Mia Sara, 57, starred with Tom Cruise then was in Ferris Bueller's Day Off, see her now in rare snaps
The exotic-looking actress made her big-screen debut opposite Tom Cruise in the fantasy unicorn-seeking adventure Legend in 1985.
Then one year later - at the age of 18 - this siren landed a major role in an iconic high school comedy, 1986's Ferris Bueller's Day Off, starring Matthew Broderick.
The 57-year-old Hollywood stalwart has continued to work but has rarely been seen.
On Monday evening the formerly dark-haired star hit her first red carpet in many years for the premiere of her new movie.
She was at The Life Of Chuck screening at Hollywood Legion Theater in Los Angeles with Star Wars veteran Mark Hamill.
Born Mia Sarapochiello in Brooklyn, New York, she landed her big break aged 16 with the 1985 fantasy film Legend starring her as a princess and Cruise as a man from the woods.
The movie was anchored by Hollywood heavyweights - not just Tom but also director Ridley Scott - and yet turned out to be a flop at the box office.
However, one year later, Mia became recognizable all over the country as Sloane Peterson, the girlfriend of mischievous high school senior Ferris Bueller (Matthew Broderick).
Ferris gets his famous day off by pretending to be sick, and manages to get Sloane to join him by feeding the school the fake story that her grandmother has died.
Upon its release, Ferris Bueller's Day Off became a thunderous box office success and remains one of the best-loved high school comedies to emerge from Hollywood.
Shortly after the movie came out, Mia showered praise on both Cruise and Matthew Broderick, whom she noted 'had much more experience' than she did.
'Tom was dedicated and I learned a lot of good work habits from him. And I respected Matt because I had seen him on Broadway. He was one of my favorites,' she told UPI.
In the 1990s she featured in such movies as the Melanie Griffith drama A Stranger Among Us - directed by Sidney Lumet of 12 Angry Men fame - as well as the smash hit Jean-Claude Van Damme action movie Timecop.
She continued acting on TV Programs like CSI: NY and movies like Dorothy & The Witches of Oz until 2013, when she took a hiatus that ultimately lasted longer than a decade.
As early as 2010, she had remarked that she was 'mostly retired' as she had become a 'mother with a really noisy, difficult house to maintain!'
The New York native also noted: 'I'm a poet, so for the last couple of years that's what I've been focusing on,' in an interview with Total Film.
Mia now has a daughter named Amelia, 20, by her second and current husband Brian Henson, who is the son of The Muppets creator Jim Henson.
She also has a 28-year-old son called Dashiell by her first husband Jason Connery, whose father was none other than James Bond legend Sean Connery.
After many years away from the movies, she is back with The Life Of Chuck.
Mia features amid a star-studded cast including Tom Hiddleston, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Hamill, Jacob Tremblay, Karen Gillan and Nick Offerman.
The movie earned a warm response from the critics when it premiered in September at the Toronto International Film Festival, and will be out in theaters soon.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Independent
7 minutes ago
- The Independent
As Beyoncé's Cowboy Carter tour draws to a close, Blue Ivy emerges as a star
'Who they came to see?' Beyoncé asks as she performs her 2023 single 'My House' during the Cowboy Carter tour. For many, the answer has been Blue Ivy. Blue Ivy Carter, the Grammy-winning artist's 13-year-old daughter, is more present than ever on stage, and fans are impressed by the growth from her first performance years ago to now. Isabella Kerr, 15, has admired Beyoncé for years, but said she attended the Cowboy Carter tour specifically to experience Blue Ivy's moves in person. ' People are saying, 'Oh, she's a mini Beyoncé,' but no, I think she's the first Blue. Everything about her when she's on stage is electrifying,' said Kerr. The Cowboy Carter tour concludes Saturday in Las Vegas. The tour's 30 previously stops have fans buzzing that Blue Ivy is well on her way to being a next generation powerhouse. Blue Ivy's stage presence grows on Cowboy Carter tour Blue first graced the stage at 11 years old during her mother's 2023 Renaissance tour, appearing during the legacy-celebrating anthems 'My Power' and 'Black Parade.' Supporters anticipated her performance at each stop. She performed again during 'Beyoncé Bowl,' the NFL Christmas Day Halftime Show that was just nominated for four Emmy Awards. She danced alongside the icon as she performed songs from the 'Cowboy Carter' album for the first time. 