Who was Glenne Headly? Everything You Need to Know

Quick Facts

Also Known As: Glenne Aimee Headly

Died At Age: 62

Family:

Spouse/Ex-: Byron McCulloch (m. 1993 – her death. 2017), John Malkovich (m. 1982 – div. 1988)

mother: Joan Ida Sniscak

children: Stirling McCulloch

Actresses American Women

Height: 5'8" (173 cm), 5'8" Females

Died on: June 8, 2017

place of death: Santa Monica, California, United States

: Complications From A Pulmonary Embolism

Notable Alumni: American College Of Switzerland

Cause of Death: Deep Vein Thrombosis

U.S. State: Connecticut

More Facts

education: American College Of Switzerland

Recommended For You

Recommended Lists:

Connecticut Actresses

Pisces Actresses

American Actresses

Women Film & Theater Personalities

Childhood & Early Life

Born on March 13, 1955, in New London, Connecticut, Glenne was raised by her mother, Joan Ida Headly, in San Francisco and her maternal grandmother in Lansford, Pennsylvania. She lived in various other locations until she was 4. Her mother’s divorce led them to move to Greenwich Village in New York, where Glenne studied ballet and modern dance at the ‘Robert Joffrey School of Ballet’ and the ‘Martha Graham Studios,’ respectively. Subsequently, she attended public school PS 41, Greenwich, earning a spot in an academically brilliant class. She majored in drama from the ‘High School of Performing Arts,’ New York.

After completing her bachelor’s degree on a scholarship from the ‘American College of Switzerland,’ Leysin, she moved to New York and waited tables with actor Ellen Barkin. She then moved to Chicago with an ambition to enter the world of theater.

Continue Reading Below

Recommended Lists:

American Film & Theater Personalities

American Female Film & Theater Personalities

Pisces Women

Career

She relocated to Chicago to build a career in the entertainment industry. In the late 1970s, she got the opportunity to be part of the ‘Steppenwolf Theatre Company’ after being praised in ‘Curse of Starving Class.’ While she experimented with theater, she met fellow actor John Malkovich (future husband) and also worked with actors Gary Sinise and Laurie Metcalf. Her stint with theater in Chicago lasted 6 years. She appeared in the plays ‘Goodnight Gracie’, ‘Mother Courage,’ ‘The Miss Firecracker Contest,’ and ‘Coyote Ugly.’

She won four ‘Joseph Jefferson’ awards for her stellar performances. The John Malkovich-directed play ‘Arms & the Man’ (1985) was her ‘Broadway’ debut. Her role in the play was widely praised.

She stepped into Hollywood with the 1981 comedy–drama film ‘Four Friends.’ She then appeared in supporting roles in ‘Nadine’ (1987), ‘Making Mr. Right’ (1987), and ‘Paperhouse’ (1988).

In 1988, ‘Dirty Rotten Scoundrels’ made her a well-known public figure. She starred in the movie with Michael Caine and Steve Martin and played a smart victim named ‘Janet Colgate.’ Her role in the film earned her the ‘Chicago Film Critics Association Award’ for the ‘Most Promising Actress.’

She appeared as ‘Tess Trueheart’ in the comic parody ‘Dick Tracy (1990).’ She then appeared as ‘Joyce Urbanski’ in ‘Mortal Thoughts’ (1991), opposite Bruce Willis; as ‘Francine Pefkoin’ in ‘Breakfast of Champions’ (1991); as ‘Iris Holland’ in ‘Mr. Holland’s Opus’ (1995); as ‘Gloria Sidell’ in ‘What’s the Worst That Could Happen?’ (2001)’; and as ‘Karen,’ Lindsay Lohan’s mother, in the movie ‘Confessions of a Teenage Drama Queen’ (2004).

In 2017, she appeared in ‘The Circle’ alongside Emma Watson and Tom Hanks. She also appeared as ‘Margarite’ in ‘Just Getting Started,’ opposite Morgan Freeman, which was her last movie role before she passed away.

One of her most memorable TV roles was that of ‘Elmira Boot Johnson,’ opposite Robert Duvall (of ‘The Godfather’ fame), in ‘Lonesome Dove’ (1989), for which she received a ‘Primetime Emmy’ nomination for ‘Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Miniseries or a Movie.’ She earned another ‘Emmy’ nomination later, for her performance as ‘Aunt Ruth’ in ‘Bastard out of Carolina.’

Between 1989 and 2017, Glenne appeared in ‘ER’ (1996–1997), ‘Encore! Encore!’ (1998–1999), ‘On Golden Pond’ (2001), ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ (2008), ‘C.S.I’ (2008), and ‘The Night Of’ (2016).

Her performance as the mother of Josh Hutcherson in the comedy web series ‘Future Man (2017),’ directed by Seth Rogen, was her final TV appearance.

Major Works

Some of her major film roles were for the movies ‘Dirty Rotten Scoundrels’ (1988), ‘Dick Tracy’ (1990), ‘Mr. Holland’s Opus’ (1995), and ‘The Circle’ (2017). She also earned accolades for her roles in the plays 'The Philanthropist,’ ‘Extremities’ (‘off-Broadway’), and ‘Charley’s Aunt.’

Family & Personal Life

Glenne Headley married John Malkovich on August 2, 1982. They divorced in 1988, following Malkovich’s affair with Michelle Pfeiffer while filming ‘Dangerous Liaisons.’

Following this, Glenne met musician Byron McCulloch while filming for ‘Ordinary Magic’ (1993) and married him in 1993. They had a son, Stirling (born in 1997). They remained together until her death.

Death

Glenne died on June 8, 2017, in Santa Monica, California, following complications caused by pulmonary embolism. She was 62 years old at the time of her death.

Trivia

She spoke French and had full knowledge of the American Sign Language (ASL). She was also a member of ‘Mensa,’ a global high IQ society.

Glenne Headly Biography