Andrew McCarthy made a lasting impression as the troubled Clay in Less Than Zero, capturing the disillusionment of 1980s Los Angeles youth with a quiet intensity. He brought wit and charm to the comedy Weekend at Bernie’s, playing the hapless Ted alongside Jonathan Silverman’s Richard, which became a cult classic for its dark humor and slapstick antics. Fans of fantasy films may recognize him as Uncle Simon in The Spiderwick Chronicles, where his grounded performance helped anchor the magical chaos of the story. McCarthy’s work often blends a sense of vulnerability with a sharp comedic timing, making his characters feel lived-in rather than just archetypes. His collaborations with directors like Joel Schumacher have cemented his place as a defining figure of late 20th-century cinema.