Actresses I Loved and Lost
Jun 29th 2009
Sabrina JeffriesMy Life As A Plebe & Sabrina Jeffries
Yeah, I know, we’re on a theme here, but I guess I’m just in a mood. It never occurs to me, though, until I watch some old movie, how much I miss certain actresses. Oddly enough, though it happens with actors, they tend to stay around longer. The women, however … well, I just don’t get it. I wish Hollywood would figure out that a woman doesn’t HAVE to be young and gorgeous to be interesting.
Madeleine Stowe, for example. She was great in “The Last of the Mohicans” and “Blink” yet she hasn’t had a major role in years. Is it by choice? Or does Hollywood just throw away good actresses when they get old? I saw her play a doctor in “Raines,” a TV show that didn’t make it past 6 episodes, and though the show was so-so, she was fabulous as always. I want to see her in more stuff! Or how about Mary Stuart Masterson? I loved her in “Benny and Joon,” opposite our Johnny, and “Fried Green Tomatoes.”
An actress that was never well-known, but whom I loved is Lori Petty. Not only was she fun in “Tank Girl” and her brief sitcom, “Lush Life,” but she was the voice of Stephanie Plum in the audio of the first three books, and she is STILL Stephanie Plum in my head. She’s barely working now. I hate that!
So are there any big actresses whom you loved who just faded away? Anyone you’d like to see on the big screen again? And do you think it’s Hollywood that forgets them or they who forget Hollywood?
49 Comments »
49 Responses to “Actresses I Loved and Lost”
Bronte on 29 Jun 2009 at 6:07 am #
Let me just gush for a few minutes. I love both these actresses! The last of the mohicans is one of my top 5 movies, and I still watch “A league of their own” at least once a year. Julia Ormond is another actress that just kind of faded out. She was in a couple of big movies (legends of the fall, sabrina, first knight) and then just disappeared for a while. Debra Winger probably also falls into this category. And if I can just mention an actor that seemed to disappear I will mention Anthony Andrews. Probably a lot more famous in England but I would have loved to see him in more film/mini series work. I always do wonder what happens in these cases and I reckon its probably six of one, half dozen of the other. You get a bit of fame, you start to get picky and then maybe things fall apart.
Pesky on 29 Jun 2009 at 6:11 am #
Hard to say, but it does appear Hollywood has a stinky double standard.
Madelyn Stowe has moved on to writing and producing the script for Unbound Hearts (which will star Hugh Jackman and Robert Pattinson last report) but it doesn’t say if she left voluntarily or not. Michelle Pfeiffer does movies sporadically, the last report, (she’s got a movie coming out this week) said that she left to be with her kids. (She and her husband don’t really need her income now). Megan Fox is being touted as the next “Angelina Jolie” (wait…what happened to the old Angelina Jolie?) Actors are hooked up with woman 1/3 of their age for movies (the new Harrison Ford, Rachel Bilson flick and lets not even mention Sean Connery and Katherine Zeta Jones in Entrapment), however you don’t see it in reverse a lot (exluding the Michelle Pfeiffer flick Cheri which is specifically about “forbidden love” between an older woman and a young man).
Another standard that drives me crazy is the new totally hot chick dating impossibly geeky, zit faced, not hot, guy. Yeah right…whose fantasy is this?
Get Sophia Loren on the phone! Shell know the answer!
Sabrina Jeffries on 29 Jun 2009 at 6:41 am #
I loved Anthony Andrews, mostly as a result of Brideshead Revisited. Loved that series! Yes, I did wonder what happened to him.
And Julia Ormond! How could I forget her? “Sabrina” is the reason for my pseudonym! Loved the remake. I loved Debra Winger, too. Glad to know that Michelle Pfeiffer dropped out by choice, but I always thought she was luminescent on the screen, so I’m happy to see she’ll be a new film.
Yes, the very old actor, young actress thing bugs me, too. What’s wrong with having them star with women closer to their age? I LOVED the romance with Jack Nicholson and Diane Keaton–Something’s Gotta Give. I love movies like that!
dbrown3400 on 29 Jun 2009 at 7:17 am #
Bronte, Julia Ormond had a recurring role on CSI NY and will be in the upcoming series Three Rivers with Alex O’Loughlin from Moonlight.
If TV actresses count, I always liked Stephanie Zimbalist from Remington Steele. She might have been in some TV movies that I’ve just not seen.
Karen Hawkins on 29 Jun 2009 at 7:23 am #
Sabrina, what a GREAT topic! I’ve always wondered what happened to Ally Sheedy. Always thought she was a cut above and expected her to graduate from her teen movies, but she never did. She’s not classically pretty, but just very, very talented.
