Kelly Mcgillis Net Worth
$4 Million
Kelly McGillis rose to prominence in the 1980s, captivating audiences with her performances in major films. Known for her role as Charlie in Top Gun alongside Tom Cruise, she also delivered unforgettable performances in The Accused and Witness, proving her versatility and depth as an actress. These roles established her as a celebrated figure in Hollywood and endeared her to audiences worldwide.
Kelly Mcgillis Net Worth

Kelly McGillis has amassed an estimated net worth of $4 million through her successful acting career. Known for her standout performance in Witness, she received both Golden Globe and BAFTA nominations for her role in the film. In addition to Witness, McGillis has appeared in other popular titles such as Made in Heaven, Private Sessions, and The Monkey’s Mask. Throughout her career, she has worked alongside renowned actors like Harrison Ford, Tom Cruise, and Val Kilmer. Represented by David Williams Management, McGillis’s legacy continues to be recognized as one of the most successful actresses in Hollywood.
Who Is Kelly Mcgillis?

Kelly McGillis is an American actress who gained widespread recognition in the 1980s for her roles in major films that showcased her talent and range. She is best known for playing Charlie, the flight instructor and love interest of Tom Cruise’s character in Top Gun. Her performances in The Accused and Witness further highlighted her acting abilities, with each role showcasing her depth and versatility. These performances helped establish McGillis as a prominent and beloved figure in Hollywood, endearing her to audiences around the globe.
Wiki/Bio
Attribute | Details |
Full Name | Kelly Ann McGillis |
Famous As | Kelly McGillis |
Gender | Female |
Date of Birth | 9 July 1957 |
Age | 67 years old (as of 2024) |
Zodiac Sign | Cancer |
Place of Birth | Newport Beach, California, United States |
Current Residence | Hendersonville, North Carolina, United States |
Nationality | American |
Ethnicity | White |
Religion | Christianity |
Sexuality | Queer |
Height | 5’10” (178 cm) |
Weight | 139 lbs (63 kg) |
Body Measurements | 37-27-38 inches (93-68-96 cm) |
Hair Color | Blonde |
Eye Color | Blue |
Father | Donald Manson McGillis |
Mother | Virginia Joan McGillis |
Siblings | Karen, Kathleen McGillis |
Marital Status | Divorced |
Ex-Husbands | Boyd Black, Fred Tillman |
Children | Sonora Tillman, Kelsey Tillman |
Education | The Juilliard School, Allan Hancock College, Pacific Conservatory of the Performing Arts, Newport Harbor High School |
Profession | Actress |
Net Worth | $4 million |
Kelly McGillis’s Age
Kelly McGillis was born on July 9, 1957, which makes her 67 years old as of 2024.
Height And Weight
Kelly McGillis stands at a height of 5’10” (178 cm) and weighs approximately 139 pounds (63 kg).
Early Life And Education

Kelly McGillis was born on July 9, 1957, in Los Angeles, California, as the oldest of three daughters to Donald, a doctor, and Virginia, a homemaker. She has a diverse heritage that includes Scots-Irish, German, and Welsh roots. McGillis attended Newport Harbor High School in Newport Beach during her teenage years. Following high school, she pursued higher education at Allan Hancock College’s Pacific Conservatory of the Performing Arts in Santa Maria. Later, she moved to New York City to study acting at Juilliard, where she earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) degree in 1983.
Kelly McGillis’s Parents
Kelly McGillis was born to Donald and Virginia McGillis in Los Angeles. Donald was a successful doctor, while Virginia was a homemaker dedicated to raising their three daughters. As the eldest, Kelly often took on a leadership role among her sisters, influencing her strong personality and work ethic. Growing up in this supportive environment instilled in her the values of education and creativity, which guided her acting career. Her diverse heritage, including Scots-Irish, German, and Welsh roots, also shaped her identity in the entertainment industry.
