Drew Barrymore’s ‘Babes in Toyland’ co-star returns to Hollywood after 29 years

Jill Schoelen, who performed Drew Barrymore’s sister within the Christmas cult traditional “Babes in Toyland,” is returning to Hollywood for the primary time in almost 30 years.

The 1986 remake starred an 11-year-old Barrymore as Lisa, a younger woman drawn right into a surreal fantasy world of dwelling toys, the place she should battle an evil villain who plans to take over Toyland.

“Babes in Toyland” — which Barrymore later referred to as “an obscure masterpiece” — additionally featured Pat Morita, of “The Karate Child” fame, and a younger Keanu Reeves earlier than he turned a famous person.

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“Babes in Toyland,” a 1986 Christmas cult traditional starring Keanu Reeves, Jill Schoelen and Drew Barrymore. (Everett)

Schoelen returns to her vacation roots. She lately accomplished a brand new movie, “Ralph’s Perfect Christmas”, premiered in 2026 and launched her first season album, “Christmas is forever.”

Jill Schoelen advised Fox Information Digital that she was impressed to document a vacation album after filming “Ralph’s Perfekt Christmas.” (Lesley Bohm)

“What actually made me go away Hollywood was discovering that I used to be pregnant with my oldest son, Dante,” Schoelen advised Fox Information Digital. “The day I came upon I used to be pregnant, I referred to as my brokers and mentioned, ‘I am performed.'”

The actress mentioned that after welcoming her first little one, she briefly thought of staying in present enterprise.

WATCH: JILL SCHOELEN OPENS UP ABOUT ‘BABES IN TOYLAND’ AND HER HOLLYWOOD COMEBACK

“Possibly three months after I had my child, I assumed I ought to be open to going again to work,” she mentioned. “I referred to as my brokers and advised them, ‘I believe I am nonetheless open to work.’ I’ve had three job interviews and acquired nearly all of them.”

However at her third audition, Schoelen felt a nagging feeling she could not ignore: she knew it was time to stroll away, and this time for good.

Jill Schoelen mentioned she would not remorse taking a break from showbiz to boost her kids. (Mikel Healy)

“I bear in mind sitting at an audition for a extremely good function that I used to be going to get,” Schoelen recollects. “I assumed, ‘I should be dwelling with my child.’ I referred to as my brokers once more and mentioned, ‘Okay, I am actually performed.’ I turned that nook and by no means went again.”

Jill Schoelen, seen right here within the Nineteen Eighties, left Hollywood for 29 years. (Ralph Dominguez/MediaPunch by way of Getty Pictures)

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Schoelen labored quietly behind the scenes and produced small theater exhibits. She mentioned she has by no means regretted her determination.

“I actually needed to change into a full-time mom,” Schoelen explains. “I do know it is not fashionable to say lately, however because the saying goes, ‘To every their very own.’ I grew up in a backward means. Within the Sixties and Nineteen Seventies, most of my pals’ moms stayed dwelling. My mom not solely labored, however she additionally owned her enterprise and was president of her firm. I used to be raised in a means that’s widespread for a lot of kids right this moment.”

Jill Schoelen reverse Keanu Reeves in ‘Babes in Toyland’. (Everett)

“For me – and I can solely communicate for myself – I do not suppose it was in my greatest curiosity to develop up with out my dad and mom,” she continued.

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Jill Schoelen’s new vacation movie, “Ralph’s Excellent Christmas,” will premiere in 2026. (Subsequent chapter Leisure)

“I did not need my youngsters to be in that place. I needed to be a full-time mother and a completely current guardian. Now that I’ve mentioned that, I believe there was a approach to stability each. Possibly I did not should cease working altogether — possibly simply in the reduction of by 80% as an alternative of 100%. I perceive the opposite aspect now that that point has handed.”

Schoelen mentioned “Ralph’s Perfekt Christmas” is her first movie in 29 years. Described as “a darkish comedy from Santa’s naughty record,” it additionally impressed her vacation album “Christmas Is Perpetually,” that includes eclectic covers and an unique music, “Mingle and Jingle.”

