Summary
St. Elmo’s Fireis a cult-classic coming-of-age movie from 1985 featuring several popular young movie stars from the era. Directed by Joel Schumacher, the movie features several members of theHollywood Brat Pack. The term was coined in an infamous 1985New York Magazinearticle to label a specific group of young actors from the 1980s. The cast ofSt. Elmo’s Fireonly misses two Brat Pack actorsbut remains one of the most-watched Brat Pack movies of the time.
The movie stands out as a classic amongother Brat Pack movies, such asThe Breakfast ClubandPretty In Pink.St. Elmo’s Firefollows the lives of a group of college friends and their difficulties with adjusting to adulthood; the title comes from the name of the bar where the friends meet: St. Elmo’s. With the moments of romance and interpersonal drama being buoyed by the strength of the cast, it is no wonder that the movie has stood the test of time and has become a favorite coming-of-age movie of the 1980s.
Dale Biberman
Demi Moore’s Most “Cringeworthy” St. Elmo’s Fire Scene, According To The Actress
Demi Moore gained lots of fame for playing Jules in St. Elmo’s Fire, but the actress has called one of the movie’s most iconic scenes “cringeworthy.”
Andrew McCarthy as Kevin Dolenz
Date Of Birth: June 05, 2025
Actor: Andrew McCarthy was born in Westfield, New Jersey and he had his first major role in the romantic comedyClassin 1983. He quickly became a member of the Brat Pack with his roles inSt. Elmo’s FireandPretty In Pink. McCarthy also performed in musicals and starred inSide Manwhich went on to win the 1999 Tony for Best Play. Since then, McCarthy has taken up directing and has directed several episodes ofTheBlacklistandOrange Is The New Black.
13 Reasons Why
Mr. St. George
Character: McCarthy plays Kevin Dolenz inSt. Elmo’s Fire, a journalist at The Washington Post and Kirby’s roommate. While struggling with romance, he also struggles to find meaning in his new job and wishes he could do more. Eventually, he becomes inspired to write a piece centered on the meaning of life.
Demi Moore as Julianna “Jules” Van Patten
Date Of Birth: June 10, 2025
Actor: Demi Moore was born in Roswell, New Mexico. Her first breakout role wasBlame It On Rioin 1984. She has since become a well-known actor with roles such as Jordan O’Neill inG.I. Janeand Madison Lee inCharlie’s Angel: Full Throttle. She has received several Golden Globe Nominations for her work and has won a Saturn Award for Best Actress for her role inGhostin 1991.
Blame It On Rio
Nicole “Nikki” Hollis
Character: Demi Moore’s character Jules is a banker professionally but a party girl personally. Throughout the movie, she struggles with the transition between her personal and professional lives and becomes a cautionary tale about drug use. She also struggles romantically and with navigating her friendships.
Ally Sheedy as Leslie Hunter
Date Of Birth: July 01, 2025
Actor: Ally Sheedy was born in New York City, New York and had her first big role inBad Boysin 1983. She later starred inOxford BluesandThe Breakfast Club, which helped her rise to prominence as a member of the Brat Pack. Since then, she has had notable roles in several television shows, including her role as Yang inPsych.
Psych
Yang
Character: Ally Sheedy plays Leslie Hunter, an architect dating Alec. She has her own aspirations and struggles with her relationship with Alec as she is not sure if the two of them are ready to become serious. Her relationship with Alec becomes even more difficult as rumors of infidelity start to pick up.
Rob Lowe as Billy Hicks
Date Of Birth: July 23, 2025
Actor: Rob Lowe was born in Charlottesville, Virginia andhe had his first breakout role inThe Outsidersin 1983. He later also became a member of the Brat Pack and continued to star in coming-of-age movies such asSt. Elmo’s FireandOxford Blues. He later went on to win two Golden Globe Awards for his role as Sam Seaborn inThe West Wing.
Parks and Recreation
The West Wing
Sam Seaborn
Character: Rob Lowe plays Billy Hicks, a frat boy that can’t give up his partying lifestyle. He struggles both personally and romantically and has several negative incidents surrounding alcohol. Billy’s character is comparable to Jules' in that they both face difficulties navigating their personal and professional lives.