Kelly McGillis’s Siblings
Kelly McGillis has two younger sisters, Karen and Kathleen McGillis. Growing up as the eldest of three daughters, Kelly likely took on a protective and guiding role, helping to shape her sisters’ experiences. Although less is publicly known about Karen and Kathleen, they have generally maintained a lower profile compared to their famous sister. The close-knit family dynamic contributed to Kelly’s development and provided a strong support system throughout her life and career. This familial bond may have influenced her values and work ethic, both of which are evident in her professional endeavors in acting.
Personal Life
McGillis’s first marriage was to fellow Juilliard student Boyd Black in 1979, but they divorced in 1981. In the mid-1980s, she dated actors Warren Beatty and Jodie Foster. She married Fred Tillman in 1989, and together they had two daughters before divorcing in 2002. A notable incident in her life occurred in April 1996, when her 110-foot schooner, the Centurion, was destroyed by fire at a Florida marina.
In 2009, McGillis publicly came out as a lesbian during an interview. She entered into a civil union with Melanie Leis, a sales executive, in 2010, after meeting her in 2000 at a bar in Key West, Florida. McGillis has worked with drug addicts and alcoholics at a rehabilitation center in New Jersey while living with Leis in Collingswood.
As of now, she resides in Hendersonville, North Carolina, where she has been teaching acting at the New York Studio for Stage and Screen (NYS3) in Asheville since 2013.
2016 Home Invasion Incident
In June 2016, McGillis was assaulted by a woman who broke into her home, resulting in scratches and bruises. This incident, along with past experiences, led her to apply for a concealed carry permit for self-defense. Following the attack, the assailant, Laurence Marie Dorn, was charged with several offenses and later convicted of misdemeanor breaking and entering, receiving a probation sentence.
Kelly McGillis’s Career Overview

Film
Kelly McGillis made her film debut in 1983 with Reuben, Reuben, but her breakout role as an Amish mother in Witness (1985) earned her Golden Globe and BAFTA nominations. She starred as flight instructor Charlotte “Charlie” Blackwood in Top Gun (1986) alongside Tom Cruise and appeared in the romantic film Made in Heaven (1987). In The House on Carroll Street (1988), she played a caretaker who uncovers a conspiracy involving Nazi war criminals. After starring in The Accused (1988), McGillis featured in Cat Chaser, a film that made her reconsider her acting career. Throughout the 1990s, she took on various roles, including Babe Ruth’s wife in The Babe (1992), and co-starred with Val Kilmer in At First Sight (1999). In 2000, she played a suspect in The Monkey’s Mask, an Australian cult film.
Television
McGillis’s early foray into television began with a role on the soap opera One Life to Live in 1984, followed by starring alongside Alec Baldwin in the 1984 television movie Sweet Revenge. She also featured in the 1985 film Private Sessions and served as the narrator for PBS’s Out of Ireland in 1995.
Stage
During her time at Juilliard, McGillis performed in Love for Love, directed by John Bletchley. In the 1980s, she took part in several off-Broadway and Broadway productions in New York City. She became a prominent actress at the Shakespeare Theatre Company in Washington, D.C., appearing in The Duchess of Malfi in 2002. McGillis toured the U.S. as Mrs. Robinson in The Graduate in 2004 and starred in a Pasadena Playhouse production of The Little Foxes in 2009. Her stage credits also include roles in Don Juan (1982), The Sea Gull (1985), Hedda Gabler (1994), A Midsummer Night’s Dream (1999), and Frankie and Johnny in the Clair de Lune (2010).
Return To Film And TV
After a hiatus, McGillis returned to television in 2006 and joined the cast of Showtime’s The L Word for its fifth season in 2007. She appeared in the 2010 vampire film Stake Land and was featured in the breast cancer docudrama 1 a Minute. Other projects included The Innkeepers (2011), We Are What We Are (2013), and the Hallmark Channel film An Uncommon Grace (2017).
Transformation And Legacy
Today, Kelly McGillis’s legacy endures through her impactful performances and her ability to step back and redefine her life outside of Hollywood’s limelight. Her journey serves as a reminder of the pressures of fame and the importance of personal choice. Fans continue to celebrate her past work and are interested in how she has grown and transformed over the years, both as an actress and a private individual.
Facts About Kelly McGillis
Early Start
Kelly McGillis was born on July 9, 1957, in Newport Beach, California, and showed an early interest in acting. She attended Juilliard, where she honed her craft and earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in 1983.
