• Kathleen Turner was an icon of '80s cinema thanks to "Body Heat." And while she became known for it years later, she eventually got over it.
  • Turner has overcome many health struggles, including rheumatoid arthritis, which affected her mobility and made her stop acting at 39.
  • At 68, she now advocates for arthritis awareness and is a proud mother to her musician daughter.

Kathleen Turner began her career in theatre, but it was the film "Body Heat" in 1981 that catapulted her into a star. She considered the film a blessing because she went straight to being cast in a lead role.

Four decades after the movie, Turner continues to be remembered as a sex symbol. While many actresses would feel frustrated with that kind of label, she doesn't take it personally.

Kathleen Turner on the set of "Body Heat," circa 1981 | Source: Getty Images

"I got over that a long time ago," she admitted. Three years after "Body Heat," she was cast as Michael Douglas' leading woman in "Romancing The Stone."

The chemistry between Turner and Douglas was undeniable. They admittedly both had a crush on one another and were in the process of falling in love.

Michael Douglas and Kathleen Turner circa 1983 in New York City | Source: Getty Images

At the time, Douglas was still married to Diandra Luker, but they were separated. Turner took this as a sign to give it a go – until things got out of hand.

Luker showed up at the restaurant where Turner and Douglas were dining and left no room for mistakes. "You know, we're still married, and I have no intention of ending it," she said.

Turner felt like she was being kicked in the stomach. She had no plans of interfering with another woman's marriage, and she felt sick doing so.

Michael Douglas and Kathleen Turner on the set of "The Jewel of the Nile" circa 1985 | Source: Getty Images

Kathleen Turner's Health Issues Paused Her Career

Turner had a series of box office hits in the 1980s and was living her best life. In 1992, however, everything came crashing down after she was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis.

A doctor told her that she'd be in a wheelchair for the rest of her life – she ended up firing that doctor. She continued to work, filming "Serial Mom" in 1993 when she realized her feet were so swollen she could not fit into her shoes.

Kathleen Turner holding a bowl of fruit in a scene from the film "Serial Mom" released 1994. | Source: Getty Images

Soon after, her illness became debilitating. "I couldn't walk, I couldn't hold a glass," she painfully admitted. When the illness took control of her body, the only way she could go up and down flights of stairs was by sitting on her butt and pushing herself forward. Whenever she sat, stood, or lay down, she was in excruciating pain.

She had no choice but to keep her illness a secret because she knew no one would touch her, let alone hire her if they knew she had a disease.

It was years of endless battles with pain and fear of what her life would turn out to be. And even as she chose to battle her illness in silence, people were unforgiving and constantly picked on her appearance.

Kathleen Turner during the opening night curtain call for "Kathleen Turner: Finding My Voice" on Broadway at Town Hall on December 16, 2021 in New York City. | Source: Getty Images

"I was called a drunk and had awful things said about the way I looked. It was so cruel," she said. However, she had no choice but to keep her illness a secret because she knew no one would touch her, let alone hire her if they knew she had a disease.

People often downplay autoimmune diseases because they aren't life-threatening. While it isn't, Turner is the first to admit that it may not have killed her, but it killed her life.

She took a break from acting but wouldn't accept that an illness changed the course of her life for good. The medication she took made her gain weight, and the media criticized her looks.

Kathleen Turner at the premiere of "White House Plumbers" held at the 92nd Street Y on April 17, 2023 in New York City. | Source: Getty Images

Ultimately, the actress felt betrayed. While she never defended herself in public, it took a toll on her mental health, and she began to turn to alcohol to get by. However, she had a lightbulb moment that changed her perspective.

Turner realized she was wasting her days away instead of spending it with her husband and daughter, so she decided to do something about it. The actress entered rehab in 2002, and since then, she's never drunk as heavily as she used to.

Kathleen Turner attends the "37th AFI Life Achievement Award: A Tribute to Michael Douglas", held at Sony Pictures Studios in Culver City, California on June 11, 2009. | Source: Getty Images

Powering Through Her Illness

From 1984 to 2007, Turner had her husband, Jay Weiss, by her side. Together they share one daughter named Rachel Ann Weiss, who followed in her mom's footsteps into the industry.

Despite their separation, Turner and Weiss remain friends. She once described her ex-partner as a "wonderful father" during an interview.

Rachel Ann Weiss and Kathleen Turner at Chef's Club on May 23, 2017 in New York City | Source: Getty Images

Rachel interjected, saying she got along well with her dad, to which Turner also clarified that so did she. She candidly admitted that the reason they were no longer married was because they didn't want to be married anymore.

Rather than an acting career, Rachel chose to become a singer. Her mom has been her number-one fan through it all, attending every show when she's in town.

Rachel Ann Weiss (L) and actress Kathleen Turner at The Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre on January 23, 2015 in New York City | Source: Getty Images

In 2013, she took part in the Festival des Films du Monde, where organizers paid tribute to Turner's work as an actress. During the event, Rachel sang a song composed for her mother.

At the time, Turner admitted that she didn't plan on quitting acting anytime soon. She had been working on several plays, and in her most recent interview in 2023, she admitted that she "can't imagine not working."

With that, fans know what to expect from the actress. Whenever she's not at work filming, she is busy teaching acting at several universities around the country.

As for her favorite past times, she loves reading and holding poker nights for her friends. Admittedly, one thing she'd like to do more of is stay physically active.

Actress Kathleen Turner onstage during the AFI Lifetime Achievement Award: A Tribute to Michael Douglas held at Sony Pictures Studios on June 11, 2009 in Culver City, California. | Source: Getty Images

Turner is in remission from rheumatoid arthritis, but she continues to experience flare-ups. Most of her recent work has been in theatre, but her doors aren't closed to TV and movie roles.

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