WHAT EVER HAPPENED TO: STEPHEN GEOFFREYS

Forgive me if you’ve heard this story before. It has been out there (I think first mentioned in a supplement on a NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET DVD supplement several years ago). I still find it one of the most hard to belive “What Ever Happened To” stories.

And a note, we are headed into a very strange area. So, get ready, sit back, and keep your hands and arms inside the ride at all times.

Stephen Geoffreys made a career playing the “goofy friend” of sorts in many 80’s films. Mainly in horror (FRIGHT NIGHT), but in a lot of comedy films as well (FRATERNITY VACATION), he was a very familiar face. Familiar to me because he looked quite a bit like one of my friends, who was also a very similar goofball sort of guy.

What I was unaware of at the time was he began his career in a big way. He was nominated for a Tony Award in 1984 for his performance in “The Human Comedy”, a role he originated Off Broadway.

This led him off to Hollywood.


In 1985, his first feature was as Williams in HEAVEN HELP US, the Catholic School comedy that also starred Andrew McCarthy, Kevin Dillon, Mary Stuart Masterson, Donald Sutherland, and also marked the film debut of Patrick Dempsey.



Geoffreys was memorable as the guy who had a bit of trouble concentrating while helping to give the girls communion.


Next up for him was the lead in FRATERNITY VACATION. He played a geek accompanied by two friends to spring break in Palm Springs. This was a popular comedy at the time. Surprisingly, it is on DVD. Surprising since his co-star, playing a character called “Mother” is none other than Tim Robbins. I can’t think Robbins has this figured prominently in his resume.



Gene Siskel said in his above TV review (starting at the 5 minute mark) that Geoffreys was “A dead ringer for a young Jack Nicholson, that’s the only reason to go see this picture”.


FRIGHT NIGHT may be the film that he is best known for, where he played “Evil Ed”. Featuring William Ragsdale who recruits TV host Roddy McDowall to help him prove that his next door neighbor (Chris Sarandon) is a vampire, it was very popular on video. I saw it many times. Apparently he turned down a chance to be in the sequel.



Here is a YouTube clip someone made of some of his memorable scenes.



He didn’t only star in genre films as his next film, 1986’s AT CLOSE RANGE directed by James Foley was one of the very best films of the 1980’s. In this film where Sean Penn plays the son of Christopher Walken, Geoffreys (along with Chris Penn, Crispin GLover and Keifer Sutherland) plays a friend of Penn.

Geoffrey’s also starred in episodes of the anthology series THE NEW TWILIGHT ZONE and AMAZING STORIES. He played the lead in the Robert Englund directed horror film 976-EVIL, and in a few smaller films (THE ROAD RAIDERS, THE CHAIR and MOON 44).

And by 1990, Geoffrey’s seemed to retire from the industry.

Or did he???



So, what ever happened to him?

Stephen Geoffreys, under that name, had retired. But under other names, he began acting in a whole new genre of film. He became a star in “Adult Films”. And, in not just any, in films geared to an all male audience.

Beginning in 1991 through the rest of the decade, Geoffreys appeared in over 25 films in that genre. With titles such as...ummm....nope, can’t print that title, or that one....or that one. Trust me, he made plenty of films. You can read the titles here.

His last such film was released in 2002.

Normally I try to research these subjects pretty well before posting them. I have to admit that I’ve never seen any of these films. I saw most of his earlier films, but not these. Like I said, he reminded me of a good friend of mine. I really don’t want to see him that way.

Now why would someone, who had made a career for himself as a pretty memorable character actor go into this genre of which, let’s face it, there is no going back to Hollywood after? Look at what happened with Kristine Debell after it came out how she started her career.

And not only that, he was a Tony nominee, and had talent, so he could star in mainstream films. In just a couple years he went from starring in films playing the multiplex to films that don't play theatres at all.

Some sites list the fact that he was heavily into body building, so I guess maybe that is a reason.

But still, whether you are male or female, that is pretty much a career killer.

It looks like he has tried to cross back into mainstream filmmaking, appearing in a horror film from 2007 called SICK GIRL.

He continues to make appearances at horror conventions, and is said to be a “really cool guy” according to one IMDB posting.



Here is very brief footage of him at a summer 2007 horror convention with FRIGHT NIGHT co-star Amanda Bearse. You can read a recent interview (with photos) of him at this horror film website. He doesn't go into his work in the 90's.