Back in the '70s, Kathleen Quinlan was just getting her feet wet in Hollywood, playing small but memorable roles in blockbuster films like American Graffiti and beloved TV series like The Waltons. These wholesome, girl-next-door characters were a reflection of who Kathleen really was—a small-town girl from Mill Valley, California. Her journey into showbiz wasn’t just about fame; it was about staying true to herself and building a life she could be proud of.
Looking back, Kathleen, now 65, admits that she was blissfully unaware of just how tough the acting world could be. “I was totally naïve, and I think in some ways you have to be,” she tells Closer. “If you really knew the odds stacked against you, you’d probably never step out the door!”
But Kathleen didn’t let the odds stop her. Her talent shone through, earning her a Golden Globe nomination for her powerful performance as a schizophrenic in 1977’s I Never Promised You a Rose Garden and an Oscar nod for her unforgettable role in 1995’s Apollo 13. Along the way, she balanced her successful career with the things that mattered most: her marriage to actor Bruce Abbott, also 65, and raising their son Tyler, 29, and her stepson Dalton, 30. “Those boys mean everything to me,” she says. “If I fail them, I might as well not have been here at all.”
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How Did Kathleen Land the Role of a Lifetime in 'Apollo 13'?
Kathleen’s journey to becoming Marilyn Lovell in Apollo 13 wasn’t without its challenges. She met with director Ron Howard and was asked to read with Tom Hanks. Not long after, she had to undergo reconstructive surgery on her left shoulder—a result of years spent doing gymnastics, surfing, and rock climbing. As she woke up in the hospital, her husband whispered, “Honey, you’ve got the part!” Her response? “Oh good!” And then she promptly passed out. “It was surreal,” she laughs.
Getting to Know the Real Marilyn Lovell
Tom Hanks shared that he planned to spend a few days with astronaut Jim Lovell, and the filmmakers invited Kathleen to join them. This was her chance to get to know the real Marilyn Lovell, the woman she would portray on screen. “I stayed with them and had in-depth conversations with Marilyn,” Kathleen recalls. “Jim even woke us up at 6 a.m. to go swimming in the lake. He flew us in his plane to the space center in Houston and gave me a personal tour. It was an unforgettable experience. Jim and Marilyn are still a big part of my life. Every time I visit Chicago, I see them, and they’re always so welcoming.”
Stepping Into the Spotlight at the Oscars
Kathleen’s Oscar nomination for Apollo 13 came at a whirlwind moment in her life. She was filming a children’s movie, Zeus and Roxanne, in the Bahamas—a dream job that allowed her young son to see a film she starred in. After swimming with dolphins, she quickly changed, flew to Los Angeles, put on a gown, and walked the red carpet at the Academy Awards. “It was surreal,” she says. “One minute I was in the water with dolphins, and the next I was surrounded by Hollywood’s biggest stars.”
A Golden Globe Nomination for 'I Never Promised You a Rose Garden'
Her role in I Never Promised You a Rose Garden was another career-defining moment. To prepare, Kathleen worked closely with a psychologist who specialized in schizophrenia. “The key for me was understanding the concept of having no self-image,” she explains. “That was incredibly challenging. We spent hours improvising in a grungy office, and I gave it everything I had.”
Growing Up in Southern California
Kathleen’s childhood was filled with adventure. She grew up in Southern California, where her father taught her to fish, scuba dive, and shoot—much to her Fort Worth, Texas, mother’s dismay. Later, the family moved to Mill Valley, California, where Kathleen immersed herself in theater, gymnastics, and swimming. Her college years at Marin College introduced her to the legendary Robin Williams, with whom she acted in Fiddler on the Roof. “We kept in touch over the years, and he’d always yell out my nickname whenever he saw me,” she recalls fondly.
From 'American Graffiti' to Working with Icons
Kathleen’s big break came when George Lucas visited her high school to cast American Graffiti. She landed a small part, and the casting directors encouraged her to meet people in Los Angeles. That’s where she met her first agent. “I wasn’t sure how I could make a living as an athlete, but I loved the idea of telling stories through acting,” she says.
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Throughout her career, Kathleen worked with some of Hollywood’s biggest names. She admired Angie Dickinson for her professionalism on Police Woman and Olivia de Havilland for her grace in Airport ’77. Dick Van Dyke helped her with her first TV series, and The Waltons became like a second family to her. “They asked me to join a reunion at Waltons Mountain for the fans, and it was like stepping back into my high school yearbook,” she says.
Telly Savalas: A Lesson in Standing Your Ground
Not all experiences were positive. When working with Telly Savalas on Kojak, he tried to flirt with her, but she stood her ground. “I jumped out of the trailer and said nope!” she laughs. “My Texan mother taught me not to take any nonsense from anyone, and that lesson has served me well.”
Meeting the Love of Her Life
Love found Kathleen in the most unexpected place—Dallas, Texas, where Bruce Abbott was working as an actor. “We couldn’t be together for a long time, and I told myself, ‘Never again with an actor!’” she jokes. “But here we are, 31 years later.”
