Glenn Close

Glenn Close
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Name:
Glenn Close
Who is:
Birth date:
(78 y.o.)
Place of birth:
Greenwich, Connecticut, U.S.
Height:
5'5 ft ()
Weight:
143 lb (65 kg)
Birth Sign:
(characteristic)
Chinese zodiac:
Links:

Photos: Glenn Close

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Biography of Glenn Close

Glenn Close is a Hollywood powerhouse who can make audiences laugh and cry in the same breath, captivating viewers with her extraordinary dramatic range and chameleon-like ability to transform into iconic characters—from the villainous Cruella De Vil to a prisoner of war, or even convincingly portraying a man. Net worth: $60 million.
In the photo: Glenn Close
In the photo: Glenn Close

Early years

Glenn Close was born on March 19, 1948, in the family of a doctor William Taliaferro Close and Bettine Moore. Glenn spent her childhood with her siblings in the Congo, where her father served as personal physician to President Mobutu Sese Seko. With the assistance of the authorities, William Close opened a clinic in the Congo, which he managed for 16 years.
Glenn Close in her youth
Glenn Close in her youth
Glenn's parents fell under the influence of the Moral Re-Armament (MRA) movement, which demanded complete rejection of modern conveniences and severely restricted contact with anyone outside the organization. Years of this isolated lifestyle shaped the young girl's personality, making her withdrawn and shy.

At the age of 16, Glenn was sent to a private school in Switzerland, and until age 21, she studied literature and English while preparing for university. After graduation, Glenn enrolled at The College of William & Mary, where she discovered her passion for theater. Performing with the student theater troupe helped her gain confidence, make friends, and ultimately choose her profession. After earning her bachelor's degree in literature, she enrolled in drama school.
Glenn Close early career
Glenn Close early career
According to Zoomboola.com, in 1975, much to her father's dismay, Glenn began performing at a prestigious Broadway theater. The young actress's refined performances and aristocratic presence caught producers' attention and earned her several Tony nominations.

Film career. Beginning

Close made her screen debut at what Hollywood would consider a mature age. She was nearly 30 when she landed a small role in the adventure film Orphan Train. The film didn't gain much attention, but it marked the future Hollywood icon's screen debut.
Glen Close in the films
Glen Close in the films
In 1982, Close starred in the drama The Elephant Man directed by Jack Hoffsiss, playing Princess Alexandra. Philip Anglim played John Merrick, who suffered from a severe form of an unknown disease. The film differed from the more famous adaptation of this story of 1980, in which Anthony Hopkins played. Some critics felt Jack Hoffsiss' version was more refined and tragic.

The film The World According to Garp, based on the novel by John Irving and released in the same year, brought Close her first taste of fame. In the film, she played the eccentric mother of the main character, who grew up in difficult conditions and became a great writer. T.S. Garp was played by Robin Williams.
Glenn Close in the film The World According to Garp
Glenn Close in the film The World According to Garp
Between 1982 and 1985, Close appeared in several films, such as the comedy The Big Chill, in which her partners were Tom Berenger and Jeff Goldblum, and the drama The Stone Boy, about parents grieving after one son accidentally kills the other. In this powerful drama, Close starred alongside Robert Duvall.
Shot from the film The Big Chill
Shot from the film The Big Chill
In the sports drama The Natural, the actress played the childhood friend of baseball player Roy Hobbs, portrayed by Robert Redford. The film also starred Barbara Hershey, Michael Madsen, and Kim Basinger. Close earned an Academy Award nomination for her role in The Natural, but the real success was waiting for her in the future.
Glenn Close in the movie The Natural
Glenn Close in the movie The Natural
Playing lawyer Teddy Barnes in the 1985 thriller Jagged Edge, the actress revealed the full depth of her dramatic talent. Jeff Bridges played the businessman accused of killing his wife. Trying to prove his client's innocence, Teddy falls in love with him, but he turns out to be a cold-blooded killer.
Shot from the film Jugged Edge
Shot from the film Jugged Edge
Close explored passion's dark, criminal side in the psychological thriller Fatal Attraction, starring opposite Michael Douglas. The role of the rejected mistress Alex, who turned out to be a psychopath, ready to do anything to get revenge on her former lover, earned Close another Oscar nomination. The film also starred Anne Archer and Ellen Foley.

