Kathleen Turner gained widespread recognition in the 1980s for her strong and captivating presence, making her one of Hollywood’s most admired actresses. Her resilience has been a crucial factor in navigating the many highs and lows throughout her career and personal life.
Turner’s early years were challenging, growing up in a family of four children. Her upbringing took place in London and Venezuela, but tragedy struck when her father suddenly passed away while mowing the lawn of their home in Hampstead. Just a month after this heartbreaking loss, Kathleen and her family were forced to leave the UK due to foreign service regulations, relocating to Springfield, Missouri, where they struggled to adjust to life without their father and their previous home.
As an adult, Turner found solace after moving to New York to pursue an acting career. While she experienced some success on stage, her breakthrough came in 1981 with her role as the femme fatale in “Body Heat.” This performance catapulted her into stardom, and three years later, she starred alongside Michael Douglas in “Romancing the Stone.” During filming, the two developed a mutual attraction, but Turner was reminded of Douglas’s marital status when his wife Diandra visited the set, curbing their growing feelings.
In 1984, Kathleen married property developer Jay Weiss, who had a small role in the film. The couple welcomed their only daughter, Rachel Ann Weiss, on October 14, 1987. However, the relationship began to deteriorate as they raised their daughter. Turner often made compromises to spend time with her family, but the strain of feeling that the effort was one-sided contributed to the eventual breakdown of their marriage.
By 2005, Turner was deeply involved in the Broadway revival of “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?” Her demanding schedule, with eight shows a week, further strained her marriage, leading to an amicable divorce. Despite the personal turmoil, Turner received a Tony Award nomination for her portrayal of Martha in the production.
Turner’s film career flourished during the 1980s, highlighted by her Oscar nomination for “Peggy Sue Got Married” in 1987. She starred in numerous hit films, including three alongside Michael Douglas. However, her career faced a significant setback in the 1990s when she developed severe physical symptoms, including a locked neck and swollen hands, which were later diagnosed as rheumatoid arthritis. This chronic condition caused debilitating pain and significantly impacted her ability to work.
The fear of losing her ability to act was overwhelming for Turner, leading her to rely on painkillers and alcohol. The latter became a coping mechanism, resulting in her passing out during rehearsals for stage productions like 2002’s “The Graduate.” Eventually, she sought help in rehab, where she learned that while she wasn’t an alcoholic, she needed to better manage her medications and their side effects.
Today, Turner manages her condition through yoga and pilates, which help her stay flexible and control her pain. She has shifted her focus back to the stage, recognizing that the most rewarding roles for her as she ages are in theater. This decision has allowed her to embrace her passion for acting while also dedicating time to causes she cares about, such as volunteering with Amnesty International and Planned Parenthood of America.
A lifelong feminist, Turner has consistently used her platform to advocate for women’s rights and empowerment. Her beliefs and dedication to these causes are evident in Gloria Feldt’s 2008 memoir about Turner, Send Yourself Roses. As Turner once remarked, women today are increasingly financially independent and redefining their lives, and she remains committed to supporting and advancing this progress.
