In the fall of 2000, Turner broke box-office records starring in the stage version of the classic film The Graduate in London's West End, playing the role of Mrs. Robinson. In 2002 she took The Graduate to Broadway. In 1998, she made her British stage debut at the Chichester Festival Theater, which was founded by Sir Laurence Olivier. Recently, Kathleen worked with Michael Lessac who directed Turner as Tallulah Bankhead in Sandra Ryan Heyward's one-woman show Tallulah -- which she toured in across the U.S. Turner starred on Broadway in Jean Cocteau's Indiscretions. Other stage works include her portrayal of Maggie the Cat, in the 1989 Broadway revival of Tennessee Williams Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, the Broadway's production of Gemini, and Camille at the Long Wharf Theater in New Haven. Turner also starred in Travesties, The Seagull, Toyer and A Midsumer's Night Dream at the Arena Stage in Washington D.C.
In film, Turner was nominated for a Golden Globe for her performance in Body Heat. She won the Golden Globe Award for her performances in Romancing the Stone and Prizzi's Honor. Her work in Peggy Sue Got Married brought her both an Academy Award nomination and a Golden Globe nomination and she earned yet another Golden Globe nomination for War of the Roses.
In 2008, Turner wrote of her many accomplishments and life experiences in her autobiography titled Send Yourself Roses: Thoughts on my Life, Love, and Leading Roles. The book, co-authored by Gloria Feldt, secured a position on the New York Times Best-Seller List. Turner's extensive film credits include the critically acclaimed The Virgin Suicides directed by Sofia Coppola, The Man with Two Brains with Steve Martin; Jewel of the Nile with Michael Douglas; Crimes of Passion; The Accidental Tourist; V.I. Warshawski; John Water's Serial Mom; Naked in New York and Moonlight and Valentino.
And it is impossible to forget Turner's standout performance as the sultry voice of Jessica Rabbit in Who framed Roger Rabbit? In addition to her film and stage work Kathleen is an ambassador for Planned Parenthood and also sits on the boards for City Meals on Wheels, People for the American Way, Childhelp and the Ms. Foundation. She speaks across the country on behalf of these various causes.
She is a Missouri native, but was raised in Canada, Cuba and England where her father was a diplomat.
Photo Credit: Walter McBride