Emilio Estevez as Kirby Keger
Date Of Birth: August 18, 2025
Actor: Emilio Estevez was born in New York City, New York and had his first major breakout role inThe Outsidersin 1983 alongside Rob Lowe. He was a member of the prominent Brat Pack and starred in hits such asThe Breakfast Club, Young Guns,andRepo Man. Besides acting, he has also directed several movies, includingMen At WorkandThe Way.
Wisdom
John Wisdom
Character: Emilio Estevez plays Kirby Keager, who is both a law student and a waiter at the friend group’s favorite location: St. Elmo’s Bar. Throughout the film, he develops a crush on Andie MacDowell’s character Dale. Unfortunately, Kirby’s obsession with Dale moves beyond a simple crush and transforms into stalking, which worries and frightens Dale.
Judd Nelson as Alec Newbury
Date Of Birth: June 03, 2025
Actor: Judd Nelson was born in Portland, Maine and first came to prominence with his roles as John Bender inThe Breakfast Cluband Alec inSt. Elmo’s Fire,both of which were released in 1985. Through these roles, he became a member of the Brat Pack like many of his fellow cast members. Later on, he also appeared in the music video for “Gotten” in 2012.
Billionaire Boys Club
Hunt
Character: Judd Nelson plays Alec Newberry, a recent graduate who is trying to develop a career in politics. Along with several of his other friends, he also struggles with his romantic life. He’s romantically involved with Leslie but struggles with infidelity and, as a result, the two of them face difficulties surrounding the future of their relationship.
Mare Winningham as Wendy Beamish
Date Of Birth: July 13, 2025
Actor: Mare Winningham was born in Phoenix, Arizona and had her first breakout role inAmber Wavesas Marlene Burkhardt in 1980 whereshe ended up winning an Emmy Award for Best Supporting Actress In A Miniseries Or A Movie. She has also been nominated for two Tony awards, including for her role in the Broadway production ofCasa Valentina.After starring inSt. Elmo’s Fire, she became an adjacent member of the Brat Pack.
24
American Horror Story
Sally Keffler
Character: Mare Winningham plays Wendy, a shy but helpful social worker. She develops a relationship with Rob Lowe’s character and spends the movie feeding into rebellious acts. Throughout the movie, she develops a rebellious streak that seems opposite to her appearance.
Andie MacDowell as Dale Biberman
Date Of Birth: August 12, 2025
Actor: Andie MacDowell was born in Gaffney, South Carolina and, despite having starred inSt. Elmo’s Firein 1985,she didn’t have a big breakout role untilSex, Lies, and Videotapein 1989. Her role as Ann in that film led to a Golden Globe nomination for Best Actress In A Motion Picture Drama. She has since starred in several romantic comedies and is best known for her roles inGroundhog DayandFour Weddings And A Funeral.
Sex, Lies, And Videotape
Four Weddings And A Funeral
Maid
Paula Langley
Character: Andie MacDowell plays Dale Biberman. While she is not in the main friend group ofSt. Elmo’s Fire, she is connected to them by being the target of Kirby’s affections. Dale works as a hospital intern and appears throughout the film as a secondary character who must navigate Kirby’s attempts at romance.
St. Elmo’s Fire Supporting Cast & Characters
The Movie Also Has Several Other Talented Cast Members
Martin Balsam as Mr. Beamish: Balsam plays Wendy’s father inSt. Elmo’s Fire. He plays the role of a tough father who wants the best for Wendy. Several times, he compares Wendy to her sisters. Wendy’s rebellious streak throughout the movie likely comes from her relationship with her father. He is best known for his roles as Juror #1 in12 Angry Menand O.J. Berman inBreakfast at Tiffany’s.
Joyce Van Patten as Mrs. Beamish: Van Patten plays Wendy’s mother inSt. Elmo’s Fire. She has been active since 1948 and has been in a wide range of movies and television shows, includingThe Good Guys. She is best known for her roles as Gloria Noonan inGrown Upsand Bernadette inBone.
St. Elmo’s Fire
Cast
A group of close-knit college graduates navigates the challenges of adulthood, balancing careers, relationships, and personal growth. Amidst the backdrop of their favorite bar, they confront their fears, ambitions, and the complexities of growing up, discovering the true meaning of friendship and resilience.
