Ilan Mitchell-Smith

Ilan Mitchell-Smith (born June 29, 1969) is an American assistant professor of English at California State University Long Beach in Long Beach, California, but he is best known as an actor and co-star of the movie Weird Science (1985). He was born in New York City.

Acting career

His film career began in 1983 at age fourteen when he played a younger version of the title character in Sidney Lumet's Daniel. After a starring role in the 1984 film The Wild Life, he was cast as Wyatt Donnelly in the 1985 teen classic Weird Science by writer/director John Hughes. The film focuses on two nerdy teenage boys who create a woman of their own (played by Kelly LeBrock) as they are unable to find girlfriends. Although this proved to be his only major role, he was overshadowed by his more famous co-star Anthony Michael Hall as well as future stars Robert Downey Jr. and Bill Paxton.

After Weird Science, his acting career slowed down. While he had starring roles in several other films and TV series, most notably The Chocolate War and Superboy, none of these brought him the same degree of recognition. He decided to leave acting entirely in 1991, his final role being a guest appearance on Silk Stalkings.

Education

Mitchell-Smith earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Medieval Studies from UC Davis. He then earned a Master of Arts degree from Fordham University. He received his Ph.D. from Texas A&M University. He is currently an Assistant Professor of English at California State University Long Beach (Faculty Profile).

Family life

He and his wife (married 1995) have two children.

Quotes

Filmography

• How to Be a Perfect Person in Just Three Days (1983)
• Daniel (1983)
• The Wild Life (1984)
• Weird Science (1985)
• Superboy (1988 TV series)
• The Chocolate War (1988)
• Journey to the Center of the Earth (1989)
• Identity Crisis (1989)

External links

• Ilan Mitchell-Smith at the Internet Movie Database