Kelly McGillis’ Age, Height, Weight, Biography, Relationships & More

In a span of two years of debuting in a comedy-drama, Kelly McGillis skyrocketed to fame after starring in Witness, a neo-noir dramatic crime thriller. Kelly has built a solid reputation as a talented actress throughout her 35 years long Hollywood career by starring in successful films, TV shows, and television movies.

Interested to know more about this brilliant actress? Read on as we talk about the Golden Globe Award nominee’s career graph, love life, height, weight, cup size, trivia, rumors, interests, and net worth.

Kelly McGillis’ Career

Kelly McGillis made her film debut in 1983 with “Reuben, Reuben,” a comedy-drama, after graduating from Juilliard School. She portrayed Geneva Spofford, a freshmen college student, in the film.

After featuring in “Reuben, Reuben,” McGillis made her television debut with “Sweet Revenge.” The same year, she also appeared in an episode of “One Life to Live,” a soap opera.

In just two years, Kelly got her breakout in Hollywood with “Witness,” a neo-noir dramatic crime thriller that helped advance her career. In this film, McGillis played the role of Rachel Lapp, an Amish mother. For her impeccable performance in “Witness,” she received Golden Globe and BAFTA award nominations.

Following “Witness,” Kelly bagged an iconic role in “Top Gun” in 1986. It raised her prominence and catapulted her to megastardom. She portrayed the character of Charlotte Blackwood, a flight instructor, in the movie. She was also the love interest of Maverick, played by Tom Cruise.

Subsequently, Kelly starred in “Made in Heaven (1987),” “Unsettled Land (1987),” “The House on Carroll Street (1988),” “The Accused (1988),” and “Cat Chaser (1989).”

The Accused, a legal drama, has significance in Kelly’s life. She was raped in her New York apartment in 1982 before entering Hollywood. McGillis chose to play prosecutor Kathryn Murphy in the film. As per the plot, Murphy fights for justice after Jodie Foster’s character is raped in the movie.

After dominating Hollywood in the 1980s, Kelly cut back on the number of movies she made annually. But she made a comeback in 1992’s biographical sports drama “The Babe” following a three-year absence.

It is based on the life of Babe Ruth, a baseball icon. In the film, McGillis portrayed Claire Merritt Ruth, Babe Ruth’s second wife. Other films in which Kelly appeared in the 1990s are North (1994) and At First Sight (1999).

Compared to her 1980s box office successes, Kelly struggled to achieve success in the 2000s. None of the four movies McGillis featured in found success at either the box office or in the critics’ polls.

Apart from films and TV roles, Kelly frequently performed as an on-stage actress between the 1980s and 2000 in plays, including “Don Juan (1982),” “The Merchant of Venice (1988),” “A Midsummer Night’s Dream (1999),” “The Duchess of Malfi (2002),” “The Graduate (2004),” “The Little Foxes (2009)” and many more.

McGillis didn’t resurface in the film industry until 2007, when she played a part in the lesbian TV drama “The L Word.” In 2010, Kelly got a role in the horror genre and appeared in Stake Land, a vampire horror film. She featured in two more horror flicks, “The Innkeepers” in 2011 and “We Are What We Are” in 2013.

McGillis’ last work was a biographical film on “Annie Cook,” which was launched at the Cannes Film Festival in 2017.

Kelly McGillis’ Height and Weight

Kelly McGillis stands tall at 5 feet 10 inches or 178 cm (1.78 m) and weighs around 74 kg or 163 pounds. Despite having a unique stature and plumpy figure, McGillis went on to bag the role of Charlotte Blackwood in the movie “Top Gun” opposite Tom Cruise.

With growing age, Kelly has become plus-sized in contrast to her glam look in the 80s. And still, she doesn’t follow any diet plan and loves the fact that she is aging naturally, appearing age-appropriate at 65.

Kelly McGillis’ Dating History

Kelly has been married twice and in one civil union. While studying at Juilliard School in New York City, she started dating a fellow student, Boyd Black. The pair got hitched in 1979, only to get divorced in 1981.

Eight years later, the “Top Gun” actress reaffirmed her belief in marriage and tied the knot with a wealthy yacht salesman, Fred Tillman, in 1989. Fred and Kelly share two daughters- Sonora Tillman (29) and Kelsey Tillman (31). However, after thirteen years of marriage, the couple divorced in 2002.

In a wild turn of events, McGillis revealed her sexual orientation as a lesbian in 2009. Then, in 2010, she entered into a civil partnership with Melanie Leis, a sales executive at her restaurant. Nevertheless, they got separated the following year.

Currently, Kelly is single.

• Full Born Name: Kelly Ann McGillis
• Nick Name: Kelly
• Occupation: Actress
• Religion: Christian 
• Date of Birth: July 9, 1957
• Birthplace: California, United States
• Zodiac Sign: Cancer
• Father Name: Donald Manson McGillis
• Mother Name: Virginia Joan
• Siblings’ Names: Kathleen McGillis, Karen McGillis
• Spouse: Boyd Black (1979-1981), Fred Tillman (1989-2002)
• Children: Sonora Tillman, Kelsey Tillman

Kelly McGillis’ Body Measurements

Due to the natural aging process, Kelly McGillis has developed a fuller figure compared to her seductive looks in the 80s. Her current body measurements are 37-27-38 inches or 95-71-98 cm.

Kelly makes sure to take care of her physique even at this age. She maintains a healthy lifestyle and has cut off sugar and junk food from her diet. Besides, she exercises routinely and also works out with a personal trainer.

Kelly McGillis’ Ample Bosom

Kelly McGillis’ breast size is 37 inches, and her bra size is 34C with a cup size of C. Once a ruler of the silver screen, Kelly now sports a fuller figure and still looks incredible for her age. Her naturally aging body communicates confidence.

Did Kelly McGillis Have Any Plastic Surgeries?

Kelly revealed getting a breast implant to boost self-confidence but got them removed through breast implant removal surgery. The “Top Gun” actress also chose Botox to get rid of creases on her skin.

Now, Kelly shuns the practice of cosmetic surgery and is comfortable in her skin.

Kelly McGillis’ Net Worth

The estimated net worth of Kelly McGillis as of 2022 is $4 million. She has earned the majority of her income from acting in several prominent Hollywood movies, TV roles, and as a stage actress. 

Kelly McGillis’ Favorite Things

• Favorite Place: New York
• Favorite Music Genre: Rock
• Favorite Movie: Day Of The Locust

Kelly McGillis’ Most Notable Awards And Nominations

• Golden Globe Awards: Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role for Witness, 1986 (Nominated)
• BAFTA: Best Actress for Witness, 1986 (Nominated)
• Bravo Otto: Best Actress for Schauspielerin, 1986; 1987
• Venice Film Festival’s Golden Ciak: Best Actress for Made in Heaven, 1987

Fun Facts About Kelly McGillis

In June 2016, Kelly McGillis was the victim of a home intrusion after a woman broke into her home in North Carolina.

Kelly McGillis battled substance abuse before becoming sober.

Kelly McGillis left Hollywood to raise her daughters, Sonora Tillman and Kelsey Tillman.

Kelly has served as a counselor at Seabrook House Drug Alcohol Rehab Center.

Kelly has taught acting at the North Carolina-based New York Studio for Stage and Screen NYS3.

Taking the audience’s breath away in the 1980s, Kelly is one of the dominant actresses of her time. She is that cinematic crush who has grown into eternal love. Another well-known personality whose work speaks for itself is Sasha Alexander. She received a People’s Choice Award in 2016 for her contribution to Rizzoli & Isles.