You remember the face. Maybe it’s the wide-eyed, lonely kid singing to a rat in the 1972 cult classic Ben. Or perhaps you recognize the hunky, high-energy dancer Jeff Malene, throwing Sarah Jessica Parker around the stage in Girls Just Want to Have Fun.
Lee Montgomery was everywhere for about fifteen years. Then, he wasn’t.
Hollywood is full of "where are they now" stories that end in tragedy, but Montgomery’s trajectory is actually kinda refreshing. He didn’t crash and burn; he just swapped the call sheet for a different kind of rhythm. If you've been wondering what happened to the boy who once held the screen against Bette Davis and George C. Scott, the answer involves a lot less greasepaint and a lot more real estate and rock and roll.
From Disney Kid to Horror Icon
Lee Montgomery—born Elliott Harcourt Montgomery in Winnipeg—didn't exactly stumble into acting. He came from a family of performers (his sisters are actresses Belinda and Tannis Montgomery), and by the time he was ten, he was already a pro.
His debut in Disney’s The Million Dollar Duck (1971) was the start of a massive run. Honestly, the 70s were a weird time for child actors. One minute you’re in a slapstick Disney comedy, and the next, you’re the lead in a movie about a killer rat. Ben was a sequel to Willard, and Lee played Danny Garrison, the sickly kid who befriends the titular rodent. It’s a bizarre, touching, and slightly creepy film that somehow produced an Oscar-nominated theme song by Michael Jackson.
The Cult Classic Years
He wasn't just "the rat kid," though. Montgomery became a staple of 1970s genre cinema and heavy television drama.
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- Burnt Offerings (1976): He played Karen Black’s son in this atmospheric haunted house flick. Standing his ground next to legends like Bette Davis and Oliver Reed isn't easy for a teenager, but he pulled it off.
- Pete 'n' Tillie (1972): He played a dying boy in this heart-wrencher, proving he had serious dramatic chops.
- TV Guest Spots: If you watched TV in the 70s, you saw him. He appeared in Columbo, Kojak, The Mary Tyler Moore Show, and The Streets of San Francisco.
By the time the 80s hit, Montgomery had successfully navigated the "awkward years" that kill most child careers. He grew up into a legitimately handsome young man, which led to the role most Gen Xers remember him for.
The Dance Fever of 1985
In 1985, Girls Just Want to Have Fun hit theaters. It wasn't a massive blockbuster at the time, but it became a cable and VHS staple. Lee played Jeff Malene, the blue-collar guy with the moves who partners with Sarah Jessica Parker's Janey.
The chemistry was real. The dancing was—for the mid-80s—pretty impressive. Montgomery brought a grounded, slightly rebellious energy to the role that made him an instant heartthrob. Between this and his role in the supernatural TV movie The Midnight Hour (also 1985), it seemed like he was destined for leading-man status.
But then, things went quiet.
Why Lee Montgomery Left the Screen
After a few more roles, like the 1987 thriller Into the Fire, Montgomery basically vanished from the industry by 1988. He didn't have a public meltdown. There were no tabloid scandals. He just stopped.
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He chose music.
For Lee, the creative spark that fueled his acting shifted toward songwriting and composition. He spent the 90s and early 2000s deeply immersed in the indie music scene and film scoring. He composed the soundtrack for the 2002 Western Legend of the Phantom Rider and the 2005 short Trespasses.
He wasn't chasing the spotlight anymore; he was chasing a sound.
Lee Montgomery Now: A New Chapter in Solvang
So, where is he in 2026?
If you're looking for Lee Montgomery today, you won't find him on a film set in Burbank. Instead, you might find him helping someone buy a house in the Central Coast of California.
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For the last several years, Montgomery has been living a quiet, successful life as a professional real estate agent based in Solvang, California. He works with NextHome Decker Realty, specializing in the beautiful Santa Ynez Valley. It’s a far cry from the rat-infested basements of his youth or the neon dance floors of the 80s.
Does He Still Engage With Fans?
Sorta. While he’s definitely "retired" from the Hollywood grind, he hasn't completely erased his past.
Around 2012, he started resurfacing at horror and nostalgia conventions like Monster-Mania. Fans who meet him often report that he’s incredibly down-to-earth and happy to talk about the "old days." He’s also remained close friends with people from his industry days; he once famously got arrested for trespassing at LAX in the 80s while making experimental videos with a friend. It’s those kinds of stories that remind you he was always more of an artist than a "celebrity."
The Enduring Legacy of an 80s Heartthrob
It’s rare to see a child star transition so cleanly into a normal life. Usually, the "then and now" stories are about a comeback or a tragedy. With Lee, it's just about growth.
He was a kid actor who actually could act. He was an 80s star who actually could dance. And he's a grown man who had the guts to walk away from a fickle industry to find a life that actually suited him.
Whether you know him as the boy who loved Ben or the guy who danced with SJP, Lee Montgomery’s journey is a reminder that there is definitely life after the credits roll.
How to Follow Lee's Work Today
- Real Estate: If you're actually in the market for a home in the Santa Barbara area, you can look up his listings in Solvang.
- Convention Circuit: Keep an eye on the guest lists for horror conventions like Monster-Mania or Days of the Dead; he pops up occasionally to sign Ben and Burnt Offerings memorabilia.
- Streaming: Girls Just Want to Have Fun and The Midnight Hour are frequently available on platforms like Tubi or Prime Video for a heavy dose of 80s nostalgia.
To truly understand Lee's impact, the best next step is to revisit Burnt Offerings. It’s often overshadowed by The Shining, but Montgomery's performance alongside Bette Davis is a masterclass in 70s tension that still holds up today. Or, if you need something lighter, find the final dance sequence in Girls Just Want to Have Fun on YouTube—it’s impossible not to smile.