FANS of the cult film Back to the Future have had to take a double look at Claudia Wells, 37 years on from the time-travelling film.
Nearly missing out on the career-enhancing role of Marty’s girlfriend as Jennifer Parker, the actress’s scheduling conflict was finally resolved, allowing her to shine in the 80s film.
Appearing at the beginning and end of the sci-fi comedy film as the love interest to Michael J. Fox’s Marty, diehard fans easily recognise her for her small role while general film lovers will have to look harder.
Back to the Future was the actresses big-screen debut, but after almost a 20-year gap from acting, she is now back on TV, and fans will have to refamiliarise themselves with her more mature look.
Talking to the Dallas Observer, she said: “It’s not a huge role, but it’s carried so far.
“The truth is when I was Jennifer Parker, I was playing myself. So Jennifer and Claudia were very much the same person.”
When her mother was diagnosed with cancer, the actress decided to put her family first and pause her career.
This led to the role being recast in the follow-up sequel by Elisabeth Shue.
Speaking to People on her mum’s health, she said: “Life was very, very difficult and stressful.
“I just didn’t have it in me to do anything but deal with the stress and the emotions that were going on as a result of my mom being in the process of dying.
“I just wasn’t in a place to be able to think about my career or the film or anything other than what I was doing with my own life.”
Elisabeth and Claudia were no stranger to each other, she continued: “When I found out she was cast, I was actually very flattered and honoured because I think she’s an amazing actress.
“And funny enough, [the lead role in] Adventures in Babysitting was between her, me and Phoebe Cates I have nothing but respect and praise for her – and I still have not met her.”
In her time away from acting, she set up a high-end menswear re-sale shop called Armani Wells in Studio City, California.
