Cold Case: Comedy’s Disappearing Girlfriends

Published by Interrobang Staff at April 10, 2014

Appearing as the girlfriend or wife in a major comedy can be a career-changer for some actresses that propels to bigger and better roles. But for some, it’s their career highlight in a sea of one-off roles that leaves the viewer asking whatever even happened to so and so? Here are some unfortunate examples of comedies disappearing girlfriends.

1. Colleen Haskell (The Animal).

Colleen Haskell is best known for coming in sixth place on the first season of the reality show ‘Survivor’ and being one of the hottest contestants in the history o the show (or at least to sane people who haven’t continued watching for the past thirteen years). Haskell seemed like she’d be around for awhile after appearing as the hot-yet-approachable love interest of Rob Schneider in ‘The Animal’. Haskell not only disappeared from starring roles, but from the public eye all together, even turning down a $100,000 offer to pose for Playboy. You can’t fault her too much though, that decision was made before we were in a recession.

2. Bridgette Wilson (Billy Madison)

“That Veronica Vaughn is one hot piece of aaace” Bridgette Wilson followed up her 1990 win as Miss Teen USA with a string of small TV jobs before landing the career-changing role of Veronica Vaughn in Billy Madison at the age of 22. What should have been the beginning of many starring movie roles turned into some small TV and film roles and ended with her marrying tennis great Pete Sampras in 2000. Trade in a possible film career for a 14-time majors winner? Sounds like a fair trade.

3. Patricia Wettig (City Slickers)

Patricia Wettig is best known for playing the role of Billy Crystals wife in the 1991 film ‘City Slickers’, which was loved by critics and audiences alike. Wettig even garnered a few Emmy’s for her work on the show ‘Thirtysomething’ in the early 90’s, which begs the question, where the hell did she go? Wettig had successful supporting roles on shows like ‘Brothers & Sister’s’ and ‘Prison Break’ but never quite made it back to the silver screen with a big role. It could been ‘City Slickers 2’ that did her in but is anyone from that movie really doing that great?

4. Sarah Holcomb (Caddyshack)

The future was bright for young Sarah Holcombe as she appeared in five films between 1978 and 1980, beginning and endng with ‘Animal House’ and ‘Caddyshack’. Audiences liked Holdcomb in the role of Danny’s girlfriend Maggie since she was the polar opposite of the sexy Lacey Underall that Danny chased after. ‘Caddyshack’ turned out to be Holcomb’s last film as she vanished completely before the co-writer of Animal House revealed that she fell in with the wrong crowd and got hooked on drugs in a 2006 interview. Sarah if you’re out there, they really need an updated address to send those residual checks to.

5. Haviland Morris (16 Candles)

Haviland Morris appeared as the girl that seemed to have the perfect life that was the focus of envy from all her peers in the classic teen film ’16 Candles’. Morris played the girlfriend of heartthrob Jake Ryan until he ended up with Molly Ringwald in the end. Morris’ career didn’t fair much better with small television roles into the 2000’s that ended with her going into the real estate business. That’s nothing to be ashamed of, there’s a lot of famous real estate agents out there.

6. Mia Sara (Ferris Bueller’s Day Off)

Sloane Peterson was one of the coolest female characters of the 80’s and it was all thanks to Mia Sara. Her Breakout role in ‘Ferris Bueller’s Day Off’ was thanks to her laid-back attitude and girl-next-door vibe. A huge role in one of the 1980’s most titular movies should have launched Sara into superstardom, but small TV roles and an appearance in the movie ‘Time Cop’ have been her only career highlights since then. Maybe sending a Ferrari careening off into a ravine will help jumpstart things a bit.

7. Kate Lynch (Meatballs)

Kate Lynch gained her first starring role as Bill Murray’s reluctant love interest in the classic comedy ‘Meatballs’. Lynches role was like by fans of the movie for her tomboy looks and chemistry with Murray. Lynch even won a Genie award (think of it as the Canadian Oscars) for the role but claimed that she only won the award because she was Canadian. Lynch has continued her career up until recently in very minor roles but has focused her attention on directing theater and teaching. Did that playful cabin assault between her and Murray sway her away from those juicy roles?

8. Julia Montgomery (Revenge of the Nerds)

The mean jocks had to have the hottest girlfriends to really stick it to those poor nerds, which is why Julia Montgomery was cast as head jock Stan Gable’s girlfriend. Montgomery went on to star in the third and fourth installments of the franchise in addition to many forgettable roles in 80’s TV shows like ‘Columbo’, ‘Magnum PI’, ‘Midnight Caller’, ‘Full House’, and ‘Cheers’. Montgomery had taken nearly took decades off while she probably spent time regretting breaking up with Ted McGinley.