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Keith Coogan played Kenny, the eldest boy who reconnects with his siblings in Don’t Tell Mom the Babysitter’s Dead<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n The actor, 65, tells PEOPLE about the film’s staying power and what his character’s transformation has meant to him<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n The film celebrates its 35th anniversary this year, with Coogan remembering some of the fun happening behind the scenes<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n Keith Coogan is grateful for his role in Don’t Tell Mom the Babysitter’s Dead<\/em>.<\/p>\n The actor, 56, played Kenny, the burnout brother who softened to family life over an unforgettable summer. Speaking to PEOPLE about the film’s 35th anniversary, Coogan explained what he loved about Kenny’s transformation throughout the film.<\/p>\n The character begins as a rock music-loving pothead who isn’t too interested in what’s going on with his family. Beyond getting fed and searching for cash, he doesn’t care to be involved or figure out what’s next for him until the siblings are in a situation where they have to fend for themselves for the summer.<\/p>\n “It was being able to start out as the biggest rat bastard, absolutely just a neglectful brother. And so I got to make all these great choices like ‘I’m going to hole up at Lizard’s. This place is a crock,’ and throwing change at the kids at Chuck E. Cheese to be like, ‘Get out of here.’ Just buying them off,” he shared of the character.<\/p>\n “He’s just unashamed, unabashed that he’s a dirtbag and he doesn’t know he needs to change. So later, he makes the slightest little movement, barely thinks he’s got to do something, barely thinks of people because he’s into something now, he’s into the cooking.”<\/p>\n