Bronte, I LOVE Anthony Andrews! I wish he would do more parts, too. I have to say I’ve never been a Debra Winger fan. Always heard she was a prima dona and well . . . I never caught her magic.
Pesky, my heart leapt when you wrote: “Madelyn Stowe has moved on to writing and producing the script for Unbound Hearts (which will star Hugh Jackman and Robert Pattinson last report)” One word: YAYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY!
Karen Rose on 29 Jun 2009 at 8:05 am #
Sabrina, I find I miss an actress when I watch an old movie and think that she’s no longer with us. That always makes me sad. There are so few of the big stars of old left. Olivia deHaviland, Lauren Bacall. I wish them health.
As for actresses who’ve disappeared from the screen? That’s a hard one. Julia Ormond, definitely. She *was* Sabrina, and I’m not usually one for remakes, but hers was so much better. I always had a hard time with Bogey as Linus…
Will have to drink some coffee and think on this.
TrishD on 29 Jun 2009 at 8:18 am #
Sad to say, but I haven’t watched a new movie in years… so the actresses that I’m missing may be out there making movies. You’ll have to let me know.
What happened to Toni Collette, LOVED her in Muriel’s Wedding and Jorja Fox, I stopped watching CSI because she left. And Parker Posey?? Are they still acting? Any movies I need to catch up on?
nancyg on 29 Jun 2009 at 8:24 am #
What a great topic!
Julia Ormond definitely! I was watching KIT KITTREDGE: AMERICAN GIRL with my 10 year old the other day, and she plays Kit’s mom.
I was thinking about 2 actresses from THE ENGLISH PATIENT – Kristin Scott Thomas (LOVED HER in 4 Weddings & a Funeral) – she did HORSE WHISPERER & that Harrison Ford movie, then disappeared. She had a cameo in THE OTHER BOLEYN GIRL where she played a MOM…
Also, Juliette Binoche – she won the OSCAR, then kind of fell off the map – maybe doing French language movies?? I *loved* CHOCOLAT – looked it up – it was 10 YEARS ago!! where did the time go?
Isabella Rossellini? Like her mom, the camera absolutely adored her!
Once actress I’d like to see MORE of is Frances McDormand – FARGO, MISS PETTIGREW, ALMOST FAMOUS – I know she’s married to one of the Coen brothers?
Still love Emma Thompson – saw LAST CHANCE HARVEY the other day – surprisingly good.
I’m a huge fan of the oldies but goodies – the Hepburns, Catherine Deneuve, Ingrid Bergman, Grace Kelly, Sofia Loren… classy ladies with TALENT!!
Cail on 29 Jun 2009 at 9:02 am #
i have to say, that although hollywood does have this horrible double standard, it has improved greatly over the last bunch of years.
i loved the remake of Sabrina- its one of my favorite movies. I would have loved a Hepburn/Ford version- I really didn’t like Bogey as Linus. Julia was very good though.
kay on 29 Jun 2009 at 9:09 am #
I sometimes wonder if the actors/actresses disappeared or did I. I often have to ask who is that actor/actress on the cover of People or some other magazine that comes out with movie stars in it. I hardly knew any of the “sexy” guys in People this year. I’m constantly asking my daughter who this or that actress is on the red carpet.
I thought Toni Colette had an HBO series and Kristin Scott Thomas is now playing mothers.
Sabrina Jeffries on 29 Jun 2009 at 9:11 am #
Count me as one of the people who liked the Sabrina remake WAYYY better than the original. I saw the remake first, and kept hearing how great the original was. The remake had tons of great dialogue, so I figured it must have come from the original, right? Wrong. The original wasn’t that good, IMO. It certainly didn’t have the scintillating dialogue. And I’m sorry, I LOVE Bogey, but he just didn’t do it for me.
nancyg, glad to hear that Last Chance Harvey was good! I’d really like to see it. And I too love Frances McDormand. I didn’t know she was married to a Coen brother–that explains why she’s in so many of their films.
Oh, yeah, what happened to Kristin Scott Thomas? I adored her in 4 Weddings and a Funeral.
TrishD, I still see Toni Collette occasionally although it HAS been a while. The last I remember was Sixth Sense, which was a long time ago. I loved Muriel’s Wedding! She was good in Emma, too.
Looneytune on 29 Jun 2009 at 10:22 am #
Wasn’t Lori Petty in A League of Their Own? (I like the high ones)? Just checking. When I watched her in “Tank Girl” , for me it was so a strange, low budget, weird, bad, movie, I just couldn’t look away. It was on TV two nights ago and my husband laughed at me when he saw me watching it.