Breakout Role
Her breakout role came in 1985 when she portrayed an Amish woman in Witness, opposite Harrison Ford. This role earned her critical acclaim and nominations for both a Golden Globe and a BAFTA award.
Iconic Character
McGillis is perhaps best known for her role as Charlotte “Charlie” Blackwood, a flight instructor in the iconic 1986 film Top Gun, alongside Tom Cruise. The film became a cultural phenomenon and solidified her status in Hollywood.
Stage Presence
In addition to her film career, McGillis has a strong background in theater. She performed in several Broadway and off-Broadway productions and has been a prominent actress at the Shakespeare Theatre Company in Washington, D.C.
Personal Transformation
After reaching the peak of her fame, McGillis chose to step away from the Hollywood spotlight in 2014, focusing on personal growth and a quieter lifestyle. Her journey reflects the pressures of fame and the importance of personal choice.
Diverse Heritage
McGillis has a diverse ethnic background, with Scots-Irish, German, and Welsh roots, which she credits for shaping her identity and perspectives throughout her career.
Coming Out
In 2009, McGillis publicly came out as a member of the LGBTQIA+ community, and in 2010, she entered a civil partnership with Melanie Leis. This openness about her identity has contributed to her legacy as an advocate for LGBTQIA+ representation.
Kelly McGillis Net Worth
As of 2023, Kelly McGillis’s estimated net worth is around $4 million, accumulated through her successful acting career and various film and television projects.
Family Life
McGillis has two daughters from her second marriage to Fred Tillman, and she has maintained a close-knit relationship with her family throughout her life.
Teaching
Since 2013, McGillis has been teaching acting at the New York Studio for Stage and Screen (NYS3) in Asheville, North Carolina, passing on her knowledge and experience to the next generation of actors.
Home Invasion Incident
In 2016, McGillis experienced a traumatic home invasion, leading her to apply for a concealed carry permit for self-defense. The incident highlighted her resilience and determination to protect herself.
FAQs About Kelly McGillis
Q: What are some of Kelly McGillis’s most famous roles?
A: Kelly McGillis is best known for her roles in films such as Top Gun (1986), where she played flight instructor Charlie Blackwood, and Witness (1985), for which she received Golden Globe and BAFTA nominations. She also starred in The Accused (1988) and The Babe (1992).
Q: What is Kelly McGillis’s net worth?
A: As of 2023, Kelly McGillis has an estimated net worth of $4 million, primarily accumulated from her successful acting career.
Q: Why did Kelly McGillis step away from Hollywood?
A: In 2014, Kelly McGillis chose to step away from the Hollywood spotlight to focus on personal growth and lead a quieter lifestyle, seeking to redefine her identity outside of fame.
Q: What is Kelly McGillis’s background and education?
A: Born on July 9, 1957, in Newport Beach, California, Kelly McGillis studied at Newport Harbor High School and later pursued acting at the Pacific Conservatory of the Performing Arts. She graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the Juilliard School in 1983.
Q: What is known about Kelly McGillis’s personal life?
A: Kelly McGillis has been married twice, first to Boyd Black and then to Fred Tillman, with whom she has two daughters. She publicly came out as a lesbian in 2009 and was in a civil partnership with Melanie Leis from 2010 to 2011.
Q: What is Kelly McGillis doing now?
A: As of now, Kelly McGillis resides in Hendersonville, North Carolina, where she has been teaching acting at the New York Studio for Stage and Screen (NYS3) since 2013.
Conclusion
Kelly McGillis’s journey from a rising star in the 1980s to her decision to step away from the spotlight illustrates the complexities of fame and personal choice. With an impressive body of work that includes iconic films and stage performances, she has left a lasting legacy in Hollywood. Her openness about her identity and her focus on personal growth resonate with many, highlighting the importance of authenticity. As she continues to share her passion for acting through teaching, Kelly McGillis remains an influential figure, inspiring future generations of artists while embracing a life beyond the glitz of Hollywood.
Stay in touch for more updates and alerts visit: Contact Help!