Glenn Close was born on March 19, 1947, in Greenwich, Connecticut. She is the daughter of William Taliaferro Close, a prominent doctor who served as personal physician to the Congolese leader Mobutu Sese Seko. Her mother, Bettine Moore Close, was a socialite. Glenn’s upbringing was somewhat unconventional; her family joined the Moral Re-Armament (MRA) movement, which involved extensive travel and a communal lifestyle. Close attended a boarding school in Switzerland during her teenage years.
After leaving the MRA at the age of 22, Close pursued her passion for the arts and attended the College of William & Mary in Virginia. There, she honed her acting skills and graduated with a degree in theatre and anthropology.
Close’s professional career began on the stage. In the 1970s, she moved to New York City, where she performed in various Broadway productions. Her breakout role came in 1980 when she starred in the Broadway play “Barnum” as Charity Barnum. This performance earned her a Tony Award nomination and established her as a formidable stage actress. She went on to win three Tony Awards for her performances in “The Real Thing” (1984), “Death and the Maiden” (1992), and “Sunset Boulevard” (1995).
Glenn Close made her film debut in 1982 with “The World According to Garp,” where she played the role of Jenny Fields, a feminist writer and the mother of the protagonist. Her performance garnered critical acclaim and her first Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress. This was followed by another nomination for her role in “The Big Chill” (1983) and a third consecutive nomination for “The Natural” (1984).
Close’s versatility as an actress was further showcased in 1987 with her portrayal of the psychotic Alex Forrest in “Fatal Attraction.” The film was a massive success and earned Close her first Academy Award nomination for Best Actress. She received another Best Actress nomination for her role as the scheming Marquise de Merteuil in “Dangerous Liaisons” (1988).
Throughout the 1990s and 2000s, Close continued to deliver powerful performances in both film and television. She starred in “Reversal of Fortune” (1990), earning another Academy Award nomination, and received critical praise for her role in “101 Dalmatians” (1996) as the iconic Cruella de Vil.
In the 2000s, Close transitioned to television, where she achieved significant success. She starred in the legal drama series “Damages” (2007-2012) as Patty Hewes, a ruthless lawyer. Her performance won her two Primetime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series.
Close returned to film with standout roles in “Albert Nobbs” (2011), which she also co-wrote and produced, earning another Academy Award nomination, and “The Wife” (2017), where she portrayed Joan Castleman, a woman grappling with her husband’s literary success. Her performance in “The Wife” earned her widespread acclaim and numerous awards, including a Golden Globe.
Glenn Close has been married three times and has a daughter, Annie Starke, with her ex-partner John Starke. She is an advocate for mental health awareness and has been actively involved in various charitable organizations. Close has also been a strong supporter of LGBTQ+ rights and women’s rights.
Glenn Close is widely regarded as one of the most talented and versatile actresses of her generation. With a career spanning over four decades, she has delivered numerous memorable performances across stage, film, and television. Despite being nominated for eight Academy Awards, Close has yet to win an Oscar, a fact that has led many to consider her one of the greatest actresses never to have won the prestigious award.
Her dedication to her craft, her ability to embody complex characters, and her enduring presence in the entertainment industry make Glenn Close a true icon of stage and screen.