Discovering Kelly McGillis: A Journey Through Time
When we take a nostalgic trip back to the mesmerizing world of 1980s cinema, it's fascinating to see how the actors and actresses from that era have embarked on their unique paths through life. They can be neatly classified into three categories. Firstly, there are the icons like Tom Cruise or Tom Hanks, whose fame has only soared over the years. Then, we have those familiar faces who still occasionally grace our screens but have seen their celebrity status dwindle since the heydays of the '80s. And lastly, there's the intriguing third category, a realm of former stars who once ruled the world but have now ventured into obscurity.
Today, we turn our gaze towards someone who fits snugly into this enigmatic third category, inviting you to join us as we unravel the story of Kelly McGillis and ponder: What has become of her?
Hailing from Newport Beach, California, and nurtured in the vibrant city of Los Angeles, Kelly McGillis chose a unique path. She left high school behind to follow her passion for acting, enrolling at the prestigious Juilliard School in New York City. Her journey took a pivotal turn in 1983 when she graduated from Juilliard, the very same year she made her silver screen debut in the movie "Reuben, Reuben." However, it was her second role, just two years later, that catapulted her into the limelight.
McGillis received glowing reviews and even earned a Golden Globe nomination for her captivating portrayal in the 1985 film "Witness," where she shared the screen with none other than Indiana Jones himself, Harrison Ford. Director Peter Weir was quick to recognize her potential, casting her as Rachel Lapp after a mere glance during her audition. To prepare for her role, the dedicated star immersed herself in Amish culture, residing with an Amish widow and her seven children, milking cows, and mastering the authentic accent.
The following year, Kelly McGillis ascended to the pinnacle of Hollywood's A-list when she co-starred with Tom Cruise in the iconic film "Top Gun." This movie, a timeless favorite and the highest-grossing release of 1986, solidified her status as a Hollywood sensation. Despite being three inches taller than her Ray-Ban-clad co-star, she and Cruise sizzled on-screen in a passionate love scene added after initial filming due to overwhelming demand from test audiences.
In 1988, McGillis faced a pivotal decision when offered the role of Sarah Tobias in "The Accused." The film was inspired by a real-life incident where an American woman was assaulted by four men in a Massachusetts tavern. Drawing from her own traumatic experience of a 1982 sexual assault in her New York apartment, McGillis opted to decline the role. Instead, the part went to Jodie Foster, who delivered an Oscar-winning performance.
However, Kelly McGillis didn't step away from the project entirely. She took on the role of Deputy District Attorney Kathryn Murphy in "The Accused," a character she prepared for by consulting with the attorney who prosecuted her own case. Reflecting on her experience, she shared, "I learned that there is a level of detachment because you can't become emotionally invested in everything you do, otherwise you'd be exhausted and probably suicidal."
While McGillis continued to grace the screens in various films and TV shows throughout the late '80s and the '90s, she took a hiatus from acting for several years. Her filmography bears a noticeable gap between 2001's "Morgan's Ferry" and 2007's "Supergator."
Beyond her successful acting career, McGillis has ventured into marriage twice. Her first marriage was to fellow acting student Boyd Black, lasting from 1979 to 1981. Later, she tied the knot with Fred Tillman, with whom she had daughters Kelsey and Sonora, a union that endured from 1989 to 2002.
In 2009, Kelly McGillis publicly acknowledged her sexual orientation and, in 2010, entered into a civil partnership with Melanie Leis. Their partnership, unfortunately, met its end a year later. During this phase, she transitioned from Hollywood stardom to a drastically different career, dedicating her time to assisting individuals struggling with addiction and alcoholism at the Seabrook House Drug and Alcohol Rehabilitation Center in New Jersey.
In 2016, an unfortunate incident occurred when Laurence Marie Dorn, a trespasser, assaulted McGillis in her North Carolina home. Dorn faced legal consequences and received a conviction for breaking and entering.
Recently, Kelly McGillis has decided to return to the profession that made her a household name. However, she's taken a different route this time, choosing to teach acting at the New York Studio for Stage and Screen instead of pursuing stardom herself.
While many of us would have cherished the opportunity to see McGillis make a cameo in the upcoming "Top Gun" sequel, "Top Gun: Maverick," it appears that she was not invited to partake in the project. Nonetheless, we are delighted to report that this former star has discovered her true sense of self-worth beyond the dazzling lights of Hollywood. Her focus has shifted to "raising my girls and being the best sober parent I can be." In a world that often prioritizes fame and glamour, Kelly McGillis's journey reminds us that real fulfillment can be found in embracing the profound roles life offers outside the spotlight.
