Who Wrote The Brat Pack Article - Unpacking Its Story

The question of who wrote the "Brat Pack" article is something that often comes up when people think about that iconic group of young actors from the 1980s. It was, in fact, David Blum who penned the original piece. His writing, published in a very well-known magazine, set off a chain of events that shaped how many people viewed a particular set of rising stars. It's quite a story, you know, how one article can have such a lasting effect on popular culture and the careers of many individuals.

This piece, first seen in the June 10, 1985, issue of New York Magazine, was titled "Hollywood's Brat Pack." It presented a profile of a collection of young performers, those who were really starting to make a name for themselves in movies. The article itself, written by Blum, really brought this group into the public eye, giving them a collective identity that, in some respects, stuck with them for a very long time, even to this day.

The term "Brat Pack" itself, a playful nod to the "Rat Pack" from earlier decades, became quite popular because of this particular magazine story. It described a group of rather successful film actors, all of them in their early twenties, who were starring in a lot of the popular films of that time. So, it's almost like the article gave a name to a whole generation of actors, which is that kind of influence that's pretty rare.

• Cast For Castle
• Homestuck John Egbert
• Xohannajoy
• Rubioa
• Cat Deeley

Table of Contents

• Meet the Creator - David Blum's Story
• What was the article that started it all?
  • The Article's Debut - Who Wrote The Brat Pack Article
• How did the 'Brat Pack' label affect careers?
  • A Label's Life - Who Wrote The Brat Pack Article
• Is there a new look at the 'Brat Pack' story?
  • Brats - A Fresh View of Who Wrote The Brat Pack Article
• Does the writer stand by his creation?
  • The Creator's Thoughts - Who Wrote The Brat Pack Article
• Where did the 'Brat Pack' idea come from?

Meet the Creator - David Blum's Story

David Blum, the individual credited with giving us the "Brat Pack" phrase, is a writer and an editor who makes his home in New York City. He was the person who put together the article that appeared in New York Magazine back in 1985, a piece that many say marked the beginning of the "Brat Pack" as a recognized group. His work has, you know, been quite significant in the way we talk about that particular era of film.

When he wrote that story, Blum was just twenty-nine years old, still quite young himself, almost a kid in some ways, you might say. This detail gives a little bit of perspective on the person behind the words, someone who was, in a manner of speaking, growing up right alongside the actors he was writing about. It’s interesting to think about how his own youth might have shaped his observations of these rising stars, you know, as a matter of fact.

His writing for New York Magazine spans quite a bit of time, with an archive of his articles available for people to look back at. This shows his ongoing connection to the publication that first introduced the "Brat Pack" concept to the wider world. He's really been a consistent voice in the writing scene, which is something to consider when thinking about who wrote the "Brat Pack" article.

• Pippa Middleton Husband
• Yella Dj
• Nelly Bandaid
• Phantoms Hockey Mascot
• Sees Candy Company

Personal Details and Background

What was the article that started it all?

The original article that really kicked off the whole "Brat Pack" conversation was published in the June 10, 1985, issue of New York Magazine. It was given the title "Hollywood's Brat Pack," and it aimed to present a look at a group of young actors who were making quite a splash in the movies of that time. This piece, you know, became a central point of reference for discussing these performers, pretty much right away.

It wasn't just a simple listing of names; it was a profile, a way to understand the group dynamic and the buzz surrounding these individuals. The article, in a way, helped to solidify their collective image in the public mind. It's almost like it gave a name and a shape to something that people were already sensing was happening in Hollywood, that particular shift with young talent, you know.

The piece also tried to capture the cultural atmosphere of the mid-1980s, reflecting the kind of youth culture that was emerging through film. It looked at the trends and the types of roles these actors were taking on, which, you know, spoke to a lot of young people at the time. Basically, it was a snapshot of a moment, and it just happened to stick.

The Article's Debut - Who Wrote The Brat Pack Article

The story that put the "Brat Pack" phrase into the everyday talk of people everywhere was "Hollywood's Brat Pack," which, as we've mentioned, came out in New York Magazine. David Blum, the person who wrote the "Brat Pack" article, was the one who put these words to paper. This particular story became something of a landmark, you could say, in how we talk about movie stars from that period. It really did, in a way, define a generation of actors, which is pretty significant.

It was more than just a piece about actors; it was about a moment in time when a certain kind of movie and a certain kind of young performer were really connecting with audiences. The article, you know, highlighted their successes and their shared experiences, painting a picture of a group that was, in some respects, growing up in front of the camera. That kind of shared experience, you know, really resonated with people.

