| Full Name | Glenn Close |
| Born | March 19, 1947 (age 76), Greenwich, CT |
| Occupation | Actress |
| Years Active | 1974–present |
| Spouse | Cabot Wade (m. 1969-1971), James Marlas (m. 1984-1987), David Shaw (m. 2006-2015) |
| Children | 1 daughter, Annie Starke |
| Notable Works | Fatal Attraction, Dangerous Liaisons, 101 Dalmatians |
| Awards | 3 Tony Awards, 3 Emmy Awards, 3 Golden Globes |
| Nominations | 7 Oscar Nominations |
| Social Media |
Instagram, Facebook, |
Early Life & Education
Glenn Close was born in Greenwich, Connecticut in 1947 to an affluent family. Her father William was a renowned surgeon, while her mother Bettine was a socialite. Young Glenn attended elite private schools in Switzerland and Connecticut. She became enthralled with acting after seeing her first Broadway show at age 7. After graduating from the College of William & Mary in 1974, Close moved to New York City to pursue acting full-time.
Illustrious Acting Career
Close began her acting career on the New York stage, winning her first Tony Award for the play The Real Thing in 1983. However, it was her chilling performance in the 1987 thriller Fatal Attraction that catapulted her to worldwide fame. Her portrayal of deranged stalker Alex Forrest is considered one of the most iconic villain roles in cinema history.
Throughout the late 80s and 90s, Glenn Close mesmerized audiences in hit films like Dangerous Liaisons, Reversal of Fortune, and 101 Dalmatians, where she made Cruella de Vil an instantly legendary character. She earned Academy Award nominations for all of these films, cementing her status as a powerhouse dramatic actress.
Never one to be pigeonholed, Close went on to beautifully portray the hidden complexities of the title role in 2011‘s Albert Nobbs, earning her sixth Oscar nomination. Her extraordinary acting range, sophistication and emotional authenticity make Close one of the most respected and beloved actresses of our time.
“I love the ensemble aspect of moviemaking. You become a family for a short time.” – Glenn Close
Awards and Achievements
With 7 Oscar nominations and counting, Glenn Close has more acting Academy Award nominations without a win than any other living performer in history. However, her work has been honored with numerous other accolades, including:
- 3 Tony Awards for Broadway performances
- 3 Primetime Emmy Awards
- 3 Golden Globe Awards
- 1 SAG Award
- Honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award in 2019 by the Film Society of Lincoln Center
In addition to her competitive awards, Glenn Close received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2009, cementing her status as a true screen legend.
Personal Life & Philanthropy
Though fiercely private about her personal life, Glenn Close was married three times and has a daughter, actress Annie Starke, with producer John Starke. She co-founded the nonprofit Bring Change to Mind to confront stigma around mental illness. An avid environmentalist, Close also supports animal welfare groups like PETA and volunteers her time for various charities.
Why We Love Glenn Close
As a longtime Glenn Close fan, there are endless reasons to admire her:
- Her willingness to embrace challenging, complex roles
- Her ability to bring nuance and humanity to even villainous characters
- Her reputation as one of the hardest working, most dedicated actresses in the business
- Her classic, sophisticated beauty that only improves with age
- Her dry wit and quiet dignity she radiates both on and off-screen
Quite simply, Glenn Close is the epitome of an actor completely devoted to their craft. Her performances are always meticulously constructed and flawlessly executed. We hope she finally gets the Oscar she richly deserves.
5 Fascinating Facts About Glenn Close
- She spends time at her 1000-acre ranch in Wyoming to unwind from the stresses of acting.
- Close provided the speaking voice of Kala in Disney‘s Tarzan, singing a duet with Phil Collins.
- She did her own singing in the film Albert Nobbs, even learning Irish songs for the role.
- The role of Alex Forrest in Fatal Attraction was originally offered to other actresses before Close accepted.
- Glenn Close has a three-octave vocal range, allowing her to sing in the contralto and mezzo-soprano registers.
In Conclusion
With seven Academy Award nominations, three Tony Awards, and an acting career spanning over four remarkable decades, Glenn Close has undeniably earned her place among the greatest performers in Hollywood history. Her unwavering dedication to every role she undertakes continues to inspire fellow actors and movie lovers alike. At 76, Close shows no signs of slowing down, with several exciting new projects in the works. We can‘t wait to see what captivating characters she creates next!