Molly Kathleen Ringwald is an American actress, writer, and translator. She began her career as a child actress on the sitcoms
Diff'rent Strokes and
The Facts of Life before being nominated for a Golden Globe for her performance in the drama film
Tempest (1982). Ringwald became a teen idol following her appearances in filmmaker John Hughes' teen films
Sixteen Candles (1984),
The Breakfast Club (1985), and
Pretty in Pink (1986). These films led to the media referring to her as a member of the "Brat Pack." Her final teen roles were in
For Keeps and
Fresh Horses.