Matthew Broderick has been an actor since his early teens, but it was his role in the 1986 John Hughes classic “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off” that made him a star.
In a new interview with The Guardian, Broderick opened up on the impact it had on his career.
“I mean, yeah, I did have nice early success. But it’s not easy to maintain that first flush,” Broderick said. “It’s always a hard adjustment for child actors, young actors. People see the kid out of ‘Leave It to Beaver’ grown up and they don’t buy it – they want to see little Beaver.”
Though the movie made him a star at 24, Broderick admitted it wasn’t always an easy guarantee of continued success.
Matthew Broderick was launched to stardom as Ferris Bueller in “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off” in 1986. (CBS Photo Archive/ANGELA WEISS)
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“People associated me with younger roles, but I wanted them to come with me and get used to the fact that I’m wrinkly. And it was hard,” he said. “The 90s were hard. Lots of ups and downs. But I always tried to keep at it, keep my heart in it. Hopefully that keeps you in the game.”
The now 61-year-old actor went on to star in films like “Godzilla,” “The Cable Guy,” and “Election,” as well as voicing adult Simba in 1994’s “The Lion King.”
When asked what he views as his legacy after decades in the industry, Broderick had a simple answer.
“What’s my legacy? Well, I’m Ferris Bueller, I suppose. I have to accept it. And I like it. I’ve made my peace with it,” he told the outlet.
But he added he’s “not ready for people to start discussing my legacy.”
Matthew Broderick said he accepts taht his legacy is playing Ferris Bueller, but isn’t ready to stop his career just yet. (Bruce Glikas/WireImage)
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“…I have this Pollyanna streak that keeps me going. I always like to think there’s something coming that’s better,” Broderick said.
Broderick is starring in the upcoming Netflix series about the Sackler family and the opiod crisis, “Painkiller,” premiering on August 10.
He also has plans to appear in a West End production of the Neil Simon play “Plaza Suite,” with wife Sarah Jessica Parker, which they also appeared in on Broadway last year.
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The couple have been married for 26 years and share three children, James Wilkie, 20, and twin daughters Tabitha and Marion, 13.
Both Broderick and Parker remain relatively private about their family life, something the actor values.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – DECEMBER 11: (L-R) Matthew Broderick, Sarah Jessica Parker, Tabitha Hodge Broderick,James Wilkie Broderick and Marion Loretta Elwell Broderick together in 2022. (Bruce Glikas/WireImage)
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“Well, it’s nothing we ever sat down and discussed. But I think it evolved and I think it’s important,” Broderick said. “Once you start talking about your relationship and your feelings in public you’re in trouble.”
“Also, we have children. I don’t want to have my kids reading about our relationship. We try to keep some privacy, a circle around the family, so we can all have as normal a life as possible.”