Early life and family
Close was born in Greenwich, Connecticut, the daughter of Bettine (née Moore) and William Taliaferro Close, a doctor who operated a clinic in the Belgian Congo and served as a personal physician to Congo/Zaire President Mobutu Sese Seko. Her parents came from prominent families. Her father was a descendant of the Taliaferros of Virginia; her paternal grandfather, Edward Bennett Close, a stockbroker and director of the American Hospital Association, was first married to Post Cereals' heiress Marjorie Merriweather Post. Close is also a second cousin once-removed of actress Brooke Shields (Shields's great-grandmother Mary Elsie Moore was a sister of Close's maternal grandfather, Charles Arthur Moore, Jr.).During her childhood, Close lived with her parents in a stone cottage on her maternal grandfather's estate, in Greenwich. Close has credited her early years for her acting abilities: "I have no doubt that the days I spent running free in the evocative Connecticut countryside with an unfettered imagination, playing whatever character our games demanded, is one of the reasons that acting has always seemed so natural to me."When she was seven years old, her parents joined a "cult group", the Moral Re-Armament, in which her family remained involved for fifteen years, living in communal centers. Close has stated that the family "struggled to survive the pressures of a culture that dictated everything about how we lived our lives." Close traveled for several years in the mid-to-late 1960s with an MRA singing group called "Up With People", and attended Rosemary Hall (now Choate Rosemary Hall), graduating in 1965. When she was 22, Close broke away from MRA, attending The College of William and Mary, and majoring in theatre. It was in the College's theatre department that she began to train as a serious actor, under Howard Scammon. She was elected to membership in the honor society of Phi Beta Kappa.
Career
Film and television
Glenn Close in 2009.
In the 1990s, she starred in the highly rated presentation of the 1991 Hallmark Hall of Fame drama Sarah, Plain and Tall (and its two sequels) and also in the made-for-TV movie Serving in Silence: The Margarethe Cammermeyer Story (1995); from these roles, she was nominated for 8 Emmys (winning one) and 9 Golden Globes (winning one in 2005 and 2007). She also appeared in the newsroom comedy-drama The Paper (1994), the alien invasion satire Mars Attacks! (1996, as The First Lady), the Disney hit 101 Dalmatians (1996, as the sinister Cruella de Vil) and its sequel 102 Dalmatians (2000), and the blockbuster Air Force One (1997), as the trustworthy vice-president to Harrison Ford's president. In 2001, she starred in a production of Rodgers and Hammerstein's classic musical South Pacific. In 2005, Close joined the FX crime series The Shield, in which she played a no-nonsense precinct captain. She starred in a series of her own for 2007, Damages (also on FX) instead of continuing her character on The Shield. Close won the 2009 Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama series for her role in Damages. In an interview after her win, Close admitted her role of Patty Hewes in the series was the role of her life. Also in 2009, she narrated the environmental film Home. Glenn Close has hosted Saturday Night Live twice-once in 1989 and in 1992.
In December 2010, Close began filming Albert Nobbs in Dublin. She had previously won an Obie in 1982 for her role in the play on stage. She had been working on the film for 10 years, and aside from starring in it, co-wrote the screenplay and produced the film. She stated at a press conference held on December 9, 2010 in Dublin, a couple of days before shooting began, "I believe in this story and its potential to take everyone on a sensuous, funny, heart-breaking, wildly unexpected ride".
In the film, Close played the title role of Albert Nobbs, a woman living her life as a man in 1800s Ireland after being sexually assaulted as a young girl. For the film, Close sat through hours of makeup to transform herself into a man. While the film itself received mixed reviews, Close and Janet McTeer received rave reviews for their performances. Close's performance was noted for being her most subtle and introverted performance yet and a departure from her other roles. Close received Golden Globe, Screen Actors Guild, and multiple critics nominations for her performance in Albert Nobbs. On January 24, 2012, Close received her sixth Academy Award nomination, for Best Actress in a Motion Picture, for her performance. The film also received nominations for Best Supporting Actress for McTeer and Best Makeup.
Some of 2011's stand-out film actors appeared in "a video gallery of cinematic villainy" for New York Times Magazine. Close played Theda Bara, a silent film diva mostly known as the first movie "vamp".
Stage
Close has had an extensive career performing in Broadway musicals. One of her most notable roles on stage was Norma Desmond in the Andrew Lloyd Webber production of Sunset Boulevard, for which Close won a Tony award, playing the role on Broadway in 1994. Close was also a guest star at the Andrew Lloyd Webber fiftieth birthday party celebration in the Royal Albert Hall in 1998. She appeared as Norma Desmond and performed songs from Sunset Boulevard. In addition to Sunset Boulevard, Close also won Tony Awards in 1984 for The Real Thing, and in 1992 for Death and the Maiden.Close performed at Carnegie Hall, narrating the violin concerto The Runaway Bunny, a concerto for reader, violin and orchestra, composed and conducted by Glen Roven.
