Four decades after its theatrical debut, the 1985 sci-fi comedy Weird Science continues to charm a new generation of fans. The film, a quirky gem from legendary writer-director John Hughes, follows two socially awkward teenagers who use a doll and some primitive computer code to create their ideal woman. While overshadowed at the time by Hughes's own The Breakfast Club, it has since solidified its status as a beloved cult classic.
The movie was a commercial success, grossing $38.9 million against a $7.5 million budget, and launched the careers of its young cast. It even featured future A-list talent in supporting roles. But where did the stars of this bizarre and hilarious 80s hit end up?
From 'Perfect Woman' to Country Recluse: Kelly LeBrock
The face that launched the film, Kelly LeBrock, played Lisa, the computer-generated woman who transforms the lives of protagonists Gary and Wyatt. A former Christian Dior model from Kensington, London, LeBrock became an instant icon after her role in The Woman in Red (1984) and Weird Science.
Despite Hollywood's clamour, she took a surprising break from acting, returning in 1990 opposite then-husband Steven Seagal. After a string of film roles, she largely stepped away from the spotlight. Now 65, LeBrock recently described her life as having traded "diamonds for dirt," managing a ranch with horses and cattle in California's Santa Ynez Valley. She also opened up about past battles with skin cancer, revealing she has been afflicted "a couple of times."
The Brat Packer Turned Devoted Dad: Anthony Michael Hall
Anthony Michael Hall was just 17 when he played the nerdy Gary. A key member of Hughes's 'Brat Pack', he starred in The Breakfast Club and Sixteen Candles. Keen to shed his geek image, he later appeared in Edward Scissorhands and found renewed fame as the lead in TV's The Dead Zone (2002-2007).
He also had a supporting role in The Dark Knight (2008) and recently starred in Amazon's Reacher. Hall, now 56, welcomed his first child, a son named Michael, with his wife Lucia Oskerova in 2023, calling fatherhood "the best time" and expressing his full commitment to family life.
From Teen Star to Academic: Ilan Mitchell-Smith
Playing Wyatt at age 16, Ilan Mitchell-Smith saw his acting career fade after a few lesser-known films, with his final credit in 1991. He then pursued academia, earning a doctorate in Medieval Studies. He is now an associate professor of English at California State University, Long Beach, publishing work on medieval culture and even video games like Dungeons & Dragons.
Married to psychotherapist Susannah Demaree since 1995, Mitchell-Smith was diagnosed with Retinitis Pigmentosa in 2014 and is now legally blind.
School Jock to Hollywood Titan: Robert Downey Jr.
The most spectacular post-Weird Science trajectory belongs to Robert Downey Jr., who played bully Ian. His career soared with an Oscar nomination for Chaplin (1992), but was derailed by well-publicised legal and substance abuse issues in the late 1990s and early 2000s.
His remarkable comeback was cemented by playing Iron Man in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, making him Hollywood's highest-paid actor. In 2023, he won an Academy Award for his role in Oppenheimer. Sober since 2003, he is married to producer Susan Levin and has three children.
The legacy of Weird Science endures not just as a film, but as a fascinating launching pad for a cast whose lives took dramatically different paths, from the quiet countryside and academia to the very pinnacle of global stardom.