Jill Schoelen mentioned she waited till her kids had been grown to return to performing. (Subsequent chapter Leisure)

“I took a protracted break to boost my youngsters,” Schoelen mentioned. “After they had been grown, I assumed, ‘Possibly I am going to return to work.’ I beloved making a Christmas album. I assumed, ‘It is a dream, I’ve all the time needed to do it. I made a Christmas film, now I’ll make a Christmas album. ”

Jill Schoelen’s new vacation album, “Christmas is Perpetually,” is now out there. (Mikel Healy)

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“And I’ve performed a Christmas film prior to now,” she grinned.

“Babes in Toyland” first aired on December 19, 1986. Through the years, it turned tough for followers to discover a good high quality copy, and it floated out and in of vacation TV rotation.

“Babes in Toyland” has floated out and in of vacation TV rotation over time. (TBM/Alamy)

Schoelen admitted she was impressed by Barrymore, who starred within the 1982 hit “ET.” The kid star got here from one in all Hollywood’s most well-known performing dynasties.

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American little one actress Drew Barrymore on the set of Clive Donner’s 1986 tv movie ‘Babes in Toyland’. (Pierre Perrin/Sygma by way of Getty Pictures)

Schoelen shortly turned protecting of Barrymore on set.

“Drew Barrymore was so fashionable on the time,” Schoelen mentioned. “‘ET’ was my favourite film of all time subsequent to ‘The Wizard of Oz.’ However I believe it is regular while you work with somebody so younger to have a look at him like a baby. Though a part of her had grown up, there was a aspect of Drew that was nonetheless very a lot eleven, possibly even 9 or ten. She was such a younger, candy woman.”

Steven Spielberg and Drew Barrymore pose with ET in Los Angeles, circa 1982. (Mark Sennet/Getty Pictures)

Schoelen famous that even after filming ended, Barrymore continued to assist her on-screen massive sister.

Drew Barrymore co-starred with Pat Morita, identified for ‘The Karate Child’. (Pierre Perrin/Sygma by way of Getty Pictures)

“After we did ‘Babes in Toyland,’ she was very supportive of a present I did in Los Angeles,” Schoelen mentioned. “Drew actually advocated for it and helped put it on the market within the press. I did not know on the time that she was struggling herself and had gone to rehab at a younger age. I felt horrible not realizing.”

Barrymore, now 50 and a mom of two daughters, has beforehand spoken about her battle with habit, which began when she was 12.

Drew Barrymore, now a mom of two younger women, has beforehand opened up about her struggles with habit. (Raymond Corridor/Getty Pictures)

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“Though she was so well-known and younger, at age 11 she nonetheless had an innocence beneath all her worldliness — she was nonetheless a baby,” Schoelen mentioned.

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Drew Barrymore was 11 years previous when she starred in “Babes in Toyland.” (Pierre Perrin/Sygma by way of Getty Pictures)

“And ‘Babes in Toyland,’ I do not communicate for her, however I think about the entire thing about her character was that it places you again in contact with being a child. And when you concentrate on it, that was so necessary for a woman her measurement, well-known and iconic already. And also you’re solely 11 years previous. I think about she loved getting again to innocence a bit bit.”

Filming in the course of a scorching German summer time was no straightforward process, however the forged shortly bonded. Schoelen recalled that Reeves, who performed her love curiosity — and dated her in actual life — was already on his approach to stardom.

Jill Schoelen mentioned everybody knew Keanu Reeves (pictured right here) was on his approach to superstardom. (CBS by way of Getty Pictures)

“He had already began the fireplace,” Schoelen mentioned. “The general public simply did not know him, however he was on his means. He had a number of movies lined up that he was going to make after ‘Babes in Toyland.’ There was a lovely innocence about him. I am comfortable to see what a sort and beneficiant individual he nonetheless is. That’s his true essence.”

Jill Schoelen (middle) advised Fox Information Digital that it is easy to see why “Babes in Toyland” nonetheless resonates with audiences a long time later. (© NBC/courtesy of Everett Assortment)

Immediately, it is no shock that “Babes in Toyland” resonates with followers a long time later.

“There was nonetheless lots of innocence within the eighties,” Schoelen mirrored. “I believe that is what individuals are eager for lately. There’s a lot division and worry on this planet. We might all use extra innocence, extra gentle, and extra love.”