The Leader Of The Packs

The Leader Of The Packs

Every now and then we see a small group of actors and actresses who seem to appear almost exclusively in films together. There was the infamous “Rat Pack” of the 1950s and 60s, the “Brat Pack” in the 1980s and in recent years, the “Frat Pack”.

Although Humphrey Bogart and David Niven were supposedly part of its original line-up, the legendary “Rat Pack” is probably better known for its members Joey Bishop, Sammy Davis Jr., Peter Lawford, Dean Martin and Frank Sinatra. The five actors appeared in a varied mix of movies together.

Sinatra, who originally appeared with David Niven in “Around the World in 80 Days” (1956), later starred with Peter Lawford in 1959’s “Never So Few” and with Dean Martin in “Four For Texas” (1963). Lawford starred with Sammy Davis Jr. in 1968’s “Salt and Pepper”.

Dean Martin and Sammy Davis Jr. played an unbeatable duo in the 1981 comedy “Cannonball Run”. When they reprised their roles for the 1984 sequel “Cannonball Run II”, they were joined by fellow “Rat Pack” member, Frank Sinatra, who made an appearance in the film. This wasn’t the first time the trio had appeared together in a film. They also starred in “Robin and the Seven Hoods” (1964).

The five “Rat Pack” members appeared in three movies together including the original “Ocean’s 11” in 1960. They also appeared in “Pepe” (1960), mostly as cameo roles, and in 1962’s “Sergeants 3”.

The 1980’s “Brat Pack” is more varied. The core members included such notable names as Emilio Estevez, Anthony Michael Hall, Rob Lowe, Andrew McCarthy, Demi Moore, Judd Nelson, Molly Ringwald and Ally Sheedy. Some movie enthusiasts also include Matthew Broderick, Tom Cruise, John Cusack, Matt Dillon, Robert Downey Jr., C. Thomas Howell, Charlie Sheen, James Spader and Eric Stoltz among others to this list. One this is for sure! The “Brat Pack” made an invariable movie impression on Hollywood. Some “Brat Pack” movies included:

- “About Last Night (1986) with Rob Lowe and Demi Moore

- “Betsy’s Wedding” (1990) with Molly Ringwald, Ally Sheedy and “Rat Pack” member Joey Bishop

- “Blue City” (1986) starring Judd Nelson and Ally Sheedy

- “The Breakfast Club” (1985) starring Emilio Estevez, Anthony Michael Hall, Judd Nelson, Molly Ringwald and Ally Sheedy

- “Class” (1983) with John Cusack, Rob Lowe and Andrew McCarthy

- “Fresh Horses” (1988) with Andrew McCarthy, Molly Ringwald and future “Frat Pack” member Ben Stiller

- “Less Than Zero” (1987) with Robert Downey Jr., Andrew McCarthy and James Spader

- “One Crazy Summer” (1986) with John Cusack and Demi Moore

- “The Outsiders” (1983) starring Tom Cruise, Matt Dillon, Emilio Estevez, C. Thomas Howell and Rob Lowe

- “Oxford Blues” (1984) with Rob Lowe and Ally Sheedy

- “Pretty In Pink” (1986) with Andrew McCarthy, Molly Ringwald and James Spader

- “Sixteen Candles” (1984) starring John Cusack, Molly Ringwald and Anthony Michael Hall

- “St. Elmo’s Fire” (1985) with Emilio Estevez, Rob Lowe, Andrew McCarthy, Demi Moore and Judd Nelson

- “Weird Science” (1985) with Anthony Michael Hall and Robert Downey Jr.

- “Wisdom” (1986) with Emilio Estevez, Demi Moore and Charlie Sheen

In the last few years, Hollywood has focused on the group of actors and actresses who have become known as the “Frat Pack”. Most consider Jack Black, Steve Carell, Will Ferrell, Ben Stiller, Vince Vaughn, Luke Wilson and Owen Wilson to be major players in this group. Others who are often added to this list include Jennifer Aniston, David Koechner, Justin Long, Paul Rudd and Christine Taylor. All have appeared in a number of movies together including:

- “The 40-Year-Old Virgin” with Steve Carell, David Koechner and Paul Rudd

- “Along Came Polly” (2004) with Jennifer Aniston and Ben Stiller

- Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy starring Jack Black, Steve Carell, Will Ferrell, David Koechner, Paul Rudd, Ben Stiller, Vince Vaughn, Luke Wilson

- The Break-Up with Jennifer Aniston and Vince Vaughn

- Dodgeball: An Underdog Story with Justin Long, Christine Taylor, Ben Stiller and Vince Vaughn

- “Meet the Fockers” (2004) with Ben Stiller and Owen Wilson

- Meet the Parents with Ben Stiller and Owen Wilson

- “Night at the Museum” (2006) with Paul Rudd, Ben Stiller and Owen Wilson

- “Old School” (2003) with Will Ferrell, Vince Vaughn and Luke Wilson

- “The Royal Tenenbaums” (2001) with Ben Stiller, Luke Wilson and Owen Wilson

- “Starsky & Hutch” (2004) with Will Ferrell, Ben Stiller, Vince Vaughn and Owen Wilson

- “Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby” (2006) with Will Ferrell and David Koechner

- “Tenacious D: The Pick of Destiny” (2006) with Jack Black, David Koechner and Ben Stiller

- Wedding Crashers with Will Ferrell, Vince Vaughn and Owen Wilson

- “Zoolander” (2001) with Will Ferrell, Ben Stiller, Christine Taylor, Vince Vaughn and Owen Wilson

The Rat Pack, Brat Pack and Frat Pack have each been successful in a wide variety of film. Will there be other “packs” to come along in the future? We’ll have to hold on to your popcorn while we sit back and enjoy the show!

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