'Even the difference between the Renaissance Tour and now, you can tell she's really grown in her confidence,' said fan and artist Olivia Ellis. 'You can tell she has a different vibe about her.' On the Cowboy Carter tour, she can almost be mistaken for one of Beyoncé's professional dancers. She is on stage for nearly every song and has a solo recreating her mother's choreography from her 2006 'Déjà-vu' music video, a nod to the undeniable similarities between the two. An inherited professionalism Online videos of Blue display professionalism comparable to her mother's during the Cowboy Carter tour. During a rainy New Jersey stop, she brought out towels to dry her area of the stage before nailing her 'America Has a Problem' choreography. In another unexpected moment during a Chicago show, her earring got caught on Beyoncé's hair. Blue remained calm, removed the jewelry and motioned to the singer that it was safe in her hand as they both seamlessly continued. 'It's the family business,' said Kinitra D. Brooks, an academic and author of 'The Lemonade Reader,' a collection that explores the nuances of Beyoncé's 2016 visual album, 'Lemonade.' 'She is literally studying under the best person doing it out there today. Why wouldn't she take advantage of that opportunity?' Blue Ivy's fans dub themselves as the 'Ivy League' In 'Renaissance: A Film by Beyoncé,' fans were given a behind-the-scenes look at the decision-making process the first time Blue was allowed to perform. Beyoncé expressed how nervous she was about her child being in front of thousands of people made her, revealing she initially said no. 'I did not think it was an appropriate place for an 11-year-old on a stadium stage,' she said in the documentary. 'I made a deal with her, and I said, 'If you practice and you show your commitment, I'll let you do one show.'' Blue Ivy fulfilled her end of the deal, and a fan base was formed: the 'Ivy League.' Kerr says Blue's accomplishments inspire her to work harder to achieve her own dreams. 'She worked to be on stage, and look at her now. If I work to what I want to be, I can be killing it like her.' At last month's Cowboy Carter Paris stop, members of the Beyhive and Ivy League finally got what they had been asking for — Blue Ivy merchandise. Shirts with the teen's face and the phrase 'Déjà Blue' plastered on the front were available for purchase. Prior to that, fans were creating their own custom pieces that highlighted Blue and Beyoncé's connection. At the MetLife Stadium show, Ellis wore a custom corset top she painted, showcasing Blue Ivy and her 8-year-old sister, Rumi Carter, on stage with Beyoncé during 'Protector,' a track from the 'Cowboy Carter' album that Rumi is featured on. 'I thought that would just be a really fun moment to highlight on a corset,' she said. 'It's just really cool to see her as a mom because we've all grown up with Beyoncé, and now it's like her show is kind of like a family affair.' Mother-daughter duos resonate with Beyoncé and Blue Ivy's bond Blue Ivy's confidence and professionalism are not only a testament to her hard work, but Beyoncé's motherhood. Mother-daughter duos around the globe filled stadium seats, excited to watch Beyoncé and her daughter display their strong bond for the world to see. In many cases, the mothers have been Beyoncé fans for years and are excited for their daughters to grow up with Blue Ivy, a high-flyer for their generation. Tanazha Baylis took her now 11-year-old daughter, Aria Brown, to the Renaissance tour, where she did not miss a beat dancing along to Blue Ivy's 'My Power' choreography. Brown was so determined to attend the Cowboy Carter Tour that she started selling popular toys, such as slime and Squishmallows, and saving her money. 'She literally was like, 'Mom, I don't know what you're going to do, but I have to go to this concert,'' said Baylis. 'I just had to make it happen after that.' Brown became a Beyoncé fan after participating in a dance recital with a theme centered around the superstar's career throughout the years. Baylis, who says she has always been a big fan, is happy to share these experiences with her daughter. 'It just showed her a cool mom and daughter, and it's just something that she can do as well. Beyoncé is a little older but, with seeing Blue there, it made it tangible for her.' Although there is no solid answer for what the future holds for Blue Ivy, it is widely recognized that the possibilities are limitless. 'We couldn't imagine that Beyoncé would do all of these things that she could do. All we saw were people trying to put limitations on her,' said Brooks. 'I think one of the things that Beyoncé wants us to do and what she wants for Blue is for us to not put those limitations on Blue.'
