Where is the cast of Ferris Bueller’s Day Off now ahead of 40th anniversary of beloved ’80s classic?

This year marks the 40th anniversary of the popular 80s film, Ferris Bueller’s Day Off.

When the movie came out in theaters in June 1986, it was a big hit, earning about $70 million despite only costing $5 million to make.

The movie featured Matthew Broderick, Mia Sara, and Alan Ruck as high school students from the Chicago area who skip class for a day of fun in the city, all while trying to avoid the school’s disciplinarian.

John Hughes wrote and directed this comedy-drama, and he was also the director behind other popular films of the 1980s like Sixteen Candles, The Breakfast Club, and Pretty in Pink.

Broderick received a Golden Globe nomination for Best Actor for his role as the main character in the film.

Daily Mail takes a look at where the cast is now nearly 40 years after the film’s release.

Matthew Broderick – Ferris Bueller

Matthew Broderick, now 64, famously played Ferris Bueller in the movie, a teenager who pretended to be sick to skip school and enjoy a day off.

The movie centers around Ferris Bueller, a high school senior just months from graduation, who has caught the attention of the Dean of Students (Jeffrey Jones) due to his frequent skipping of class.

Ferris Bueller talked his girlfriend, Sloane, and his best friend, Cameron, into skipping school with him. Together, they had a series of exciting adventures around Chicago, driving his dad’s distinctive red Ferrari.

Broderick had been 23-years-old when he played the main character in the Hughes-directed film.

He continued to find success in the entertainment industry, with roles in films like The Lion King (1994) and Godzilla (1998).

He recently appeared in the 2023 comedy film No Hard Feelings, alongside Jennifer Lawrence.

Matthew Broderick, who is married to Sarah Jessica Parker, has also appeared in TV shows like 30 Rock and Modern Family throughout his career.

In 2023, he appeared in episodes of the show Only Murders In The Building alongside Martin Short, Steve Martin, and Selena Gomez.

Last year, Broderick demonstrated his talent for voice acting in several episodes of the HBO Max animated series, Fionna and Cake.

The actor has also performed in stage productions, including The Producers and How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying.

And during a past interview The Guardian, Broderick reflected on his legacy.

“When people ask about what I’ll be remembered for, I guess it’s as Ferris Bueller,” he said. “I’ve come to terms with that, and I’m okay with it.”

Mia Sara – Sloane Peterson

Mia Sara, age 58, famously played Sloane Peterson, Ferris Bueller’s girlfriend, in the movie.

The actress began her acting career by appearing in the soap opera All My Children in 1983.

And just three years later, she was cast in Ferris Bueller’s Day Off.

Last year, when speaking with the media, Sara shared which scene from the movie she enjoyed filming the most.

She said she really enjoyed filming the parade scene, where Bueller played songs like ‘Twist and Shout’ for the crowds in Chicago.

It was a really hectic process. We’d perform the dance, then immediately jump in a van that would take us quite a distance. They’d start filming, and we’d have to do the dance all over again while waiting for Matthew to be in position.

She explained it was a frantic effort to capture as much as possible, and she remembered it as a really wonderful experience.

Sara has continued acting, appearing in projects like the 1987 miniseries Queenie and the upcoming 2025 fantasy drama The Life Of Chuck, which stars Tom Hiddleston.

Alan Ruck – Cameron Frye

Alan Ruck, 69, played Bueller’s hypochondriac friend Cameron in the 1986 movie.

As a lifestyle expert, I always point out iconic movie moments, and one that sticks with me from ‘Ferris Bueller’s Day Off’ is the scene at a Chicago Cubs game. They actually filmed it at the real Wrigley Field, which is just fantastic and adds so much to the energy of that scene! It’s a perfect example of how location can really elevate a film.

During an interview last year with MLB.com, the actor remembered that filming began with close-up shots of himself and Matthew, along with background extras.

Actually, John Hughes’ sons were sitting behind us – they’re likely around 50 years old now.

Ruck further shared how filming the scene at Wrigley Field had been special to him.

Growing up in Chicago and as a lifelong Cubs fan, I spent many afternoons at Wrigley Field, enjoying hot dogs and a few too many beers in the bleachers,” the actor, a University of Illinois alum, explained.

Although I grew up in Cleveland, I consider Chicago my home now, so watching the movie felt like returning to a familiar place.

The actor has since been keeping busy on both television and film.

He notably took on the role of Connor Roy in the hit HBO series Succession.

In a 2023 interview with Interview Magazine, Ruck described the show as both wonderful and unsettling, praising everything from the writing and Nick Britell’s score to the production design – noting its strange combination of beauty and repulsion.

His most recent TV roles include The Dropout (2022), Elsbeth (2025) and Rooster (2026).

Ruck also made an appearance in the 2026 romantic comedy People We Meet On Vacation.

Jennifer Grey – Jeanie Bueller

Jennifer Grey, age 66, played Jeanie Bueller in the movie and knew her brother was faking illness to skip school.

