Andrew McCarthy Reflects on 500-mile Journey with Son: 'Life-Changing for Me'

Actor Andrew McCarthy joined Brian Kilmeade to discuss his book and career, reflecting on a 500-mile journey with his son that proved transformative for him.

Andrew McCarthy, the iconic "St. Elmo's Fire" star, recently sat down with Brian Kilmeade to discuss his book and career, sharing an insightful anecdote about a 500-mile journey with his son that profoundly altered his perspective.

McCarthy, now 61, admitted that he and his fellow "Brat Pack" actors initially disliked the term coined by a journalist in the 1980s. "We all hated it," he recalled. "Who wants to be called a brat when you're a kid?"

However, over time, McCarthy has come to appreciate the affectionate nature of the term, recognizing its nostalgic significance. "It's followed me – every day I hear it," he remarked, acknowledging the lasting impact of the Brat Pack era.

While the public embraced the moniker, McCarthy revealed that the industry responded negatively. "It had professional ramifications," he explained. "The public embraced us, but the business reacted to it in a negative way."

Despite the initial controversy, McCarthy decided to reconnect with his former Brat Pack colleagues for a new Hulu documentary, "Brats." He explained that he was motivated by a desire to explore their shared experiences.

"I thought it'd be great to go back and reconnect with the old gang," he said. "I hadn't seen most of them in about 30 years. It was such a seminal moment in all our lives and none of us had ever talked about it before."

McCarthy admitted that while he initially hated the Brat Pack label, some members of the group have come to view it differently over the years. "As you get old, you start to look back on your past in a different way and go, ‘You know, that was a beautiful thing.’"

The journey with his son, McCarthy revealed, was a deeply meaningful experience. "It was a father-son trip, and it was a chance for us to reconnect. And it was life-changing for me," he shared.

McCarthy explained that the journey took them through a variety of landscapes, from mountains to deserts. They encountered challenges and obstacles along the way, but they also shared moments of laughter and bonding.

"We had a lot of talks," McCarthy said. "I learned a lot about him, and I think he learned a lot about me. It was a really special time for us."

McCarthy's journey with his son is a reminder of the transformative power of shared experiences, particularly between father and son. It is a testament to the enduring bonds that can be forged through adventure and shared challenges.