Best roles

In 1988, director Stephen Frears cast the actress in his adaptation of Choderlos de Laclos' novel Dangerous Liaisons as the brilliant Marquise de Merteuil. This film adaptation of the famous novel is considered one of the best. The role of Valmont was played by John Malkovich.
Glenn Close in the picture Dangerous Liaisons
Glenn Close in the picture Dangerous Liaisons
In the drama Immediate Family, Glenn played Linda, Michael Spector's wife. Unable to conceive after years of trying, they decide to adopt a baby from a young woman who doesn't want to raise the child alone. But things don't go as planned when the birth mother begins having second thoughts about giving up the child she's grown to love. James Woods played the role of Linda's husband, and Mary Stuart Masterson played the young mother.

The role in the smart psychological drama Reversal of Fortune is considered one of the most difficult roles in the rich filmography of the actress. In the film, Glenn plays wealthy aristocrat Sunny, who dies under mysterious circumstances from an overdose of sleeping pills. Sunny's children don't believe the socialite killed herself and accuse her husband, Claus von Bülow, of murder. The film was acclaimed as one of 1990's best and earned several Oscar nominations (winning Best Actor).
Reversal of Fortune ‒ Trailer
Later in 1990 came the release of Franco Zeffirelli's Hamlet, a saga of love and betrayal. The film stayed remarkably faithful to Shakespeare's original play and is considered one of the finest adaptations. Mel Gibson played Hamlet, while Glenn brought Gertrude to life.
Glenn Close as Gertrude from Hamlet
Glenn Close as Gertrude from Hamlet
The touching 1991 film Sarah, Plain and Tall, starring Glenn alongside Christopher Walken, was followed by the 1993 sequel Skylark. Both films became classics of American cinema, earning numerous awards and nominations.

The film adaptation of Isabel Allende's novel The House of the Spirits, chronicling several generations of a noble Chilean family, didn't win any major awards but became a beloved favorite among millions of viewers who were captivated by Glenn Close's leading performance. Meryl Streep, Jeremy Irons, Antonio Banderas and Winona Ryder joined the actress in the film.

From 1993 to 1996, the actress starred in several films that became major box office hits. The most famous films of this period are: Serving in Silence, Mary Reilly, and, of course, 101 Dalmatians.
Glenn Close in the comedy 101 Dalmatians
Glenn Close in the comedy 101 Dalmatians
In the adventure comedy, Glenn brought the iconic Cruella De Vil to life on screen. The character hunts Dalmatian puppies to make a coat from their fur. Audiences seeing their favorite actress as a glamorous villain for the first time were stunned by Close's unforgettable performance.

The film Paradise Road, released in 1997 and based on real events, told about women who were captured in Japan during World War II. The life-affirming story moved audiences to tears and inspired admiration for the heroism of women who overcame fear and death. The lead role was played by Glenn Close: exhausted, with a shaved head, she inhabited her role so completely that it seemed as if she had lived through these tragic events herself. The film earned worldwide recognition for its powerful female ensemble: besides Glenn, Cate Blanchett, Frances McDormand and Julianna Margulies also played there.
Paradise Road ‒ Trailer
In 1999, the third installment of the Sarah, Plain and Tall saga, Winter's End, was released. This satisfying conclusion to the story of the complex relationship between Jacob, played by Christopher Walken, and his wife Sarah delighted viewers and critics.

From 2000 to 2009, the actress embodied a variety of characters on the screen, consistently amazing audiences with her unique dramatic gift. Notable films from this period include the dramas Nine Lives, The Safety of Objects, and Heights, as well as the puppy adventure sequel 102 Dalmatians.
Trailer of the movie 102 Dalmatians
In 2003, the actress worked with director Andrei Konchalovsky in the drama The Lion in Winter. Glenn delivered a brilliant performance as Eleanor and won the Golden Globe.
Glenn Close in the picture The Lion in Winter
Glenn Close in the picture The Lion in Winter
In the 2004 comedy The Stepford Wives, Glenn shined alongside Nicole Kidman, Bette Midler, Christopher Walken, and Matthew Broderick.

