80s Star Ally Sheedy Says She Feels "Settled" Today And Looks Back Fondly On Her Iconic Roles

Feb 14, 2022 by apost team

Ally Sheedy is an American actress that is best known for her roles in the 1980s films "The Breakfast Club" and "St. Elmo's Fire." Her film debut was in 1983 in the movie "Bad Boys" and she was in "War Games" that same year. In 1998, Sheedy won the Independent Spirit Award for Best Female Lead for her performance in "High Art." 

The star was born Alexandra Elizabeth Sheedy in New York City on June 13, 1962. Her parents are Charlotte and John Sheedy and they were divorced in 1971. The actress attended Columbia Grammar & Preparatory School in New York City, and after graduating she enrolled at the University of Southern California where she studied drama. Sheedy also began her career at this time, finding an agent after moving to Los Angeles.

Sheedy acted in a few television movies before landing a part in "Bad Boys," which starred Sean Penn. The 80s saw her perform in a number of films, including "Short Circuit" and "Maid to Order." In the 2000s, Sheedy appeared on several television series including Anthony Michael Hall's "Dead Zone." She also had recurring roles on "Psych," "Kyle XY" and appeared in an episode of "C.S.I." called "Leapin' Lizards."

In 1992, Sheedy married Angela Lansbury's nephew David Lansbury and they had a son named Beckett in 1994. It was announced in 2008 that the couple was getting a divorce and Sheedy has not remarried since. Read on to learn more about her life and to see what she has been up to since being a member of the Brat Pack.

In an interview from January 2022, Sheedy shared that her parents were supportive of her dreams when she was still a child. She said:

"My mom and my dad both believed in my abilities, but neither one of them wanted me to go to Hollywood because, obviously, it's a scary place. But I had gotten into USC. So that was my plan — get a BFA in drama and, in the meantime, find myself an agent and start working. And that's pretty much what I did."

Sheedy has a recurring role on the TV series "Single Drunk Female," portraying the lead character's mother. When asked what drew her to the role, Sheedy replied:

"I had been thinking I'd like to do a television series — I've never (starred in) one. It was just a question of the right thing coming along. I absolutely loved the script for the pilot. For me, this whole show is about the mother-daughter relationship, even though it's about a lot of other things, too. That relationship is the rock of the entire show."

In 1989, Sheedy took care of her own sobriety when she attended rehab for sleeping pills. The actress shared:

"I started taking them when I was in a really toxic relationship. The person I was with was a real drug addict, and the sleeping pills had something to do with that rocker sort of schedule. I would tell my younger self: 'Be careful about the men you get involved with because it can lead you down quite a rocky road.' One of the things that was great about rehab was it also got me away from that person. I needed that."

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In 2022, Sheedy is 59, enjoying her life and spending time with her family. "I feel much more settled into myself. I have a kind of satisfaction with the place I am in right now. I love my kid, I think he's doing really well. I think you get to a particular time in life where there just isn't all the old drama. Everything isn't so intense all the time," she said.

Now that the actress is older, she understands herself better. Sheedy explained, "I know that I am not happy unless I have some kind of meaningful work, which is why I have three different types of meaningful work! There's a feeling of making a contribution that I love. It makes me feel what I did today was meaningful."

One of the ways Sheedy gives back is by teaching at the university level. She said, "I teach an acting on film class at the City University of New York and the City College campus. And under a different name, I do some freelance editorial work. It's kind of a free-form sort of thing. It's very satisfying."

While she doesn't have a traditional bucket list, there is something that Sheedy would love to experience. She shared, "I don't think there are a lot of things I want to do that I haven't done. I am pretty happy where things are right now. I would love it if one day I get to be a grandmother. That would be great. I do think about it sometimes, that would be beautiful."

Do you remember Ally Sheedy? What is your favorite film or TV show of hers? Let us know and be sure to send this along to your friends and family.