Joanne Whalley, a British actress famed for her portrayals in Willow and The Man Who Knew Too Little, has graced a multitude of films and television series since stepping into the industry in 1975.
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Joanne Whalley Profile Summary
| Full Name | Joanne Whalley |
| Date of Birth | August 25, 1961 |
| Place of Birth | Salford, England, UK |
| Age | 62 years |
| Height | 5 feet 4 inches |
| Ex-Spouse | Val Kilmer |
| Children | 2 children |
| Profession | Actress |
Who Is Joanne Whalley?
Joanne, born on August 25, 1961, in Salford, England, is a British actress.
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Career
Joanne Whalley’s origins trace back to Salford, Lancashire, with subsequent moves to Levenshulme and then to Stockport in Greater Manchester. Her educational journey took her through Bredbury Comprehensive School before she ventured to Harrytown Convent Girls’ School in Romiley and the Braeside School of Speech and Drama in Marple.
During her formative years, from 1974 to 1979, Whalley embarked on a series of television appearances, including minor roles in well-known soap operas such as Coronation Street and Emmerdale.
Her entry into the world of feature films came as a young Beatles enthusiast in Richard Marquand’s biographical work, Birth of the Beatles (1979). She briefly explored the fringes of the Manchester New Wave scene by joining the Stockport-based band the Slowguns.
Nonetheless, she departed before their first singles hit the market later that year. Her television presence continued to expand with appearances in episodes of acclaimed series like Juliet Bravo and The Gentle Touch.
From 1982 to 1986, Whalley immersed herself in the Royal Court Theatre, commencing her journey at the 1982 Young Writers’ Festival by originating the role of Rita in Max Stafford-Clark’s inaugural production of Andrea Dunbar’s Rita, Sue and Bob Too. Simultaneously, she made a wordless cameo as a groupie in Alan Parker’s musical drama Pink Floyd – The Wall (1982).
Her profile grew further with roles in Stan Barstow’s well-received TV series A Kind of Loving (Granada, 1982) and her portrayal of Gilly Brown in Danny Boyle’s staging of The Genius at the Royal Court Theatre, alongside Trevor Eve.
During this period, Whalley also assumed the role of lead singer in the pop group Cindy & The Saffrons. They recorded “Past, Present and Future,” originally by the Shangri-Las, in 1982 at Abbey Road Studios, securing a spot on the UK singles charts, peaking at #56.
The following year, they recorded “Terry,” a track written and initially recorded by Twinkle, but this effort didn’t achieve chart success, leading to the group’s dissolution.
Whalley continued to shine in the theatrical realm, including playing the title character in the inaugural production of Daniel Mornin’s Kate at the Bush Theatre in 1983. The same year saw her presence in episodes of TV series like Bergerac and Reilly, Ace of Spies.
Her collaborations with the English Stage Company at the Royal Court Theatre persisted, encompassing roles as Pam in Danny Boyle’s Saved and June in Max Stafford-Clark’s The Pope’s Wedding from 1984 to 1985.
How did Val Kilmer and Joanne Whalley cross paths?
The ex-duo’s meeting reportedly occurred in 1988 during the production of the movie Willow, in which Joanne played the role of Sorsha. Sparks flew, leading to the commencement of their relationship.
By March of the same year, the two had taken their commitment to the next level, exchanging wedding vows. Subsequent to their marriage, the British actress made a move to Los Angeles, California, USA, sharing a home with her then-spouse Val Kilmer.
The narrative took a turn when Joanne filed for divorce on July 21, 1995, attributing the separation to irreconcilable differences. This legal process reached its conclusion in 1996, ultimately terminating their marriage that had spanned around eight years.
Did Val Kilmer and Joanne Whalley become parents?
Certainly, they were bestowed with the joy of parenthood, having two children, namely Mercedes and Jack Kilmer. The birth of their first child, Mercedes Kilmer, graced them on October 29, 1991.
Over time, she ventured into the world of acting, garnering praise for her roles in various productions including Paydirt, Ingrid, Prettyface, and There Is No Gravity.
Their second child, Jack Kilmer, entered the world on June 6, 1995, and he too chose to embark on an acting journey. Notably, he has left his mark with performances in works like The Nice Guys and The Stanford Prison Experiment.
Net Worth
Allegedly, her net worth is estimated at $1.7 million.
