The actress Kelly McGillis celebrates 67 today
McGillis’s breakthrough roles came in 1985 and 1986 with the blockbuster movies “Witness,” and “Top Gun,” in which she played Charlotte “Charlie” Blackwood
The actress Kelly McGillis celebrates 67 today
Kelly Ann McGillis was born on July 9, 1957, in Newport Beach, California. She is the eldest of three daughters born to Virginia Joan, a homemaker, and Dr. Donald Manson McGillis, a general practitioner. Raised in Los Angeles, McGillis developed an early interest in acting, which led her to pursue a career in the performing arts.
Kelly McGillis’s acting career began when she moved to New York City to study at the prestigious Juilliard School, where she graduated in 1983. Her early career was marked by stage performances and minor film roles, but she quickly rose to prominence with her breakthrough role in the 1985 film “Witness,” starring alongside Harrison Ford. Her portrayal of an Amish widow, Rachel Lapp, earned her a Golden Globe nomination and critical acclaim, establishing her as a talented actress.
McGillis’s next significant role came in 1986 with the blockbuster film “Top Gun,” in which she played Charlotte “Charlie” Blackwood, a flight instructor and the love interest of Tom Cruise’s character, Maverick. The film was a massive success and catapulted McGillis to international fame.
She continued to build her filmography with roles in notable films such as “The Accused” (1988), where she played a tough prosecutor opposite Jodie Foster, and “Made in Heaven” (1987). McGillis also starred in “The House on Carroll Street” (1988) and “Cat Chaser” (1989), showcasing her range as an actress.
Despite her success, McGillis chose to step away from the Hollywood spotlight in the 1990s to focus on her personal life and stage career. She performed in various theater productions, including works by Shakespeare and Chekhov.
In recent years, Kelly McGillis has continued to work in both film and television, albeit with a lower profile than during her peak Hollywood years. She appeared in the 2010 film “Stake Land” and had roles in TV series such as “The L Word” and “Z Nation.” McGillis has also been involved in independent films and theater productions, maintaining her passion for acting.
Aside from acting, McGillis has pursued a career in teaching and mentoring young actors. She has taught at the New York Studio for Stage and Screen NYS3 in North Carolina, sharing her extensive knowledge and experience with the next generation of performers.
Kelly McGillis’s personal life has seen its share of challenges and changes. She married Boyd Black in 1979, but the couple divorced in 1981. She then married Fred Tillman in 1989, and they had two daughters, Kelsey and Sonora. McGillis and Tillman divorced in 2002.
In 2009, McGillis publicly came out as a lesbian during an interview with SheWired. She later entered into a civil union with Melanie Leis in 2010, though the relationship ended in 2011. McGillis has been open about her struggles and triumphs, including her journey toward self-acceptance and her advocacy for LGBTQ+ rights.
Today, Kelly McGillis resides in North Carolina, where she enjoys a quieter life away from the Hollywood limelight.
Look back at a clip starring Kelly McGillis and Tom Cruise from the 1986 blockbuster film “Top Gun”
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