The memory of Wendy Peffercorn in her red bathing suit will live on for-ev-er. Marley Shelton, who now stars in NBC’s Rise, can’t believe that the comedy, which hit theaters in April 1, 1993, became the hit it did — and that people still recognize her as the famous lifeguard.
“I’m shocked! Initially, people liked the movie but nobody thought it was going to have the legs that it did and become this cult classic. I think it had something to do with it being this very coming of age story,” Shelton, 43, told Us Weekly in an exclusive interview. “It’s such a fun movie — there are so many great throwback moments. I think it’s still relatable. Something about baseball and adolescence and that simpler time in life, I think people really relate to.”
Shelton, who was only 18 when she landed the role of Wendy, admitted that it surprises her anytime someone brings up the film to her. Wendy played an “older woman” that Squints, a young boy in town, had a crush on.
He pretends to be drowning in the town’s pool that she lifeguards at, so that she can give him mouth-to-mouth. When she does, he kisses her. At the end of the movie, it’s revealed that the two eventually got married.
“I’m always so flattered when people recognize me from it because it was 25 years ago! I’m like, ‘Wow thanks, I’m glad you recognize me as Wendy Peffercorn,’” she told Us. “I love when we get sent pictures of people dressing up as them for Halloween. It’s such a riot. There are some great costumes out there that probably rival the original.”
She continued: “Online, my husband found someone who made a whole clothing line. They printed fabric with Wendy in the bathing suit. He bought one online to tease me and wore it to my birthday party.”
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Who Played Wendy Peffercorn?
Marley Eve Shelton is a Los Angeles, California, native who studied film and theatre at UCLA. Her debut came in the 1991 film “Grand Canyon,” but shortly after, she took on the role of lifeguard-ultra babe Wendy Peffercorn.
Shelton was 18 years old when she landed that role, and “The Sandlot” rose to national fame and developed a cult following. As the eye of every teenage boy in the film, it was Squints Palledorous — played by Chauncey Leopardi — who made the love interest narrative work beautifully. Squints crush on Wendy rages throughout the movie until the iconic moment that, to this day, makes me laugh every time I see it.
At the public pool where Wendy was a lifeguard, Squints pretends to drown so he can be saved. In the slyest of moves, he waits until Wendy and her one-piece, red bathing suit try reviving him with mouth-to-mouth action. Squints plants a big kiss on her only to be dragged out of the local pool, called a “little pervert” and banned.
Dont worry. The fictional couple got married and had nine children.
Now 47, she continues to act.
Shelton is still acting, with recent credits including the TV series Rise, Manhunt, and Tomorrows Monsters. Her latest movie, Rampage, shows that she hasnt abandoned genre thrills. In fact, shell soon be reprising her role as Deputy Judy Hicks in the highly anticipated upcoming 2022 Scream movie.
FAQ
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