Looking back on some of our fave ’80s movies, it’s clear the actors can fit into three categories. There are the Tom Cruises and Tom Hanks of the world, who are just as famous now as they were back then. There are those who you might still spot in movies and shows every now and then, though their celebrity has taken a hit since the ’80s. And then there’s the third group – stars who had it all at one point, but you wouldn’t recognize ’em if you saw them on the street today. Today we’re focusing on someone in that third group – so let’s ask: What happened to Kelly McGinnis?
Who is Kelly Mcginnis?
Kelly McGillis, aka Kelly Mcginnis, is an incredible American actress who worked hard to make it big. While she was struggling, she didn’t think twice about taking on other jobs to make ends meet. She’s been married twice and has kids with both her exes. But no one expected when she announced her relationship with Melanie Leis in 2009.
Birth & Early Life
Kelly McGinnis was born on July 9, 1957 in Newport Beach, California to a family of lawyers – her dad was a big-time defense attorney and her mom worked in the legal field too. Growing up, Kelly had an interest in the arts, performing in school plays and musicals. She went to Pacific Conservatory of the Performing Arts at Allan Hancock College in Santa Maria, California to refine her acting skills, and also studied voice and dance.
Despite her love for performing, Kelly initially pursued a career in law like her parents. She went to Cal State Fullerton, majoring in history and planning to go to law school. But during her senior year she had a sudden change of heart and decided to go all in on acting. So she moved to NYC and studied at Juilliard, then set off for Hollywood and made her career happen.
The Rise of Kelly McGinnis: From Juilliard to Leading Lady
After studying at Juilliard, Kelly McGinnis made her big-screen debut in 1983 with “Reuben, Reuben” and became a household name after landing the role of the leading lady in the 1986 action film “Top Gun,” playing the love interest of Tom Cruise’s character. The movie was a huge success and turned Kelly into an overnight sensation.
She followed up with roles in films like “Witness” and “The Accused,” earning critical acclaim for her performances.
In the early 1990s, Kelly took a break from acting to focus on raising her two daughters. She returned to the big screen in 1999 with a starring role in “At First Sight,” opposite Val Kilmer. She continued to work steadily in both film and television, appearing in popular shows like “The L Word” and “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit.”
She was critically acclaimed for her role as a suspect in the film The Monkey’s Mask. The movie was based on the novel by Australian poet Dorothy Porter – an international Lesbian cult classic that came out in 2000 alongside Susie Porter. She took a break before coming back to acting in 2006.
Despite her success in Hollywood, Kelly has always remained grounded and focused on her family. She is also involved in various philanthropic endeavors, including supporting organizations that help women and children who have experienced domestic violence.
Kelly Mcginnis: Husband, Boyfriends 7 Relationships
Kelly Mcginnis got married twice in her life. She tied the knot with her Julliard mate, Boyd Black, in 1979, but it didn’t last long and they split in 1981. She married Fred Tillman in 1998 and had two daughters — Kelsey and Sonora — with him. Fred was loaded — he owned yachts and hotels. They decided to call it quits in 2002.
Tragically, Kelly was raped by two men back in ’82 at her NY apartment, one of whom was only 15 and ended up serving three years in prison. It was a really sad incident for Hollywood.
Kelly Mcginnis Relationship with Melanie Leis
In 2009, McGillis came out as gay and in 2010 she got into a civil partnership with Melanie Leis (they split a year later). Melanie Leis was a bartender at her ex-husband in Key West, Florida. During this time, McGillis took on a complete change of career, working with alcoholics and drug addicts at the Seabrook House Drug and Alcohol Rehabilitation Center in New Jersey.
Kelly Mcginnis Net Worth
Kelly Mcginnis’ net worth has shot up to around $8 million USD. She’s a full-time social worker at Seabrook House Drug and Alcohol Rehab Center now, but she used to teach acting at the New York Studio for Stage and Screen (NYS3). Acting’s her main source of income, working with all sorts of directors and producers.
Final Thoughts
Kelly McGinnis rose to fame in the 80s with iconic roles in movies like “Top Gun” and “Witness.” She took a break from acting to focus on her fam but still kept working in film and TV. Her life has been a mix of highs and lows, like coming out as gay and being raped, but she’s stayed grounded and focused on fam and philanthropy. Nowadays, Kelly is a social worker full-time and still inspiring people with her talent and resilience.
