney albums in 1980: 'Yankee Doodle Mickey' and 'Disney’s Merry Christmas Carols'.
1982: Golden Globe Nomination for 'Tempest'
Molly Ringwald received a Golden Globe nomination for her performance in the 1982 drama film 'Tempest'.
1982: Critical Acclaim for 'Tempest'
Molly Ringwald's performance in the 1982 film 'Tempest', directed by Paul Mazursky, earned her a Golden Globe nomination.
1984: Breakthrough Role in 'Sixteen Candles'
Molly Ringwald achieved recognition for her role as Samantha Baker in John Hughes's coming-of-age comedy 'Sixteen Candles' in 1984.
1984: Breakthrough with 'Sixteen Candles'
Molly Ringwald rose to prominence with her role as Samantha Baker in John Hughes's 1984 film 'Sixteen Candles'.
1985: Critical and Commercial Success with 'The Breakfast Club'
In 1985, Molly Ringwald starred as Claire Standish in John Hughes's critically acclaimed and commercially successful film 'The Breakfast Club'.
1985: Success with 'The Breakfast Club'
In 1985, Molly Ringwald starred as Claire Standish in John Hughes's 'The Breakfast Club', which achieved both commercial and critical success.
May 26, 1986: Featured on Time Magazine Cover
Molly Ringwald was featured on the cover of Time magazine on May 26, 1986, solidifying her status as a prominent figure in popular culture.
1986: Iconic Role in 'Pretty in Pink'
Molly Ringwald further solidified her teen idol status with her portrayal of Andie Walsh in John Hughes's 'Pretty In Pink' in 1986.
1987: Seeking Diverse Roles
After the success of 'Pretty in Pink', Molly Ringwald expressed a desire to take on more mature roles, leading her to decline a role in John Hughes's 'Some Kind of Wonderful' in 1987.
1987: Starring in 'The Pick-up Artist'
In 1987, Molly Ringwald starred opposite Robert Downey Jr. in the romantic comedy 'The Pick-up Artist', which received mixed reviews but achieved moderate success.
1987: Exploring New Roles in 'King Lear' and 'The Pick-up Artist'
Seeking more mature roles, Molly Ringwald took on the Shakespearean role of Cordelia in 'King Lear' and starred opposite Robert Downey Jr. in 'The Pick-up Artist', both in 1987.
1988: Transitioning from Teen Roles
In 1988, Molly Ringwald starred in 'For Keeps' and 'Fresh Horses', marking her final teen roles before pursuing more mature acting opportunities.
1988: Role Model and "For Keeps"
In 1988, Molly Ringwald, reflecting on her teen idol status, expressed her desire to be a positive role model. She specifically addressed her role in the film "For Keeps", stating that she wanted to avoid sending the wrong message about teenage pregnancy.
1990: Venturing into French Cinema
After appearing in 'Strike It Rich' and 'Betsy's Wedding' in 1990, Molly Ringwald relocated to Paris to pursue roles in French films.
1990: Film Appearances and Move to Paris
Molly Ringwald appeared in 'Strike It Rich' and 'Betsy's Wedding' in 1990. She later moved to Paris to focus on French cinema.
1992: Starring in 'Something to Live for: The Alison Gertz Story'
In 1992, Molly Ringwald starred in the television film 'Something to Live for: The Alison Gertz Story'.
1994: Role in Stephen King's 'The Stand'
Molly Ringwald was cast as Frannie Goldsmith in the 1994 television miniseries adaptation of Stephen King's novel 'The Stand', originally published in 1978.
1995: Leading Role in 'Malicious'
Molly Ringwald took on the leading role of Melissa Nelson, a disturbed woman involved with a baseball player, in the 1995 film 'Malicious'.
1998: Television Film Appearance
Molly Ringwald starred alongside Lara Flynn Boyle and Teri Hatcher in the 1998 made-for-television film 'Since You've Been Gone'.
July 28, 1999: First Marriage
Molly Ringwald married Valéry Lameignère, a French writer, on July 28, 1999, in Bordeaux, France.
1999: Stage Performance in 'How I Learned to Drive'
In 1999, Molly Ringwald showcased her versatility by playing the lead role of "Li'l Bit" in Paula Vogel's play 'How I Learned to Drive' at the Mark Taper Forum in Los Angeles.