The article’s content focused on a group of young people, all in their early twenties, who were seeing a lot of success in their film work. It wasn't just about their acting, but about their collective presence in popular culture. This is why, you know, when people ask who wrote the "Brat Pack" article, it’s about more than just a name; it’s about the start of a cultural phenomenon, in a manner of speaking.

How did the 'Brat Pack' label affect careers?

The label, once it caught on, had a ripple effect that touched the careers of several actors who were just starting out in the 1980s. For some, it might have brought them more attention, while for others, it became something they tried to shake off. It’s like, you know, once a name sticks, it can be hard to get rid of, regardless of whether it’s a good fit or not, which is actually quite common.

Andrew McCarthy, for example, spent many years feeling quite strongly against the term "Brat Pack." He was, you know, apparently quite angry with David Blum, the New York Magazine writer who came up with the phrase. This shows just how personal and lasting the impact of a simple label can be on someone's professional life, and their personal feelings, too, as a matter of fact.

Despite some of the negative feelings about the label, many of the actors who were considered part of this group went on to have very long and successful careers. The writer of the story, David Blum, even notes this himself. So, while the label might have caused some controversy or annoyance for the actors, it didn't, in the long run, stop them from achieving a lot in their chosen field, which is good to know.

A Label's Life - Who Wrote The Brat Pack Article

The phrase "Brat Pack," coined by the person who wrote the "Brat Pack" article, set off a series of reactions that had a real influence on the paths taken by several actors who were gaining recognition in the 1980s. It was a moment that, you know, brought a certain kind of public spotlight onto them, shaping how people saw them and their work. This kind of public naming can be a double-edged sword, basically.

For some, like Andrew McCarthy, the association was a source of frustration for a very long time. His feelings about the term were so strong that they led him to create a documentary, which we’ll talk about a little later. This just goes to show how deeply a label, even one meant to be lighthearted, can affect a person’s identity and their perception in the public eye, you know.

The original article, though, actually discussed a wider circle of actors than just those seen in the famous "St. Elmo's Fire" photo, which is something many people might not realize. People like Tom Cruise, Timothy Hutton, and Sean Penn were also mentioned. So, the public's application of the "Brat Pack" label was, in some respects, narrower than the writer's initial intent, which is interesting to consider.

Is there a new look at the 'Brat Pack' story?

Yes, there is a new look at the "Brat Pack" story, thanks to Andrew McCarthy's documentary, "Brats," which came out in June 2024. This film offers a fresh perspective on the whole experience, with McCarthy tracking down some of his former co-stars to talk about what it was like to be branded as part of that group. It's almost like a reunion, but with a lot of reflection, you know.

The documentary directly addresses the impact of David Blum's original article. It even includes a conversation, which is apparently quite tense, between Andrew McCarthy and David Blum, the journalist who published the well-known 1985 piece. This interaction is a central part of the film, as it brings together the person who felt the impact of the label and the person who created it, which is pretty compelling.

This film really digs into the feelings and experiences of the actors who lived through that period, offering their side of the story after all these years. It’s a chance for them to discuss how the "Brat Pack" tag shaped their lives and careers, which, you know, gives us a deeper understanding of the human side of that cultural moment. It's a way of looking back, you know, with the benefit of time.

Brats - A Fresh View of Who Wrote The Brat Pack Article

Andrew McCarthy's documentary, "Brats," which came about because of David Blum’s article that gave a group of actors the "Brat Pack" label, asks whether Blum has any regrets about the story. This film, in a way, serves as a modern reflection on the legacy of the article and the phrase that the person who wrote the "Brat Pack" article created. It’s a very personal exploration, really.

The documentary explores the long-standing feelings Andrew McCarthy had about the term, which included, as we heard, a good deal of anger towards David Blum. It's a look at how a seemingly simple phrase can lead to decades of complicated feelings for the people involved. So, it's not just about the movies, but about the real people and their experiences, which is something to think about.

In the film, Blum and McCarthy, now both older gentlemen, are seen dealing with the idea of things becoming less relevant, a common experience for everyone as time goes on. This makes their conversation in the documentary particularly poignant, as it’s two individuals, one who wrote the "Brat Pack" article and one who was labeled by it, reflecting on their shared past and its lasting effects, which is actually quite moving.

Does the writer stand by his creation?

