Strollerderby

Rich or Rehab: Whatever Happened to Wyatt From 'Weird Science'?

Posted by Jen Chaney

If you grew up in the '80s, and especially if you're a guy, you may harbor special affection for "Weird Science," the oh-so-poignant coming-of-age tale about two nerdy teenagers who become total stallions after creating a hot chick on their computer. One of those nerdy dudes was Anthony Michael Hall, and we all know what became of him (see TV's "The Dead Zone," not to mention this summer's "The Dark Knight.") But what about the other dorky kid? Whatever happened to Ilan Mitchell-Smith, the squeaky-voiced adolescent who played Wyatt?

Smith continued acting for a few years after "Weird Science" was released, playing roles in minor movies like "The Chocolate War" and bit parts in occasional TV shows. But by the early '90s, he was done with Hollywood and turned his attention to academia. He got a degree in medieval studies from University of California-Davis, followed by a master's from Fordham University and a Ph.D from University of Texas A&M. That's right: Wyatt Donnelly is Dr. Wyatt Donnelly to you. Suck on that, Chet!

In all serious, Mitchell-Smith is now an English professor at Angelo State University in San Angelo, Tex., where, according to the school's Web site, he focuses on medieval literature and gender studies, among other topics. Imdb.com's bio says he is married and has two elementary school-aged children. 

So congratulations to Mitchell-Smith on his noble pursuits. It has to be hard to ditch the John Hughes alter ago, but here's hoping he has continued success doing that. With all due respect to the prof, I also must note that the guy has done exceptionally well considering he used to be a goofball who wore a bra on his head.

 

Rich or Rehab appears every Tuesday morning on Strollerderby.

More Rich or Rehab

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Rich or Rehab: Whatever Happened to Cousin Oliver From 'The Brady Bunch'?

Images: Universal; Angelo State University


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Comments

 

chyna823 said:

At least most of his students are too young to remember that movie. Heck, a lot of them were probably born around the time it came out! Sigh...I'm old...

October 7, 2008 2:19 PM

About Jen Chaney

Jen Chaney is the movies editor and a DVD columnist for washingtonpost.com. Her byline has appeared in The Washington Post, People magazine, USA Today and the Utne Reader as well as various other newspapers around the country. She is the mother of a one-year-old boy, who has not yet learned the word Xanadu. But he will. Trust us, he will.

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