Key Highlights
- Katherine Hepburn was a major influence on Glenn Close’s career.
- Hepburn deemed Close her least favorite actress in “Kate Remembered.”
- Close starred in the Broadway production of “The Real Thing” with Jeremy Irons.
- Hepburn criticized Close for wearing bare feet during the performance, calling them “big, fat, ugly.”
The Unlikely Partnership: Katherine Hepburn and Glenn Close
Glenn Close’s journey to stardom was heavily influenced by a legendary figure in Hollywood, Katherine Hepburn. In an interview with Deadline, Close recounted the pivotal moment she realized her career potential. It was 1973 when, as a young theatre artist, she stumbled upon a Hepburn performance on The Dick Cavett Show.
Close described it as a transformative experience: “She was so phenomenal, so herself.” This recollection led to Close seeking auditions and eventually landing her first big job. The path that Hepburn laid for Close would lead them to intersect at the 1990 Kennedy Center honors, where Close finally met Katherine Hepburn.
A Cruel Criticism: “She’s Got These Big, Fat, Ugly Feet”
Despite the mutual respect and admiration that developed between the two actresses over time, a bitter truth emerged after Hepburn’s passing. In her memoir, Kate Remembered, author A Scott Berg revealed a harsh criticism from Hepburn: “She’s got these big, fat, ugly feet.” This comment came in response to Close performing barefoot on stage during the Broadway production of The Real Thing. The play starred both Close and Jeremy Irons.
For Close, this revelation was met with grace.
She admitted, “I had to laugh when I read that,” acknowledging the absurdity of the comment in light of Hepburn’s own style. In an interview with Fox News, Close elaborated on the incident: “I know she came to see us three times when I was on Broadway in The Real Thing. That’s where the feet thing came from. I was barefoot in it.” This moment encapsulates the complex and often contradictory nature of their relationship.
A Legacy of Influence and Respect
While the criticism may seem personal, it underscores the profound impact Hepburn had on Close’s career trajectory. The letter she wrote to Close, quoted by Berg, speaks volumes about the respect and camaraderie between them: “Aren’t we lucky to be in this terrible profession, this terrifying profession, and, let’s face it, this delicious way to spend your life?” This statement captures both the challenges and joys of their shared career.
Close’s ability to rise above such criticisms is a testament to her resilience and professionalism. Her journey from a young theatre artist to one of Hollywood’s most respected actresses is a narrative of growth and perseverance, influenced by the giants of yesteryear like Katherine Hepburn.
The story of Katherine Hepburn and Glenn Close is not just about two legendary actresses but about how mentorship and mutual respect can shape careers in the most unexpected ways. As Hepburn once wrote, it’s a “delicious way to spend your life,” even if it involves some big, fat, ugly feet.