History of Kelly McGillis in Timeline

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Kelly McGillis

Kelly McGillis is an American actress best known for her roles in 1980s films like Witness (1985), Top Gun (1986), and The Accused (1988). In Witness, she played Rachel Lapp, an Amish woman who protects a young boy who witnessed a murder, earning her Golden Globe and BAFTA nominations. Her role as Charlie in the blockbuster hit Top Gun further cemented her fame. She also starred in films such as Made in Heaven and The House on Carroll Street. Later in her career, McGillis transitioned to horror films, with roles in Stake Land (2010), The Innkeepers (2011), and We Are What We Are (2013).

July 9, 1957: Kelly McGillis is Born

Kelly Ann McGillis was born on July 9, 1957.

1975: Leaves High School

McGillis dropped out of high school in 1975 and obtained her GED.

1979: Marries Boyd Black

McGillis married Boyd Black in 1979.

1981: Divorces Boyd Black

McGillis divorced Boyd Black in 1981.

1982: Don Juan

McGillis performed in Don Juan in 1982.

1983: Graduates from Juilliard

McGillis graduated from the Juilliard School in 1983.

1983: Film Debut

McGillis made her film debut in Reuben, Reuben in 1983.

1984: One Life to Live

McGillis appeared on One Life to Live in 1984.

1984: Sweet Revenge

McGillis starred in the TV movie Sweet Revenge with Alec Baldwin in 1984.

1985: Witness

In 1985, McGillis had her breakout role in Witness.

1985: The Sea Gull and Peccadillo

In 1985, McGillis performed in The Sea Gull and Peccadillo.

1986: Top Gun

McGillis played flight instructor Charlotte "Charlie" Blackwood in Top Gun in 1986.

1987: Made in Heaven

McGillis acted in the film Made in Heaven in 1987.

1988: The House on Carroll Street and The Accused

In 1988, McGillis starred in two films: The House on Carroll Street and The Accused.

1988: The Merchant of Venice

McGillis acted in The Merchant of Venice in 1988.

1988: The Accused and Cat Chaser

McGillis appeared in The Accused and Cat Chaser in 1988.

1988: The House on Carroll Street

McGillis played a caretaker in The House on Carroll Street in 1988.

1989: Twelfth Night

In 1989, McGillis performed in Twelfth Night.

1989: Marries Fred Tillman

McGillis married Fred Tillman in 1989.

1990: Mary Stuart and The Merry Wives of Windsor

McGillis acted in Mary Stuart and The Merry Wives of Windsor in 1990.

1992: The Babe

McGillis portrayed Claire Merritt Ruth in The Babe in 1992.

1994: Hedda Gabler

McGillis performed in Hedda Gabler in 1994.

1995: Out of Ireland

In 1995, McGillis narrated the documentary, Out of Ireland.

April 1996: Schooner Fire

McGillis and Tillman's schooner was destroyed by fire in April 1996.

1997: Mourning Becomes Electra

McGillis appeared in Mourning Becomes Electra in 1997.

1999: At First Sight

McGillis co-starred with Val Kilmer in At First Sight in 1999.

1999: A Midsummer Night's Dream and Measure for Measure

McGillis performed in A Midsummer Night's Dream and Measure for Measure in 1999.

2000: Meets Melanie Leis

McGillis met Melanie Leis in 2000.

2000: The Monkey's Mask

McGillis starred in The Monkey's Mask in 2000.

2002: The Duchess of Malfi

In 2002, McGillis appeared in the stage production of The Duchess of Malfi.

2002: Divorces Fred Tillman

McGillis and Fred Tillman divorced in 2002.

2004: The Graduate and other roles

In 2004, McGillis starred in The Graduate along with several other stage roles.

2004: The Graduate

McGillis toured the US in the stage play The Graduate in 2004.

2006: Returns to Television

McGillis returned to working in television in 2006.

2007: The L Word

McGillis joined the cast of The L Word in 2007.

May 2009: The Little Foxes

McGillis co-starred with Julia Duffy in The Little Foxes in May 2009.

2009: Comes Out as Lesbian

McGillis publicly came out as a lesbian in 2009.

2010: Stake Land

In 2010, McGillis starred in the vampire film Stake Land.

2010: Civil Union with Melanie Leis

McGillis entered a civil union with Melanie Leis in 2010.

2010: Frankie and Johnny in the Clair de Lune

McGillis toured the UK in Frankie and Johnny in the Clair de Lune in 2010.

2011: The Innkeepers

McGillis appeared in the thriller The Innkeepers in 2011.

2013: Teaches Acting

As of 2013, McGillis taught acting at NYS3 in Asheville, NC.

2013: We Are What We Are, Tio Papi

In 2013, McGillis appeared in We Are What We Are and Tio Papi.

2014: Various Roles

McGillis had roles in Grand Street, Love Finds You in Sugarcreek, Ohio, Z Nation, and Sisters of Mercy in 2014.

2015: Blue

McGillis appeared in the film Blue in 2015.

June 17, 2016: Home Invasion and Assault

On June 17, 2016, Kelly McGillis was attacked by a woman who broke into her home, leaving her scratched and bruised. This incident, along with previous attacks, prompted her to apply for a concealed carry permit. The attacker, Laurence Marie Dorn, was subsequently charged with multiple offenses, including burglary, larceny, stalking, assault, and interfering with emergency communication, and later convicted of misdemeanor breaking and entering.

2017: An Uncommon Grace and Mother of All Secrets

McGillis starred in An Uncommon Grace and Mother of All Secrets in 2017.

Mentioned in this timeline

Val Kilmer
Cat
Alec Baldwin
Dream
Ohio
Fire

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