Many of us know Alan Ruck from the hit movie Ferris Bueller's Day Off, where he played Cameron Frye, the best friend of Ferris (Matthew Broderick) and Sloane Peterson (Mia Sarah). Others know Ruck from the series Succession. In addition, Ruck has starred in over 100 films and television shows.
Having been born in Cleveland, Ohio, Ruck dreamed of getting out of there and describes his school years as miserable, especially the teenage ones. He came from a low-income family and did not have many friends. While every teenager was throwing parties and having a great time with their peers, Ruck was not. He was not athletic and had a lot of issues with focusing and doing well in school. This story is very similar for many children and adults reminiscing on their high school years. Of course, not everyone wanted that kind of attention, but Ruck wished to find some way to make himself feel important to society, even if it wasn't what he'd thought he'd end up doing.
Before Ferris Bueller's Day Off
Ruck was an avid drama student in college and graduated with his bachelor's degree in drama from the University of Illinois. He went on to act in plays in Chicago. The most successful play was Biloxi Blues. This is where he met his long-time friend, Matthew Broderick. They remained close, and once Boderick was cast as Ferris in Ferris Bueller's Day Off, he insisted that his actor friend, Ruck had to play the part of Cameron, Ferris' best friend. This was Ruck's big break, and from that moment forward, he never wanted out of acting, no matter how small or insignificant the role. Acting was Ruck's calling, and he had been searching his entire young life for something to call home.
Ruck's role in Ferris Bueller's Day Off was close to what his actual life and mentality were like at the time. Though Ruck was in his late 20s, he still looked very young and played being a sad and emotionally abused teenager perfectly. Playing Cameron, Ferris's best friend, was bittersweet for Ruck. Cameron was a sad teenager; it wasn't just your typical teenage angst. Cameron's parents, specifically his father, Morris Frye, were not exactly loving, supportive parents.
Cameron's father, Mr. Frye, was obsessed with his car and cared more for it than he did his hypochondriac son. Cameron was a hypochondriac for attention like most are, but his made sense since his parents never seemed to notice when he was around unless they were yelling at him. He wanted their attention and approval badly but did not get it. So instead, he finally got to make Mr. Frye look like a fool and destroyed his precious automobile, the 1961 Ferarri 250 GT California.
His father never drives the ridiculous car but keeps it in a literal glass showroom-style garage and wipes the imaginary smears off with a diaper because it's so soft that it will not blemish the car's perfection. This adds to the hilarity of the complete destruction of the vehicle, which his father surely deserved.
Ruck Reflecting on the Role
There is a scene in the movie where Cameron talks about a time when he broke his retainer and how his father went insane with anger. He speaks in a way to tell us that his best friend, Ferris was there to witness the showdown. Mr. Frye hates Ferris, just like he hates his son. He never includes him in anything and treats him like a moron and as something that's merely in his way. The same can be said for Mrs. Frye.
Ruck reflects on these memories as if it was all no big deal. He is good at brushing aside how his runner-up acting always seemed to leave out a big chunk of the story. For example, what happened to Cameron after his father saw the car? In reality, Ruck continued to play second-rung parts in shows and movies. Until Succession, he wasn't even all that well known which by all means, he should have been. Ruck was also in Class, Three for the Road, Young Guns II, Star Trek: Generations, Speed, and Twister. He also starred in Mad About You and Spin City.
Success in Succession
Succession is a drama in which Ruck plays Connor Roy, the eldest son of Logan Roy. This is not a new take on a role for him. Instead, it is similar to other roles, like Camron Frye. He is underwhelming, his family forgets about him, doesn't remember to include him, and overall, is too busy to bother with his existence. It is sad and low, but it is a role Ruck has played throughout his lengthy acting career and feels at home doing. He does finally get what he deserves in the Succession role — fame. He is no longer simply recognized as the friend in Ferris Bueller's Day Off. Now, Ruck is what makes the entire four seasons of Succession worth watching. His "underwhelming" role is precisely what we all wanted and needed.
Alan Ruck may have played many film and television roles, but his role as Cooper Roy is one of the very best that television has seen and will likely ever see. It shows that just because you aren't a loud, boisterous character in your endeavors does not mean you will not be loved by your fans and peers. Ruck will forever be loved for simply being Ruck, which is more than most of us can even entertain asking for in this life.