Kelly McGillis is an American actress who has made an indelible mark in Hollywood. She is best known for her portrayal of Charlotte “Charlie” Blackwood in Top Gun, and as Kathryn Murphy in The Accused. Her career spans four decades, during which she has appeared in some of the most iconic films of our time. In this blog post, we will explore the life and career of Kelly McGillis, from her early beginnings to her current projects.

Who is Kelly McGillis?

Kelly McGillis is an American actress known for her roles in movies such as Top Gun, The Accused, and Witness. Born on July 9, 1957 in Newport Beach, California, McGillis was raised by her father and stepmother in Los Angeles. She began her acting career in the early 1980s and became a major star after appearing in the 1986 movie Top Gun. McGillis’ other notable film credits include The Innkeepers, Stakeout, and We Are What We Are. In addition to her film work, she has also appeared in several television shows and theater productions.

Early Life And Education

Kelly McGillis was born on July 9, 1957 in Newport Beach, California. She is the daughter of Virginia Joan, a homemaker, and Dr. Donald Manson McGillis, a doctor. Growing up, Kelly attended several schools including Coronado High School in Coronado, California and the Pacific Conservatory of the Performing Arts in Santa Maria, California. After high school, she attended Juilliard School in New York City where she earned a degree in acting. After graduating from Juilliard, she moved to New York City to pursue her acting career.

Career

Kelly McGillis began her career on stage, appearing in regional theater productions and Off-Broadway plays. Her first big break came in 1985 when she starred opposite Tom Cruise in the hit movie Top Gun. She earned a Golden Globe nomination for Best Supporting Actress for her performance. Her next big movie role was in 1988’s The Accused, for which she received an Academy Award nomination for Best Actress.

Kelly McGillis also appeared in several other movies, including Witness, The Babysitter, and The Babe. She had leading roles in TV series like North and South, The Return of Harry O, and The L Word. She has made guest appearances on shows such as The District and Law & Order: SVU. On stage, she returned to her roots in 2009, appearing in a production of Cat on a Hot Tin Roof in New York City. She recently appeared in a Broadway production of Streetcar Named Desire and has done several other stage productions since.

In recent years, McGillis has been busy with her acting school and charity work. She founded the Kelly McGillis School of Acting in 2003, where students can learn from professional actors and actresses. She has also raised money for charitable organizations like St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and the United Service Organization.

Kelly McGillis’s Personal Life

Kelly McGillis is a very private person when it comes to her personal life, but there have been some notable events in her life. In 1991, she married Fred Tillman, with whom she had two daughters. The couple divorced in 2002. McGillis then came out as a lesbian and began a relationship with Melanie Leis. She was in the news again when she was attacked in her home in 2010 by an intruder who she managed to overpower.

Kelly McGillis also worked as a drug and alcohol counselor for the past several years, helping those with substance abuse issues. In recent years, she has been focusing on writing and acting and was recently seen in the movie The Tell-Tale Heart. McGillis has also become involved with animal rights activism and works with organizations such as Farm Sanctuary.

Most Famous Movies of Kelly McGillis

Kelly McGillis is one of the most recognizable actresses in Hollywood, having starred in some of the most iconic movies of the 1980s and 1990s. Here’s a look at some of her most famous movies.

Top Gun (1986): Kelly McGillis played Charlotte ‘Charlie’ Blackwood, an astrophysicist and Top Gun instructor who Tom Cruise’s character Maverick falls in love with. This movie was a huge hit and put Kelly McGillis on the map as a major star. Witness (1985): Kelly McGillis played Rachel Lapp, a widowed Amish woman who helps Harrison Ford’s character protect a young witness. The movie earned 8 Academy Award nominations, including one for McGillis.

The Accused (1988): Kelly McGillis played Sarah Tobias, a rape victim who seeks justice for her attacker. The movie was critically acclaimed and earned McGillis another Academy Award nomination.

The Babe (1992): McGillis played Claire Ruth, the wife of baseball legend Babe Ruth, in this biopic. She starred alongside John Goodman in this role and was praised for her performance. At First Sight (1999): Kelly McGillis plays Amy Benic, a blind woman who regains her sight after a corneal transplant. Val Kilmer co-starred in this romantic drama, which was praised for its emotional depth.

These are just some of Kelly McGillis’s most famous movies, but there are many more that she has been a part of over the years. From romantic dramas to action-packed adventures, Kelly McGillis has proven time and again why she is one of Hollywood’s most beloved actresses.

Conclusion

Kelly McGillis is an actress who has made a name for herself in Hollywood over the last four decades. She started out with small roles on TV shows, before moving on to feature films, where she earned critical acclaim for her performances. She has gone on to appear in several notable films such as Top Gun and The Accused, among many others. Her career has been highly successful and she has earned a reputation as one of the best actresses of her generation. Kelly McGillis’ personal life has also been a subject of interest, particularly her recent involvement in the LGBT community. She has been a tireless advocate for LGBT rights, and her commitment to the cause is inspiring. With all that she has achieved, Kelly McGillis is truly an iconic figure in Hollywood.