‘Babes in Toyland’ actress explains why she left…
Jill Schoelen, who starred as Drew Barrymore’s sister in the Christmas cult basic “Babes in Toyland,” is returning to Hollywood for the first time in practically 30 years.
The 1986 remake starred an 11-year-old Barrymore as Lisa, a younger lady pulled into a surreal fantasy world of residing toys, where she must face an evil villain plotting to take over Toyland.
“Babes in Toyland” — which Barrymore later called “an obscure masterpiece” — also featured Pat Morita of “The Karate Kid” fame and a younger Keanu Reeves before his rise to superstardom.
Schoelen is returning to her vacation roots. She not too long ago accomplished a new movie, “Ralph’s Perfekt Christmas,” set to premiere in 2026, and launched her first seasonal album, “Christmas Is Forever.”
“What really led me to step away from Hollywood was finding out I was pregnant with my eldest son, Dante,” Schoelen told Fox News Digital. “The day I found out I was pregnant, I called my agents and said, ‘I’m done.’”
The actress said that after welcoming her first baby, she briefly thought-about staying in show business.
“Maybe three months after having my baby, I thought I should be open to going back to work,” she said. “I called my agents and told them, ‘I think I’m still open to working.’ I had three job interviews and almost got all of them.”
Jill Schoelen is returning to Hollywood for the first time in practically 30 years. Fox News Digital
But by her third audition, Schoelen had a nagging feeling she couldn’t ignore — she knew it was time to stroll away, and this time, for good.
“I remember sitting at an audition for a really good part I was about to get,” Schoelen recalled. “I thought, ‘I need to be at home with my baby.’ I called my agents again and said, ‘OK, I really am done.’ I turned that corner and never went back.”
Schoelen quietly labored behind the scenes, producing small theater exhibits. She said she never regretted her choice.
Schoelen not too long ago accomplished a new movie, “Ralph’s Perfekt Christmas,” set to premiere in 2026 (above), and launched her first seasonal album, “Christmas Is Forever.” Next Chapter Entertainment
“I really wanted to be a full-time mom,” Schoelen explained. “I know that’s not popular to say these days, but as the saying goes, ‘To each their own.’ I grew up in a backward way. In the ‘60s and ‘70s, most of my friends’ mothers stayed home. My mom not only worked, but she also owned her business and was president of her company. I was raised in a way that’s more common for many children today.”
“For me — and I can only speak for myself — I don’t think it was in my best interest to grow up without my parents around,” she continued.
“I didn’t want my kids to be in that position. I wanted to be a full-time mom and a parent who was fully present. Now, having said that, I do think there was a way to balance both. Maybe I didn’t have to stop working completely — maybe just cut back by 80% instead of 100%. I understand the other side now that time has passed.”
Jill Schoelen, who starred as Drew Barrymore’s sister in the Christmas cult basic “Babes in Toyland” (seen above). Courtesy Everett Collection
Schoelen said “Ralph’s Perfekt Christmas” is her first movie in 29 years. Described as “a dark comedy from Santa’s naughty list,” it also impressed her vacation album “Christmas Is Forever,” which options eclectic covers and an authentic music, “Mingle and Jingle.”
“I took a long hiatus to raise my children,” Schoelen said. “When they were grown, I thought, ‘Maybe I’ll dip back into work.’ I was thrilled to make a Christmas album. I thought, ‘This is a dream — I’ve always wanted to do it. I’ve done a Christmas movie, now I’m going to do a Christmas album.’”
“And I have done a Christmas film in the past,” she grinned.
Keanu Reeves and Jill Schoelen in a promotional still for “Babes in Toyland” in 1986. Courtesy Everett Collection
“Babes in Toyland” first aired on Dec. 19, 1986. Over the years, it turned troublesome for followers to discover a good-quality copy, and it drifted in and out of vacation TV rotation.
Schoelen admitted she was starstruck by Barrymore, who had starred in the 1982 hit “E.T.” The baby star got here from one of Hollywood’s most well-known appearing dynasties.
Schoelen shortly turned protecting of Barrymore on set.
“Drew Barrymore was so popular at the time,” Schoelen said. “‘E.T.’ was my all-time favorite movie next to ‘The Wizard of Oz.’ But I think it’s natural when you’re working with someone that young to look at them like a child. Even though part of her was mature, there was a side of Drew that was still very much 11—maybe even nine or 10. She was such a young, sweet girl.”
“Babes in Toyland” first aired on Dec. 19, 1986. Over the years, it turned troublesome for followers to discover a good-quality copy, and it drifted in and out of vacation TV rotation. ©NBC/Courtesy Everett Collection
Schoelen famous that even after filming ended, Barrymore stayed supportive of her on-screen big sister.
“After we did ‘Babes in Toyland,’ she became very supportive of a show I was doing in Los Angeles,” Schoelen said. “Drew really advocated for it and helped promote it in the press. I didn’t know at the time that she was struggling herself and had gone to rehab at a young age. I felt terrible that I didn’t know.”
Barrymore, now 50 and a mom of two daughters, has beforehand spoken about her struggles with habit, which started when she was 12.
Jill Schoelen in a headdress with bells from “Babes in Toyland” (1986). Courtesy Everett Collection
“Even though she was so famous and young, she still had an innocence underneath all of her worldliness at 11 years old — she was still a child,” said Schoelen.
“And ‘Babes in Toyland,’ I’m not speaking for her, but I’m imagining that the whole thing with her character was that it puts you back in touch with being a child. And when you think about it, that was so important for a girl of her stature, famous and iconic already. And you’re only 11 years old. I would imagine she enjoyed having some return to innocence.”
Filming in the center of a scorching German summer time was no straightforward activity, but the solid shortly bonded. Schoelen recalled that Reeves, who performed her love curiosity — and dated her in real life — was already on his method to stardom.
“I took a long hiatus to raise my children,” Schoelen said. “When they were grown, I thought, ‘Maybe I’ll dip back into work.’ I was thrilled to make a Christmas album. I thought, ‘This is a dream — I’ve always wanted to do it. I’ve done a Christmas movie, now I’m going to do a Christmas album.’” Getty Images for twentieth Century Studios
“He already had the fire lit,” said Schoelen. “Just the public didn’t know him, but he was set on his way. He had multiple films lined up that he would be doing after ‘Babes in Toyland.’ There was a beautiful innocence about him. I’m happy to see what a kind and generous person he continues to be. That’s his true essence.”
Today, it’s no shock that “Babes in Toyland” resonates with followers a long time later.
“There was still a lot of innocence in the ‘80s,” Schoelen mirrored. “I think people today are craving that. There’s so much division and angst in the world. We could all use more innocence, more light, and more love.”
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