{
  "id": 11979450,
  "title": "Molly Ringwald Was In A Forgotten TV Movie Rom-Com With Friends Star David Schwimmer",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/04/molly-ringwald-was-in-a-forgotten-tv-movie-rom-com-with-friends-star",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-10-04T17:52:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "TVLine",
    "slug": "tvline",
    "url": "https://www.tvline.com/2274279/molly-ringwald-forgotten-tv-movie-rom-com-friends-david-schwimmer/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Molly Ringwald, once a household name thanks to her roles in iconic John Hughes films, had a brief appearance in a TV movie in 1998 alongside the now-famous David Schwimmer. This film, \"Since You've Been Gone,\" was a romantic comedy that went largely unnoticed in the years that followed.\n\nSet against the backdrop of a high school reunion, the movie featured a cast of eccentric former classmates. Ringwald played Claire, a die-hard fan of self-help author Holly Petuto, portrayed by Heidi Stillman. Holly's best friend, Electra Pollack, played by Laura Eason, was in search of a husband.\n\nRingwald's character experienced the usual fangirl moment when she spotted her idol on screen, exclaiming, \"Oh my God, it is you!\" However, this minor role may not be well-known even to the most ardent fans of Ringwald.\n\nInterestingly, David Schwimmer's career could have taken a very different path had he accepted the lead role offered to him in the sci-fi action-comedy \"Men in Black.\" In fact, it was this opportunity that led him to turn down a potentially career-changing part, as he chose loyalty to his friends working on \"Since You've Been Gone.\"\n\nThis decision proved to be a significant one, as \"Men in Black\" went on to become a massive hit, altering Schwimmer's career trajectory and leaving him to ponder \"what might have been.\" During a podcast appearance in 2024, Schwimmer shared this story, emphasizing the conflict he faced between his personal relationship with his theater company friends and the allure of a potential blockbuster role.",
  "summary": "Molly Ringwald played a superfan in David Schwimmer's directorial debut, a made-for-TV romantic comedy movie called \"Since You've Been Gone.\"",
  "key_points": [
    "Molly Ringwald starred in 1998 TV movie \"Since You've Been Gone\" with David Schwimmer.",
    "Film was a low-profile romantic comedy set during a high school reunion.",
    "Schwimmer turned down lead role in \"Men in Black\" to join Ringwald's cast."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}