Brooke Martin
In the 1984 film Sixteen Candles, Patty was played by Zelda Rubinstein. Rubinstein is also known for her role as the organist in the film.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name of the character | Patty |
| Name of the actor | Zelda Rubinstein |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
Zelda Rubinstein played Patty in Sixteen Candles
Zelda Rubinstein played the character Patty in the 1984 film Sixteen Candles. Rubinstein was an American actress, perhaps best known for her role as Tangina Barrons in the Poltergeist film series. In Sixteen Candles, she takes on the role of a supporting character, Patty, who is the school's organist. The film follows the story of a girl, played by Molly Ringwald, who feels forgotten on her sixteenth birthday when her family becomes consumed by her older sister's wedding.
Rubinstein was born in 1933 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. She began her career as a medical technician before transitioning into acting in the late 1970s. She made her film debut in the 1982 horror film, Poltergeist, playing a psychic who helps the family communicate with the spirits haunting their home. Her performance was well-received, and she went on to reprise her role in the sequels Poltergeist II (1986) and Poltergeist III (1988).
Outside of the Poltergeist franchise, Rubinstein's acting credits include the films Sixteen Candles (1984), Teen Witch (1989), and National Lampoon's Last Resort (1994). She also had a successful career in television, appearing in shows such as Picket Fences, The Wild Thornberrys, and Unhappily Ever After. She lent her distinctive voice to animated series, including The Flintstone Kids and The Magic School Bus.
Zelda Rubinstein passed away in 2010 at the age of 76. Her legacy includes not only her memorable performances but also her advocacy for dwarfism awareness and disability rights. She used her platform to bring attention to the challenges faced by people with dwarfism and to promote equal opportunities for people with disabilities in the entertainment industry and beyond.
Candle Flames: Radiation or Not?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Patty was one of many characters played by actors in minor roles
The film also featured several well-known actors, including Michael Schoeffling, who played Jake Ryan, and Molly Ringwald, who had a long collaboration with the film's director, John Hughes. Anthony Michael Hall, who played one of the main characters, "The Geek," also went on to appear in 37 movies and several Broadway productions.
Haviland Morris, who played Wendy Worthington in Sixteen Candles, also appeared in several episodes of Law and Order, and John Kapelos, who played the groom in the movie, also appeared in other John Hughes films, such as The Breakfast Club and Weird Science.
Beth Ringwald, who played Adam Carolla's old girlfriend and neighbour, was another actor with a small part in Sixteen Candles. She described her role as the girl at the dance who was picked up and carried out of the coat room by a football player.
Recycling Burnt Glass: What to Do With Candle Jars?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Sixteen Candles was released in 1984
The coming-of-age classic Sixteen Candles was released in 1984. The film stars Molly Ringwald, Michael Schoeffling, and Anthony Michael Hall. Ringwald plays the protagonist, Samantha, whose family forgets her sixteenth birthday as they prepare for her older sister's wedding. Schoeffling plays the popular senior and object of Samantha's affections, Jake Ryan, and Hall plays one of the main characters, referred to as “The Geek” in the credits.
The film also features Haviland Morris as Samantha's wealthy and popular blonde classmate, Caroline Mulford. Morris, who has appeared in several episodes of Law and Order, is credited at the beginning of the film and sports red hair, unlike her Sixteen Candles character. John Kapelos, who plays the groom in Sixteen Candles, also appears in another John Hughes film, The Breakfast Club, as a janitor.
Sixteen Candles marked the second film role for John Cusack, who would go on to star in many popular films. Other cast members include Blanche Baker, who plays Samantha's sister Ginny, and Paul Dooley, who plays Samantha's dad, Howard Baker.
The film has gained a cult following over the years, with many viewers citing Schoeffling's portrayal of Jake Ryan as a timeless phenomenon that "screwed up an entire generation of girls who got all hopeful that men that perfect really existed."
Creative Candle Holders: DIY Home Decor Ideas
You may want to see also
The film's cast included Anthony Michael Hall and Molly Ringwald
The 1984 American coming-of-age teen comedy film Sixteen Candles starred Molly Ringwald as the 16-year-old Samantha "Sam" Baker, who deals with a seemingly unrequited crush on high school senior Jake Ryan. Ringwald's performance was particularly praised by critics, and the film helped launch her career. She pursued the role after receiving headshots from director John Hughes, who chose her over Ally Sheedy, who had auditioned for the part.
Anthony Michael Hall played the role of freshman Ted "The Geek" Farmer, who pursues Sam. Hall's performance was also well-received, with one reviewer noting that he "practically stole the entire movie with his one-liners". Hall recalled that he hung out a lot with his co-star Michael Schoeffling, who played Jake, and considered him a "big brother". Hall was 15 years old when filming began in July 1983. He and Ringwald won Young Artist Awards for their performances, becoming the first and only juvenile performers to win the Best Leading Actress and Best Leading Actor awards for the same film.
Transforming Metal Candle Holders with Paint
You may want to see also
Michael Schoeffling played Jake Ryan, a heartthrob character
Michael Schoeffling played Jake Ryan, a dreamy, sensitive, and understanding high school athlete and the love interest of Molly Ringwald's character, Sam, in the 1984 film Sixteen Candles. Schoeffling's portrayal of the popular yet soft-spoken Jake Ryan solidified his place in cinematic history and earned him the status of a heartthrob.
Schoeffling's performance as Jake Ryan in Sixteen Candles, his major acting debut, remains his most iconic and significant role. The character's appeal was such that, on Valentine's Day in 2004, twenty years after the film's release, The Washington Post published an article titled "Real Men Can't Hold a Match To Jake Ryan," highlighting the enduring impact of Schoeffling's portrayal.
Despite his success as Jake Ryan, Schoeffling actively resisted being typecast as a heartthrob or the hunky love interest. He went on to pursue diverse roles in films like Vision Quest, where he played Kenny "Kuch" Kuchera, a high school wrestler, and Longtime Companion, an AIDS drama released in 1989, where he played Michael.
However, Schoeffling was unable to land a part that matched the popularity and cultural impact of Jake Ryan. He continued acting until 1991 when he decided to leave Hollywood and pursue a career in woodworking.
Even though Schoeffling has stepped away from the spotlight, his portrayal of Jake Ryan in Sixteen Candles remains a timeless phenomenon, resonating with audiences and leaving a lasting impact on cinematic history.
Dripless Candles: Toxic Fumes or Safe Ambiance?
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Elaine Wilkes played Patty in Sixteen Candles.
Elaine Wilkes has also been in 'Back to the Future' and 'Back to the Future Part II'.
Other cast members include Zelda Rubinstein, Dennis Vero, Adam Rifkin, and Elizabeth Cox.
Sixteen Candles follows a girl, played by Molly Ringwald, whose family forgets her sixteenth birthday.
