Kelly McGillis | 64 years old

Kelly McGillis became deeply interested in the possibility of working in show business as she grew up in Los Angeles. After finishing high school, she went to New York City and enrolled at the Juilliard School, where she graduated in 1983. She made her acting debut in Reuben, Reuben, and had a big breakthrough when she starred in the crime thriller film Witness. Her success in the film opened doors for her in Hollywood. On top of that, the worldwide success of her movie Top Gun cemented her as a national icon.

McGillis went on to gain more film credits, such as in The Babe and Painted Angels. Her early successes, however, proved difficult to replicate, with films failing to attract an audience. McGillis eventually found fulfillment in live stage work, which she balanced with occasional film ventures like The Monkey’s Mask and The Innkeepers. She refused to be labeled as the “it” starlet, opting for a direction that, although not financially rewarding, allowed her to discover herself as an actress and an individual.