20 Surprising Facts About
Shannen Doherty, Lisanne Falk, Kim Walker, and Winona Ryder star in Heathers (1989). | Getty Images
It’s doubtful that the dark comedy Heathers, with its shocking violence and politically incorrect teen-speak, would likely ever be made today—at least not by a major studio.
But the biting 1989 satire was widely embraced by film critics and its (initially tiny) audience.
1. Heathers was written by a video store clerk.
Daniel Waters moved to Los Angeles during the 1980s and was working at what he described as “the least cool video store" in Silver Lake when he wrote Heathers.
In 2008, Waters insisted to The Hollywood Interview blog that he was working on the whole video store clerk-to-screenwriter metamorphosis "before I knew it was a cliché."
2. The initial script for Heathers was much longer and featured more violence.
When Waters finished his first draft of Heathers (which was the first script he'd ever written), it was 200 pages long, which would have roughly amounted to a three-hour film. The body count was higher, too; not even the editor of the school newspaper survived.
3. Daniel Waters wanted Stanley Kubrick to direct Heathers.
Evening Standard/Getty Images
Waters wanted the legendary moviemaker to direct his film, back in its initial stages when it was 180 minutes long.
It didn't happen. But director Michael Lehmann, who did direct the film, had Kubrick’s Full Metal Jacket in mind when he shot the opening cafeteria sequence.
4. The high school in Heathers was named after the singer in Winona Ryder’s favorite band.
Westerberg High was named after The Replacements' singer-songwriter Paul Westerberg. At one point in the film, Christian Slater's character J.D. says “color me impressed,” which references a song by The Replacements.
5. Heathers was set in Ohio for three reasons.
Waters chose to set Heathers in the Defiance County, Ohio village of Sherwood because: Waters’s favorite book is Sherwood Anderson’s Winesburg, Ohio; Robin Hood was the benevolent rebel of Sherwood Forest; and Waters grew up on Sherwood Street in Cleveland.
6. Both Jennifer Connelly and Justine Bateman turned down the role of Veronica in Heathers.
Jennifer Connelly | Karon Liu, Wikimedia Commons // CC BY 2.0
But 15-year-old Winona Ryder really, really wanted the role. Initially, Waters didn't think Ryder was pretty enough to play the lead. "I was like, 'The girl from Lucas? She’s just not attractive," Waters recounted to Entertainment Weekly.
But Ryder was undeterred: "You have to understand, at the time, I didn’t look that different from my character in Beetlejuice," Ryder explained. "I was very pale. I had blue-black dyed hair. I went to Macy’s at the Beverly Center and had them do a makeover on me."
7. Winona Ryder’s agent begged her not to take the part in Heathers.
"My agent at the time literally got on her knees and begged me not to do [the movie]," Ryder recalled to Entertainment Weekly. "She had her hands together, and she goes, 'You will never. Work. Again.' We parted ways later."
8. Brad Pitt auditioned for the role of J.D. in Heathers.
Pitt participated in an informal read-through as Jason Dean, and told Waters the script was “brilliant.” His compliment didn’t get him the part though, since producers decided that Christian Slater had the right look for a murderer, and Pitt looked too nice.
9. Heather Graham’s parents refused to let her be in Heathers.
She had that first name and everything, but the Grahams were convinced that the script was offensive and not the right fit for their 17-year-old daughter (who would later play porn star Rollergirl in Paul Thomas Anderson's Boogie Nights in 1997).
Kim Walker, Christian Slater’s girlfriend at the time, landed the role of Heather Chandler instead.
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10. Shannen Doherty had issues with all the swearing in Heathers.
Though she has since developed a reputation as a wild child, back in 1989 Shannen Doherty was uncomfortable with the script's frequent use of profanity.
According to Ryder, it was Doherty who was supposed to ask be gently loved with a chainsaw, but the actress refused. "It was definitely the first time I had ever, ever spoken like that in my entire life," Doherty admitted to Entertainment Weekly.
"I was a very sheltered 17-year-old. My mom was on set with me. I definitely had moments where I was blushing through my makeup."
11. Lisanne Falk lied about her age to play Heather Mcnamara in Heathers.
Falk claimed to be 18 years old at the time of filming. In reality, she was 23.
