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Teen Wolf, the 1985 supernatural comedy that blended high school angst with werewolf lore, has become a coming-of-age favorite over the years.
As the film nears its 40th anniversary next month, it continues to resonate with fans thanks to its quirky charm and memorable performances.
At Lifetime’s Summer Soirée event, Doug Savant, 61, opened up about his time working on the cult classic and the unexpected connection that led to a lasting friendship with Michael J. Fox, 64.
“I have such great memories from that film,” Savant tells PEOPLE exclusively. “I grew up in Burbank, California, and I went to school with Philip McKeon and Nancy McKeon – Nancy McKeon from Facts of Life and Phil McKeon from Alice. And we were dear friends.”
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At the time, Savant was just beginning his acting career and hadn’t mentioned to his friends that he was delving into the entertainment business. Similarly, he didn’t mention his background to his fellow castmates. That led to a funny moment on set involving Fox, who was dating Nancy at the time.
The surprise connection was quickly revealed when Fox was talking to Nancy, whom he dated for three years in the mid-’80s, about the project.
“He went home and Nancy asked, ‘Who’s in the movie with you? Let me see the call sheet.’ And she said, ‘Doug Savant? We were family friends,’” he explains.
Savant says he had only been working on the film for about a week when Fox figured out the connection.
“And one day, Michael comes to work, he says, ‘Why didn’t you tell me that?’ He was upset with me that I had not told him,” Savant recalls. “I just wanted to do my job and be professional, but I had not said anything.”
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From then on, Savant says he and Fox “were quick to be friends and hang out,” noting that they “had a great time” together on set.
While Savant’s role in Teen Wolf was relatively brief, he’s proud to have been part of something that still captures audiences’ attention.
“The movie has had a stunning lifetime, and people love it. They made sequels, and it resonated. So I’m just grateful to have been a small part of it,” he shares.
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The film even finds ways to surprise him to this day, including on set of one of his most recent projects. “The craft service person would play movies, and he puts on Teen Wolf,” Savant says. “And there I was doing my job on a new show, but watching Teen Wolf in the craft service trailer.”
As Teen Wolf celebrates four decades of influence, Savant’s story adds another layer to the film’s enduring legacy – one rooted in real-life friendships that have stood the test of time.
Since the 2000s, Fox’s focus has shifted from acting to working tirelessly toward a cure for Parkinson’s after being diagnosed with the disease in 1991 at age 29.
