In French Exit, Michelle Pfeiffer plays a character who is as sharp as she is tragic—a widow who finds herself unmoored without the financial safety net her late husband once provided. It's a role that’s equal parts humorous and heartbreaking, and it's earned Michelle a Golden Globe nomination. If you ask me, this performance also puts her squarely on the list of actresses who could very well take home an Oscar this year.
From Hollywood Blockbuster to Oscar Contender
Michelle Pfeiffer first made her mark in the '80s and '90s with unforgettable roles in films like Scarface, The Fabulous Baker Boys, and Batman Returns. These weren’t just movies—they were cultural moments that put her on the A-list. But here's the thing: Michelle decided to step away from the spotlight when her kids, Claudia, 28, and John, 26, were young. That’s right—she chose family over fame. And now, years later, she's making a triumphant return to the screen. "I think Hollywood is finally changing," Michelle, 62, told reporters recently. She's set to play Betty Ford in Showtime’s upcoming series The First Lady, proving that age is just a number when it comes to talent.
Roots That Grounded Her
Michelle's journey wasn’t always glamorous. She grew up in Santa Ana, California, where her dad worked as an air-conditioning contractor. Life wasn’t easy, but it taught her some valuable lessons. "I wasn’t born into wealth, so I know what it’s like to get by on very little," she confides. "As a kid, I didn’t feel so lucky because all my friends had more than I did. But now I realize it was a blessing. If I were stripped of everything [material] right now, I would be okay. Ultimately, I’m really rich in love and relationships in my life." That kind of perspective is rare in Hollywood, and it’s one of the reasons Michelle stands out.
Read also:Weekly Horoscope March 2 Ndash March 8
A Family-Centric Life
Marriage and motherhood have always been at the center of Michelle's life. After a brief early marriage to actor Peter Horton, she tied the knot with TV producer David E. Kelley in 1993. Together, they moved to the San Francisco Bay area, a decision driven by their desire to shield their children from the sometimes-questionable values of LA. "Raising kids is just consuming," Michelle explains. "It takes over your entire world." And take over it did. In the early 2000s, Michelle became a full-time mom, stepping away from acting altogether. Here's the twist: her kids didn’t even know she was a famous actress until they heard about it from their friends. "I went overboard in separating them from my work," she admits with a laugh. "They found out through their friends how famous I was... The world knew more about my work than my daughter did!"
Of course, Michelle tried to make up for it by showing her kids some of her more family-friendly films, like 1982’s Grease 2. "They watched about a quarter of it, and then they wandered off!" she recalls fondly. It’s moments like these that remind us she’s not just a star—she’s a mom, too.
Keeping Work and Love Separate
Michelle has always been careful to keep her personal life and her career separate. Even though her husband, David, is one of the industry's top writers for women—responsible for hits like The Undoing and Big Little Lies, both starring Nicole Kidman—Michelle doesn’t want to work with him. "I’ve seen a lot of couples where they seem to have a really great marriage, and then they work together and next year they’re filing for divorce," she explains. For Michelle, maintaining that separation is key to keeping her marriage strong.
Embracing the Second Act
With a happy home life and a thriving second act as a character actress, Michelle couldn’t be more content. "The first part of our lives, we’re sort of programming ourselves to learn how to behave and fit in and be polite," she reflects. "The second half you’re trying to undo a lot of that, and be more honest, be more authentic and speak your mind more." It’s a philosophy that resonates deeply, and one that’s clearly guiding Michelle’s life right now.
For this story and more, pick up the latest issue of Closer magazine, on newsstands now!
