I got to meet 80s movie star Andrew McCarthy at the Pekin Library.
Baby Boomers and Millennials are likely scratching their heads wondering who Andrew McCarthy is, but if you were a Gen Xer like me, you probably know.
McCarthy was one of the Brat Pack, a group of actors from the 80s. He starred in Pretty in Pink, Less than Zero, St. Elmos Fire, Mannequin, Weekend at Bernies and Class.
These are the movies of my high school years, the 80s. Ask any of my friends and they will tell you that I am all about the 80s. I loved the 80s! It was a fun time. We wore Izods with the collars turned up, sweater dresses and neon clothing and accessories. We had rat tails (a part of our hair that was longer than the rest) and dangling cross earrings. We listened to bands like Duran Duran, The Fixx and The Psychedelic Furs. Cyndi Lauper was singing Girls Just Wanna Have Fun.
And we did. My best friend Tammy and I had crushes on Duran Duran and the popular movie stars of the time. Our bedroom walls were plastered with posters, mostly Duran Duran. We went to see the movie The Outsiders at Landmark 10 times. She liked Matt Dillon and I liked Ralph Macchio. We watched Class. She liked Rob Lowe; I liked Andrew McCarthy. He was the sensitive one.
On the way to the Pekin Library, I felt giddy like I was in high school all over again. I was nervous about meeting Andrew. I figured there would be a line and I didnt know how long the event would last, so I stopped at Taco Johns for a bite to eat. After I ate in my car in the parking lot, I thought, Great, I am going to meet Andrew McCarthy with potato ole breath.
Luckily, I found some gum in my purse.
Andrew gave an awesome speech about traveling and his book The Longest Way Home, which I purchased and had autographed. He even talked a bit about the 80s. Andrew has been quoted in articles saying that he doesnt like to focus much on the movies he starred in from the 80s. I guess hes moved past that point. But I say, Come on Andy, thats what made you famous! Plus, Class, St. Elmos Fire and Pretty in Pink were totally awesome!
He did admit that being a movie star has opened doors for him that might not have otherwise been opened.
Maybe he doesnt realize the special meaning these movies hold for many women, such as myself, who grew up in the 80s. That was our special time and he and those movies are icons of that decade.
Andrew McCarthy laughs as he talks to the audience at the Pekin Library Aug. 12.
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After Andrews talk, there was a Q&A. Because he had talked about the fact that he is a private person who likes to travel alone, I saw a parallel between him and Rush drummer Neil Peart, who also writes travel books. I asked Andrew if he had read any of Pearts books. He said he had not heard of them. I then asked if he had heard of Rush. He said he had, but added that being from New Jersey, he likes Bruce Springsteen.
As I stood in line to get my book signed, there were so many things I wanted to tell Andrew. Of course, I knew I wouldnt have time. I wanted to tell him that I totally agree with him about how Americans seem sheltered, living in fear here. It is not until they get outside of their comfortable cocoon and travel the world, that their perspective will change.
I know this because I experienced it firsthand myself. I lived in Holland for nine months and went to school there with people from Russia, Mexico, Iraq, Macedonia, Morocco and Thailand. It opened my mind to the fact that just because someone is not like me doesnt mean I should be afraid of them. There are good and bad people all over the world.
I wanted to tell Andrew about my grandparents who are world travelers. They have hiked all over Europe and even went on an African safari. I still cant believe my little old grandma slept in a tent in the African wilderness, listening to lions at night. My grandpa has been to Nepal and India. One of my grandmas favorite stories is about the time they got lost in Ireland and a little old lady asked them, Are you in distress? My grandma thought that was cute.
While I waited in line to get my book signed, I pictured Andrew and I eating dinner with my grandparents, laughing and sharing stories of traveling abroad.
I also wanted to tell Andrew how much the movies from the 80s meant to me, how much I enjoyed them.
I didnt get to say any of that. Instead of anything profound, when I finally got up to him, I said, Im going to see The Psychedelic Furs next month. This is the band that did the theme song Pretty in Pink for what was probably Andrews most well-known movie by the same title.
He said, Oh yeah? Where are they playing? He even asked the date.
Who knows, maybe Ill see him there and hell be wearing a white tuxedo just like he did at the dance in the movies.
Jeanette Kendall is the executive editor at TimesNewspapers.