12. Daniel Waters stole a few of Heathers‘s most memorable lines.
When the screenwriter was a camp counselor, a camper named Jamie used to ask people “What’s your damage?” “I just completely stole that from her,” Waters admits. “And one of my college friends used to say 'F*** me gently with a crowbar.'
And then I realized crowbar sounded too masculine. Chainsaw was more feminine. And apparently 'f*** me gently' was at one time a common expression in England. This is the evolution of nasty language.
That’s where my friend extrapolated 'F*** me gently' into 'F*** me gently with a crowbar.' And then I had to have him killed so I could take credit.”
13. Doris Day refused usage of her version of “Que Sera, Sera” in Heathers because she disliked profanity.
Heathers producer Denise Di Novi had a feeling that only versions by Syd Straw and Sly and the Family Stone would end up in the movie and/or the soundtrack; her father was a session musician for Day, and he claimed that the actress/singer would make musicians add to a swear jar if they cursed.
14. "ich lüge" is German for "i’m lying."
J.D. tells Veronica that the “ich lüge” bullets he'll use to scare the school jocks will do just that—scare them—when, in fact, they're intended to kill them.
15. Christian Slater was doing an impression of Jack Nicholson throughout Heathers.
The actor failed to get in touch with Nicholson to ask him to watch and give approval.
16. The studio wouldn’t allow an ending with a prom to be filmed.
New World Pictures didn’t like the part in the original screenplay when J.D. successfully blows up all of Westerberg High, but the prom commences—in heaven. In another alternate ending, Martha stabs Veronica.
17. Heathers only made $1.1 million in theaters.
Because Heathers, which was released on March 31, 1989, was made for $3 million, it wasn’t technically a box office bomb. It’s still considered to be a “cult classic” though, because it became much more popular when it aired constantly on cable and was released on video.
18. Winona Ryder and Christian Slater got together after shooting Heathers.
Christian Slater and Winona Ryder in Heathers (1989). | Anchor Bay Entertainment
Slater and Walker broke up after filming, freeing Christian and Winona to make out “a few times," according to Ryder. Oh, you kids.
19. There was a Heathers musical.
An initial reading took place in 2010, with Kristen Bell as Veronica. After a limited Los Angeles engagement in 2013, Heathers: The Musical ran Off-Broadway from March through August 2014.
20. Heathers star Kim Walker passed away in 2001.
In one of her most famous lines from the film, Kim Walker—as Heather Chandler—asks Shannen Doherty's Heather Duke, "Did you have a brain tumor for breakfast?" Tragically, Walker passed away 12 years later, at the age of 32, from a brain tumor.
This story has been updated for 2021.
The ’60s Icon Who Lost Love And Endured Tragedy: Her Photos At 86
Connie Francis stands as one of the most influential and successful female vocalists in American music history—a performer whose unmistakable voice helped define the sound of the late 1950s and early 1960s.
With timeless classics such as “Who’s Sorry Now?”, “Stupid Cupid,” “My Heart Has a Mind of Its Own,” and “Everybody’s Somebody’s Fool,” she became an international sensation, captivating audiences around the world with her emotional delivery and remarkable vocal versatility.
Behind the glamour, however, was a life marked by extraordinary triumphs, heartbreaking loss, and an unwavering determination to survive challenges that would have broken many others.
Born Concetta Rosa Maria Franconero, Connie showed musical talent from an early age. Recognizing her potential, her father became the driving force behind her career.
Fiercely ambitious and deeply determined to see his daughter succeed, he encouraged—and often pressured—her to perform from childhood.
Under his strict guidance, Connie appeared in talent competitions, television programs, and live performances while still very young.
Although his relentless efforts ultimately helped launch one of the most successful careers in popular music, they also created enormous emotional pressure.
Connie would later acknowledge that the discipline and expectations placed upon her during her formative years shaped both her incredible work ethic and many of the personal struggles she experienced later in life.
Her breakthrough arrived in 1958 with “Who’s Sorry Now?” At first, the song attracted little attention, but after legendary television host Dick Clark played it on American Bandstand, everything changed.
Almost overnight, Connie Francis became a household name.
