The Cast of Fast Times at Ridgemont High: Then and Now

Jennifer Jason Leigh played Stacy Hamilton, the shy, curious teenager navigating first crushes and awkward encounters in Fast Times at Ridgemont High. At just 20, she brought vulnerability and depth to Stacy, making her more than a one-note “high school girl” stereotype. The coming-of-age story largely centered around her.

Leigh’s performance stood out for its honesty. Her scenes opposite Judge Reinhold and Robert Romanus captured the confusion of teenage relationships with humor and heart. This breakout role marked her as a rising star in Hollywood during the early 1980s.