Why Judd Nelson Chose Not to Participate in Andrew McCarthy's Brat Pack Documentary: Exclusive Interview

Judd Nelson Reveals Why He Declined Being in Andrew McCarthy s Brat Pack Documentary No Dude 039

Judd Nelson. Paul Archuleta/Getty Images

Judd Nelson, 64, shared his thoughts on Andrew McCarthy's upcoming documentary, BRATS, during the Children Uniting Nations 24th Annual Academy Awards Celebration & Viewing Dinner on Sunday, March 10. He mentioned that he had no interest in revisiting his Brat Pack days for the documentary.

Nelson expressed that it felt strange to have that subject matter used for edited entertainment. He also mentioned that although McCarthy is a nice guy, he hadn't seen him in 35 years. Nelson emphasized that he wasn't going to pretend to be close friends with someone he hadn't seen in such a long time.

McCarthy’s upcoming ABC News documentary, scheduled to be released on Hulu later this year, will delve into the popular phrase that impacted the careers of Hollywood’s young stars in the 1980s. Despite receiving a "request" to participate in the project, Nelson decided to politely decline the offer.

Nelson expressed his lack of knowledge about the Brat Pack to Us, mentioning that being associated with this cultural phenomenon was not a highlight of his career. He questioned the idea of reviving something that wasn't particularly enjoyable and wondered how one could claim expertise on something that never truly existed.

The Brat Pack, a play on the nickname the Rat Pack from the 1960s, was first coined in a 1985 New York magazine article. It mainly described actors from two major films released that year: The Breakfast Club and St. Elmo’s Fire. Members included Nelson, McCarthy, Rob Lowe, Demi Moore, Emilio Estevez, Mare Winningham, and Molly Ringwald. Other A-listers like Timothy Hutton, Tom Cruise, Nicholas Cage, and Sean Penn were also part of the group.

Although Nelson acknowledged that those labeled as Brat Pack members were "friends" at the time, their connections were often exaggerated. He shared, "What was so strange is I lived in New York, then I did a movie with people out here [in L.A.]. So it’s like, then I’m hanging out with them … then when the movie’s over, I go back to New York. I’m not going to hang [and be like], ‘Hey, let’s go to Hard Rock Cafe.’ It’s weird."

Nelson mentioned that the Brat Pack, a group of young actors, had a great time together on set. He remains close with his Breakfast Club costars even today. However, once the project was finished, they would go their separate ways.

The actor revealed that the young stars were advised to avoid each other because of the negative implications associated with the Brat Pack label. This was due to the significant amount of publicity the group received at the time.

Why Judd Nelson Declined to Be in Andrews McCarthey Brat Pack Doc

Judd Nelson in ‘The Breakfast Club’ Universal Pictures

He explained that his generation of actors was unfairly portrayed as entitled, irresponsible, and unprofessional, but he insisted that rumors of bad behavior were untrue. In his experience, everyone was punctual and well-prepared, which seemed strange to him.

McCarthy's documentary will not only showcase the Brat Pack members but also journalist David Blum, who coined the term in his New York cover story originally meant to be a profile on Estevez. In the article, he criticized the group as young, uneducated actors who partied and acted together, a description he later regretted two years after its publication.

Nelson has always been straightforward about his opinion of Blum. In a 2015 episode of author Bret Easton Ellis’ podcast, Nelson admitted that his initial instinct upon meeting Blum was to knock him unconscious.

Nelson recalled a specific incident when Blum joined him and his friends for a night out. He immediately felt uneasy about Blum's presence, questioning his role at the dinner table. Despite his concerns, Blum remained seated as Nelson expressed his dislike for him.

He continued, “There was just something about this guy that didn't sit right with me. Looking back, I should have trusted my instincts and taken action. Maybe knocking him out would have been the right move. At least it would have given me some peace of mind.”

It was Nelson's portrayal of "criminal" John Bender in The Breakfast Club and his role in St. Elmo's Fire that catapulted him to fame in the 1980s. Following the New York magazine article, the Brat Pack members were rarely seen together on screen for many years. In the 2000s, Nelson transitioned to television with appearances on shows like Suddenly Susan, CSI, Two and a Half Men, Nikita, Empire, and Law & Order: SVU, but none of these projects reunited him with his former Brat Pack peers.

Nelson claimed during his Easton Ellis podcast interview that after the article, they were strongly discouraged from working together again. For the most part, they haven't. He also mentioned that it was insinuated they might not want to hang out with those people. "I didn't realize that good friends are so easy to find in this world that they should be cast aside," he added.

With reporting by Andrea Simpson

Editor's P/S:

Judd Nelson's candid perspective on Andrew McCarthy's upcoming Brat Pack documentary offers a unique glimpse into the complexities of Hollywood's young star culture. Nelson's reluctance to revisit his Brat Pack days highlights the discomfort he feels with the edited entertainment aspect of such projects. His emphasis on the exaggerated connections and the unfair portrayal of their generation as irresponsible and unprofessional underscores the negative implications associated with the Brat Pack label.

Moreover, Nelson's account of journalist David Blum's presence during a night out with the group sheds light on the uneasy dynamics between the young actors and the media. His initial instinct to physically harm Blum speaks to the resentment and frustration he harbored towards Blum's portrayal of them. Nelson's refusal to participate in McCarthy's documentary further emphasizes his desire to distance himself from the Brat Pack narrative and his belief that the group's legacy has been distorted and sensationalized. Nelson's candid and critical perspective provides valuable insights into the pressures and complexities faced by young stars during the Brat Pack era and the lasting impact it had on their careers and personal lives.