Kathleen Turner became well-known in the 1980s due to her strength and beauty – many people think she is one of the most stunning actresses in Hollywood.
This determination has helped her through both good and bad times throughout her life.
Turner had a tough childhood, growing up in a family with four kids. She and her siblings lived in London and Venezuela. A tragedy struck when she was young; her father died unexpectedly while mowing their lawn at home in Hampstead.
Just a month after his passing, Kathleen’s family was forced to leave the UK by the foreign service. They moved to Springfield, Missouri, still mourning their dad and old home.
As an adult, Turner found some peace after relocating to New York for acting. She had some success on stage – but her big break came when she landed the role of a femme fatale in 1981’s “Body Heat.”
Three years later, she starred alongside Michael Douglas in “Romancing the Stone.” At that time, Douglas was going through a rough separation from his wife Diandra, leading him and Turner to develop feelings for each other.
“We were falling for each other – intense looks and heavy flirting. Then Diandra showed up reminding me he was still married,” Kathleen shared.
She eventually wed property developer Jay Weiss from the film in 1984. They welcomed their only daughter soon after; Rachel Ann Weiss was born on October 14, 1987.
Sadly, as they raised their daughter together, their marriage began to fall apart.
“I’d ask movie companies for long weekends or extra tickets so my husband and daughter could visit me. But it felt like all effort came from him which made me feel guilty. That contributed to our split,” Kathleen explained.
In 2005, Turner played Martha in Broadway’s revival of “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?” This is when their marital issues peaked. With eight shows weekly keeping her busy, it seemed Weiss wanted little time with her at home.
They divorced amicably during this period; Turner even received a Tony award nomination for playing Martha!
Back in 1987 she also got an Oscar nod for “Peggy Sue Got Married.” Her film career thrived during the ’80s with several hit movies–three featuring Michael Douglas too!
However by the ’90s Kathleen faced health challenges when her neck locked up preventing movement! Her hands swelled so much that using them became impossible!
“It was crippling,” said Kathleen. “You stop taking things for granted once you lose them temporarily—like my athleticism or ability just move freely! Losing that made me question who I am.”
The cause turned out to be rheumatoid arthritis—a condition causing joint swelling & chronic pain that’s hard to manage!
“When I first learned about it I panicked because they warned I’d end up wheelchair-bound,” Kathleen recalled. “I thought if I can’t move then acting is impossible! Acting isn’t just what I do—it’s who I am!”
To cope with pain she turned towards pills & alcohol which helped but led into trouble like passing out during rehearsals such as those for “The Graduate” back in 2002!
Afterward going into rehab revealed she wasn’t actually an alcoholic—just needed better tracking medication timing & side effects.
Nowadays she’s doing yoga & pilates helping manage discomfort while staying active!
With improved pain management focus shifted back onto theatre work more than films or TV roles—even starring again on stage like “Cat on a Hot Tin Roof” during forties years old!
“Knowing better roles would come from theatre as age increased—that foresight makes me proud!” said Kathleen.s
Her dedication allowed time too volunteering at Amnesty International plus supporting Planned Parenthood of America efforts greatly over years spent uplifting women everywhere around world through strong beliefs shown clearly within Gloria Feldt’s memoir titled Send Yourself Roses published back In ’08 year too!!
“We’re first generation women financially independent now returning workforce reinventing selves!” stated Kathleeen passionately adding how important supporting this movement meant personally!!
