These iconic commercials led to Naughton's own sitcom, the short-lived "Makin' It" (ABC, 1979) as well as his hit record of the same name. He appeared in two unsuccessful films before nabbing the starring role in John Landis' ahead-of-its-time horror/comedy film, "An American Werewolf in London" (1981). Naughton's endearing "Everyman" performance, the haunting transformation effects, and some said, Naughton's excessive nude scenes, helped make "Werewolf" a minor hit at the box office. Critics, however, were less than kind as they could not put the cutting edge flick in a safely defined category. With the passage of time, the film gained a newfound respect and audience, cementing its place in the horror film firmament.
Sadly, Naughton never achieved the leading man status afforded him by donning fangs and fur. He appeared in mostly low-budget or low-brow thrillers and comedies such as "Hot Dog...The Movie" (1984), "The Boy in Blue" (1986), "Wild Cactus" (1993), and "The Ice Cream Man" (1995).
Naughton's luck was a little better on the small screen. After another flop series in 1983 ("At Ease", ABC), he was cast as Pam Dawber's goofy ex-boyfriend in the hit sitcom, "My Sister Sam" (CBS, 1986-88). Although he had lost his dancer's physique and become a tad portly, Naughton showed a talent for neurotic light comedy. He also appeared in a number of TV films such as the mystery, "I, Desire" (ABC, 1982); the appalling "Pygmalion" update, "The Goddess of Love" (NBC, 1988) co-starring Vanna White; and the Showtime anthology "John Carpenter Presents Body Bags" (1993). Naughton also did a number of episodic guest turns in "Murder, She Wrote" (CBS, 1988), "MacGyver" (ABC, 1991), "Seinfeld" (NBC, 1991) and "Melrose Place" (Fox, 1996).