Glenn Close stands as one of the most revered and decorated actors of her generation, with a career that spans over four decades and encompasses iconic performances across film, television, and the stage. Close is celebrated for her profound versatility, her ability to embody complex, often formidable characters, and her singular commitment to her craft.
Close first captured worldwide attention with a series of acclaimed performances in the 1980s. Her Oscar-nominated roles in films like The World According to Garp and The Big Chill showcased her early talent, but it was her portrayal of the obsessive book editor Alex Forrest in Fatal Attraction that indelibly stamped her image onto popular culture. This role, along with her terrifying transformation into the cunning and manipulative Marquise de Merteuil in Dangerous Liaisons, established her mastery of the darker, more ambiguous female lead.
Her filmography is a rich tapestry of genres, from the family-friendly, live-action villainess Cruella de Vil in 101 Dalmatians to the deeply moving character study in the stage and film adaptation of Albert Nobbs, a role for which she earned another Oscar nomination.
While her film work is globally recognised, Close has also made a substantial impact on television. Her five-year run as the ruthless lawyer Patty Hewes in the legal thriller series Damages earned her multiple awards, including two Primetime Emmy Awards, demonstrating her ability to bring cinematic intensity to the small screen.
In recent years, Close has continued to select challenging and critically resonant material. Her Oscar-nominated performance in The Wife (2019) as Joan Castleman, the supportive yet long-suffering spouse of a Nobel Prize winner, was lauded as one of the best of her career. The film allowed her to deliver a quiet, yet devastating, portrayal of a woman wrestling with decades of personal sacrifice and professional suppression. Other notable recent projects include the film Crooked House, a mystery based on an Agatha Christie novel, and various other independent and major studio productions, such as The Safety Of Objects.
Close’s enduring appeal lies in her commitment to finding the truth in her characters, regardless of their moral compass. She approaches each role with a rigorous intensity, often researching and inhabiting her characters to an extraordinary degree. Her seven Academy Award nominations (without a win, a record she shares with others) underscore the consistent quality and impact of her work.
Beyond acting, Close has been a vocal advocate for mental health awareness, adding another dimension to her public life. Her continuous output of quality work, from recent dramatic roles to forthcoming projects, ensures that her legacy as a formidable and iconic screen presence remains undisputed.