This Woman Was an Icon in the 80s, but Illness Changed Everything & She Later Disappeared from the Spotlight – Her Photos at 70

Now, recent photos of her have divided social media users; some were shocked by her appearance, claiming she was hard to recognize. These images reveal her extraordinary transformation and life journey, marked by a painful diagnosis and a stint in rehab.

From Screen Queen to Personal Struggles

This enchanting star burst onto the Hollywood scene in the early 1980s, captivating audiences with her unique voice and undeniable screen presence. Born in the Midwest, she began her career with a debut most actors only dream of.

With a performance that was both intense and commanding, she established herself as a leading lady in 1981’s “Body Heat,” where she portrayed the relentless Matty Walker. This breakout role catapulted her to stardom, turning her into a sex icon almost overnight.

She quickly became a prominent figure, starring alongside major names in films that defined the decade. One of her most famous collaborations was with Michael Douglas in the adventure films “The Jewel of the Nile” and “Romancing the Stone.”

Their on-screen chemistry was so convincing that it sparked rumors of a real-life romance. “I think we might have been falling in love,” the ’80s icon said. Yet, while they felt undeniable attraction, other circumstances kept them from pursuing a relationship.

Soon afterward, she took a bold step in her life by marrying a real estate developer named Jay Weiss, and together they had a daughter. By the mid-1980s, she was at the peak of her career and “having a ball.”

She starred in a range of films, from romantic comedies to darker roles, before her personal life became increasingly complex. In the early 1990s, her life took a challenging turn when she was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis.

The autoimmune disease severely affected her joints, making daily tasks excruciating. While filming “Serial Mom” in 1993, she realized her feet had swollen so much that none of her shoes fit.

“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,” she revealed. Continuing she added, “It will not kill me, but it kills your life.” The physical toll was even clear to the public, forcing her to step back from the demands of Hollywood.

Unable to perform as before, she accepted smaller, less demanding roles, though her love for acting remained strong. Medications to manage her condition caused visible changes in her appearance, and certain media outlets began to criticize her weight gain harshly.

As her condition worsened, she turned to alcohol to cope with the pain. For years, she struggled with this privately, even as she maintained her professionalism on set.

Eventually, she recognized the impact her drinking had on her personal life, especially on time with her daughter. “So I stopped drinking for a couple of years,” she said.

In 2002, she made the courageous choice to enter rehab. The rehabilitation period allowed her to confront her dependency and begin healing.

A New Chapter in Life and Social Media Reactions

After overcoming significant challenges, she found a new calling: showing her love for acting by sharing with younger generations. Though no longer a silver screen star, she began teaching acting at various universities across the US.

Living away from Hollywood’s chaos, she now enjoys a more peaceful life, indulging in her love of books and hosting intimate poker nights with close friends. Even in this quieter phase, she retains her spirited personality, sipping bourbon and embracing life on her own terms.

She also devotes much time to her daughter, who chose a different artistic path. Rachel Ann Weiss, her daughter, once shared, “She’s been very vocally supportive of what I do. She comes to every show she can whenever she’s in town. She’s been great.”

Though largely out of the spotlight, she remains beloved in Hollywood circles. Her legacy as a symbol of confidence and beauty endures, with many still viewing her as a sex icon.

“It doesn’t frustrate me that nearly four decades after that film I’m still referred to as a sexual icon. I got over that a long time ago,” she once remarked.

Over time, changes became inevitable. When recent photos of her surfaced on social media, fans reacted with mixed emotions. Some admired her for embracing natural aging, applauding her confidence and comfort in her skin.

“Absolutely love her and also love her decision to age naturally. She had all the money in the world to do it all and refused. She’s awesome. I hope she feels better soon; pain in the body is tough,” one person wrote.

Another shared, “Kate still has a beauty about her; to [me] she has aged well. People forget that she has rheumatoid arthritis. Which is very painful.”

A third social media user added, “Oh, bless her. We are all getting older, and some of us don’t wear as well as others. We are all different.” A fourth wrote, “Growing old gracefully. I think she is still beautiful.”

But, others expressed surprise, stating they didn’t recognize her. “It doesn’t look like her!!” one person exclaimed on X, formerly known as Twitter. Another remarked, “[I] hardly recognize her from her ‘Friends’ days.”

This enigmatic actress, whose captivating beauty once graced some of the ’80s’ most iconic films, is none other than Kathleen Turner. Her transformation over the years has been dramatic, yet her enduring strength and timeless talent remain unmistakable.