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![andrew mccarthy posing with a tree-lined city street behind him andrew mccarthy posing with a tree-lined city street behind him](https://cdn.aarp.net/content/dam/aarpe/en/home/benefits-discounts/members-only-access/info-2023/andrew-mccarthy-10-quick-questions/_jcr_content/root/container_main/container_body_main/container_body1/container_body_cf/container_image/articlecontentfragment/cfimage.coreimg.50.932.png/content/dam/aarp/members-only/member-benefits/2023/05/1140-qq-andrew-mccarthy-promo.png)
Andrew McCarthy, 60, is best known for being a member of the Brat Pack, that group of young actors — including Emilio Estevez, Demi Moore and Ally Sheedy — who starred in iconic 1980s coming-of-age hits such as Pretty in Pink and St. Elmo’s Fire. In addition to acting, McCarthy has moved on to directing and travel writing, and his latest book, Walking With Sam: A Father, a Son, and Five Hundred Miles Across Spain, details his five-week-long trek along Spain’s Camino de Santiago with his 19-year-old son. We spoke to McCarthy about the exhausting, epic journey, the benefits of aging, the TV shows he’s loving and more.
What was the most challenging aspect of your trip?
I’d say ultimately it was most challenging physically. There were moments near the end where I was just like, Oh my God, my body is done here. Although then the closer to the end it gets, the more emotionally satisfying it becomes. So you’re at a weird sort of juxtaposition of physically getting exhausted and emotionally becoming more elated.
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How was it being with your teenager nonstop for that long?
![cover of andrew mccarthy book called walking with sam, showing photo of him and his son and two big painted arrows, one pointing left and the other pointing right cover of andrew mccarthy book called walking with sam, showing photo of him and his son and two big painted arrows, one pointing left and the other pointing right](https://cdn.aarp.net/content/dam/aarpe/en/home/benefits-discounts/members-only-access/info-2023/andrew-mccarthy-10-quick-questions/_jcr_content/root/container_main/container_body_main/container_body1/container_body_cf/body_one_cf_one/par4/articlecontentfragme/cfimage.coreimg.50.932.jpeg/content/dam/aarp/members-only/member-benefits/2023/05/350-qq-andrew-mccarthy-cover.jpg)
We fought constantly. I was frustrated with him, he was irritated with me often, and yet we had great laughs, and I think we both got more respect for each other. I think he saw me as who I am as opposed to just his dad. And, consequently, we enjoyed each other more because we slipped out of that [father-son] dynamic. And on the last day, he said to me, “That was the only 10 out of 10 thing I’ve ever done in my life.”
As an avid traveler, what’s one essential you never leave home without?
I bring almond butter and rice crackers with me when I travel, because airplane food is so bad. And I’m like my kids: If I get too hungry, things just go south. I get hangry, which is a term I just learned.
What destination is at the top of your travel bucket list?
I was supposed to go to Antarctica twice and I've had to cancel both times at the last minute, so I would like to get there before it melts.
Are there any TV shows you’re currently watching?
I recently watched this show Slow Horses with Gary Oldman. I thought that was terrific. I like spy shows a lot. And I'm watching Shrinking right now — the one with Harrison Ford — which I’m really enjoying.
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