Kathleen Turner began her career in theatre, but it was the film “Body Heat” in 1981 that catapulted her into a star. She considered the film a blessing because she went straight to being cast in a lead role.
Four decades after the movie, Turner continues to be remembered as a sex symbol. While many actresses would feel frustrated with that kind of label, she doesn’t take it personally.”I got over that a long time ago,” she admitted. Three years after “Body Heat,” she was cast as Michael Douglas’ leading woman in “Romancing The Stone.”
The chemistry between Turner and Douglas was undeniable. They admittedly both had a crush on one another and were in the process of falling in love.
At the time, Douglas was still married to Diandra Luker, but they were separated. Turner took this as a sign to give it a go – until things got out of hand.
Luker showed up at the restaurant where Turner and Douglas were dining and left no room for mistakes. “You know, we’re still married, and I have no intention of ending it,” she said.
Turner felt like she was being kicked in the stomach. She had no plans of interfering with another woman’s marriage, and she felt sick doing so.
Kathleen Turner’s Health Issues Paused Her Career
Turner had a series of box office hits in the 1980s and was living her best life. In 1992, however, everything came crashing down after she was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis.
A doctor told her that she’d be in a wheelchair for the rest of her life – she ended up firing that doctor. She continued to work, filming “Serial Mom” in 1993 when she realized her feet were so swollen she could not fit into her shoes….CONTINUE READING