Molly Ringwald, the ‘Poster Child for Gen X,’ Reveals What She Didn’t “Actually ”Like About the 1980s (Exclusive)

Nicholas RiceSat, October 17, 2026 at 2:30 PM UTC

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Molly Ringwald in New York City in 2026, Molly Ringwald in Los Angeles in 1985.Credit: Dominik Bindl/Getty; Bob Riha, Jr./Getty -

Molly Ringwald reveals what she didn’t actually like about the 1980s in an exclusive interview with PEOPLE

“I am definitely, I think, the poster child for Gen X, and I think most people who are Gen X came of age in the ‘80s,” the actress says

Ringwald starred in popular ‘80s hits such as 1984’s Sixteen Candles, 1985’s The Breakfast Club and 1986’s Pretty in Pink, among others

Molly Ringwald is one of the most notable faces of the 1980s, but that doesn’t mean she loved every aspect of the decade.

In an exclusive interview with PEOPLE, the actress, 58, reveals that there were some parts of the “Decade of Excess” that she wasn’t the biggest fan of.

“I am definitely, I think, the poster child for Gen X, and I think most people who are Gen X came of age in the ‘80s, which I definitely did,” Ringwald — who starred in popular ‘80s hits such as 1984’s Sixteen Candles, 1985’s The Breakfast Club and 1986’s Pretty in Pink, among others — says.

“So people always love to ask me about what I like and what I don’t like about the ‘80s,” she continues.

Molly Ringwald in ‘Sixteen Candles,’ The Breakfast Club’ and ‘Pretty in Pink.’Credit: Universal Pictures/Courtesy Everett; Universal Pictures/Getty; Paramount/Kobal/Shutterstock

Though Ringwald explains, “Now, I feel very nostalgic for the ‘80s,” she admits, “There were things that I didn’t like about it at the time.”

So what were they exactly? According to Ringwald, “Certain things that I feel like were a little over the top, the sort of power suit, big hair — all that.”

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Still, the Golden Globe nominee says, “That wasn’t really my ‘80s.” She further explains, “A lot of times I think people think that the ‘80s was one particular look, but it wasn’t.”

“It’s just like now. You can’t really sum up a decade, because everybody is different. I got really into vintage clothes, so that was my vibe in the ‘80s,” Ringwald adds.

Molly Ringwald.Credit: Shervin Lainez

Ringwald has recently partnered with Pfizer to raise awareness about pneumococcal pneumonia, which, according to the American Lung Association, is the most common type of bacterial pneumonia.

The campaign focuses on individuals who are older than 50 years age, as they face an increased risk of pneumococcal pneumonia compared to those younger than them.

“Gen Xers are six times more likely to contract this infection, and it is life-threatening, but it’s preventable or at least it prevents you from getting seriously ill with a vaccine,” Ringwald tells PEOPLE.

“I really want to encourage everyone who is my generation, 50 and older, to go to vaxassist.com to see if they’re eligible and protect themselves,” she continues.

on People

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Source: “AOL Entertainment”