Michael Schoeffling, a former model and actor, achieved notable fame for his portrayal of Jake Ryan in the film ‘Sixteen Candles.’ During his college years, he showcased his athleticism as a successful wrestler, earning medals at various events. Unlike many in the industry, he opted for a brief stint in the movie business before making a significant career shift.
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Faced with a dearth of movie offers, he redirected his focus toward crafting furniture, prioritizing his family’s well-being. Currently residing in Pennsylvania, he has chosen to lead a private life, shying away from the spotlight. Nevertheless, he remains fondly remembered by his devoted fan base.
Table of Contents
Profile Overview
| Full name | Valerie Carpenter Robinson |
| Gender | Female |
| Date of birth | 25 January 1950 |
| Age | 73 years old |
| Zodiac sign | Aquarius |
| Place of birth | Newfoundland, United States of America |
| Current residence | Pennsylvania, United States of America |
| Nationality | American |
| Ethnicity | Mixed |
| Sexuality | Straight |
| Religion | Christianity |
| Height in feet | 5’7″ |
| Height in centimetres | 170 cm |
| Weight in kilograms | 65 kg |
| Weight in pounds | 143 Ibs |
| Eye colour | Hazel |
| Hair colour | Dark brown |
| Children | Zane Schoeffling and Scarlet Schoeffling |
| Marital status | Married |
| Occupation | Former actress and model |
| Net worth | Approximately $500 000 |
Early Years and Educational Background
Schoeffling was born in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, and grew up in South Jersey. He completed his education at Cherokee High School in Evesham Township, New Jersey. Later, he pursued a liberal arts major at Temple University in Philadelphia. During the mid-1980s, his modeling career took off as he started appearing in GQ. Photographer Bruce Weber even supported his acting aspirations by covering the cost of his acting classes at the Lee Strasberg Theatre Institute in Manhattan.
Michael Schoeffling’s Physical Attributes: Height, Weight, and Body Statistics
Michael Schoeffling stands at a height of 6 feet, boasting brown hair and captivating black eyes. However, detailed information regarding his shoe size, body weight, and other measurements remains limited.
Michael Schoeffling’s Professional Career
Michael Schoeffling’s early years were marked by his exceptional talent, particularly in the realm of collegiate wrestling. He made a name for himself by participating in numerous tournaments, both nationally and internationally, and achieving medal-worthy success. His achievements led him to become a part of the National Junior Wrestling Team, culminating in a gold medal triumph in freestyle wrestling at the 1978 European Championships in Munich, Germany.
With an uncertain career path ahead, he embarked on a year-and-a-half-long journey throughout Europe. Subsequently, in the early 1980s, he ventured into the world of modeling for GQ magazine, once again traversing the globe in pursuit of his modeling assignments.
In 1984, Michael Schoeffling made his film debut, albeit uncredited, in ‘Racing with the Moon.’ His breakthrough moment came later that same year when he co-starred with Molly Ringwald and Anthony Michael Hall in the coming-of-age comedy film, ‘Sixteen Candles,’ directed by John Hughes. In this iconic movie, he portrayed the role of Jake Ryan, the high school heartthrob who captured the heart of Samantha Baker, played by Sam. This film catapulted Michael Schoeffling to stardom, despite the fact that he was 23 years old while portraying a high school student.
He continued to deliver commendable performances in subsequent movies such as ‘Vision Quest’ in 1985 and ‘Mermaids’ in 1990. His filmography also includes titles like ‘Belizaire the Cajun,’ ‘Slaves of New York,’ and ‘Wild Hearts Can’t Be Broken.’ He also ventured into television with a role in the series ‘The Hitchhiker.’
However, his acting career was relatively short-lived, as he bid farewell to the film industry after his work on ‘Wild Hearts Can’t Be Broken’ in 1991. He cited a lack of suitable roles as the reason for his departure. With a family to support, he transitioned into the craft of handcrafted furniture, establishing a woodworking shop. Currently residing in Pennsylvania, he maintains a highly private life alongside his family.
Personal life
Michael Earl Schoeffling was born on December 10th, 1960, in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. His early years were spent in New Jersey, where he attended Cherokee High School and successfully completed his education. Subsequently, he relocated to Philadelphia, where he pursued a major in Liberal Arts at Temple University. Later, he honed his acting skills by enrolling in classes at the esteemed Lee Strasberg Theatre Institute in Manhattan, with the generous support of the renowned photographer Bruce Weber, who covered the cost of these classes.
In his personal life, Michael entered into matrimony with Valerie C. Robinson, and together, they share two children named Scarlet and Zane. Valerie, a former model and actress, notably appeared in films like ‘Patty Hearst’ and ‘One Shoe Makes It Murder.’ Interestingly, she and Michael both embarked on modeling careers and were represented by the same agency.
Michael Schoeffling’s Net Worth
As of 2019, he has been crafting artisanal furniture to sustain his livelihood. As of 2023, Michael’s estimated net worth stands at $500 thousand, though his exact salary remains undisclosed.