The record climbed the charts not only in the United States but across Europe and beyond, transforming her into one of the world's first truly international female pop stars.
Over the following years, she dominated radio with a remarkable string of hit records, sold millions of albums, and performed in multiple languages, building an enormous global fan base that stretched far beyond English-speaking audiences.
While her professional life appeared glamorous, her personal life was often filled with heartbreak. One of the deepest emotional wounds came from her romance with fellow singer Bobby Darin.
Their relationship blossomed during the early years of their careers, and the pair reportedly envisioned a future together.
However, Connie's father strongly disapproved of the relationship and ultimately intervened, preventing the romance from continuing.
The separation devastated both young performers. Bobby Darin eventually moved on and married actress Sandra Dee, while Connie would later describe losing him as one of the greatest heartbreaks of her life.
Years afterward, she admitted that she often wondered how different her life might have been had they been allowed to remain together.
As the years passed, the tragedies continued to mount. In 1974, Connie became the victim of a horrific assault following a performance, an event that profoundly affected her emotionally and psychologically.
The traumatic experience left lasting scars and dramatically altered her confidence and sense of security.
Determined that others should not endure similar suffering without support, she later became an outspoken advocate for victims' rights, helping raise awareness about crime victims and encouraging improvements in victim assistance programs throughout the United States.
Not long afterward, another devastating blow struck when her beloved younger brother, George Franconero Jr., was murdered.
His death shattered the family and plunged Connie into overwhelming grief. Losing someone so close while still coping with previous trauma compounded her emotional struggles and made everyday life increasingly difficult.
The combination of public pressure, personal loss, and unresolved trauma gradually took a severe toll on her mental health.
During these painful years, Connie faced profound depression and experienced periods of emotional crisis.
She openly discussed her struggles with mental illness, including a suicide attempt, choosing to speak honestly about experiences that were rarely discussed publicly at the time.
Her willingness to share her story helped reduce stigma surrounding mental health and encouraged countless others to seek treatment and support. Rather than hiding her pain, Connie transformed it into a source of compassion for people facing similar battles.
As if those challenges were not enough, Connie also endured a devastating setback to the very gift that had made her famous—her voice.
Following nasal surgery intended to improve her breathing, complications temporarily robbed her of her ability to sing.
For an artist whose identity and livelihood depended upon her voice, the experience was emotionally crushing.
The fear that she might never perform again left her questioning whether her extraordinary career had reached its end.
Through months of rehabilitation, patience, and determination, she gradually regained her vocal abilities, demonstrating once again the remarkable resilience that had become a defining characteristic of her life.
Despite enduring repeated personal tragedies, Connie refused to let hardship define her legacy.
Throughout the years, she found strength in several enduring sources: her deep religious faith, the love she shared with her adopted son Joey, and the unwavering support of generations of devoted fans who continued to celebrate her music long after her chart-topping years had passed.
Their encouragement reminded her that her voice—and her story—continued to matter.
Professionally, Connie Francis achieved accomplishments that remain extraordinary by any standard.
She sold more than 80 million records worldwide, recorded songs in numerous languages, and became one of the first female solo artists to enjoy sustained international superstardom.
Her influence reached far beyond America, making her one of the most recognizable voices of her era.
Even decades after her biggest hits, her recordings continue to be rediscovered by new generations of listeners who appreciate the sincerity, warmth, and emotional depth she brought to every performance.
Today, at 87 years old, Connie Francis is remembered not only as a legendary singer but also as a symbol of perseverance.
Living a quiet life in Florida after retiring from the spotlight, she remains an enduring inspiration to fans around the world.
Her extraordinary journey serves as a reminder that fame does not shield anyone from heartbreak, loss, or personal struggle, but it also demonstrates the remarkable resilience of the human spirit.
Through unimaginable challenges, Connie continued to move forward with courage, dignity, and hope.
Her legacy extends far beyond the millions of records she sold or the timeless songs she recorded.
It lives on in her advocacy for victims' rights, her openness about mental health, and her willingness to transform personal pain into compassion for others.
Connie Francis is remembered not simply because she possessed one of the most recognizable voices of the twentieth century, but because she showed the world that true strength is measured not by the absence of suffering, but by the courage to keep singing after life has tested you again and again.
