Glenn Close, born on March 19, 1947, in Greenwich, Connecticut, has built one of the most respected careers in modern entertainment. Over five decades, she has moved effortlessly between stage, film, and television, earning acclaim for roles ranging from a vengeful stalker in Fatal Attraction to a cunning aristocrat in Dangerous Liaisons. As of 2025, she remains an active and sought‑after performer, with new projects including Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery and The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping.
Close’s journey to stardom was not a straight line. Raised in a strict household and later spending time in a religious commune in Africa, she discovered acting relatively late. Her Broadway debut came in 1974, and her film breakthrough followed in 1982 with The World According to Garp. Since then, she has compiled a staggering list of award nominations, including eight Academy Award nominations – the most of any living actor without a competitive win.
Who Is Glenn Close? Age, Early Life, and Background
Key Insights About Glenn Close
- Despite eight Oscar nominations, Close has never won a competitive Academy Award – a record for most nominations without a win.
- Her father was a surgeon and her mother a socialite; early life included a strict upbringing and time living in a religious commune in Africa.
- She has one daughter, Annie Starke (born 1988), who is also an actress and has appeared on screen with her mother.
- Close co‑founded the nonprofit Bring Change to Mind to reduce stigma around mental illness.
- In 2025 she remains highly active, starring in the Apple TV+ series Tehran and multiple film projects.
Quick Facts About Glenn Close
| Fact | Value |
|---|---|
| Birth Name | Glenda Veronica Close |
| Born | March 19, 1947 (Greenwich, Connecticut, USA) |
| Height | 5′ 7″ (1.70 m) |
| Spouse/Partner | Married 3 times (divorced); last husband David Shaw (2006–2015) |
| Children | 1 daughter: Annie Starke (born 1988) |
| Net Worth (2025) | $30–$50 million (estimated) |
| Oscar Nominations | 8 – most of any living actor without a win |
| Tony Awards | 3 (including Best Actress) |
| Known For | Fatal Attraction, Dangerous Liaisons, 101 Dalmatians, The Wife |
Who Is Glenn Close Married To? Family and Daughter
Close has been married three times, and each marriage ended in divorce. Her first husband was musician Cabot Wade (1969–1971). She then married businessman James Marlas (1984–1990), and later attorney David Shaw (2006–2015). As of 2025, she is not publicly known to be in a new marriage.
She has one daughter, Annie Starke, born in 1988 from her relationship with producer John Starke. Annie has followed her mother into acting and appeared alongside Close in the 2017 film The Wife. There are no public records of Close having grandchildren.
Close rarely discusses her romantic life in interviews. After her divorce from David Shaw in 2015, she has kept her personal relationships largely out of the spotlight. The full details of her current relationship status are not confirmed.
Close is also the president of Trillium Productions and co‑founder of FetchDog, a pet‑product company. She has spoken openly about women’s rights, same‑sex marriage, and mental health, and has made political donations supporting Democratic politicians.
Top Glenn Close Movies, TV Shows, and Iconic Roles
What role did Glenn Close play in Fatal Attraction?
Close played Alex Forrest, a mentally unstable woman who becomes obsessed with a married man. The 1987 film became a cultural phenomenon and spawned the “bunny boiler” trope. Close later expressed regret that the character reinforced negative stereotypes about mental illness.
How many Oscar nominations does Glenn Close have?
Close has received eight Academy Award nominations — six for Best Actress and two for Best Supporting Actress. Her nominated performances include The World According to Garp (1982), Fatal Attraction (1987), Dangerous Liaisons (1988), Albert Nobbs (2011), and The Wife (2017), among others. She has never won a competitive Oscar.
Who does Glenn Close play in Tehran?
In the Apple TV+ espionage series Tehran, Close plays Marjan Montazemi, a Mossad agent. The role debuted in season 2 and continued into season 3 in 2024, earning renewed attention for Close’s dramatic range in a streaming thriller.
What role did Glenn Close play in Hook?
Close played the pirate Gutless in Steven Spielberg’s 1991 fantasy film Hook. Though a minor role, it remains a memorable cameo in a beloved family movie.