Daily Mail
7 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
Woman named after Mickey Mouse urges parents to stop picking 'crazy' monikers for their children
A woman who was named after Mickey Mouse has urged parents to stop choosing 'crazy' monikers for their own children. Mickie Austen Rollins - who was born Mickie Lettuce - shared her thoughts on unusual names after US influencer Trisha Paytas revealed her very divisive choice for her newborn son. Paytas, 37, who is already mother to daughters Malibu Barbie and Elvis, decided to name her first son Aquaman - after the DC superhero. Addressing the trend of unusual names, Mickie said she legally changed her name 'because my middle name, I was named after a vegetable, and my surname was a swear word'. She added: 'As someone who was named after Mickey Mouse, I want to talk about Trisha Paytas calling her new kid Aquaman and what effects that has on someone growing up, becoming an adult and having a f*****g mental name. 'It's always people that have really boring names that pick those names for their kids. 'No offence if you're called Emily or Sarah or Hannah, but you don't understand what you're doing - it does hold you back massively, you're just asking to get bullied and asking for that kid to have a really s*** life in school.' Mickie went on to talk about her own experience being named after a Disney character. She said her mother was from a working class background - and her 'feral' name was a consequence of 'clambering' to be middle class. Her older sister was named Buddie Mercedes, while Mickie says her twin 'got off lightly' with India Holly. 'My real name is Mickie, not Michaela, not Michelle, everyone always thinks that I've shortened it, no, no, I was named after the mouse,' she explains. Those in the comments were sympathetic to Mickie's plight, with most pointing out the unusual choice for her middle name - Lettuce Mickie added that her mother thought the unusual spelling was 'more feminine' than the traditional way of spelling Mickey Mouse. She said she had a 'rough' time growing up, and decided to change her name after being 'so sick' of 'constantly explaining' the moniker to people she met. Those in the comments were sympathetic to Mickie's plight, with most pointing out the unusual choice for her middle name - Lettuce. One person said: 'Mickie is pretty normal but lettuce...' Another added: 'My middle name is the letter 'T'. That's it. Just a 'T'.' A third person said: 'I'm sorry WHAT. To have India Holly as your twin (which is at least two real names) and you get LETTUCE?!'
Daily Mail
7 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
Top violinist Nicola Benedetti confirms she IS married to jazz musician 25 years her senior who she met when she was just 17 - and they have a baby daughter
Top violinist Nicola Benedetti has confirmed she is married to a jazz musician 25 years her senior who she met when she was just 17 years old. The 38-year-old was introduced to celebrated jazz musician Wynton Marsalis, 63, more than 21 years ago in New York when she attended the American Academy of Achievement summit as a student-delegate. At the time, the Scottish violinist was just 17 years old, while Mr Marsalis, of New Orleans, was 42. Speaking publicly about their relationship for the first time, Ms Benedetti, of Ayrshire, has revealed she was a 'huge fan' of the American trumpeter when they initially crossed paths. Having formed a 'certain type of kinship', she said that the pair initially remained 'good friends' for several years, despite their large age gap. They then began a romantic relationship several years later, with the couple welcoming their first child together, a daughter, in May 2024. Now, speaking to The Telegraph about the decision to keep their relationship private for so many years, Ms Benedetti said: 'I don't tend to discuss my private life because people don't come to my concerts because of whom I'm in a relationship with. 'They come because I play the violin'. Ms Benedetti, 38, met celebrated jazz musician Wynton Marsalis, 63, (both pictured) more than 21 years ago in New York when she attended the American Academy of Achievement summit as a student-delegate Mr Marsalis has four other children - two sons, Wynton Jr. and Simeon, with former partner Candace Stanley, a third son, Jasper, whom he shares with actress Victoria Rowell, alongside a daughter, Oni, who he has publicly collaborated with. As a key figure in the 1980s jazz renaissance, he often been referred to as the 'Pied Piper' of Jazz, accumulating up to nine Grammy awards across a career spanning over four decades. Meanwhile, Ms Benedetti, who has strong Italian roots, won the title of BBC Young Musician in 2004 when she was 16 and became the youngest ever recipient of the Queen's Medal for