Personal life
In February 2006, Close married her longtime boyfriend David E. (Evans) Shaw in Maine. Close was previously married to Cabot Wade (1969–1973) and James Marlas (1984–1987). She has a daughter, Annie Starke, from her previous relationship with John Starke that ended in 1991. She has donated money to the election campaigns of many Democratic politicians, including Hillary Rodham Clinton, Howard Dean, John Edwards and Barack Obama. Close is a dog lover and writes a blog for Fetchdog.com, where she interviews other famous people about their relationships with their dogs. Close announced to the public that she has had her DNA sequenced
Filmography and awards
Film Year Title Role Notes/Awards
1982 The World According to Garp Jenny Fields Los Angeles Film Critics Association Award for Best Supporting Actress
National Board of Review Award for Best Supporting Actress
Nominated—Academy Award for Best Actress in a Supporting Role
Nominated—New York Film Critics Circle Award for Best Supporting Actress (2nd place)
1983 The Big Chill Sarah Cooper Nominated—Academy Award for Best Actress in a Supporting Role
1984 The Natural Iris Gaines Nominated—Academy Award for Best Actress in a Supporting Role
1984 The Stone Boy Ruth Hillerman
1984 Greystoke: The Legend of Tarzan, Lord of the Apes Jane Porter dubbed Andie MacDowell's voice
1985 Maxie Jan / Maxie Nominated—Golden Globe Award for Best Actress - Motion Picture Musical or Comedy
Nominated—Saturn Award for Best Actress
1985 Jagged Edge Teddy Barnes
1987 Fatal Attraction Alexandra "Alex" Forrest People's Choice Award for Favorite Motion Picture Actress
Nominated—Academy Award for Best Actress
Nominated—Golden Globe Award for Best Actress - Motion Picture Drama
1988 Dangerous Liaisons Marquise Isabelle de Merteuil Nominated—Academy Award for Best Actress
Nominated—BAFTA Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role
Nominated—Chicago Film Critics Association Award for Best Actress
1988 Light Years Queen Ambisextra (voice) French title: Gandahar
1989 Immediate Family Linda Spector
1990 Hamlet Queen Gertrude
1990 Reversal of Fortune Sunny von Bulow
1991 Hook Gutless Cameo
1991 Meeting Venus Karin Anderson Venice Film Festival: Golden Ciak for Best Actress
1993 The House of the Spirits Ferula Trueba
1994 The Paper Alicia Clark
1996 Mars Attacks! First Lady Marsha Dale
1996 101 Dalmatians Cruella de Vil Blockbuster Entertainment Award for Favorite Actor/Actress – Family
Nominated—Golden Globe Award for Best Actress - Motion Picture Musical or Comedy
Nominated—Satellite Award for Best Actress - Motion Picture Musical or Comedy
Nominated—Saturn Award for Best Supporting Actress
1996 Mary Reilly Mrs. Farraday
1997 In & Out Herself cameo appearance
1997 Air Force One Vice President Kathryn Bennett Blockbuster Entertainment Award for Favorite Supporting Actress – Action/Adventure
1997 Paradise Road Adrienne Pargiter
1999 Cookie's Fortune Camille Dixon
1999 Tarzan Kala voice
2000 102 Dalmatians Cruella de Vil Nominated—Satellite Award for Best Actress - Motion Picture Musical or Comedy
2000 Things You Can Tell Just by Looking at Her Dr. Elaine Keener
2001 South Pacific
2001 The Safety of Objects Esther Gold
2003 Le Divorce Olivia Pace
2003 Roberto Benigni's Pinocchio The Blue Fairy English voice
2004 Heights Diana
2004 The Stepford Wives Claire Wellington
2005 Tarzan II Kala voice
2005 The Chumscrubber Carrie Johnson
2005 Nine Lives Maggie Locarno International Film Festival: Bronze Leopard Award for Best Actress (Shared with the film's ensemble of actresses)
Nominated—Gotham Award for Best Ensemble Cast
2006 Hoodwinked! Granny voice
2007 Evening Mrs. Wittenborn
2010 Hoodwinked 2: Hood vs. Evil Granny voice
2011 Albert Nobbs Albert Nobbs Also producer, screenplay and author of the lyrics of the song "Lay Your Head Down"
AARP's Movies for Grownups Awards for Best Actress
Alliance of Women Film Journalists for Female Icon Award
Alliance of Women Film Journalists for Most Egregious Love Interest Age Difference Award Shared with Mia Wasikowska
Irish Film & Television Award for Best International Actress
Satellite Award for Best Original Song
Tokyo International Film Festival for Best Actress
Women Film Critics Circle for Courage in Acting - Taking on unconventional roles that radically redefine the images of women on screen
Nominated—Academy Award for Best Actress
Nominated—Irish Film & Television Award for Best Film
Nominated—Irish Film & Television Award for Best Script for Film