In addition, from 2000 to 2008, Glenn starred in the detective series The Shield, in which she played the role of police captain Monica Rawling.

In another television series project called Damages, the actress played the role of Patty Hewes, a merciless businesswoman, the head of a legal corporation. The other roles in the series were played by Rose Byrne, Ted Denson, and Noah Bean.
Glenn Close
Glenn Close
Just when it seemed there was nothing left to surprise fans with, Glenn appeared in the 2011 film Albert Nobbs and immediately created a sensation. In this modest, reticent servant, it was difficult to recognize a woman who, by a twist of fate, had lived her entire life disguised as a man. For the role of Albert Nobbs, the actress received another Oscar nomination. The sad story also starred Mia Wasikowska and Brendan Gleeson.

In 2014, Glenn played a small but memorable role in the blockbuster action movie Guardians of the Galaxy, and in 2016, she took on the part of the grandmother in the family film The Great Gilly Hopkins.
Shot from the movie The Great Gilly Hopkins
Shot from the movie The Great Gilly Hopkins
2017 proved to be a busy year for the actress with several film releases. Glenn Close played as Lady Edith in a drama filmed according to Agatha Christie's detective novel Crooked House. The film also starred Julian Sands, Max Irons, and Gillian Anderson.
Feature film Crooked House with Glenn Close
Feature film Crooked House with Glenn Close
The lead role in the comedy film Father Figures was a treat for fans of the actress, who rarely takes on comedic parts. The roles of the sons of Glenn's character, who wanted to find out who their real father was, were performed by Owen Wilson and Ed Helms.
Father Figures ‒ Trailer
Another film starring Glenn Close, The Wife, was also released in 2017. This story, based on Meg Wolitzer's novel, follows the wife of writer Joseph Castleman, whose novels were actually written by Close's character. When her husband receives the Nobel Prize and takes all the credit, the heroine decides to set the record straight.

Glenn Close's personal life

The first husband of the actress was a musician Cabot Wade. Glenn considers that marriage, which ended after 2 years, to have been a mistake.
Glenn Close and Cabot Wade
Glenn Close and Cabot Wade
The actress married entrepreneur James Marlas for the second time in 1984, but this marriage also ended unsuccessfully.

In the early 2000s, the actress began dating John Starke but refused to marry the famous producer remembering the first two failures. She lived with Starke for about 6 years and had a daughter, Annie.
Glenn Close and John Starke
Glenn Close and John Starke
It wasn't until 2006 that Glenn found lasting happiness with someone outside the film industry. Her choice was lawyer David Evans Shaw (born in 1951). Unfortunately, the couple split in 2015, and the actress returned to New York (the couple had been living in Maine) but maintained a warm relationship with David.
Glenn Close and David Evans Shaw
Glenn Close and David Evans Shaw
Fans of the actress often debate with Meryl Streep admirers about which actress is superior, not realizing that the two women are actually close friends in real life. The fact that they are sometimes confused makes both women laugh.

Glenn Close now

From 2018 to 2019, Glenn Close participated in the computer-animated series "3Below: Tales of Arcadia", created by Guillermo del Toro for Netflix. In it, Glenn played Mama. In 2020, the American drama film "Hillbilly Elegy" premiered, in which Close once again played a mother. The plot repeats the autobiographical story of James Vance about three generations of the life of one family. Amy Adams and Haley Bennett joined Glenn on the set.
Despite her age, Glenn is an active social media user - she maintains an Instagram account. In it, the actress often publishes photos and videos in which she pleases fans with her natural appearance.
  • Glenn Close did not manage to get an Oscar for so many years. It`s a pity, but it may work out in the coming years.
    2021-05-11 13:52:12
  • And what kind of actress is Glenn Close? The first time I`ve heard. Where was she filmed at all?
    2021-03-27 10:15:18
  • It`s strange. This is the first time I hear that Close is confused with Meryl Streep. In my opinion, they don`t look alike at all
    2021-03-11 20:36:58
  • The gorgeous Gilly Hopkins is basically such a family movie, but only now I remember. There, Glenn Close, something is not very memorable
    2021-02-25 15:28:15
  • Close has a very intelligent appearance. I just want a lady like that. In the «Jagged Edge» it looks exactly like that
    2021-01-22 23:09:54
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