Teen comedy “Adventures in Babysitting” hit cinema screens in 1987. It not only launched the careers of several young actors, such as Elisabeth Shue, Keith Coogan, and Anthony Rapp but also marked the directorial debut of filmmaker Chris Columbus.
The film follows a high school student who ends up having to babysit two youngsters as the group end up in ever more ridiculous situations. With many of the cast being in their twenties or even younger during filming, they have changed quite a bit in the intervening years.
Elisabeth Shue
Elisabeth Shue was the leading actress in “Adventures in Babysitting” with the role of Christina “Chris” Parker, who is charged with babysitting Brad and Sara after her boyfriend ditches her for other plans. Like many of the cast, the movie acted as Shue’s breakthrough role and she went on to star in a number of high-profile films and television series. Her performance in the 1995 film “Leaving Las Vegas” even earned her an Academy Award nomination.
Age when “Adventures in Babysitting” released: 23
Selected credits before “Adventures in Babysitting”: “Somewhere, Tomorrow,” “The Karate Kid,” and “Call to Glory.”
GettyAge now: 62
Selected credits after “Adventures in Babysitting”: “Leaving Las Vegas,” “The Saint,” and “The Boys.”
Keith Coogan
GettyPortraying one of the two children that Christina babysits in the film, Keith Coogan was still a teenager when it was first released. The grandson of Jackie Coogan, who rose to fame during the age of silent movies, he had a number of small roles before he was cast in “Adventures in Babysitting.” He has since gone on to star in a variety of projects, including “Toy Soldiers” in 1991.
Age when “Adventures in Babysitting” released: 17
Selected credits before “Adventures in Babysitting”: “The Fox and the Hound,” “The Waltons,” and “The MacKenzies of Paradise Cove.”
GettyAge now: 56Selected credits after “Adventures in Babysitting”: “Don’t Tell Mom the Babysitter’s Dead,” “Toy Soldiers,” and “The Quarantine Bunch.”
Maia Brewton
Despite her young age when she appeared in “Adventures in Babysitting,” this was not Maia Brewton’s first screen role. She also had small roles in the likes of “Back to the Future” and was a regular on several television series. Eventually, Brewton — who portrays Sara in the teen comedy — gave up acting to pursue a career in law after graduating from Yale University.
Age when “Adventures in Babysitting” released: 8
Selected credits before “Adventures in Babysitting”: “Highway to Heaven,” “Lime Street,” and “Matt Houston.”
Age now: 48
Selected credits after “Adventures in Babysitting”: “Parker Lewis Can’t Lose,” “Odd Mom Out,” and “Sky Trackers.”
Anthony Rapp
Although he wasn’t one of the kids that Christina was looking after, Anthony Rapp’s character Daryl Coopersmith did tag along for the hijinks. Continuing to act after the film was released, Rapp is probably best known for his work on the Broadway musical “Rent” and its film adaptation. More recently, he has been part of the main cast of “Star Trek: Discovery.”
Age when “Adventures in Babysitting” released: 15
Selected credits before “Adventures in Babysitting”: n/a
GettyAge now: Test
Age now: 54
Selected credits after “Adventures in Babysitting”: “Rent,” “Dazed and Confused,” and “A Beautiful Mind.”
Bradley Whitford
Bradley Whitford played Mike Todwell in “Adventures in Babysitting.” As Christina’s boyfriend, he acts as one of the antagonists of the film. The group discovers that Mike is cheating on his girlfriend, leading to a confrontation where he is dumped and ultimately humiliated by Daryl. In recent years, he has had a significant part in Hulu’s “The Handmaid’s Tale.”
Age when “Adventures in Babysitting” released: 27
Selected credits before “Adventures in Babysitting”: “A Capitol Fourth,” “The Betty Ford Story,” and “The Equalizer.”
GettyAge now: 66Selected credits after “Adventures in Babysitting”: “Get Out,” “The West Wing,” and “Saving Mr. Banks.”
Penelope Ann Miller
GettyAs with many of the young actors in the movie, Penelope Ann Miller made her breakthrough after it became a modest box office success. Playing Christina’s friend Brenda, she appears to be something of a nerd. That’s very different to the characters she went on to play in later films, which included the Arnold Schwarzenegger project “Kindergarten Cop.”
Age when “Adventures in Babysitting” released: 23
Selected credits before “Adventures in Babysitting”: “The Guiding Light,” “The Facts of Life,” and “The Popcorn Kid.”
GettyAge now: 62
Selected credits after “Adventures in Babysitting”: “Carlito’s Way,” “The Artist,” and “Kindergarten Cop.”
George Newbern
George Newbern portrays Dan Lynch in the film, Christina’s new love interest after she dumps Mike. Already established as an actor before his appearance in the teen comedy, he went on to star in “Scandal” along with portraying Bryan MacKenzie in the “Father of the Bride” franchise. As a voice actor, Newbern has also portrayed numerous characters in video games and animated releases, most famously providing the voice of Superman.
Age when “Adventures in Babysitting” released: 22
Selected credits before “Adventures in Babysitting”: “The Blue and the Gray,” “My Little Girl,” and “Family Ties.”
GettyAge now: Test
Age now: 61
Selected credits after “Adventures in Babysitting”: “Superman Vs. The Elite,” “Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children,” and “Father of the Bride.”
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