In Search of Male Friendship: A Brat Pack Star's Journey

Andrew McCarthy explores the crisis of loneliness among American men in his new book 'Who Needs Friends'

Apr. 14, 2026 at 3:35pm

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A brightly colored, high-contrast silkscreen print of a single, iconic male friendship object such as a beer bottle or old photograph, repeated in a tight grid pattern in the style of Andy Warhol. The image utilizes flat, vibrant, and unnatural neon color palettes overlapping with heavy black photographic outlines to turn everyday male bonding habits into modern pop art, completely avoiding text or readable labels.A pop art-inspired visual metaphor for the crisis of male loneliness, as explored in Andrew McCarthy's new book 'Who Needs Friends'.Baltimore Today

In his new book 'Who Needs Friends,' former Brat Pack star Andrew McCarthy hits the road to explore the growing crisis of male loneliness in America. The book shines a light on McCarthy's own friendships, including a poignant reunion with his old friend Seve, who is now isolated and in poor health in his Baltimore apartment.

Why it matters

The decline in close male friendships over the past few decades is a troubling trend, with the share of American men reporting having at least six close friends falling by half since 1990. McCarthy's book provides a personal and insightful look at this issue, which has significant implications for men's mental health and overall wellbeing.

The details

In the book, McCarthy reconnects with various male friends from different walks of life, now in their 60s. One particularly powerful encounter is with his old friend Seve, who McCarthy finds isolated in his Baltimore apartment, surrounded by Amazon boxes and in poor health. The reunion is awkward at first, with Seve's defensiveness clashing with McCarthy's desire to make amends for neglecting their friendship. But the meeting ultimately leads to a fuller reconciliation, shedding light on the complex emotions and misaligned intentions that can arise when old friends reconnect after years of drifting apart.

  • The share of American men reporting having at least six close friends fell by half, from 55% to 27%, between 1990 and 2021.
  • Over the same period, the number of men reporting having no close friends at all increased by a factor of five.

The players

Andrew McCarthy

A former member of the Brat Pack generation of 1980s movie stars, who is the author of the new book 'Who Needs Friends' exploring the crisis of male loneliness in America.

Seve

One of McCarthy's old friends, who he reconnects with in Baltimore. Seve is now isolated, in poor health, and surrounded by Amazon boxes in his apartment.

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What they’re saying

“The door opens a few inches. 'Dude?' Seve says. The one word contains a mix of dread, suspicion, affection, defensiveness, and warning.”

— Seve

The takeaway

McCarthy's book provides a poignant and personal look at the growing crisis of male loneliness in America, highlighting the complex emotions and challenges that can arise when old friends try to reconnect after years of drifting apart. The book underscores the significant implications of this troubling trend for men's mental health and overall wellbeing.