I like Kathleen Turner in Romancing the Stone. She had great chemistry with Michael Douglas.
nancyg on 29 Jun 2009 at 10:38 am #
looneytune:
ROMANCING THE STONE? awesome, but too bad they decided for a sequel. They should have left well enough alone IMO… it’s a rainy day here in Dallas, and I think that’s the perfect kid-friendly movie while I’m folding endless amounts of pool towels!!
I too loved the SABRINA remake. Greg Kinnear was so wonderfully clueless! The original lost some of its luster for me when I read that Audrey Hepburn & William Holden (who was married at the time) started an affair during the filming of that movie.
What’s happened to Meg Ryan? She grew out of her cutesy phase & Hollywood didn’t know what to do with her?
Julianne Moore? Haven’t seen her around lately either. That movie, THE END OF THE AFFAIR with Rafe Fiennes – disturbing, but good. Then again, Rafe Fiennes always seems to play the disturbing (lurking) guys, doesn’t he?
Rene Russo – that DRESS in the dance with Pierce Brosnan in THE THOMAS CROWN AFFAIR? whew! Kicking butt in the LETHAL WEAPON movies? Setting Kevin Costner right in TIN CUP? Last time I saw her was in that kid movie, YOURS, MINE & OURS with Dennis Quaid…
Deb Marlowe on 29 Jun 2009 at 10:54 am #
Oh, Sabrina, I’m a Lori Petty fan too. She did that ‘tough but vulnerable’ thing so well! I loved her in Point Break with Keanu Reeves and Patrick Swayze too.
And I’m really happy to see Sandra Bullock coming back to RomCom! I’ve heard great things about The Proposal–can’t wait to see it!
Claudia Dain on 29 Jun 2009 at 11:28 am #
TrishD, Big D and I were discussing Parker Posy just last night! She’s an amazing actress. No matter what role she plays, she plays it so naturally that you think you know what Parker Posy is really like! It takes 4 or 5 movies to realize that, hey, I always think that and she never plays the same ‘type’ twice! Hey now!! This woman can ACT!
Sabrina, I think this ALL THE TIME, and for men as well. Has anyone else noticed that Gene Hackman comes and goes? He’ll do 4 movies in 2 years and then you don’t see him again for a decade. I heard him do an interview once and he said that after the flurry of jobs around The French Connection (his break out film), he couldn’t find any work at all. So he became a realtor! Can you imagine? When I don’t see him now, I imagine him showing houses to an unsuspecting couple from Des Moines.
Toni Collette did that movie with Cameron Diaz about sisters and life choices, maybe 6 years ago? Being Australian (right?) I think she works regularly world-wide, not exclusively in Hollywood.
Claudia Dain on 29 Jun 2009 at 11:31 am #
NancyG, Meg Ryan recently did a serious role in a somewhat romantic movie, playing her age, and it didn’t do well. I think it’s the audience who can’t release her from her adorable muffin persona.
Claudia Dain on 29 Jun 2009 at 11:32 am #
Last Chance Harvey was REALLY good. The acting, oh be still my heart, was exceptional. The characters were so lovely, so layered and real! It was a pure pleasure to watch.
TrishD on 29 Jun 2009 at 11:53 am #
Claudia, I just love Meg Ryan! Eons ago, I watched her as Betsy on ATWT. I’ll have to look up that movie you mentioned.
Suzanne Enoch on 29 Jun 2009 at 11:57 am #
Oh, yes, Nancyg — Emma Thompson! I admire her so much.
One actress I think has gotten better as she’s gotten older is Betty White. She and William Shatner should do a ditzy, foul-mouthed movie together. *g*
nancyg on 29 Jun 2009 at 12:16 pm #
Speaking of Emma Thompson, did anyone else just *love* DEAD AGAIN with her ex, Kenneth Branagh? as well as MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING. I love her as the ditzy professor in the Harry Potter series as well. ANGELS IN AMERICA. HOWARD’S END. LOVE ACTUALLY. I still haven’t seen the re-make of Brideshead Revisited. Am I gushing? major girl crush time, lol.
I just finished watching the BBC mini-series he just did that was on PBS’s Masterpiece Mystery – Wallander. I highly recommend it – plays a Scandanavian homicide detective. But then again, I think he can do no wrong
Sabrina Jeffries on 29 Jun 2009 at 12:30 pm #
Ooh, yeah, Rene Russo! Love her still.
Suzie, it seems as if some actresses go from ingenue to nothing to stately grandmother seemingly overnight. Meanwhile there are actresses who seem to get work throughout their lives: Jennifer Coolidge and Jane Lynch come to mind, although their roles are out of the mainstream, since they do a lot of those Christopher Guest mockumentaries (all of which I LOVE).
