This 80s Star Left Hollywood to Raise Her 2 Kids & Was Later Diagnosed with AAT – Inside Her Life

After captivating audiences with her beauty and talent in “Top Gun,” this ’80s Hollywood actress decided to step away from the limelight. In addition to raising 2 daughters, her journey with sobriety and an AAT diagnosis led her to retreat from the public eye.

However, recent and rare photographs of the actress have brought her right back into the spotlight, as some social media users have been left wondering what happened to the former Hollywood star.

2019 – 2024: Life Away from Hollywood and Facing Public Scrutiny

As the “Top Gun” actress nears her 66th birthday this year, her life has undergone significant changes since her breakout role. By 2019, the former Hollywood star had shifted her priorities.

She chose to live a quieter life in North Carolina, focusing on raising her daughters. The actress shared, “It wasn’t some major decision that I made to leave. I still love acting and theater, but being the best sober parent and maintaining my relationships became the most important things in my life.”

Despite her retreat from the public eye, the actress could not escape online scrutiny regarding her appearance. Social media users had mixed reactions to her physical transformation.

“How sad that she let herself go. She looks much older than 62,” a user commented on a Facebook post about the actress. “I had to double-check […]. What happened?! Meanwhile, Cruise is still refusing to age. Good diet and active life,” another person tweeted.

Many other fans defended the actress, praising her natural beauty and authenticity. One user noted that the “Top Gun” star looked more beautiful than other “older plastic-filled stars,” while another called the actress their hero for embracing her true self.

2014 – 2018: Battling AAT and Returning to the Screen

In 2014, at the age of 57, the former Hollywood star was diagnosed with alpha-1 antitrypsin disorder (AAT). AAT is a condition characterized by the body’s insufficient production of AAT protein, which protects the lungs and liver from damage.

This disorder can lead to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and liver cirrhosis. Despite this health challenge, the “Top Gun” actress remained professionally active. In 2014, she joined forces with Jim Mickle on “We Are What We Are.”

Reflecting on her gradual return to the industry, the former Hollywood star remarked, “It’s slow, but it’s really good. Now, I don’t feel like I have to succumb to that pressure, because I took so much time off that I can come back to acting – without trying to be anything other than who I am.”

When asked about the possibility of returning to the “Top Gun” franchise, she playfully responded, “Yeah, I’d cameo in it maybe!” By 2018, however, the actress began to step back from the spotlight once more.

However, her rare public appearances since then have sparked reactions on social media, with users commenting on her changed appearance. One Twitter user negatively noted in 2019, “Wow, I hope she won’t appear in the Top Gun sequel. She looks like Maverick’s grandma.”

2009 – 2013: Embracing Her True Self and Navigating Relationships

After two heterosexual marriages and welcoming her daughters during her second marriage to Fred Tillman, the “Top Gun” actress made a revelation that surprised many.

In 2009, a reporter asked the actress whether she was interested in dating men or women. “It was like a moment of truth. [A reporter] asked me the question, and I thought, ‘Hmm, do I say the truth, or do I just say, it’s none of your business’ […]?” she shared.

Opting for honesty, the ’80s star admitted her interest in dating women and disclosed that she had been a lesbian for most of her life. The following year, the actress entered a civil union with her partner of ten years, Melanie Leis.

The couple’s decision to marry marked a big step in the actress’s journey to live authentically. The former Hollywood star later reflected on her decision to keep her sexuality private until her children were grown.

She explained that she had raised her daughters in a very conservative place in Pennsylvania, and coming out any sooner would have made life difficult for them and impacted their lives in a very negative way.

The actress’s priority was always her children’s well-being, and she believed that waiting until they were out of the house was the best decision. Unfortunately, the “Top Gun” star and Leis remained together until 2013 when they amicably parted ways.

1986 – 2001: Rise to Fame, Painful Revelations, and the Battle for Sobriety

Kelly McGillis is the iconic actress who shared the silver screen with Tom Cruise in “Top Gun” in 1986. Just two years later, in 1988, she starred alongside Jodie Foster in “The Accused,” which shocked audiences with its graphic depiction of sexual assault.

During this time, McGillis revealed she had been offered the role of the victim, which ultimately went to Foster. Instead, McGillis chose to play the assistant district attorney, citing her personal experiences.

“I have been a victim in real life and had no need to recreate it on screen,” she said. In 1982, McGillis had been sexually attacked, a story she had never fully shared publicly until the release of “The Accused.” Her decision to come forward was driven by a desire to help other victims.

Despite the painful revelation, McGillis continued her acting career. In 1993, she took on the role of Rose Parks in “Bonds of Love,” co-starring with Treat Williams.

However, by 2001, McGillis was living in a halfway house, struggling with sobriety. Reflecting on this time, McGillis admitted, “It was a challenging time.” The actress was newly sober and still trying to learn how to live life differently.

From her breakout role in “Top Gun” to her courageous revelations about her personal life and health challenges, Kelly McGillis has faced each chapter of her life with bravery.

Her decision to prioritize her family and health, away from the spotlight, reflects her commitment to living authentically and has garnered deserved praise from fans.