Phoebe Cates Turns 50

Phoebe Cates will forever be emerging from a pool in a bathing suit at 17 to 80s kids, and she still looks amazing.

Nowadays, you don’t see Phoebe Cates much in media or in film, but when Fast Times At Ridgemont High was released, the actress was a huge sensation.

The film went on to make retro movie history, and Cates was forever enshrined in that scene. But in July, the still stunning star marked her 50th birthday, and while out of the spotlight, fans always wonder why the star now eschews acting.

Cates has been quoted as saying in the past:

“Kids today are much more independent than their parents were. We’re really into getting jobs and we mature sexually much earlier than a generation ago. Or, at least, we are involved in sex earlier.”

It was a different era, and Cates also was matter of fact about what it took to make it in show business more than 30 years ago — she’s said:

“I was only 17 when I did my nude scenes… They were serious and more difficult because they were not easily justified.”

But she’d also said:

“In this business, if a girl wants a career, she has to be willing to strip… If you’ve got a good bod, then why not show it?”

Alas, Phoebe Cates took a permanent break from the big screen in the 90s to be a mom, save for one appearance in the early 00s in the film The Anniversary Party.

But she isn’t just hanging around — the actress owns and operates a boutique called the Blue Tree on Madison Avenue in New York City. And often, fans come in and tell her she looks a lot like Phoebe Cates, to which the star replies, “I get that a lot.”

What’s your favorite Phoebe Cates movie?