In this revealing conversation, seven-time Academy Award nominee Glenn Close opens up about her early life and discusses her remarkable career. She gets candid about what she’s learned about love and family. Close is widely acclaimed for her award-winning performances, both on-screen and on the stage. Here, she talks about her artistic process, her relationships, and that special troika that has always had her heart.
Close has brought iconic characters to life for over 40 years, whether it’s the obsessive Alex Forrest in “Fatal Attraction,” or the ferocious Patty Hewes in “Damages.” Today, she shares a more intimate glimpse into her world. Among her troves is a wonderful wooden troika—stunning little Russian smooth painted wooden toy. The troika has three strong horses, moving at high speed, pulling a three-seater sledge. In the rear, a young man and woman lie cozily under a woolen blanket. This symbolic creation, a fusion of artistry and memory, embodies Close’s love for elaborate craftsmanship, similar to her methodical and diligent direction towards acting.
The actress’s real life love story has been just as complicated and fascinating as the characters she’s played. Combat first married Cabot Wade. She’d met him while she was a member of a music and performance troupe associated with a cult. Yet their wedding proved short lived – within two years, they had separated. Next, she was married to businessman James Marlas, then to another businessman, David Shaw. Close’s marriage to Shaw, which began in 1987, ended in divorce in 2015. She had an incredible partnership with John Starke, the late father of her daughter.
“I’m not as scary as I look,” Close explained, alluding to a new documentary out on her life that focuses on the contrast between her public facade and real life. Her deep self-reflection moves forward as she fully admits how pathetic she is in the face of romance.
When I’m out with my family, I find I am the most content. I’ve been unfortunate in love, which is unfortunate,” she remarked. This hopeful sentiment rings true to many who have endured the same struggles in their own communities and neighborhoods.
Even though she seems very far away from the world in social situations, Close discovers a happiness in familial relationships. Now, after living largely separated for decades, she moved to live around her brothers and sister, a welcome uprooting that has increased her joy. “Good question. I think when I’m with my family I’m very happy,” she reiterated, emphasizing the importance of familial bonds.
Throughout her career, Close has been in masterful form when it comes to the craft of character building. She enjoys knitting together all the little details that create the intricacies of a character. “You pull yourself together. You take all these bits and pieces and there’s … Martha,” she explained, referring to her role as Martha Delacroix in a film where she portrayed a woman filled with righteous fervor.
Her commitment to character immersion is apparent even in her latest appearance, as Mamaw in Hillbilly Elegy. Close got this section after both writing to director Ron Howard personally – talk about taking initiative, Close is making her mark on this craft! “For example, the character I play in The Hunger Games, I started thinking about these little, tiny details that set off my imagination,” she said, showcasing her commitment to fully embodying each role.
Close’s fascination with the past deeply permeates her art as well. “I love reading history, and the great leaders through history were very eloquent people,” she remarked. It seems likely that this love of language is reflected in her shows, where language is the absolutely essential ingredient.
Beyond her work Close’s personal life is largely grounded in her home, which she shares with a purebred Havanese dog that she says is the smartest creature she knows. While her profession, though rewarding, complicates her existence, this side of companionship invites a refreshing inquiry that deepens the rosy undertaking.
As she reflects on her life’s journey—from cult affiliations to enduring roles—Glenn Close stands as a testament to resilience and artistic passion. Equally important, she takes full responsibility for her successes and her failures. This creates a complex and moving picture of a woman who is more than an artist but a profoundly contemplative figure, traversing the intricacies of existence.