Molly Ringwald shares defining memory forty years after filming Pretty in Pink

• Molly Ringwald recalled taking a high school algebra final while on a film set.
• The character Duckie was based on Ringwald's best friend since the sixth grade.
• Pretty in Pink remains a cult classic forty years after its theatrical release.
  

At the opening night of "Beaches" on Broadway in New York City on April 22, 2026, Molly Ringwald shared a poignant reflection on her most famous role.

Speaking exclusively with PEOPLE at the Majestic Theatre, the 58-year-old actress looked back on the filming of "Pretty in Pink" four decades after its release.

Ringwald, who was only 17 during the production of the 1986 teen drama, admitted that the experience feels distant. "It was such a long time ago. It almost seems like a different life," she remarked.

Despite the passage of time, one specific academic memory remains vivid for the star. Ringwald revealed that her primary recollection of the set involves juggling her burgeoning career with her education. 

"I had to do my finals on set for my high school algebra test," she said, identifying the exam as what she remembers most. 

Beyond her studies, she fondly recalled celebrating the 18th birthday of her lifelong friend, Matt, on the set.

Matt notably served as the real-life inspiration for the beloved character Philip F. "Duckie" Dale, famously played by Jon Cryer.

The connection between Ringwald and Matt has endured, as he is the godfather to her eldest daughter, Mathilda. Ringwald, a mother of three, remains a central figure in the legacy of the "Brat Pack" era.

Since "Pretty in Pink" was written by John Hughes and released in February 1986, it has maintained its status as a quintessential cult classic, helping to define the aesthetic and emotional landscape of 1980s cinema for subsequent generations.