Kelly McGillis, renowned for her portrayal of the character in Top Gun, is an esteemed and experienced American actress. Her notable roles include captivating performances in Witness (1985), Top Gun (1986), Made in Heaven (1987), and The Accused (1988).
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At the height of her career in 2002, she made a significant decision to depart from Hollywood, choosing to relocate first to Pennsylvania and subsequently to North Carolina. Since then, she has engaged in a handful of film projects and has also graced several stage productions, all while maintaining a discreet presence in the public eye. Kelly McGillis continues to showcase her talent and passion for acting, leaving an enduring legacy despite her preference for a more private lifestyle.
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Profile Summary
| Full name | Kelly Ann McGillis |
| Date of birth | 9th June 1957 |
| Age | 65 years in January 2023 |
| Birth sign | Cancer |
| Place of birth | Newport Beach, California, United States |
| Current residence | North Carolina |
| Nationality | American |
| Ethnicity | Mixed Scots-Irish, English, German, and Welsh |
| Kelly McGillis’ height | 5 feet 10 inches (1.78 m) |
| Gender | Female |
| Sexual orientation | Homosexual |
| Marital status | Divorced |
| Ex-spouses | Boyd Black (1979 to 1981), Fred Tillman (1989 to 2002), Melanie Leis (2010 to 2011) |
| Children | Daughters Kelsey Lauren and Sonora Ashley |
| Parents | Virginia Joan and Donald McGillis |
| Siblings | Sisters Karen and Kathleen |
| Education | Juilliard School, Pacific Conservatory of Performing Arts |
| Profession | Actress, drugs counsellor |
| Years active | 1976 to date |
Early life
McGillis, the oldest of three daughters, was born on July 9, 1957, in Newport Beach, a suburban area in southern California. Her parents were Virginia Joan (née Snell), a homemaker, and Donald Manson McGillis, a physician. With a mix of Scots-Irish, German, and Welsh ancestry, McGillis grew up in Los Angeles and attended Newport Harbor High School.
During her formative years, McGillis pursued her passion for acting and enrolled in the Pacific Conservatory of the Performing Arts at Allan Hancock College in Santa Maria, California. However, she decided to leave high school in 1975 and obtained her GED before making the move to New York City. In pursuit of her dreams, she enrolled at the renowned Juilliard School to study acting and successfully completed her education in 1983 as part of Group 12.
While McGillis’s exceptional talent brought her fame and fortune, she also faced personal challenges related to her weight and health. In more recent times, however, she made a firm commitment to prioritize her well-being and embarked on a journey of self-discovery that has profoundly transformed her life.
Family, Husband & Relationships
Kelly McGillis was born to Donald Manson McGillis, a Physician, and Virginia Joan McGillis, a homemaker. Her father’s name is Donald Manson McGillis, and her mother’s name is Virginia Joan McGillis. Her paternal ancestry traces back to Scots-Irish roots, while her maternal side has German ancestry. Additionally, she also has connections to English and Welsh heritage.
In addition to her parents, McGillis has two siblings. Her younger sisters are named Karen McGillis and Kathleen McGillis.
As for her marital status, McGillis is divorced. She had a brief marriage to Boyd Black in 1979, which ended in divorce in 1981. Later, in 1989, she married Fred Tillman, and they have two daughters named Kelsey and Sonora. However, the couple eventually separated in 2002.
In 2009, Kelly McGillis publicly revealed her sexual orientation as a lesbian during an interview on the show SHE WIRED. She then entered into a marriage with Melanie Leis in 2010, but their relationship ended in 2011.
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Career
Kelly McGillis initially began her career by taking on stage roles and appearing in television shows. While pursuing her acting career, she also worked as a waitress and took on various stage roles. Her passion for acting led her to enroll in classes at the prestigious Juilliard School, where she successfully completed her training in 1983.
In 1983, McGillis landed the role of “Geneva Spofford” in the film “Reuben, Reuben.” She followed this with her notable portrayal of “Rachel Lapp” in the 1985 film “Witness.”
Although she appeared in films like “Top Gun” (1986) and “The Accused” (1988), which were nominated for awards and achieved high box office success at the time, these movies did not significantly contribute to her rising popularity.
Nevertheless, McGillis persevered in her career without complaints. It was during the 1980s that she began to establish herself with major hit films, including her roles in the renowned William Shakespeare play “The Merchant of Venice.” In the 1990s, she took a break from movies but had previously played various roles in films such as “The Babe” (1992), “Winter People” (1989), “North” (1994), and “Amish” (1989).
After her hiatus, McGillis made a comeback in her film career with “At First Sight” (1999). She then took on the challenging role of a young woman in “The Monkey Mask” (2000), a lesbian cult film based on the Australian novel by Dorothy Porter.
McGillis has also made notable appearances in stage productions, including John Webber’s play “The Duchess of Malfi,” “Mrs. Robinson,” “Pasadena Playhouse,” “The Little Foxes,” “Don Juan,” “The Seagull,” “Peccadillo,” “Twelfth Night,” “The Merry Wives of Windsor,” “Mary Stuart,” “Hedda Gabler,” “A Mourning Becomes Electra,” “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” “Measure for Measure,” “Love for Love,” “Six Characters in Search of an Author,” “Three Sisters,” and “The Winter’s Tale.”
One of McGillis’s breakthrough films was “Witness” (1985), directed by Peter Weir and starring Harrison Ford. She further gained popularity by working with producer Jerry Bruckheimer in the blockbuster movie “Top Gun” (1986). However, despite the success of these films, establishing a lasting career in the film industry proved to be a challenging task for Kelly McGillis.
Net Worth
In 2022, Kelly McGillis, renowned for her role in Top Gun, is reported to have an approximate net worth of $4 million. Throughout her career, she has accumulated remarkable filmography with over 40 film credits to her name. In addition to her work on the silver screen, she has also graced numerous stage productions, showcasing her versatility as an actress.