Writer David Blum, the person who came up with the phrase "Hollywood's Brat Pack" in 1985, has made it clear that he stands by his creation. He recently wrote a new column for Vulture, where he expressed his continued belief in the phrase and its origins. It’s like, you know, he’s not backing down from what he put out there all those years ago, which is pretty consistent.

In his column, Blum also shared his thoughts on Andrew McCarthy's documentary, "Brats." He noted that it seemed a bit odd that the current successes and careers of the actors considered part of the "Brat Pack" didn't even get a mention in McCarthy's film. This indicates that Blum believes there's more to the story of these actors than just the impact of the label itself, which is a fair point to make.

He feels that the actors, despite any controversy the label might have caused, actually went on to have very strong and lasting careers. This perspective from the person who wrote the "Brat Pack" article offers a different angle to the discussion, one that focuses on the long-term achievements of these performers rather than just the initial impact of the term. It's a way of looking at the full picture, you know, as a matter of fact.

The Creator's Thoughts - Who Wrote The Brat Pack Article

The person who wrote the "Brat Pack" article, David Blum, has continued to comment on the phrase and its legacy. His recent writings show that he still sees value in the term he coined, and he’s not shy about sharing his viewpoint. It’s a bit like, you know, an artist looking at their work many years later and still feeling connected to it, which is pretty natural.

Blum's age when he wrote the story, twenty-nine, is something he himself brings up, noting that for all the discussion and debate around the "Brat Pack," the actors who were linked to it generally went on to have very long and prosperous professional lives. This suggests that he views the label as perhaps a starting point, rather than a defining end, for their careers, which is a good way to think about it.

His commentary, especially in light of the new documentary, helps to round out the conversation about the "Brat Pack." It provides the original author's perspective on a cultural phenomenon he helped to create, adding another layer to the story of who wrote the "Brat Pack" article and its lasting influence. It's good to hear from all sides, you know, to get the whole picture.

Where did the 'Brat Pack' idea come from?

The term "Brat Pack" itself was a clever play on words, taking inspiration from the "Rat Pack" of the 1950s and 1960s. That earlier group, which included famous entertainers like Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin, was known for their close friendships and shared performances. So, the "Brat Pack" term was, you know, meant to evoke a similar sense of a tight-knit group of young, talented individuals, but with a bit of a youthful, perhaps mischievous, twist.

The phrase became widely known after it appeared in that 1985 New York Magazine cover story. It was used to describe a collection of film stars who were seeing a lot of success and were all in their early twenties. This age group was a key part of the definition, as it highlighted their youth and their relatively new arrival on the big screen, which was pretty exciting for audiences.

While the article itself mentioned a number of actors, the public tended to apply the "Brat Pack" label mainly to the people who appeared in the accompanying photo for the movie "St. Elmo's Fire." This shows how a visual can sometimes narrow the public's perception of a group, even if the written piece intended a broader scope. It's like, you know, the image just really stuck in people's minds.

To fully grasp the importance of the question, who wrote the "Brat Pack" article, it’s important to understand the article itself and the cultural setting it emerged from. It wasn't just a random piece of writing; it was a reflection of the times, capturing a moment when a certain kind of young actor was making a significant mark on Hollywood. This context helps us see why the article, and the phrase, became so memorable, you know, as a matter of fact.

The genesis of this generation of actors, and the label that went with them, truly started with that one magazine piece. It provided a framework for people to talk about these young performers, giving them a collective identity that, for better or worse, stayed with them for many years. It's a clear example of how media can shape public perception, which is pretty powerful.

The stars from that period continue to talk about the influence of the label in Andrew McCarthy's movie "Brats," showing that the impact of that 1985 New York Magazine article, and the phrase it coined, is still very much a topic of discussion today. It just goes to show how some things, once put out into the world, can have a surprisingly long life and a lasting effect on people’s stories, you know.

The "Brat Pack" label, as applied by the public, became almost synonymous with the actors from "St. Elmo's Fire," even though the writer of the article was actually talking about a larger group of performers. This distinction is quite important when considering the full scope of the article and its eventual public interpretation. It’s like, you know, a slight difference between intent and reception, basically.

Looking back at the magazine article that came to define a group of young actors more than thirty years ago this summer, it’s clear that David Blum’s words had a profound and lasting effect. His piece not only named a generation of performers but also sparked conversations that continue to this day, showing the enduring power of a well-placed phrase and the human stories behind it.