Actress Kathleen Turner (b. June 19, 1954) came to fame in the 1980′s after appearing in movies such as “Body Heat”, “Serial Mom”, “Romancing the Stone” (for which she won a Golden Globe Award), and “Prizzi’s Honor”.
Her rising career was halted in the 1990′s, however, when Turner was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis.
There’s no question that something went terribly wrong for Ms. Turner, but she has over time expanded her explanation of exactly what it was. It’s clear that while shooting “Serial Mom” in 1993 (doing a John Waters film is almost a sure sign of career trauma) she began to suffer what she called “unbearable” pain. By the time she was finally diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis, she could hardly turn her head or walk, and was told she would end up in a wheelchair. Treated with heavy steroids and chemotherapy, she started looking puffy and unsteady. Rumors began circulating that she was drinking too much. She later said in interviews that she didn’t bother correcting the rumors because people in show business hire drunks all the time, but not people who are sick. Keeping her condition a secret wasn’t easy; during the Broadway run of “Indiscretions” in 1995, she managed to walk up a spectacular three-story stairway in high heels at every performance, but needed five minutes alone at the top to cry. “Working, I could ignore the pain,” she said. “Offstage I couldn’t.” *
Kathleen Turner’s rheumatoid arthritis finally went into remission almost a decade later. The actress returned to making cameo appearances on television shows, and was most recently seen playing a small role in the movie “Marley & Me”.
Send Yourself Roses: Thoughts on My Life, Love, and Leading Roles
For the first time, Turner shares her childhood challenges-a life lived in countries around the world until her father, a State Department official whom she so admired, died suddenly when she was a teenager. She talks about her twenty year marriage, and why she and her husband recently separated, her close relationship with her daughter, her commitment to service, and how activism in controversial causes has bolstered her beliefs. And Turner reveals the pain and heartbreak of her struggle with rheumatoid arthritis, and how, in spite of it, she made a daring decision: to take a break from the movies and relaunch her stage career. *
I must get this book. She is from the city I live. She was loved around here.
I remember early in my disease reading about Kathleen Turner and her experiences with Ra. Knowing a “star” had the same disease as me made me feel comforted somehow. I have been so happy to see her returning to show business.
OH, please delete the above. Kathleen is LOVED here. (not was)
where have I been? I didn’t know she had R.A. I always liked her before but this makes me like her more.
i read the book and liked it!! I love knowing others are out there, i made my husbnd who is super supportive read parts too…..
I remember when the book came out and she went on the Today Show to promote it. I got a little teary because she started talking about her RA and a lot of the things she said were things I’ve said (and things I’ve read on blogs). I do need to go buy it.
Wow, I didn’t know she has RA…I am glad she is doing better…it gives me hope
I was told about your condition. I also have RH but I am not being treated for it because of no insurance. They pain is unbearable. I am a 64 year old woman. I just want to sit in a corner and disappear from this world. I have no interest in anything because of the way I am.. I have grand kids that I love dearly but can not enjoy. I know you understand how it is but there are so many out there that have no idea what it is like…if you mention it to any one they always say yes dear I know how you feel my knees are bothering me….really ticks me off….well this is it my hands are too sore. I don’t know if you will ever get this but just knowing I am not alone helps….thank you
Did she really go into remission after 10 years or did she finally get on a DMARD? I would love to believe that remission is a possibility. My onset of severe RA was about 6 years ago when I was 53. DMARDS have made a big difference in my life but it is a far cry from remission
They come with their own set of side effects and problems. This article demonstrates how she has had to cover up her condition in the interest of her career. It would be a real injustice to those of us who suffer from this awful disease if that is what she is doing by saying she is in remission.
I agree Dawnssister – what is the real story? I have seen the effects of my meds on my body and feel a bit displaced from it. A journey for sure.