Molly Ringwald

Molly Ringwald in "The Breakfast Club" (1985). Best known as a muse for writer-director John Hughes, whose comedy-dramas of teenage love and angst helped define 1980s cinema, Ringwald has grown up to become an accomplished actress in films and television - now playing mothers of the kinds of characters that made her famous.

Molly Ringwald's first feature film was in Paul Mazursky's modern-day revisiting of Shakespeare's "Tempest," starring John Cassavetes and Gena Rowlands. Also featured were Susan Sarandon, Raul Julia, and the Peloponnesus of Greece.

Comin' at ya! Peter Strauss and Molly Ringwald starred in the 3-D sci-fi action film "Spacehunter: Adventures in the Forbidden Zone" (1983).

Molly Ringwald and Michael Schoeffling in John Hughes' "Sixteen Candles" (1984). Ringwald excelled as the young girl whose milestone birthday is overlooked in the run-up to her sister's wedding.

Judd Nelson, Emilio Estevez, Ally Sheedy, Molly Ringwald and Anthony Michael Hall in John Hughes' "The Breakfast Club" (1985), an early "Brat Pack" ensemble film.

Molly Ringwald and Jon Cryer in John Hughes' "Pretty in Pink" (1986).

Molly Ringwald played the daughter of Dennis Hopper in "The Pick-up Artist" (1987), co-starring Robert Downey Jr.

Molly Ringwald and Andrew McCarthy in "Fresh Horses" (1988).

Molly Ringwald and writer-director-costar Alan Alda on the set of the comedy "Betsy's Wedding" (1990).

Molly Ringwald and Gary Sinise in the TV adaptation of Stephen King's "The Stand."

Molly Ringwald with Katie Holmes in "Teaching Mrs. Tingle (1999).

Molly Ringwald and Matthew Broderick on stage at the 82nd Academy Awards, March 7, 2010, during a tribute to the late director John Hughes.