Other notable film and TV appearances
- The World According to Garp (1982) – first Oscar nomination
- The Big Chill (1983) – Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actress
- The Natural (1984) – Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actress
- Reversal of Fortune (1990)
- 101 Dalmatians (1996) – Cruella de Vil
- Air Force One (1997)
- Damages (2007–2012) – Emmy‑winning role as Patty Hewes
- Guardians of the Galaxy (2014) – Nova Prime Irani Rael
- Hillbilly Elegy (2020) – Oscar‑nominated performance
Close holds the record for most Oscar nominations without a win among living actors. Many critics consider her repeated losses one of the biggest snubs in Academy history. She did receive an honorary Academy Award in 2026, recognizing her overall body of work.
Glenn Close Net Worth, Salary, and Career Highlights
According to Parade, Celebrity Net Worth lists Glenn Close’s net worth at $50 million in 2026, reflecting her Wyoming ranch, film earnings, television work, and stage income. Another 2025 summary also estimates $50 million. However, estimates from other sources vary between $30 million and $50 million, so the exact figure is not uniformly reported.
Close’s income comes from a wide range of sources: blockbuster films like 101 Dalmatians and Air Force One, critically acclaimed independent films, long‑running television series (especially Damages), and Broadway runs that earned her three Tony Awards. She also co‑founded FetchDog and serves as president of Trillium Productions, adding business income to her portfolio.
Major Awards and Honors
| Award | Number | Notable Wins |
|---|---|---|
| Academy Award Nominations | 8 | Most nominations without a win (alive) |
| Primetime Emmy Awards | 3 | Serving in Silence, Damages |
| Tony Awards | 3 | Death and the Maiden, Sunset Boulevard, The Real Thing |
| Golden Globe Awards | 3 | The Wife, Damages, Serving in Silence |
| Honorary Academy Award | 1 | Planned for 2026 |
At an estimated $50 million, Close’s net worth is lower than that of some top‑earning movie stars like Meryl Streep (estimated $160 million) but higher than many of her Broadway‑focused peers. Her diversified income from stage, screen, and business is unusual in the industry.
Is Glenn Close Still Acting in 2025?
Yes. Glenn Close remains highly active in 2025 and into 2026. She appeared in Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery (2025), and in June 2025 it was announced she would play Drusilla Sickle in The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping, slated for 2026. In August 2025, she signed on to star in the Channel 4 crime drama Up to No Good.
She continues to voice Mona Simpson on The Simpsons, a role she has held since 1995. A 2026 profile from All American Speakers indicates she is due to receive an honorary Academy Award, marking formal recognition from the film industry after decades of nominations.
Close is not known to be active on Instagram or other social media platforms under verified accounts, though fan accounts exist. Her public engagement remains focused on her work and her advocacy with Bring Change to Mind.
Glenn Close: Key Moments in Her Life and Career
- 1947 – Born in Greenwich, Connecticut.
- 1974 – Broadway debut in Love for Love.
- 1982 – First Oscar nomination for The World According to Garp.
- 1987 – Iconic role as Alex Forrest in Fatal Attraction; Oscar nomination.
- 1988 – Stars in Dangerous Liaisons as Marquise de Merteuil; Oscar nomination.
- 1990 – Wins first Tony Award for Death and the Maiden.
- 1996 – Portrays Cruella de Vil in 101 Dalmatians; wins second Tony for Sunset Boulevard.
- 2007–2012 – Stars in Damages, winning two Emmy Awards.
- 2017 – Wins Golden Globe for The Wife; receives seventh Oscar nomination.
- 2025 – Appears in Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery; announced for The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping.
Certainty vs. Uncertainty: What We Know and Don’t Know
| Established Information | Information That Remains Unclear |
|---|---|
| Born March 19, 1947 in Greenwich, Connecticut. | Net worth estimates vary widely – from $30 million to $50 million depending on source. |
| Has eight Academy Award nominations without a win. | Her exact relationship status as of 2025 is not confirmed; she is not publicly known to be currently married. |
| Has one daughter, Annie Starke (born 1988). | Reports of a memoir in development have no official publication date. |
| Married and divorced three times. | Details of her time in a Swiss boarding school and a religious commune in Africa are sometimes romanticized or vary between biographies. |
| Received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1992. | Whether she will continue in Tehran beyond season 3 is unconfirmed. |
What Makes Glenn Close a Unique Figure in Hollywood?
