He was the guy. The red Porsche 944, the sweater vest, the leaning-against-the-car-door coolness that basically defined an entire generation’s idea of a "dream boyfriend." Michael Schoeffling, known to most as Jake Ryan, didn't just play a character; he created a blueprint.
But then, he disappeared.
No, seriously. He didn't just fade into "B-movie" territory or start doing reality TV cameos. He left. Total ghost. If you’re looking for jake from sixteen candles now, you won't find him on a red carpet or in a Marvel movie. You'll find him in a small town in Pennsylvania, covered in sawdust.
The Furniture Maker of Newfoundland
In 1991, Michael Schoeffling did something that almost nobody in Hollywood does. He walked away at the peak. He was 31, he’d just finished Wild Hearts Can't Be Broken, and he decided he was done. He moved his family back to his home state of Pennsylvania—specifically the Poconos area—and opened a woodworking shop.
It’s called M.S.C. Custom Woodworking.
Honestly, the transition makes more sense than you’d think. Schoeffling once told an interviewer that in acting, you’re always waiting for someone else to give you a job. You’re waiting for a script, waiting for a director, waiting for a "yes." With furniture? It’s just him. He picks the wood, he designs the piece, and he builds it.
He lives in Newfoundland, Pennsylvania, with his wife, Valerie Robinson. They’ve been married since 1987. In a world where celebrity marriages last about as long as a TikTok trend, that’s actually incredible.
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Why did he really quit?
People love to speculate. Was he blacklisted? Did he hate the fame?
The truth is way more boring and way more relatable. He had a family to support. He and Valerie had two kids—Scarlett and Zane—and the roles just weren't coming in like they used to. He famously said that the "bread and butter" of being an actor is being out of work. He wanted stability. He wanted to raise his kids away from the insanity of Los Angeles.
He chose being a dad over being a star.
The Mystery of the "Salinger of Actors"
GQ once called him the "J.D. Salinger of male models" because he is so notoriously hard to find. He doesn't have Instagram. He doesn't do "Where Are They Now" segments on daytime TV. Even when Sixteen Candles celebrated its 40th anniversary, he was nowhere to be seen.
But he isn't a hermit.
Locals in Wilkes-Barre and the surrounding towns see him occasionally. He’s been described as a "silver fox" who is perfectly polite but clearly values his privacy. He’s 65 now. Think about that for a second. The guy who leaned against that Porsche is a grandfather-aged craftsman who probably spends more time thinking about dovetail joints than John Hughes scripts.
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His daughter, Scarlett Schoeffling, actually followed him into the industry for a bit. She’s a model and has done some acting—you might have spotted her in an episode of Billions. She occasionally posts throwback photos of her dad on Instagram, which is basically the only way fans get a "glimpse" of him these days.
What Most People Get Wrong About Jake Ryan
There’s this weird myth that Michael Schoeffling hates his past. Fans assume he’s bitter about the "Jake Ryan" label.
From the very few accounts we have, that’s not it at all. He’s just... moved on. He’s a different person now.
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Current Residence | Pennsylvania (Poconos region) |
| Business Name | M.S.C. Custom Woodworking |
| Family Status | Married to Valerie Robinson (35+ years) |
| Last Film | Wild Hearts Can't Be Broken (1991) |
The industry changed, and he didn't want to change with it. In the mid-80s, he was competing for roles against guys like Rob Lowe and Emilio Estevez. But by the 90s, the "look" was changing. If the roles weren't high quality, he didn't see the point in sticking around.
The Legacy of the Porsche 944
You can’t talk about jake from sixteen candles now without talking about the impact he left behind. Jake Ryan was the first "sensitive jock." He was popular and handsome, yeah, but he was also bored with the "cool kids." He wanted something real—which is why he went for Molly Ringwald’s Samantha.
That archetype has been copied a thousand times since 1984.
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Every "soft boy" hero in a Netflix rom-com owes a debt to Michael Schoeffling’s performance. He played it with a weirdly grounded energy. He didn't overact. He just was. Maybe that’s why he was able to leave so easily; he never seemed like he needed the attention.
Finding Michael Schoeffling Today
If you’re planning a pilgrimage to find his shop, maybe don't. He’s unlisted for a reason.
The furniture he makes is reportedly high-end and very traditional. We’re talking hand-rubbed finishes and solid wood. It’s the kind of work that takes weeks, not hours. It’s a complete 180 from the "disposable" nature of Hollywood fame.
While he’s reportedly "doing fine" financially—with a net worth estimated around $500,000—he isn't living a lifestyle of private jets. He’s living the life of a successful small-business owner in rural Pennsylvania.
How to appreciate him in 2026
- Watch the deep cuts: Everyone knows Sixteen Candles, but check out Mermaids (1990). He plays Joe, the bus driver, and he’s fantastic in it.
- Respect the ghost: The best way to honor an actor who chose privacy is to let them have it.
- Look for the craftsmanship: If you ever find yourself in an upscale furniture boutique in the Northeast, look for the "M.S.C." stamp. You might be looking at a piece of history.
Michael Schoeffling is the rare Hollywood story with a happy ending. He didn't burn out, and he didn't fade away. He just went home.
To keep up with the legacy of 80s icons, you can track the careers of his contemporaries like Anthony Michael Hall, who still works frequently, or Molly Ringwald, who has transitioned into a successful writing and stage career. But for Schoeffling, the story ended exactly where he wanted it to: at the workbench.
Next Steps for Fans
If you're looking for more than just nostalgia, start by exploring the filmography of the "Brat Pack" adjacent actors who stayed in the game. You'll find that Michael's departure was unique. You can also look into the current modeling work of his daughter, Scarlett, to see how the family's creative streak continues in a modern context.