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Jon Cryer in his iconic role as the "Duck Man" in the film "Pretty in Pink" in 1986. Source: https://www.reddit.com/r/moviecritic/comments/1clll9l/lets_talk_pretty_in_pink_and_the_elephant_in_the/ (May be subject to copyright) |
A few years ago I was watching “The Gilmore Girls” and Lorelai Gilmore was called in to save a teenage girl’s birthday party. She gave them all kinds of stuff to do and introduced them to a movie she loved when she was their age starring a legend named Molly Ringwald. As it was about to start she said, “And yes, that is the guy from ‘Two and a Half’ Men.”
The screen faded to black then “Pretty in Pink” started.
“That guy” was Jon Cryer.
It is his birthday today, and it reminded me of his role as a lovable loser, a witness hiding out in high school, and much more.
The Duck Man
John Hughes had begun to make a name for himself as the voice of the teen generation after his successes with “Sixteen Candles” and “The Breakfast Club”.
John Hughes had begun to make a name for himself as the voice of the teen generation after his successes with “Sixteen Candles” and “The Breakfast Club”.
The third movie in what I call Hughes’ tetralogy was “Pretty in Pink” which came out in 1986. Molly Ringwald plays, Andie Walsh, a girl who does not fit in with the cool crowd at school, but has built a neat life with her own friends and job at a record store.
Perhaps her best friend is the eccentric Philip F. “Duckie” Dale, played by Jon Cryer. Also called the “Duck Man”, he has feelings for Andie, but does not know how to express them. I could totally relate to that role.
Cryer was amazing as “Duckie”.
In hiding
A year later, Cryer was back on the silver screen in “Hiding Out”. He plays a stock broker on the run from a hit man, who hides out as a high school student. Again he was excellent in the role.
A year later, Cryer was back on the silver screen in “Hiding Out”. He plays a stock broker on the run from a hit man, who hides out as a high school student. Again he was excellent in the role.
I remember watching that movie in the summer of 1988. I had a card for a number of free movie rentals from Baker’s Appliances who sold us my VCR. So, my sister would grab a movie on her way out to visit us on Sundays. We’d watch the movie then she’d return it when she went home.
The rest of the decade
Jon Cryer was really just getting started in the ‘80s. He also appeared on TV in an episode of “Amazing Stories” in 1986; and was the title character Teddy Zakalokis in “The Famous Teddy Z” for 20 episodes in the 1989-1990 season.
Jon Cryer was really just getting started in the ‘80s. He also appeared on TV in an episode of “Amazing Stories” in 1986; and was the title character Teddy Zakalokis in “The Famous Teddy Z” for 20 episodes in the 1989-1990 season.
He also appeared on the big screen in the lead in “No Small Affair” in 1984. He also had small parts in “Noon Wine” and “O.C. and Stiggs” both in 1985; “Morgan Stewart’s Coming Home” in the title role in 1986; “Superman IV: The Quest for Peace” and “Dudes”, both in 1987; and “Penn and Teller get Killed” in 1989.
The years after
Jon Cryer continues to act to this day. By far his most successful role was 262 episodes as Alan Harper in “Two and a Half Men” from 2003 to 2015. He won the Emmy for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series in 2009, and was nominated for that award in 2006, 2007, 2008, 2010 and 2011. He also won an Emmy in the role for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series in 2012.
Jon Cryer continues to act to this day. By far his most successful role was 262 episodes as Alan Harper in “Two and a Half Men” from 2003 to 2015. He won the Emmy for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series in 2009, and was nominated for that award in 2006, 2007, 2008, 2010 and 2011. He also won an Emmy in the role for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series in 2012.
He appeared in the series “Partners” for 22 episodes; “The Outer Limits”; “Dharma and Greg”; “Getting Personal” for 17 episodes; “Two Guys, A Girl, and a Pizza Place”; “The Trouble with Normal” for 13 episodes; “Family Guy”; “The Practice”; “Becker”; “CSI: Crime Scene Investigation”; “Hannah Montana”; “Husbands”; “Mom”; “NCIS” for three episodes; “The Ranch”; “Will and Grace” and much more.
Cryer appeared in 20 episodes of “Supergirl” as Lex Luthor, and reprised that role in crossover episodes of “Arrow”; “The Flash”; “Batwoman”; and “Legends of Tomorrow”.
He also appeared in a number of Theatrical releases, most notably “Hot Shots!” in 1991. He played opposite Charlie Sheen who would be his long-time co-star in “Two and a Half Men.”
He also appeared in a number of Theatrical releases, most notably “Hot Shots!” in 1991. He played opposite Charlie Sheen who would be his long-time co-star in “Two and a Half Men.”
Parting thoughts
Jon Cryer’s performance in “Pretty in Pink” is iconic of teen angst films. “Duckie” is eccentric and hard to take seriously, until he is, then his performance is heartbreaking.
Jon Cryer’s performance in “Pretty in Pink” is iconic of teen angst films. “Duckie” is eccentric and hard to take seriously, until he is, then his performance is heartbreaking.
Following that up with “Hiding Out” where he is an accountant who has to pretend to be a teenager, just adds to that reputation.
Then, it seemed he was just gone. He made a number of TV series, some critically acclaimed and some panned by critics, but none had any staying power.
Then along came “Two and a Half Men” and the role of Alan Harper. Jon Cryer was the only actor who appeared in every episode of the show. It showed, because he was nominated for an Emmy for that role seven straight years, and won twice.
I read Jon Cryer’s autobiography a few years ago, and it gave me real insight into his life.
It also showed that his career was really just starting in the’80s.
H was building the foundation for all that great work to come.
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