Mia Sara was a mere 18 when she became an iconic figure in 1980s cinema.
She gained fame as Sloane Peterson, the effortlessly stylish girlfriend of Ferris Bueller in John Hughes' classic film 'Ferris Bueller's Day Off' (1986).
Fast forward nearly four decades, and Sara's life has taken a different turn. She's largely retired from acting, now residing on a farm in Surrey, England, where her focus lies on poetry, parenting, and horses.
Born Mia Sarapochiello on June 19, 1967, in Brooklyn Heights, New York, Sara was raised in an artistic, Italian-American Catholic family. Her mother, Diana, worked as a stylist and photographer, while her father, Jerome, was a photographer and artist.
From a young age, Sara was drawn to performing. "Everyone who acts has a technique, whether it's good or bad. I think acting comes to me naturally," she shared with a newspaper in 1986 (via Total Film), reports the Mirror US.
Sara made her screen debut in 1983 with a minor role in the soap opera 'All My Children'. Two years later, at just 16, she starred alongside Tom Cruise in Ridley Scott's fantasy epic 'Legend' (1985), portraying Princess Lili.
The visually stunning film didn't make waves at the box office but has since gained cult status.
The then-unknown Sara was selected by Scott in what she described as a seemingly destined audition. Speaking to First for Women in 2024, she said: "It was love at first sight. I believe in fate. And I think that's what brought me and Ridley together. I read half a poem for him and he said that was all he needed. Something really clicked when we met".
Her breakthrough role came with the iconic film Ferris Bueller's Day Off, where Sara played Sloane Peterson, the poised and fashionable girlfriend of the titular character, portrayed by Matthew Broderick. The movie, penned and helmed by John Hughes, has since been etched in history as one of the most cherished teen comedies ever.
Despite the film's triumph and her rise to fame, Sara's recollections are bittersweet. In a 2010 Total Film interview, she reflected, "Of the main cast, I was the only actual adolescent," adding, "So unfortunately for me it was like having your most awkward adolescent year forever memorialised... I wish I could say it was a lot of fun but it wasn't for me."
Nevertheless, she recognises the enduring charm of the film, saying, "I just think it's a great character and it's such a satisfying rendition of that kind of heroic everyman. I think because John Hughes really had a great take on that kind of outsider/insider, cool-guy persona. They created this hyper-real, stylised world that doesn't really date."
Post-Ferris Bueller, Sara's career continued to flourish both on the big screen and television. She took the lead in the ABC miniseries Queenie (1987), inspired by the life of actress Merle Oberon, and in 1994, she appeared alongside Jean-Claude Van Damme in Timecop, a box office hit that garnered her a Saturn Award for Best Supporting Actress.
One of her standout performances emerged in the early 2000s as Dr. Harleen Quinzel, also known as Harley Quinn, on the WB series 'Birds of Prey' (2002–2003). In her Total Film interview, she confessed: "That was a blast – I would do that forever!" She expressed her enjoyment of the role but lamented the show's short run: "I had a fantastic time making that – it was so sad that it wasn't picked up. I love all that stuff – I'm just a sci-fi/fantasy/horror-type gal."
However, Sara gradually receded from the acting scene after appearing in 'Dorothy and the Witches of Oz' (2012) and 'Pretty Pretty' (2013), eventually taking what turned into an extended break from the industry.
She now balances the joys and challenges of motherhood with a bustling household, explaining, "Now I'm a mother with a really noisy, difficult house to maintain!" Sara has shifted her creative focus to writing poetry over the past few years.
Maintaining a private life, Sara dedicates herself to her literary pursuits and raising her family in the serene setting of Surrey, England, on her working farm filled with horses and various other animals.
Sara is married to Brian Henson, son of the legendary creator of The Muppets, Jim Henson, since 2010. Together they have a 19 year old daughter, Amelia.
Sara is also the mother to 27 year old Dashiell, her son with her former husband Jason Connery, who is the son of the late Sir Sean Connery. While Dashiell has explored acting, he generally stays away from the limelight.
Embracing the pastoral lifestyle, Sara shares glimpses of her countryside home life on Instagram, from images of her beloved horses to peaceful landscapes and intimate family moments.
Sara, who has been largely out of the spotlight, is making a comeback to the silver screen with "The Life of Chuck", an adaptation of Stephen King's novella. The film, directed by renowned horror filmmaker Mike Flanagan, received positive feedback at its Toronto International Film Festival premiere and is slated for release in June 2025.
The star-studded cast features Tom Hiddleston, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Karen Gillan, Jacob Tremblay, Nick Offerman, and Mark Hamill, with Sara portraying Sarah Krantz, her first on-screen appearance in over ten years.
On March 13, 2025, she took to Instagram to announce the upcoming film, posting: "Who is Chuck? From the hearts and minds of Mike Flanagan and Stephen King. THE LIFE OF CHUCK. In theaters June."
Fans expressed their excitement about Sara's return to acting. One fan commented, "Looking forward to seeing you in a film again Mia! It's been far too long!" Another shared their anticipation after spotting the trailer, "Was just at the theater and saw the previews and your name in it! Can't wait to watch it!" A third fan captured the mood perfectly, saying, "Looks wonderful. So glad to see you acting again."
Despite the buzz around her return, Sara has expressed contentment with her tranquil life away from the glitz of Hollywood, with writing being her main focus. In an interview with Total Film, she declared, "I'm a poet," highlighting her dedication to the craft.
Her official website playfully notes: "Mia Sara used to be an actress, but recovered her senses and now she writes."
