He was the 1980s heartthrob every teen adored — charming, soft-spoken, and seemingly made for movie posters. But behind the fame, Andrew McCarthy was struggling with challenges no one saw. Born in 1962 in Westfield, New Jersey, he grew up far from Hollywood glamour. Shy and often lonely, he escaped through acting and eventually enrolled at NYU, though he was expelled for skipping classes. Weeks later, he responded to an open casting call and, to his shock, landed a role in Class opposite Jacqueline Bisset.
Within a few years, he became a star through films like St. Elmo’s Fire, Pretty in Pink, and Weekend at Bernie’s. But fame came with a darker side. McCarthy revealed in his memoir that while fans saw him as sensitive and composed, he was often hungover on set. Alcohol had become his escape from anxiety and insecurity.
By the late ’80s, his drinking spiraled, followed by a brief period experimenting with drugs. At 29, he reached a breaking point, checked himself into rehab, and committed to sobriety. His career evolved as he stepped away from the wild party scene. Over time, he became a respected director on major series like Orange Is the New Black and Gossip Girl, and later an award-winning travel writer.
His personal life also flourished. After a first marriage to Carol Schneider, he later wed Irish writer Dolores Rice, raising three children. Decades after his ’80s fame, McCarthy is admired not just for his films but for his resilience. He rebuilt his life, found purpose beyond stardom, and continues to inspire fans worldwide.