From her chilling portrayal of a scorned woman in Fatal Attraction to her regal poise in Dangerous Liaisons, Glenn Close has long been the gold standard for dramatic intensity. A titan of the stage and screen, she is one of the most decorated performers in history, famously holding the record for the most Academy Award nominations without a win, a fact that only underscores her legendary “due” status in Hollywood.
As of early 2026, Glenn is experiencing a major resurgence, transitioning from high-stakes legal dramas to the dystopian world of Panem, all while maintaining her title as the “Internet’s favorite down-to-earth icon.”
Glenn Close Biography
Born Glenn Close on March 19, 1947, in Greenwich, Connecticut, she was raised in a world of old-money privilege that she famously rejected. Her father was a prominent surgeon, and her family helped found the town of Greenwich. However, when Glenn was seven, her parents joined Moral Re-Armament (MRA), a group she has described as “basically a cult,” which dictated her life for the next 15 years.
After breaking away from the group at 22, she attended the College of William & Mary, where she discovered her love for theater. She began her professional career on Broadway in 1974, not making her film debut until she was 35 years old in The World According to Garp (1982). That late start didn’t hinder her; she received an Oscar nomination for her very first film role.
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Career
Glenn’s career is defined by her ability to play characters that are simultaneously terrifying and deeply sympathetic.
- The Drama Queen: She dominated the 1980s with iconic film roles, while her 2007–2012 run as Patty Hewes in Damages redefined the “ruthless lawyer” archetype on television.
- The 2025-2026 Power Moves: 2025 was a prolific year, with Glenn appearing in the Netflix action-comedy Back in Action and the legal series All’s Fair alongside Kim Kardashian.
- Current & Upcoming: In 2026, she is set to play Drusilla Sickle in the highly anticipated The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping. She is also starring in the British crime drama Maud and the Netflix thriller Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery.
Glenn Close Movies
- The World According to Garp (1982): Her breakthrough film debut.
- The Big Chill (1983): A quintessential 80s ensemble piece.
- Fatal Attraction (1987): The role that made her a household name as Alex Forrest.
- Dangerous Liaisons (1988): Her masterclass in aristocratic manipulation.
- 101 Dalmatians (1996): Her iconic, scenery-chewing turn as Cruella de Vil.
- The Wife (2017): A quiet, powerful performance that earned her an eighth Oscar nod.
- The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping (2026): Her upcoming foray into the Hunger Games lore.
Glenn Close Net Worth
As of early 2026, Glenn Close’s net worth is estimated at $50 million. This wealth reflects her decades as a top-tier lead actress and her savvy transition into executive producing her own projects, such as the upcoming series Maud. She also reportedly owns a sprawling 1,000-acre ranch in Wyoming and has made significant real estate investments in Montana.
Family
Glenn comes from a large and complex family. She is the daughter of William Taliaferro Close and Bettine Moore Close, and has three siblings: Tina, Jessie, and Sandy. Her family history is deep; she is a distant relative of both Princess Diana and Clint Eastwood.
Glenn has one daughter, Annie Starke (born 1988), who is also an actress. The two famously shared the screen in The Wife, with Annie playing the younger version of Glenn’s character.
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The Men in Her Life
Glenn Close and Cabot Wade
Glenn’s first marriage was to guitarist and songwriter Cabot Wade in 1969. She was only 22 and still heavily involved with the MRA group at the time. She later described the union as “basically an arranged marriage” through the group’s leadership. They divorced in 1971, shortly after she left the organization to pursue her own life and career.
Glenn Close and John Starke
While they never married, Glenn shared a significant relationship with producer John Starke, whom she met on the set of The World According to Garp. Their relationship lasted through the late 1980s and resulted in Glenn’s only child, Annie. Though they eventually split, they remained dedicated co-parents.
Glenn Close and David Shaw
Glenn’s third husband was venture capitalist David Shaw. They married in 2006 and lived a relatively private life in Maine for nearly a decade. They divorced amicably in 2015. In a January 2025 interview, Glenn shared that she has been “very happy” being single for the last ten years and isn’t actively searching for a new partner, preferring her quiet social life and work.
Controversies
Glenn is known for being professional and poised, but she hasn’t entirely escaped the “live television” spotlight. At the 2025 Golden Globes, Glenn went viral after her speech was censored for “colourful language.” While presenting the final award of the night, she declared, “We are all so f***ing blessed and lucky to be together,” a moment fans praised for its authenticity.
Additionally, in late 2025, some online debate surfaced regarding her role in the Ryan Murphy series All’s Fair, with some critics questioning the “prestige” of the project. Glenn addressed this with humor, admitting the shoot was “hard” but that she enjoyed the challenge of a new creative environment.
Glenn Close’s Age and Instagram
As of early 2026, Glenn Close is 78 years old (turning 79 in March). She is one of the few stars of her era who truly manages her own social media. Her Instagram (@glennclose) is a fan-favorite for its lack of “glamour.” She frequently posts blurry selfies with her dog, Sir Pippin of Beanfield, and “unrecognizable” photos from makeup trailers with foam on her nose, proving that she doesn’t take the “movie star” life too seriously.
Conclusion
Glenn Close is an actress who has spent fifty years proving that she won’t be ignored. As she heads into 2026 with a slate of major blockbuster and indie projects, she remains a symbol of talent that transcends awards.
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