There’s no denying that Glenn Close is a legend in the world of entertainment. At 71 years old, this powerhouse actress has been lighting up screens since 1975. With an impressive six Oscar nominations under her belt, including one for her unforgettable role in Fatal Attraction, where she delivered the chilling line, “I’m not going to be ignored, Dan!” it’s no surprise that she’s still captivating audiences today. Recently, during Hollywood Reporter’s annual Women in Entertainment event, Glenn sat down to reflect on her incredible journey in Hollywood and how she never quite fit the mold of the "classic Hollywood beauty."
A Career That Defied Traditional Beauty Standards
Glenn Close isn’t shy about admitting that she doesn’t conform to the typical Hollywood aesthetic. "I’m not the classic, perfect Hollywood beauty," she says candidly. Unlike many of her peers, Glenn entered the movie industry at a slightly older age than most. Her breakout role as Jenny Fields in The World According to Garp came when she was already in her thirties, which meant she missed out on playing the youthful ingenue roles that are often reserved for younger actresses. "I played Jenny Fields in The World According to Garp when I was in my thirties, so I missed out on those early opportunities. Then, I went straight into roles like the mother in The Big Chill and The Natural, where I was cast as nurturing maternal figures," she explains.
Glenn acknowledges that these roles weren’t necessarily by choice. "It wasn’t a decision I made to stop playing certain characters. You just hope that you’ll be offered parts that allow you to showcase something different, something more complex," she adds. Her career has been all about embracing roles that challenge her and allow her to grow as an actress, rather than conforming to industry expectations.
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The Road to Playing Alex Forrest in Fatal Attraction
It’s hard to imagine anyone else in the role of Alex Forrest, the obsessive lover in Fatal Attraction, but Glenn reveals that it wasn’t always a sure thing. "Some of the producers were absolutely convinced I wasn’t right for the part because they didn’t think I could pull off being sexy," Glenn recalls. "I only learned about this later, and I’m so glad I didn’t know it at the time. They were so reluctant to even meet me when I auditioned in Los Angeles because they were convinced they’d have to turn me down."
Despite these doubts, Glenn’s performance in Fatal Attraction became one of her most iconic roles, proving that talent and depth can often outweigh preconceived notions about appearance. It’s a testament to her ability to bring complexity and nuance to every character she plays.
Beauty, Perception, and Hollywood's Ideal
Glenn has spent a lot of time thinking about what constitutes beauty in Hollywood. "When I look at what people consider beautiful, I see big eyes, small noses, and beautiful mouths. Lighter eyes help too. But the small nose is crucial, and I definitely don’t have one of those," she jokes. "If they trust me and light my face the right way, I can look beautiful too."
Hollywood has always had a specific vision of what beauty should look like, and Glenn has experienced it firsthand. "The term ‘character actor’ might be a bit silly because everyone who plays a role is playing a character. But I’ve never been the glamorous type," she says. "When it comes to ‘pretty people,’ most of us don’t fit that mold. Hollywood was built on mystery and glamour, and for a long time, women wanted to emulate that image on screen. But honestly, who has time for all that upkeep? To me, there’s nothing more boring than spending hours on personal maintenance."
