Kathleen’s rise to stardom began with the 1981 thriller “Body Heat,” a role that instantly established her as one of Hollywood’s most sought-after stars. Before this breakthrough, her time on the soap opera “The Doctors” unexpectedly cast her as a sex symbol, setting the stage for her film debut.

Kathleen Turner’s Hollywood Glory and Struggles

Kathleen’s career flourished until an unexpected diagnosis changed everything. While working on the black comedy “Serial Mom” she noticed her feet were so swollen they wouldn’t fit into her shoes, a symptom later identified as rheumatoid arthritis, an autoimmune disease that severely affected her mobility.

Reflecting on the condition’s toll, the celebrity said, “The pain is very bad because there’s no way to sit, lie or stand that allows you to escape it. People don’t understand because it’s not life-threatening. It will not kill me, but it kills your life.”

Kathleen’s illness brought challenges, with medications causing weight gain that fueled criticism and rumors of a drinking problem.

To manage the pain, she turned to alcohol, admitting, “I thought: ‘I’m not taking pain pills – they are addictive and dangerous.’ But it was OK to have that second or third vodka.”

With her rheumatoid arthritis under control and much of her mobility regained, Kathleen still experiences occasional flare-ups. Despite her health struggles, the Academy Award nominee embarked on building a family and continues to relish the joy of motherhood.

Kathleen married Jay Weiss, a property developer, in 1984 and became pregnant in November 1985. Tragically, she suffered a miscarriage in January 1986 while on a flight to Italy, where she was set to begin filming “Julia and Julia” (1987).

Following the heartbreak of her miscarriage, Kathleen received joyful news a year later—she was expecting her first child. In October 1987, she and Jay welcomed their daughter, Rachel Ann Weiss, their only child together.

Rachel Ann Weiss: Following Her Mother’s Creative Path

Rachel has followed in Kathleen’s creative footsteps, carving out a career as a musician. In 2013, while promoting a new album and a series of performances, the actress reflected on her journey, admitting, “It’s a pretty, you know, intimidating field to go into when this is your mother.”

Kathleen has often expressed her admiration for Rachel’s talent and drive. In a joint interview, she described her daughter as “extraordinary” and reflected on how Rachel grew up backstage, gaining a deep understanding of the hard work behind the entertainment industry.

While Rachel has considered acting, she prefers expressing her personality in daily life, describing herself as having a “pretty loud and ostentatious personality.” Kathleen, who has encouraged her to explore acting, remarked “The only problem is, you have to be really good.”

Kathleen has always emphasized the importance of resilience and authenticity in her guidance to Rachel, advising her to “be brave” and to “speak up,” in a 2018 interview.

Now 37 years old, Rachel’s reflections on her mother’s unwavering guidance highlight the deep connection they share, one built on mutual respect and inspiration.