2000: Ensemble Role in 'In the Weeds'
Molly Ringwald appeared in the ensemble cast of the restaurant-themed film 'In the Weeds' in 2000.
2000: Guest Appearance on 'The Outer Limits'
Molly Ringwald made a guest appearance in an episode of the science fiction anthology series 'The Outer Limits' titled "Judgment Day" in 2000.
2001: Cameo Appearance and Stage Performances
Molly Ringwald made a cameo appearance in the parody film 'Not Another Teen Movie' and starred in the Off-Broadway musical 'tick, tick... BOOM!' and the Broadway revival of 'Cabaret' in 2001.
2002: Divorce
Molly Ringwald and Valéry Lameignère divorced in 2002.
2002: Continuing Role in 'Cabaret'
Molly Ringwald continued her role as Sally Bowles in the long-running Broadway revival of 'Cabaret' into 2002.
2003: Broadway Performance in 'Enchanted April'
Molly Ringwald appeared in the Broadway production of 'Enchanted April' in 2003.
2003: Birth of Daughter
Molly Ringwald's daughter, Mathilda, was born in 2003.
2004: Broadway Role in 'Modern Orthodox'
In 2004, Molly Ringwald starred alongside Jason Biggs and Craig Bierko in the Broadway play 'Modern Orthodox'.
2006: Television and Stage Roles
Molly Ringwald starred in the television film 'The Wives He Forgot' and toured nationally with the Broadway revival of the musical 'Sweet Charity' in 2006. She also played a supporting role in the television film 'Molly: An American Girl on the Home Front'.
2007: Second Marriage
Molly Ringwald married Panio Gianopoulos, a Greek-American writer and book editor, in 2007.
2008: Lead Role in 'The Secret Life of the American Teenager'
Molly Ringwald starred as Anne Juergens in the ABC Family series 'The Secret Life of the American Teenager' which premiered in 2008 and ran for five seasons.
2008: Return to Television with 'The Secret Life of the American Teenager'
Molly Ringwald returned to television in 2008 with a leading role in the ABC Family series 'The Secret Life of the American Teenager', which ran for five seasons until 2013.
July 2009: Birth of Twins
Molly Ringwald and her husband Panio Gianopoulos welcomed twins, Adele Georgiana and Roman Stylianos, in July 2009.
2012: Audiobook Recording
In 2012, Molly Ringwald read the audiobook version of Jami Attenberg's novel "The Middlesteins".
2013: Conclusion of 'The Secret Life of the American Teenager'
After a successful five-season run, Molly Ringwald's series 'The Secret Life of the American Teenager' concluded in 2013.
2013: "Except Sometimes" Album Release
Molly Ringwald released her jazz album "Except Sometimes" in 2013, following in the musical footsteps of her father, a jazz musician. She described jazz as her "musical equivalent of comfort food".
2013: Conclusion of 'The Secret Life of the American Teenager'
The ABC Family series 'The Secret Life of the American Teenager', starring Molly Ringwald, concluded in 2013 after five seasons.
2014: Various Roles and an Advice Column
In 2014, Molly Ringwald appeared in the Lifetime film "Wishin' and Hopin'" and the movie "Jem and the Holograms". She also started writing an advice column for The Guardian.
2016: Role in "King Cobra" and "Riverdale"
Molly Ringwald was cast in the film "King Cobra" in 2016. She also took on a recurring role as Mary Andrews on the TV series "Riverdale", which later became more prominent.
2017: Joining the Cast of 'Riverdale'
In 2017, Molly Ringwald joined the cast of the popular CW series 'Riverdale'.
2021: Appearance in 'Creepshow'
Molly Ringwald made an appearance in the anthology horror series 'Creepshow' in 2021.
2022: Role in 'Dahmer – Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story'
Molly Ringwald portrayed Shari Dahmer, the stepmother of Jeffrey Dahmer, in the Netflix miniseries 'Dahmer – Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story' in 2022.
2023: Departure from 'Riverdale'
Molly Ringwald concluded her role on the CW series 'Riverdale' in 2023.
February 2024: New York Fashion Week Debut
In February 2024, Molly Ringwald made her runway modeling debut at New York Fashion Week, walking for designer Batsheva.