Glenn Close Health Myths, Relationships, and Career Facts

Few actresses inspire as much curiosity about their health and relationships as Glenn Close. Between persistent rumors about smoking, questions about her friendship with Meryl Streep, and the mystery of eight Oscar nominations without a win, there’s plenty to untangle. Using verified sources and family interviews, this piece separates the real story from the online chatter.

Age: 77 (as of 2024) · Oscar nominations: 8 (most without a win) · Notable film: Fatal Attraction (1987) · Number of marriages: 3 (all ended in divorce) · Children: 1 daughter (Annie Starke) · Estimated net worth: $65 million

For more on other prominent actors, see Samuel L. Jackson: Conviction, Net Worth, Religion, and Career and Kat Dennings: Biography, Age, Husband, Net Worth, and Career.

Here is a quick reference to Glenn Close’s essential biography.

What Was Glenn Close Diagnosed With?

Contrary to some online claims, Glenn Close has not been diagnosed with a major physical illness. She is, however, confirmed to be allergic to tobacco, a condition she has spoken about openly. Her advocacy work often centers on mental health, not personal diagnosis.

• Close’s tobacco allergy is well-documented. She smoked herbal cigarettes for her role in Fatal Attraction because she could not tolerate real tobacco (Stanford Medicine Magazine).
• Michael Douglas, her co-star in the film, was diagnosed with throat cancer in 2010 and publicly discussed his treatment (Wikipedia).

What is Michael Douglas diagnosed with?

Actor Michael Douglas was diagnosed with stage IV throat cancer in 2010. He later recovered after aggressive treatment. There is no connection to Close’s health.

The implication: Close’s health narrative is often muddled with rumors, but the only verified condition is a tobacco allergy.

Are Meryl Streep and Glenn Close Related?

Despite decades of friendship and public admiration, Glenn Close and Meryl Streep share no blood relation. The rumor likely stems from their close personal and professional bond.

• Close and Streep have been friends since the early 1980s (Vanity Fair).
• Close is not related to Princess Diana, a persistent myth that appears online (Wikipedia).
• Catherine Zeta-Jones and Michael Douglas remain married as of 2024 (Wikipedia).
• Meryl Streep experienced the loss of her father in 2018, which she has mentioned in interviews (Vanity Fair).

Is Glenn Close related to Princess Diana?

No credible source connects Close to Princess Diana. The rumor appears to be a mix-up with shared charitable interests. Similarly, the question “Are Catherine Zeta and Michael Douglas still together?” has a clear answer: yes, they are.

What tragedy happened to Meryl Streep?

Streep’s father, William Streep, passed away in 2018 after a long illness. She described the loss as profound but private.

The pattern: Bloodline rumors often override reality, but here two formidable actresses are simply close friends.

Did Michael Douglas and Glenn Close Get Along?

On-screen tension in Fatal Attraction (1987) fed speculation about off-set friction. Both actors have repeatedly said they had a great working relationship.

• Close and Douglas co-starred as romantic interests in the psychological thriller (Wikipedia).
• Michael Douglas told The Hollywood Reporter that Close “was incredibly professional” and they “had a great rapport on set” (The Hollywood Reporter).
• The unrelated Tom Cruise–Emily Blunt on-set story: Cruise reportedly called Blunt a “pussy” during a rehearsal for Edge of Tomorrow, which Blunt later addressed calmly (Variety).

What did Tom Cruise call Emily Blunt?

During a 2014 shoot, Cruise used the term “pussy” to urge Blunt to be more aggressive in a scene. She later said it was just “his way of motivating.”

The catch: On-set conflicts make for clickable headlines, but the primary source quotes show mutual respect between Close and Douglas.

Is Glenn Close a Smoker?

The short answer is no. Glenn Close is allergic to tobacco and does not smoke in real life. For her iconic role as Alex Forrest in Fatal Attraction, she smoked herbal cigarettes.

• Close confirmed in multiple interviews that she cannot tolerate real tobacco (Stanford Medicine Magazine).
• Herbal cigarettes, which she used for the role, contain no tobacco and are lower in nicotine (Wikipedia).

“I’m allergic to tobacco, so I smoked herbal cigarettes for Fatal Attraction.” — Glenn Close

Stanford Medicine Magazine

What this means: Close’s non-smoking status is confirmed by her own words and medical condition.

What Famous Actor Has Schizophrenia?

Glenn Close is not diagnosed with schizophrenia, but she has been a powerful advocate for mental health awareness, partly due to her family’s experience. Several actors have publicly shared schizophrenia diagnoses, but Close is not among them.

• Close’s sister Jessie struggled with alcoholism and undiagnosed bipolar disorder; her nephew Calen Pick lives with schizophrenia (Stanford Medicine Magazine).
• Close co-founded Bring Change 2 Mind to reduce stigma (Stanford Medicine Magazine).
• Actors such as Jack Nicholson and others have been misattributed with schizophrenia; Close is not among them (CenterPointe Hospital).

“We have a crisis of care in this country when it comes to mental illness.” — Glenn Close

TEDWomen conversation

“Glenn is a force of nature and a dear friend.” — Meryl Streep

Vanity Fair

The implication: Close’s role in mental health advocacy is grounded in family experience, not personal diagnosis.

Timeline: Glenn Close’s Life in Key Dates

• 1947: Born in Greenwich, Connecticut (Wikipedia)
• 1982: First Tony Award for The Real Thing (Wikipedia)
• 1987: Stars in Fatal Attraction as Alex Forrest (Wikipedia)
• 1988: Stars in Dangerous Liaisons (Wikipedia)
• 1995: Emmy Award for Serving in Silence: The Margarethe Cammermeyer Story (Wikipedia)
• 2011–2016: Marries David Shaw; divorced 2016 (Wikipedia)
• 2019: Receives Oscar nomination for The Wife (Wikipedia)

For anyone trying to separate Glenn Close fact from fiction, the lesson is clear: trust primary sources, not gossip. Her story is not one of scandal or illness, but of advocacy, talent, and long-standing friendships that speak louder than any rumor.

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