Glenn Close on a turbulent upbringing, political activism, and a wide-ranging career

Glenn Close discusses a multifaceted life shaped by a turbulent childhood, a decades-long acting career, and a current base outside Bozeman, Montana. In a long interview, she reflects on growing up in Greenwich, Connecticut, where stone walls and natural surroundings formed her sense of self. Her family’s experience with Moral Re-Armament, a right-wing religious group, is acknowledged as a formative influence she describes as psychologically abusive and misogynistic, though she emphasizes that the early years before age seven were happier and more free. The piece traces Close’s ascent from struggling actress in New York to a towering figure in film and television, highlighting roles such as Fatal Attraction’s Alex Forrest, The Wife, and her ongoing work in Knives Out: Wake Up Dead Man. Close discusses her non-glamorous tendencies, such as preferring makeup-light appearances and valuing authenticity over public display. She shares anecdotes about auditions, career persistence, and the importance of collaboration in creating characters, including the use of wigs, makeup, and wardrobe. Personal life is touched upon, including her marriages, daughter Annie, and the support of a close-knit Montana family that offers community away from Hollywood’s spotlight. The interview also contemplates political views and reactions to Trump-era politics, as well as reflections on leadership and eloquence in public life. Overall, Close presents a portrait of resilience, practicality, and an ongoing conversation about belonging, artistry, and identity.