Kelly McGillis was once one of Hollywood’s most sought-after leading ladies, famous for her role as Charlie in Top Gun. Yet, when the sequel arrived decades later, she was nowhere to be seen. So, what happened to the actress who stole Maverick’s heart?
McGillis, now 65, has long since left the entertainment industry behind. She wasn’t invited to join Top Gun: Maverick, and she’s perfectly at peace with that. “I’d much rather feel secure in my skin than chase after roles that don’t fit me anymore,” she said.
Her departure from Hollywood wasn’t sudden. After Top Gun made her a star, she took on challenging roles, including an Oscar-worthy performance in The Accused. But the pressures of fame weighed on her. “I never wanted to be a celebrity,” she confessed. “I just loved acting.”
By the late ’90s, she had retreated to Florida, where she opened a restaurant and focused on raising her daughters. She later came out as a lesbian, a decision she described as “freeing.” Though her personal life had its struggles—including a battle with addiction—she emerged stronger.
Today, she lives quietly in North Carolina, teaching acting and enjoying life away from the cameras. “I’m happier now than I ever was in Hollywood,” she admitted.
For fans who miss her, McGillis’s legacy lives on—not just in Top Gun, but in her courage to walk away and live life on her own terms.