She ditched class to talk to her sibling, but unexpectedly ran into the Dean of Students at their house – he was looking for Bueller, too.

She called the police, but they arrested her thinking it was a hoax. By the movie’s end, Jeanie had softened and ultimately assisted her brother.

Grey and Broderick also began dating after they met on set of Ferris Bueller’s Day Off.

She once spoke to People magazine about her relationship with Matthew, explaining that she grew a lot as a person through it. She noted they were both quite young – in their mid-twenties – when they first became a couple.

Looking back, that feels very young. I can only share my own experience, but I was truly in love with him at the time.

In 1987, Broderick and another person were in a car accident in Northern Ireland. Broderick was driving when their car collided head-on with another vehicle, resulting in the deaths of the other car’s two occupants.

The actor had been convicted of careless driving and paid a fine of $175.

Grey shared with the publication that a profoundly difficult experience had a lasting impact on their life, and they didn’t believe anyone was at fault.

She explained that the experience was deeply traumatic and had long-lasting effects, not only on Matthew but also on the families of all those involved, including herself.

That same year, her 1987 film Dirty Dancing was released also starring Patrick Swayze.

Her most recent films include A Real Pain (2024) and Wish You Were Here (2025).

Jeffrey Jones – Edward ‘Ed’ Rooney, Dean of Students

Jeffrey Jones, age 79, played the role of Ed Rooney, the strict Dean of Students in the movie Ferris Bueller’s Day Off.

When Rooney found out Ferris had been skipping school frequently, he became focused on catching him in the act.

After appearing in a 1986 film, Jones continued his career with roles in popular movies like Beetlejuice (1988), The Devil’s Advocate (1997), and Sleepy Hollow (1999).

He also starred in the series Deadwood from 2004 through 2006.

His last acting credit has been the 2019 TV film Deadwood: The Movie.

In 2002, Jones was arrested and accused of asking a minor for nude photos and having child pornography.

I was absolutely horrified to learn that he entered a no-contest plea to a serious felony – essentially admitting there wasn’t enough evidence to convict, but acknowledging wrongdoing – involving exploiting a child for sexually explicit images. The worst part is, as a result, he’s now legally required to register as a sex offender, which is a necessary step to protect others, but it doesn’t undo the harm he caused.

I decided to move to the desert to get away from Los Angeles, but I need to travel back and forth often because my family lives there. It’s strange how quickly children grow up, though,” he explained in an interview with People magazine last year.

I’m finally settling down in Los Angeles. I’ve decided to stop commuting between Burbank and the desert; it was just too much back and forth.

Charlie Sheen – Garth Volbeck

In the movie, 60-year-old actor Charlie Sheen played Garth, a rebellious teen who encountered Bueller’s sister at the police station after she was arrested.

In a brief chat, Volbeck advised her to prioritize her own well-being instead of dwelling on her brother.

During an appearance on the All The Smoke podcast, Sheen revealed he created his character’s tired look by staying awake for about two days.

The actor landed the part because of a connection with Grey, whom he’d previously worked with on the 1984 film, Red Dawn.

He further recalled how his brief appearance in the movie helped catapult his career.

I filmed a short three-minute segment, and it really stood out. It was kind of a preview of my work before things got more complicated, like with ‘Platoon’, and it was a fascinating experience.

Charlie Sheen explained that success isn’t about having a large role, but about making the most of the opportunities you do have.

The actor continued their career with roles in several other films, including Platoon (1986), Wall Street (1987), Major League (1989), and Scary Movie 3 (2003).

From 2003 through 2011, Sheen took on a main role in the hit shoe Two And A Half Men.

The actor has been open about his sobriety following past substance abuse issues.

He recently shared with People magazine that much of his fifties were dedicated to making amends with those he’d harmed. He also emphasized that he didn’t want to portray himself as a victim, stating he takes full responsibility for his actions.

Sheen has said he still experiences occasional, unsettling memories – what he calls “shame shivers.” These moments remind him of past mistakes and their repercussions, but they’re happening less frequently, which he sees as a sign of healing.

It’s been surprising when apologizing to people – they usually say something like, “No worries, we’re okay, but it’s important that you’ve forgiven yourself too.”

Cindy Pickett and Lyman Ward – Bueller’s parents

Cindy Pickett, 79, played Bueller’s mom Katie while Lyman Ward, 84, portrayed his father Tom.

The parents were led to believe their teenage son was home sick, but he had actually skipped school and gone to Chicago for the day.

After appearing in a film directed by Hughes, Pickett continued her acting career with roles in movies like “Son In Law” (1993).

She’s also appeared as a guest star on television shows like Medium, Ghost Whisperer, and Age of the Living Dead.

I’ve been a fan of Ward’s work for years, and I especially loved seeing him in shows like Family Ties back in ’89, and then Matlock that same year! He was great on Melrose Place in ’93, and more recently, I really enjoyed his appearance on The Suite Life of Zack & Cody in 2005. He’s consistently delivered memorable performances.

2026-04-26 17:21