Emma Thompson never seems to lack for work. And yes, I adored her in Dead Again and Much Ado. If I had a girl crush, she would definitely be a candidate.
Claudia, I’m not real familiar with Parker Posey, but how interesting about Gene Hackman! You always know such great stuff about celebrities, you and Julia.
Freshechelle on 29 Jun 2009 at 12:57 pm #
Claudia, I agree with you on Parker Posey. She’s always brilliant. Loved her in Party Girl in which her character built a great wardrobe by steal from closets at parties.
Claudia Dain on 29 Jun 2009 at 1:34 pm #
Sabrina, you have to see The Proposal! Betty White (age 87) is wonderful in it!
Claudia Dain on 29 Jun 2009 at 1:34 pm #
TrishD, if only I could remember the name of the movie! I’m so sorry that I can’t.
Claudia Dain on 29 Jun 2009 at 1:38 pm #
Sabrina, Parker Posy played Tom Hanks’ girlfriend in You’ve Got Mail. She was so obnoxious!! And she was also in A Mighty Wind, that great Christopher Guest mockumentory (love them!), and played sort of a sweet, quiet role…and was totally believable. Amazing talent.
Nicole Jordan on 29 Jun 2009 at 1:42 pm #
Oh, y’all are bringing back a lot of good memories! I’ve wondered about a lot of those actresses, too. Loved many of them.
And I really want to see Sandra B in The Proposal…. hopefully I will once I finish this ms.
Nicole Jordan on 29 Jun 2009 at 1:43 pm #
Oh, and I just read last week that Proposal was the first time Sandra Bullock has topped the box office in 10 years.
TrishD on 29 Jun 2009 at 2:41 pm #
Nicole, The Proposal may have put Sandra Bullock back on top after 10 years, but in my book, she never left. Love her! If I ever had a girl crush, it would be her!
Sabrina Jeffries on 29 Jun 2009 at 2:56 pm #
I’m with you there, TrishD. I’ve loved her ever since she did Love Potion #9 (such a cute movie!). I’ll watch her in pretty much anything.
SuzyQ on 29 Jun 2009 at 3:15 pm #
What ever happened to Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio? I haven’t seen her in a long time. I always used to love to see how they would fit her name on the credits. I think she has the longest name in Hollywood.
Claudia Dain on 29 Jun 2009 at 3:18 pm #
Mary E. Mastrantonio had a recurring part on Without A Trace for a year or two. She was wonderful, as always.
nancyg on 29 Jun 2009 at 4:01 pm #
Claudia:
Girl, you are on it today like white on rice! Do you subscribe to People or Entertainment Weekly perchance? LOL
I always have to look stuff up online – I’m getting bad at names…
TinaLouiseF on 29 Jun 2009 at 4:55 pm #
A lot of people in FROS I do not know.
I was going to see Proposal on Saturday, but didn’t get up the enthusiasm to leave the house.
I miss Kathleen Turner, Rene Russo and Julie Andrews.
Nicole Jordan on 29 Jun 2009 at 5:29 pm #
Trish, I agree! SB has that all around appeal and that special something that is star quality. I love watching her, maybe cause I can almost put myself in her shoes.
Claudia, I forgot about MEM being on Without a Trace! She was great in that.
Tina, I really miss those actresses too, especially Rene R.
Did you know that Kathleen Turner has the same condition that affect Jerry Lewis? The steroids she had to take made her body baloon up. But she still has been on Broadway several times in the past few years. I don’t get the entertainment mags except for TV Guide, so I’m probably way behind on most celebrities, although I do remember that about KT. *g*
Janae on 29 Jun 2009 at 5:31 pm #
Funny you should do this topic, today, because just last night I was wondering what Mary Stuart Masterson was up to as well as Lea Thompson. My dh and I have conversations about actors all the time and what they’re doing these days.
Pesky – my dh worked with Michelle Pfeiffer on an animated feature. He ranks her in the top 2 of most difficult actors that he’s had to work with in his career. The other one is Martin Lawrence – where’s he now? Or Dave Chapelle? Josh Harnett? Kate Capshaw? Alison Doody? Karen Allen? At least she got to be in the last Indiana Jones flick. Or Richard Dreyfus? Michael Keaton?
Sabrina Jeffries on 29 Jun 2009 at 5:38 pm #
Yeah, I loved MEM on Without a Trace. I still can’t believe they canceled it! I was hoping she would come back eventually to be Jack’s wife–I thought they were cute together.
