Kelly McGillis’s Career Journey, Net Worth, Personal Life, and Many More

Kelly McGillis is a famous American actress. Over 30 years have passed since the 1986 release of Top Gun, the film that made Kelly McGillis a household name. She played Charlie, the love interest of Tom Cruise’s character, Maverick.

Kelly McGillis is also known for her roles in Witness (1985), Made in Heaven (1987), The House on Carroll Street (1988), and The Accused (1988). These films made her a prominent face in Hollywood during the 1980s.

Many people are interested to know Kelly McGillis’s age, personal details, professional career, and other. We will cover all the major facts about her life and career in this article.

Kelly McGillis’s Age & Education

Kelly McGillis was born in Southern California on July 9, 1957. As of now, she is 67 years old. Her parents are Virginia Joan, a homemaker, and Donald Manson McGillis, a physician. She is the eldest of three daughters. 

McGillis attended Newport Harbor High School before pursuing her passion for acting at Allan Hancock College’s Pacific Conservatory of the Performing Arts in Santa Maria, California.

She dropped out of high school in 1975. Later, she earned her GED and moved to New York City to study acting at the Juilliard School, where she graduated in 1983.

Film Career

Kelly McGillis made her film debut in Reuben in 1983, but it was Witness (1985) that brought her mainstream recognition.

Her performance as an Amish mother earned her Golden Globe and BAFTA award nominations. She became a versatile actress known for portraying complex characters.

In 1986, she took on the role of Charlotte “Charlie” Blackwood, a flight instructor in Top Gun. This role solidified her status as a leading actress of the era.

At a time when many actresses were relegated to secondary roles, McGillis stood out by playing a smart, independent woman. Top Gun became a cultural phenomenon, and her role remains iconic to this day.

In 1987, she starred in Made in Heaven, and in 1988, she played a significant role in The House on Carroll Street. This film showed her range as an actress.

That same year, she starred in The Accused, which tackled tough topics like sexual assault. McGillis played a district attorney, supporting Jodie Foster’s character in one of the most intense courtroom scenes of the decade.

However, after appearing in Cat Chaser in 1989, she became disillusioned with Hollywood. She openly expressed her dissatisfaction with the direction of her career.

This decision to step back from mainstream films was unusual for someone at her peak, but it shows her commitment to only taking on projects that resonate with her.

Throughout the 1990s, McGillis continued to act in films like Winter People (1989), North (1994), and The Babe (1992).

In 1999, she reunited with Val Kilmer in At First Sight, playing his overprotective sister. She also starred in The Monkey’s Mask in 2000, a film that has become a cult favorite in the LGBTQIA+ community.

She returned to acting after a brief hiatus. Notable films include Stake Land (2010), The Innkeepers (2011), We Are What We Are (2013), and Grand Street (2014).

 She played the lead role of Rose Lewis in Mother of All Secrets in 2017. Moreover, she’s also appeared in Val (2021) and Top Gun: Maverick (2022). After that, she did not worked in any other film.

Television Career

McGillis has also enjoyed a steady television career. She appeared in One Life to Live in 1984. That same year, she co-starred in Sweet Revenge with Alec Baldwin.

She appeared in TV movies like Private Sessions (1985) and Santabear’s First Christmas (1986). In 1995, she narrated Out of Ireland for PBS, further showcasing her versatility.

She took a break from television, only to return in 2007 for the fifth season of The L Word.

After that, she appeared in the “Stake Land,” “1 a Minute,” “The Innkeepers,” “We Are What We Are” and “Tio Papi” in 2013, Grand Street, “Love Finds You in Sugarcreek, Ohio,” and an episode of “Sisters of Mercy” in 2014.

She took on guest roles in shows like Z Nation (2014) and Blue (2015). In addition, she’s also appeared in An Uncommon Grace (2017), Maternal Secrets (2018), and Dirty John (2020).

Awards and Nominations

Personal Life

Kelly McGillis has led an intriguing personal life. She first married Boyd Black, a Juilliard student, in 1979. Their marriage ended in 1981. In the mid-80s, she dated actors Warren Beatty and Jodie Foster.

In 1989, McGillis married Fred Tillman. They had two daughters, Sonora and Kelsey, but the couple divorced in 2002.

In 2009, McGillis publicly came out as a lesbian during an interview with SheWired. In 2010, she entered into a civil partnership with Melanie Leis, a sales executive.

Today, McGillis leads a quieter life in North Carolina. Currently, she teaches acting at New York Studio for Stage and Screen (NYS3), which is located in Asheville, North Carolina.

Net Worth

According to Celebrity Net Worth, Kelly McGillis’s net worth stands at around $4 million. Her career, spanning over four decades, has brought her financial stability.

She once owned The Centurion, a 110-foot schooner valued at $1.5 million, highlighting her love for the sea. Despite no longer being in the Hollywood spotlight, McGillis continues to enjoy a comfortable lifestyle.

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