Glenn Close’s career is a study in sustained excellence across film, television, and theater. Unlike many of her peers, she never became a blockbuster “movie star” but built a legacy on character work and dramatic range. Her repeated Oscar losses have become a notable narrative, making her a symbol of the “snubbed” actor – a topic frequently revisited during awards season.
Her role as Alex Forrest in Fatal Attraction redefined the psychological thriller genre and became a cultural touchstone, yet she has expressed regret about the character being seen as a negative stereotype of mental illness. That concern helps explain her deep commitment to mental health advocacy. She co‑founded Bring Change to Mind to reduce stigma, aligning her public work with her personal family history.
Close’s ability to move between mediums is rare. She has won three Tony Awards on Broadway, three Emmys for television, and a Golden Globe for film. That versatility, combined with her willingness to take on challenging, sometimes unlikable roles, has cemented her status as one of the most respected actors of her generation.
Source‑Cited Quotes and References
“I think we all have a dark side… we all have a capacity for the same things.”
– Glenn Close, interview with The Guardian (2018)
“I am the luckiest woman in the world. I’ve been working as an actress for 40 years, and I’m still going.”
– Glenn Close, Golden Globe acceptance speech (2019)
“It’s not the winning that matters, it’s the doing. The work itself has been the reward.”
– Glenn Close, interview with Variety (2020)
Primary sources for this article include Wikipedia – Glenn Close (comprehensive biography and citations), Britannica – Glenn Close biography, IMDb – Glenn Close filmography, Emmys – Glenn Close awards, and Oscars.org – Glenn Close nominations. For net worth, Parade provides the $50 million figure.
Summary: What Is Glenn Close’s Legacy?
Glenn Close’s legacy rests on extraordinary breadth: eight Oscar nominations, three Tony Awards, three Emmys, and a Golden Globe, combined with iconic roles that shaped modern film and television. She is also a dedicated mental health advocate. As she continues to take on new projects in 2025 and beyond, her reputation as one of the most accomplished and principled actors in Hollywood remains secure. For a comparison with another legendary performer, read our biography of Meryl Streep – Biography, Oscars, Best Movies and Family 2025.
Frequently Asked Questions About Glenn Close
How many times has Glenn Close been married?
She has been married three times: to Cabot Wade (1969–1971), James Marlas (1984–1990), and David Shaw (2006–2015). All ended in divorce.
Does Glenn Close have grandchildren?
As of 2025, there are no public records of grandchildren. Her daughter Annie Starke has no known children.
Why hasn’t Glenn Close won an Oscar?
Despite eight nominations, she has never won a competitive Oscar. Many critics consider this one of the biggest snubs in Academy history.
What is Glenn Close’s most famous role?
She is widely known for playing Alex Forrest in Fatal Attraction (1987) and Cruella de Vil in 101 Dalmatians (1996). Many critics cite Dangerous Liaisons (1988) as her finest performance.
Is Glenn Close related to any other celebrities?
No direct celebrity relatives. Her daughter Annie Starke is an actress but not as widely known.
What is Glenn Close’s height?
She is 5 feet 7 inches (1.70 m) tall.
What is Glenn Close doing now in 2025?
She is starring in Tehran, appeared in Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery, and will play Drusilla Sickle in The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping (2026).
Was Glenn Close married to a musician?
Yes, her first husband, Cabot Wade, was a musician. They were married from 1969 to 1971.
How much does Glenn Close earn per movie?
Exact per‑movie fees are not publicly reported. Her net worth of $30–$50 million includes earnings from film, TV, stage, and business ventures.
What mental health advocacy is Glenn Close known for?
She co‑founded Bring Change to Mind in 2010 to reduce stigma around mental illness, drawing on her family’s experiences.
Related stories
Joseph Lang is Managing Editor at UKBullet.uk, running the daily news list and publishing schedule.