Janae, Lea Thompson is another good one. I loved Caroline in the City. Richard Dreyfuss is in the new movie, My Life in Ruins. It wasn’t that great, but HE was wonderful. I love it when he’s being a smart-aleck. Yes, and what DID happen to Michael Keaton?
Claudia, I will definitely be seeing Proposal. As soon as this book is in. *G*
Claudia Dain on 29 Jun 2009 at 6:32 pm #
NancyG, I just love this stuff! I’ve been hooked on movies all my life. As I write this I’m watching a retrospective on Cecil B. DeMille. I’m a bottomless pit!
Beth C. on 29 Jun 2009 at 7:38 pm #
I have to say Carrie Fisher was an actress when I was younger I missed. I was a Star Wars fan girl and always wanted to see something else with her in it.
I missed Christian Slater and glad he’s back.
I loved the second Sabrina. Tied for one of my all time three (Phantom of the Opera and The Lake House being my other favorites) My husband got tired of seeing it. Oh well, he can play on his computer when I put it on.
Mari on 29 Jun 2009 at 7:48 pm #
I loved Madeline Stowe and am bummed she is not in movies anymore.
I also like Sela Ward…
how about Kelly McGillis?
and Julie Delpy?
Pesky on 29 Jun 2009 at 7:48 pm #
Janae, sorry to hear she’s difficult.
Maybe best for the industry that she decided to take time with the kids. Kate Capshaw married Steve Spielberg sooooo…I’m gonna guess she doesn’t need to work either. I thought I had seen Martin Lawrence in Wild Hogs and some College thing with Raven Simone but I could be wrong the rest, not really sure. Alison Doody… cmon with a name like Doody, she’s gotta be a little bitter. 
Family member works in props on various movie sets, he told us once that Sharon Stone was the worst for him. Sandra Bullock, the best. With the guys, apparently Sylvester Stallone is still his fav.
Sabrina Jeffries on 29 Jun 2009 at 7:51 pm #
Ooh, Mari, Kelly McGillis is another one I wondered about. I loved her in Top Gun. I don’t know if I know Julie Delpy though.
Pesky, Sharon Stone just LOOKS like she’d be trouble. I don’t know why. Glad to hear, though, that Sandra Bullock is as nice as she seems.
Pesky on 29 Jun 2009 at 7:52 pm #
OK, got curious and looked up Allison Doody, didn’t realize who she was. Yeah she has nothing to be bitter about she’s drop dead gorgeous. *shrug* Must have aged out of hollywood…she’s like 12 now right?
Sabrina Jeffries on 29 Jun 2009 at 7:56 pm #
Pesky, more like 43 (according to IMDB), but still … She really is gorgeous. You made me LOL, though!
Jamie on 29 Jun 2009 at 8:08 pm #
There are many, many people. I think some of the actors – like Anthony Andrews (who I also adored) – is in retirement. The last time I remember seeing him in a movie was BBC’s Cambridge Spies.
I watch a lot of British programming even being American. Most I wait for it to come across the pond, while others I buy from Amazon.co.uk — I have my computer set up to take British DVDS.
One of the actresses I haven’t seen lately is Justine Waddell, who was in Great Expectations and Tess of the D’Ubervilles. She made a BIG splash and then nothing.
Maya M. on 29 Jun 2009 at 8:09 pm #
I was just thinking about this very topic! Wondering whatever happened to Julia Ormond, whom I LOVED in First Knight, Sabrina and Legends of the Fall! She had all those fantastic leading men – and then went poof in a curl of smoke and hasn’t been heard from since. At least by me.
Michelle B on 30 Jun 2009 at 4:27 am #
Toni Collette is on a Showtime series called “United States of Tara”. She is excellent as a wife and mother who has a multiple personality disorder. Can’t wait for season two.
Janae on 30 Jun 2009 at 9:51 am #
Pesky – I’ve heard that Kate Capshaw likes to work and wants an identity besides being Mrs. Spielberg. Alison Doody needed some Golden Age of Hollywood to change her name like they did with so many stars like Joan Crawford, which was a name that she hated.
Pesky on 30 Jun 2009 at 10:35 am #
Patricia Barraclough on 30 Jun 2009 at 9:58 pm #
Have to agree with you about Madeleine Stowe. She was a BIG part of making that movie as good as it was. It seems very few actresses have the pull – personal or financial – to stay in good roles. It is really a shame. Men can be bums and bomb out in roles, but still maintain their status for the most part. I don’t go to the movies much or keep track of “stars”. However, if I see someone that hasn’t been around for a while, it does bring out the question “Boy she’s good, where has she been?”