Nominated—AACTA International Award for Best Actress
Nominated—Alliance of Women Film Journalists for Actress Defying Age and Ageism
Nominated—Golden Globe Award for Best Actress – Motion Picture Drama
Nominated—Golden Globe Award for Best Original Song
Nominated—Houston Film Critics Society Award for Best Song
Nominated—Phoenix Film Critics Society Award for Best Actress
Nominated—Satellite Award for Best Actress
Nominated—Satellite Award for Best Adapted Screenplay
Nominated—Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role
Nominated—Women Film Critics Circle for Women's Work: Best Ensemble
2013 Thérèse Raquin Madame Raquin Pre-production
Documentary Year Title Role Notes
1990 Divine Garbo Herself Greta Garbo documentary
1999 The Lady with the Torch Herself-host The 75th Anniversary of Columbia Pictures
2001 Welcome to Hollywood Herself
2003 What I Want My Words to Do to You: Voices from Inside a Women's Maximum Security Prison Herself
2003 A Closer Walk Narrator Robert Bilheimer film. AIDS epidemic.
2007 Broadway: Beyond the Golden Age Herself
2009 Home Narrator Yann Arthus-Bertrand film.
2011 Pax Director and executive producer
Television Year Title Role Notes/Awards
1975 The Rules of the Game Neighbor
1979 Too Far to Go Rebecca Kuehn
1979 Orphan Train Jessica
1982 The Elephant Man Princess Alexandra
1984 Something About Amelia Gail Bennett Nominated—Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress - Miniseries or a Movie
Nominated—Golden Globe Award for Best Actress - Miniseries or Television Film
1988 Stones for Ibarra Sara Everton
1990 She'll Take Romance
1991 Sarah, Plain and Tall Sarah Wheaton Also executive producer
Nominated—Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress - Miniseries or a Movie
Nominated—Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Miniseries
Nominated—Golden Globe Award for Best Actress - Miniseries or Television Film
1993 Skylark Sarah Witting Also executive producer
Nominated—Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress - Miniseries or a Movie
1995 Serving in Silence: The Margarethe Cammermeyer Story Col. Margarethe Cammermeyer Also executive producer
Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress - Miniseries or a Movie
Nominated—Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Miniseries
Nominated—Golden Globe Award for Best Actress - Miniseries or Television Film
Nominated—Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Female Actor - Miniseries or Television Film
1995 The Simpsons (1995–2012) Mona Simpson
1997 In the Gloaming Janet CableACE Awardfor Guest Actress in a Dramatic Special or Series
Nominated—Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress - Miniseries or a Movie
Nominated—Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Female Actor - Miniseries or Television Film
Nominated—Satellite Award for Best Actress – Miniseries or Television Film
1999 Sarah, Plain and Tall: Winter's End Sarah Witting Also executive producer
2000 Baby Adult Sophie (narrator)
2001 The Ballad of Lucy Whipple Arvella Whipple Also executive producer
2001 South Pacific Nellie Forbush Also executive producer
2002 Will and Grace Fanny Lieber Nominated—Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actress - Comedy Series
2003 Brush with Fate Cornelia Engelbrecht
2004 The Lion in Winter Eleanor of Aquitaine Golden Globe Award for Best Actress - Miniseries or Television Film
Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Female Actor - Miniseries or Television Film
Nominated—Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress - Miniseries or a Movie
2004 Strip Search Karen Moore
2004 The West Wing Evelyn Baker Lang
2005 The Shield Captain Monica Rawling Nominated—Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress - Drama Series
Nominated—Golden Globe Award for Best Actress - Television Series Drama
2007–
present Damages Patty Hewes Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress - Drama Series (Won 2008–2009, Nominated in 2010)
Golden Globe Award for Best Actress - Television Series Drama (Won 2008, Nominated 2010)
Gracie Allen Award for Outstanding Female Lead in a Drama Series
Satellite Award for Best Actress – Television Series Drama (Nominated 2007–2008, Won 2009)
Nominated—Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Drama Series (2008, 2010, 2011, 2012)
Nominated—Television Critics Association Award for Individual Achievement in Drama (2008–2009)
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