Kathleen Turner Battled Rheumatoid Arthritis as a Young Actress in Her Prime

Kathleen Turner Battled Rheumatoid Arthritis in Her Youth

Kathleen Turner rose to fame as a young actress in the 1980s starring in major motion pictures like Body Heat, Romancing the Stone, and Peggy Sue Got Married. However, behind the scenes, Turner was suffering from debilitating rheumatoid arthritis symptoms that impacted her career and personal life.

Turner was diagnosed with RA in her late 20s at the height of her career. Living with this chronic inflammatory disease as a young woman presented immense challenges for the acclaimed actress.

The Early Life and Career of Kathleen Turner

Kathleen Turner was born on June 19, 1954 in Springfield, Missouri. From a young age, Turner dreamed of being a star actress.

In the late 1970s, Turner moved to New York City to pursue acting. She got her big break in 1981 at age 27 playing the lead role of Matty Walker in the steamy film noir Body Heat alongside William Hurt.

Turner became recognized as a major sex symbol and went on to star in other hit movies like Romancing the Stone, Prizzi's Honor, Peggy Sue Got Married, and Who Framed Roger Rabbit, cementing her status as a top Hollywood leading lady.

Turner's Shocking RA Diagnosis

In her late 20s while filming Peggy Sue Got Married, Turner began experiencing severe pain and swelling in her hands, feet, and knees that impacted her ability to perform. After seeking medical care, she was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis.

RA is an autoimmune disease that causes chronic inflammation and pain in the joints. For Turner, the symptoms came on rapidly and aggressively, even resulting in temporary paralysis in her feet.

Being diagnosed with a debilitating chronic illness like RA in the prime of her acting career was devastating for Turner. However, she worked to educate herself about the disease and find ways to manage it.

RA Symptoms and Treatment in Her 20s and 30s

Throughout her 20s and 30s, Turner experienced severe RA flare ups that caused:

• Stiff, swollen, painful joints in her hands, wrists, feet, and knees
• Fatigue and muscle weakness
• Low-grade fever
• Numbness and tingling in her feet
• Difficulty walking due to foot pain

To treat her symptoms, Turner underwent aggressive drug therapy involving:

• Powerful anti-inflammatory medications
• Biologic drugs
• Chemotherapy drug
• Daily steroid injections

The intense medications came with side effects including hair loss, mood changes, insomnia, and photosensitivity. Managing RA limited Turner's acting roles as she had difficulty standing or walking for long periods.

Impacts on Turner's Career and Personal Life

Turner's RA symptoms and treatment took a significant toll on her acting career. Long days on set became difficult with constant joint pain and fatigue.

Taking so much medication also negatively impacted her looks and abilities. Turner was passed over for roles as she no longer fit the image of a young leading lady. She could not perform her own stunts or handle physically demanding roles.

In her personal life, RA made Turner feel insecure and less confident. Her self-esteem suffered but she worked hard not to let RA define her.

Turner had to completely adjust her lifestyle due to RA. She gave up drinking alcohol, started a strict exercise routine, and focused on reducing stress.

Turner's RA Improves in Her 40s

In her early 40s, Turner found an effective drug regimen to manage her RA symptoms. Her joint pain and swelling improved allowing her to take on more varied acting roles.

Turner returned to theater acting which was less demanding than film. She received acclaim for her roles in plays like Indiscretions and Cat on a Hot Tin Roof.

As her health became more stable, Turner worked frequently as a voice actor for animated films and TV shows. Her distinctive voice allowed her to keep acting while limiting physical exertion.

Kathleen Turner's Advocacy for RA Awareness

Turner chose to keep her RA diagnosis private for over a decade to avoid being seen as ill or disabled early in her career. But in the 1990s, she decided to share her story to raise awareness.

Speaking Publicly About Her RA

In 1993, Turner spoke about her experience with RA in public for the first time on Larry King Live. She described living with chronic pain and near paralysis while filming movies.

Turner proceeded to openly discuss her health challenges in interviews over the years. She shared details about her RA symptoms, drug therapies, side effects, and how the disease impacted her work and self-image.

Being candid about RA helped Turner connect with others living with the condition. She became a spokeswoman for people overcoming chronic illness to lead fulfilling lives.

RA Activism and Fundraising

Turner became heavily involved in activism for rheumatoid arthritis charities and research funds including:

• Arthritis Foundation
• American College of Rheumatology Research and Education Foundation
• UCLA Rheumatoid Arthritis Research Program

She advocated for policies to make RA treatment more accessible and affordable. Turner also helped raise millions in donations for organizations supporting RA patients and their families.

Inspiring Other Patients

By courageously sharing her personal RA story, Turner inspired other patients struggling with the disease. She showed that it was possible to achieve great success despite the challenges of living with RA.

Turner demonstrated incredible strength by fighting through agonizing pain at the pinnacle of her acting career. Her perseverance and talent overcame her health obstacles.

Many RA patients looked to Turner's story as a motivator to keep striving in their own lives. She gave them hope and proved RA did not have to stop them.

Kathleen Turner's Legacy and Ongoing Work

Now in her late 60s, Turner's public advocacy has made her an icon for the RA community. She is considered a pioneer who reduced stigma around chronic inflammatory disease.

A Multi-Faceted Career

While RA may have disrupted Turner's path to becoming a major film star, she still built an eclectic career overcoming limitations imposed by health issues. Some highlights include:

• Winning a Golden Globe for Romancing the Stone
• Tony award-nominated Broadway performances
• Voicing Jessica Rabbit in Who Framed Roger Rabbit
• Earning an Emmy nomination for Friends
• Directing an award-winning documentary

Turner found success across stage, film, and directing. Her talent shone through despite RA trying to dim her star power early on.

Memoir and Recent Projects

In 2008, Turner released her revealing memoir Send Yourself Roses detailing her triumphs and struggles with RA.

She continues using her voice acting skills in films like Monster House. Turner also teaches acting workshops when her health allows.

While RA may have slowed Turner down, she still passionately uses her platform to advocate for others with the disease after 50 years in the public eye.

Lasting Impact

Kathleen Turner showed incredible courage and fortitude battling rheumatoid arthritis as a young actress. She helped transform public understanding of chronic inflammatory illness.

Instead of hiding RA, Turner shared her experience openly and authentically. This comforted and empowered the RA community.

Turner's perseverance through agonizing RA flare ups at the peak of her fame demonstrated that the disease does not have to crush one's dreams. She remains an inspiration to all who struggle with RA.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.