Music in 2017. She shared with The Telegraph that since having a child, she has begun to question elements of her upbringing. Both her and her older sister would be required to practise the violin for up to three hours on a daily basis during the summer holidays. Adding that her 'strict' childhood meant both her and her sister 'feared upsetting our parents', the Scots performer added that she believes the young people of today often 'lack basic discipline in their daily lives'. In 2015, Mr Marsalis composed a violin concerto specifically for Ms Benedetti titled 'Violin Concerto in D', premiered at London's Barbican Centre. The piece, widely considered one of the most popular and beloved violin concertos in the classical repertoire, was described as 'taking inspiration from Ms Benedetti's life as a travelling performer and educator who enlightens and delights communities'. But Ms Benedetti and Mr Marsalis said they could hardly remember who came up with the initial idea, joking in a joint interview: 'It's like a scene from When Harry Met Sally. I don't know if I said it or if she said it.' The couple welcomed their first child, a daughter, in May 2024. Pictured: Ms Benedetti and Mr Marsalis. Pictured: the pair at a reception to celebrate the most talented jazz musicians in London on May 9, 2024 Ms Benedetti, who has strong Italian roots, won the title of BBC Young Musician in 2004 when she was 16 and became the youngest ever recipient of the Queen's Medal for Music in 2017. Just after giving birth in 2024, she was seen attending events with her new-born baby in tow (pictured) Meanwhile, in an interview with the LA Times in 2016, Ms Benedetti gushed about the piece, remarking that the sound was 'truly wild and so quintessentially him', while Mr Marsalis said the favourite part of the concerto for him was simply 'Nicola's sound'. Adding: 'I just like her sound'. In the years following, the pair continued to collaborate on numerous projects. In 2023, Ms Benedetti became the first woman and the first Scot to be appointed director of the Edinburgh International Festival, which takes place every August. Announcing her pregnancy in March 2024, Ms Benedetti told the Times that she was feeling 'positive' and 'excited', adding: 'There is so much unknown. Flexibility will be the aim of the game in the next little while and plenty of support.' In May 2025, nine months after her daughter's birth, she revealed that becoming a mother had 'definitely' changed her and given her a more relaxed attitude to the perfectionism that drove her to international fame. In an interview with Richard Morrison for The Times, she said: 'Throughout my life I have been so concerned with what could happen, or what did happen, or what could have been done better. 'I used to analyse again and again every note of the performance I'd just done, or the recording I'd just made. 'So I was always living either in the past or the future. Since my daughter was born, I have learnt to live in the present and just be grateful to be here.' She also added: 'I've not done any big concerts since giving birth. Just a bit of playing in the [Edinburgh] Festival and one or two small private concerts.' However, just weeks after giving birth, she was seen attending events with her new-born baby in tow, including promoting Scottish Opera's Oedipus Rex with her daughter in a sling. She also took her daughter with her when she appeared on BBC Radio 4's Today Show where she discussed funding for the arts and performed violin piece Ashokan Farewell by Jay Ungar. Mr Marsalis currently serves as the artistic director of Jazz at the Lincoln Center, in New York, the site of where the pair first met all those years ago. In January 2009, he performed to President Obama alongside an exclusive crowd of 100 guests at his inauguration party. Meanwhile, Ms Benedetti also serves as founder of music education charity The Benedetti Foundation, which has inspired more than 100,000 young musicians. In March 2024, the foundation responded to the news of Ms Benedetti's pregnancy in a celebratory post that read: 'We are so thrilled for our founder and artistic director Nicky Benedetti who has announced she is expecting a baby in May. Huge congratulations and much love from all of the foundation team.' On BBC Radio Scotland series Stark Talk in 2019, Ms Benedetti spoke about having children, stating: 'My sister's married now and in a very kind of settled place in her life, but she's 35, and a lot of my friends are in similar circumstances. They live in a house with a partner and have children or are going to have children, and obviously I'm not at that point yet.' Asked in a 2022 interview with The Times if she would like to have children, she was quoted as saying: 'If I am fortunate enough to be able to, yes I hope so.'
