Dickie Roberts: Former Child Star (2003)

A thirty-something former child star hires a foster family to re-create the childhood he never had.

Director:

Sam Weisman

Writers:

Fred Wolf, David Spade

Stars:

David Spade, Mary McCormack, Alyssa Milano

1 win & 1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
David Spade	...	Dickie Roberts
Mary McCormack	...	Grace Finney
Craig Bierko	...	George Finney
Scott Terra	...	Sam Finney
Jenna Boyd	...	Sally Finney
John Farley	...	Referee
Bobby Slayton	...	Commentator
Michael Buffer	...	Michael Buffer
Fred Wolf	...	Dickie's Corner Man
Alyssa Milano	...	Cyndi
Emmanuel Lewis	...	Self
Joey Diaz	...	Emmanuel's Entourage (as Joey 'Coco' Diaz)
Kevin Grevioux	...	Emmanuel's Entourage
Brian Clark	...	Guy in Car
Leif Garrett	...	Leif Garrett

Storyline

Once, he was on top of the world as a popular child actor on TV. Now, he's Hollywood's punchline about everything wrong with people who were famous as children. All Dickie Roberts wants to do is find that one gig that will restore his honor and everyone's love of him, so after learning that Rob Reiner's making an ambitious new movie destined to sweep the Oscars, Dickie's first in line to audition. He walks out having learned he certainly looks the part but can't act it... yet, owing to his very unusual childhood. To research the role, Dickie embarks on a bizarre scheme to live with a suburban family to see how the average American child lives, having them put him up as their "son". But once his gloves are off, Dickie discovers how great it is to be part of a true family, and whether he gets the part or not, his attempt at method acting will certainly change his life forever.

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Plot Keywords:

white panties | panties | marilyn monroe character | hare krishna | 2000s | 

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Taglines:

50 million people used to watch him on TV. Now he washes their cars.

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Genres:

Comedy

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for crude and sex-related humor, language and drug references

Did You Know?

Trivia

Wham-O, Inc. sued Paramount Pictures for featuring Wham-O's Slip 'N Slide toy without the company's permission.

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Goofs

When Dickie is taking pictures in his pants, he moves the camera around but the flash does not move.

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Quotes

Dickie Roberts: You know who else I don't get? Vin Diesel. I mean, is he good looking? Is he Chinese, or what? I mean, I don't know...
Leif Garrett: That's so horrible, man. Geez, you're such a dick. Besides, he would kick your ass.

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Crazy Credits

At the very end of the credits, David Spade can be heard in voice-over, talking directly to the audience. Among other things, he encourages moviegoers to abandon their trash in their seats, and accuses someone in the audience of farting (then admits it was he).

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Connections

Referenced in Lights Out with David Spade: Episode #1.84 (2020)

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Soundtracks

Don't Give Up on Us
by Tony Macaulay
Performed by David Soul
Courtesy of David Soul
By Arrangement with Celebrity Licensing Inc.

User Reviews

Finally a truly funny movie from Happy Madison!

I have never been a fan of any movies that Adam Sandler's production company had their hands in, and if I knew that before I probably wouldn't have rented this movie, but this movie is truly funny!

Dickie Roberts was a child star of the 70's. Like most child stars, his star faded. Now, to get back into the spotlight, he needs to relive the childhood he never knew to prepare for a money audition. With the help of a family he rents, he prepares for the journey back to the stardom he craves.

Some slow parts, but most parts are hilarious! I loved watching Webster beating the hell out of Dickie in Celebrity Boxing! And the song during the finale had me in stiches!

If you were like me and watched all the old sitcoms after school in the 80's, you will love this movie! Try to see how many child stars you can recognize in their cameos!

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

5 September 2003 (USA)

Also Known As:

Dickie Roberts: (Former) Child Star

Filming Locations:

741 S Hudson Ave, Pasadena, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$17,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$6,660,540, 7 September 2003

Gross USA:

$22,738,671

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$23,769,505

Company Credits

Production Co:

Paramount Pictures, Happy Madison Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

98 min

Sound Mix:

DTS Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1