Cameron Frye, you're my hero

Everyone has a theory on what made "Ferris Bueller's Day Off" so great. The irresistible Matthew Broderick. The sublime script by John Hughes. The brilliant villainy of Jeffrey Jones.

All good picks, but don't forget the always-underrated Alan Ruck as "Cameron Frye," possibly second to only Ducky Dale as best comic figure in a Hughes flick.

Ruck turns 52 years old today, making him by far the oldest "teen" cast member of "Ferris." (He was 29 years old when played the part.) Ruck and Broderick were pals back in acting school as kids, and popular legend has it that the adult voice that Ruck imitated often in Ferris -- "Mr. Peterson" -- was that of their drama class teacher.

If you think Ruck was a one-hit wonder of the 80s, surely you've forgotten his work in "Class," "Bad Boys" and "Three for the Road." (Actually, no points off if you forgot that last one.) Then there's that stretch on TV's "Spin City." He also got a lot of mileage playing a starship captain in 1994's "Star Trek: Generations."

These days, Ruck remains busy in the acting biz, playing the role of "Dean Bowman" in TV's "Greek" and making appearances in 2007's "Kickin' It Old Skool" and 2008's "The Happening."

Happy birthday, Alan. We're just glad you didn't up as a fry-cook on Venus.

TOP 5 MEMORABLE "CAMERON FRYE" LINES:

5. "I am not going to sit on my a-- as the events that affect me unfold to determine the course of my life. I'm going to take a stand. I'm going to defend it. Right or wrong, I'm going to defend it."

4. "You just mind your P's and Q's, buster, and remember who you're dealing with!"

3. "Pardon my French, but you're an a--hole!"

2. "Ferris Bueller, you're my hero."

1. "When Cameron was in Egypt's land ... Let my Cameron go!"

Comments

[John Hays]

You mention Star Trek but you don't mention Spin City? Hmmm.....

I'd also like to nominate John Candy as best comic figure in a Hughes flick, if that's the official title you're nominating for.

I think the best Cameron scene was when they thought he was catatonic and Sloane realized he watched her change!

[Bassnote]

His character on "Spin City" was a complete letch, but he was great in the roll. He was also one of the passengers on the bus in "Speed."

[Clark]

I've always wondered how old this guy really is. He never looks the same age twice.

[Former Producer Dave]

I'm amazed he was 29 when he played Cameron! His performance in that movie was the perfect counterpoint to Ferris. Happy birthday, Alan!

[Rick in Scottsdale]

Ah, Alan, Alan, good ol' Alan. Maybe you'll meet him someday, Steve? Wouldn't that be a kick?

Everything I've come across on the Net says that Ruck is a really great guy, very warm with the fans. He even goes to Star Trek conventions to sign autographs.

Maybe it's because he was 29, but I am surprised that Hughes didn't craft a vehicle just for Ruck. A great comedic actor who definitely deserves another A-list leading role.

And I agree with FP Dave. In the same way we can't imagine anyone else as Ferris, who else could play Cameron Frye?

[Spears]

More trivia: When Cameron is sick in bed, that's not his arm that reaches out to activate the speaker phone. Despite numerous takes, John Hughes wasn't happy with it. So he refilmed it again, and yes, that's the arm and hand of John Hughes you see in that closeup.

[Rick in Scottsdale]

One more thought: I disagree with you, Steve, about best comic figure in a Hughes' movie:

5. Duckie Dale (PRETTY IN PINK)
4. ** Cameron Frye (FERRIS BUELLER)
3. Buck Russell (UNCLE BUCK)
2. Farmer Ted (SIXTEEN CANDLES)
1. Del Griffith (PLANES, TRAINS AND AUTOMOBILES)

And if we consider 1991's CAREER OPPORTUNITIES's Jim Dodge, Duckie gets bumped out of the Top 5 entirely.

** No offense to Cameron Frye, who for a straightman was awfully funny.

[ian]

Cameron was me. I instantly identified with the character. As much as I would have loved to have been Ferris, I still like Cameron more.

BTW, the movie just happens to be on my Zen right now!

Thanks Spears.

Munchos!

[jane]

Saw Alan Ruck as Leo Bloom in a production of "The Producers" a couple of years ago at TBPAC -- always thought it was quite serendipitous that Cameron was on the road with the role that Ferris made famous on Broadway.

[Jeff from Vegas]

Alan Ruck is also in a fan-made Star Trek short movie called "Of Gods And Men". You can check it out here: http://www.startrekofgodsandmen.net/main/.

[Jeff from Vegas]

Alan Ruck was also in a Star Trek mini-series called "Star Trek: Of Gods And Men" that was released on the Internet. If you're interested, you can find all three parts here: http://www.startrekofgodsandmen.net/main/.

Sorry for the double post -- the first one didn't appear right away.

[Melissa]

I just saw The Happening but didn't recognize him...what did he play? By the way, the movie majorly sucked!

[Bassnote]

Off topic: Danny Elfman has an actual song on the "Wanted" soundtrack, called "The Little Things." It's great to hear Danny make a rock song again.

[Marissa]

Picture this:
Stuck in the 80s Tour of Chicago Ferris Bueller style.
Steve goes around the city introducing himself as Abe Froman just to see how many people exclaim, "The Sausage King of Chicago!?"
Just sayin'

[Rosa]

Marissa- I'm wincing in pain because I just smashed my toe but you managed to make me laugh.

[Marissa]

Ouch! Sorry you smashed your toe. Hopefully, the post had nothing to do with that. As always, glad I managed to make someone laugh.

[John Hays]

Oh Steve, Abe Froman HAS to be your Vegas name when you go! Hold Steve to introducing himself with a different John Hughes character name every time he approaches a card table! Abe Froman, Del Griffith, etc...then he has to BE those characters! Hahahahahaha....

[Marissa]

With the arsenal of movie quotes Spearsy has in his noggin', I don't think that'd be hard for him to do, John.

[John Hays]

I just want him to take some shower curtain rings with him and start sellin!

[Pam]

My pick for most memorable Cameron Frye line:
"I'll go. I'll go. I'll... I'll ... I'll go."

Every time I'm procrastinating going somewhere (esp. school or work early in the AM), I picture Cameron sitting in his POS car.

[Spears]

I had "I'll go, I'll go" on there til the last second. That's my favorite Cameron scene.

"He'll keep calling me, and calling me."

[DoctorDrew]

The I'll go scene is my favorite. Also like this one,

"And-and-and then, and then, you deliberately hurt my feelings."

Jane, I saw Cameron in that same Production at TBPAC.

[G.A.]

"You make me make a phony phone call to Edward Rooney?"

[Rob Oliver]

If you listen to the dialogue between Cameron and Sloan when they are walking outside before the parade, you can totally tell that their dialogue was improvised. The "Fry-cook on Venus" line just seems so out there that it had to be extemporaneous....

[amiin]

(His character on "Spin City" was a complete letch, but he was great in the roll. He was also one of the passengers on the bus in "Speed.")

OOw now I remember he was on speed