The iconic 1986 film Top Gun catapulted Tom Cruise to stardom, but what happened to Kelly McGillis, the actress who played his love interest, Charlie Blackwood? Today, McGillis is 65 years old and has faced age shaming in recent years. Despite her iconic role, McGillis has stepped away from the spotlight and is now living a quiet life in North Carolina.
McGillis’s breakout role in Top Gun wasn’t her only notable performance. She also starred in the 1985 film Witness, playing an Amish widow, and in the 1988 film The Accused, playing a tough lawyer. However, after her success in the 80s, McGillis began to turn her back on Hollywood. She refused to take on scripts that didn’t resonate with her, cut her iconic blonde hair, and focused on raising her two daughters.
In a 2019 interview with Entertainment Tonight, McGillis revealed that she wasn’t asked to reprise her role in Top Gun: Maverick, the sequel to the original film. However, she didn’t seem to mind, stating that she’d rather feel secure in her own skin than try to fit into the unrealistic beauty standards of Hollywood.
McGillis’s personal life has also undergone significant changes over the years. She divorced her first husband, Fred Tillman, in 2002 and came out as a lesbian in 2009. She later married Melanie Leis, a bartender she met in Key West, Florida, but the two broke up in 2011.
Today, McGillis is living a peaceful life in North Carolina, far removed from the glamour of Hollywood. She has gray hair, wears comfortable clothing, and focuses on teaching acting privately. In a 2014 interview, McGillis stated that she’s happy to be giving back to her community and teaching the next generation of actors.
Despite her absence from the spotlight, McGillis’s legacy lives on. Her iconic role in Top Gun remains unforgettable, and her decision to step away from Hollywood and focus on her personal life is a testament to her strength and character. As McGillis herself said, “I’d much rather feel absolutely secure in my skin and who and what I am at my age, as opposed to placing a value on all that other stuff.”
