'Ferris Bueller's Day Off' cast then & now

'Ferris Bueller's Day Off' cast: Then & now

Today marks the 25th anniversary of the release of "Ferris Bueller's Day Off,"a late director's so-called "love letter" to his favorite city. The film put its star on the map and even inspired a ska-punk band. Here's a roll call of the iconic film's cast.

Teenaged Ferris Bueller (Matthew Broderick) is a legend in his own time thanks to his uncanny skill at cutting classes and getting away with it. Intending to make one last grand duck-out before graduation, Ferris calls in sick, "borrows" a Ferrari, and embarks on a one-day bacchanal through the streets of Chicago. Dogging Ferris' trail at every turn is high-school principal Rooney (Jeffrey Jones), determined to catch Bueller in the act of class-cutting. Writer/director John Hughes once again tries to wed satire, slapstick, and social commentary, as Ferris Bueller's Day Off starts like a house afire and goes on to make "serious" points about status-seeking and casual parental cruelties. It brightens up considerably in the last few moments, when Ferris' tattletale sister (Jennifer Grey) decides to align herself with her merry prankster sibling. A huge moneymaker, Ferris Bueller's Day Off eventually spawned a TV sitcom.

Matthew Broderick

Then: This cocky leading man got the most out of his day playing high school hooky. Watch him patronize the arts, then incite a citywide dance party.

Now: Broderick went on to win a Tony, voice a beloved Disney character, marry a stylish star and serve double duty in a popular stage-to-screen role.

Alan Ruck

Then: Ferris' best friend, Cameron, went from his sickbed to painting the town red in his dad's ill-fated car. It wasn't Ruck's first time working with Broderick;

Now: Ruck spent the '90s on a long-running sitcom and has since made guest appearances on crime shows, an ABC comedy and a teen flick.

Jennifer Grey

Then: She played Ferris' pouty sister, Jeanie, who'd stop at nothing to spoil his fun. See who turned her frown upside down. Grey starred in her own hit movie the following year.

Now: In 2010, Grey proved to reality-show judges that she still has the moves, and she and her partner took the top title.

Mia Sara

Then: Ferris helped bust his sweetheart, Sloane, out of school for a day.

Now: Her biggest post-"Ferris" part was opposite Jean-Claude Van Damme. Sara's next project takes place over the rainbow.

Jeffrey Jones

Then: Jones played the movie's villain, principal Ed Rooney, who followed Ferris' truant trail all over town. He had previously earned praise in this period piece.

Now: Jones' career was marred by a 2003 arrest. Later, after failing to comply with a court order, he received a three-year sentence.

Edie McClurg

Then: Goofy high school secretary Grace proved no match for Ferris.

Now: She starred as a nosy neighbor in an '80s sitcom, voiced an animated squirrel in a Disney series and recently reprised her Grace persona.

Ben Stein

Then: He played the world's most boring teacher, who nearly stole the show with one of the film's most memorable moments.

Now: Stein's a prominent economist who's been a prolific writer and political commenter. He also hosted a popular game show

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