Andrew McCarthy became one of the defining heartthrobs of the 1980s, starring in films such as St. Elmo’s Fire, Pretty in Pink, Mannequin and Weekend at Bernie’s. Born in New Jersey in 1962, he never expected fame and admitted that attention often made him uncomfortable. After being expelled from NYU, he landed his first major role in Class alongside Jacqueline Bisset, launching a career that quickly turned him into a teen idol and part of Hollywood’s famous “Brat Pack.”

Behind the charming image, however, McCarthy was struggling with alcoholism. He later revealed that he was often hungover while filming Pretty in Pink and used alcohol to feel confident, powerful and in control. He also experimented with cocaine, although drinking became his much more serious problem. After quitting alcohol in 1989, he later experienced a dangerous relapse that led to several painful years before he finally entered rehab at age 29 and committed to sobriety.

Recovery marked the beginning of a new chapter. McCarthy moved away from Hollywood’s party culture and expanded his career beyond acting, becoming a successful television director whose credits include Orange Is the New Black and Gossip Girl. He also became an accomplished travel writer and author, explaining that acting and writing both allow him to tell stories and express his creativity.

McCarthy has also built a family life away from the spotlight. After divorcing Carol Schneider, with whom he shares a son, he married writer and director Dolores Rice in 2011, and they have two children together. Today, decades after becoming an ’80s icon, he is remembered not only for his beloved movies but also for overcoming addiction, rebuilding his life and creating a lasting career behind the camera.