The seasoned actress, who overcame the heartbreak of a miscarriage, takes great pride in being a mother. Her daughter, following a creative path of her own, once shared the valuable lessons she learned from her renowned mom.
Kathleen Turner, famously known for her iconic role in the adventure-comedy film “Romancing the Stone,” is also a devoted parent. Despite the ups and downs of her Hollywood career, many fans point out the uncanny likeness between her and her only child.
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.
The actress showcased her versatility with roles in “Romancing the Stone,” “Crimes of Passion,” and “Peggy Sue Got Married,” which earned her an Oscar nomination. By the late 1980s, she was at the height of her career, and as she put it, was “having a ball.”
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.
“I couldn’t walk. I couldn’t hold a glass. The only way I could go up and down stairs was on my butt, pushing myself,” she divulged in an interview.
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
Feeling “complete betrayal,” she kept her condition private for a while, saying, “Better to be quiet and let them think whatever the hell they wanted to. But it hurt a lot.” One doctor even told her she might never walk again and would be wheelchair-bound for life.
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.”
In 2002, she entered rehab and later reflected, “I’m not an alcoholic, but I am an abuser [of drink].” After quitting for years, she now occasionally drinks, saying, “I don’t imagine I’ll ever drink like that again. But then I don’t have that amount of pain, either.”
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.
Just three months after Rachel’s birth, Kathleen returned to work to film “The Accidental Tourist” (1988). But after 23 years of marriage, the Hollywood star and Jay divorced in 2007. They remained devoted co-parents to their daughter.
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.”
Despite the pressure, she described Kathleen as “vocally supportive,” attending her shows whenever possible and even providing constructive critiques.
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.
The two-time Golden Globe winner noted, “I think she’s better qualified than most,” praising Rachel’s discipline and commitment to her craft. As a supportive yet honest mentor, Kathleen has offered Rachel pointers for her performances, advising her not to move too much on stage, to smile before exiting, and to keep her stage presence focused and composed.
She proudly shared that Rachel has “extraordinary charisma” and “touches people very strongly,” and that seeing her daughter glance around before a performance fills her with pride.
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.
Rachel, then 31, wasn’t surprised by her mother’s straightforward advice. “She’s always taught me there is no halfway. You must invest yourself fully,” she reflected in the joint interview. Kathleen affirmed, “That is important to me.”
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.
This bond has not only shaped Rachel’s approach to her craft but has also drawn admiration online, where conversations often focus on her striking resemblance to Kathleen and their shared elegance and talent.
“You look just like your mom; you’re both so beautiful,” one user gushed, echoing a sentiment shared by many. Another commented, “Gorgeous and talented like her mom!” while a third admired their enduring appeal, writing, “Good-looking mother, good-looking daughter. Love Kathleen, always and forever.”
Some highlighted their similarities in style, with one remarking, “Gorgeous daughter! Fab leonine mane, like her mom!” Others kept it simple, describing Rachel as, “Absolutely stunning,” or, “You are very beauty, Rachel [sic].”
Kathleen Turner’s legacy extends beyond her remarkable career, as she has inspired her daughter, Rachel, to follow her own creative path with strength and resilience. Together, they exemplify the beauty of talent, determination, and an unbreakable mother-daughter bond.
