Kathleen Turner's Health Struggles with Rheumatoid Arthritis
Iconic actress Kathleen Turner rose to fame in the 1980s with unforgettable roles in films like "Body Heat", "Romancing the Stone", and "Peggy Sue Got Married". But in her prime, the star's career took an unexpected detour when she was diagnosed with the autoimmune disease rheumatoid arthritis (RA) at just 38 years old.
The Debilitating Effects of RA
RA causes painful inflammation and swelling in the joints. Other common symptoms include fatigue, stiffness, and loss of appetite. For Turner, the once vital actress experienced mobility issues and chronic pain that impacted her acting work.
"My joints were swollen and I couldn’t walk. It was difficult and frustrating—I didn’t know what was happening to me," she has stated in interviews.
Prednisone Medication and Weight Gain
To treat her worsening RA symptoms, doctors prescribed the steroid drug prednisone. While the medication helped reduce her joint inflammation, it also caused Kathleen Turner to gain 40 pounds.
"The prednisone changed my body. I got very swollen in the face and torso. It makes you eat. I'm not sure if it's psychological...but I certainly did eat more," she told Australian magazine NW.
Coping with RA Effects on Career
The once svelte actress known for steamy roles was now struggling with a drastically changed appearance and physical limitations that threatened her acting work.
Difficulty Finding Roles
Turner spent years battling the disabling RA symptoms and unwanted weight gain. The shifts in her looks and mobility made it a challenge to land roles, especially as she aged in an industry favoring youth.
"My illness melted away the muscles in my face so it's changed and hardened how I look. That weight gain gave me a new face that wasn't so appealing to people," she has stated in interviews about the difficulty finding parts.
Broadway Comeback
In the 1990s, Kathleen made her return to the spotlight after years of smaller movie roles. She triumphed as Maggie in a Broadway revival of Tennessee Williams' "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof", earning a Tony nomination.
The actress credited prednisone again with giving her the strength and stamina for her taxing stage role: "I couldn't have done 'Cat' without the drug."
Lessons Learned from Health Struggles
Now decades into her RA journey and post-prednisone, Kathleen Turner has wisdom and perspective to impart from her defining health battle.
Personal Acceptance
"Do I like not having a waist anymore? No. But I'm happy to say that other than that I'm still fairly fit," she has stated. Turner focuses self-care on strengthening her muscles and keeping weight down.
Career Reinvention
Her changed appearance may limit leading lady roles, but the talent continues acting with realistic expectations. She embraces character parts like the scene-stealing gangster mom in "The Virgin Suicides."
"My time as leading lady is limited and that's fine. I never wanted to do the same thing over and over anyway," Turner asserts.
RA Advocacy
Today Kathleen lends her fame to raising awareness for rheumatoid arthritis. "It's an incredibly debilitating disease and people need to take it seriously," she urges about the misunderstood condition's impact.
She openly shares her patient story to help educate that, despite her strong persona, "RA floored me unlike anything else when it first hit."
Kathleen Turner's Acting Legacy
While RA curtailed Turner's Hollywood trajectory, the dynamic actress still made an indelible mark in cinema across multiple decades. She's won two Golden Globes recognizing her bold, memorable performances.
1980s Superstardom
Kathleen memorably smoldered opposite William Hurt in 1981's "Body Heat", cementing her as an imposing new talent. She balanced steamy allure and humor through the decade in additional box office hits.
Her fame peaked as adventure comedy's newest leading lady successor to Katharine Hepburn. She lit up the screen opposite Michael Douglas in 1984's "Romancing the Stone" and sequel "The Jewel of the Nile."
1990s Transformation
Turner reinvented herself in darker 1990s fare like "Serial Mom" and "The War of the Roses." She continued acclaimed stage work, garnering Tony and other theater award nominations.
Kathleen also took on directing, helming an Oscar-nominated short film. And she used her trademark throaty voice in animated kids movies, voicing sultry Jessica Rabbit in "Who Framed Roger Rabbit."
Memorable Supporting Roles
In mid-late career, some of Turner's most striking appearances have actually been smaller supporting turns. She stole scenes as Nicolas Cage's brassy mafia mom in 2000's "The Virgin Suicides" and 2006 comedy "Monster House."
Most recently, the lifelong passionate activist played outspoken Senator Laine Hanson in 2018's "The Kominsky Method." The acclaimed Netflix comedy provided a fitting platform for Turner's spirit.
Well into her 60s, the dynamic star proves she's still got that captivating screen presence. She continues shining in select film and TV roles between other pursuits like touring her engaging one-woman show.
Raising Awareness as an RA Survivor
These days when Kathleen Turner makes headlines, it's usually to illuminate rheumatoid arthritis. She openly shares her decades-long journey of struggling then overcoming the disease's physical and emotional hurdles.
Educating Others About RA
Too often RA gets dismissed as regular joint pain or aging effects. But Turner stresses it's actually a serious autoimmune condition requiring medical treatment. She wants to educate people to recognize symptoms early and avoid permanent damage.
Proper RA Management
Turner follows a careful health regimen to properly manage her illness. She combines medications as prescribed by her rheumatologist with alternative therapies like yoga and acupuncture for pain relief.
She also prioritizes nutrition and exercise. "I'm careful about my diet and strength training because if I lose muscle mass, my whole balance goes off," she cautions.
Importance of Support Networks
After initially hiding her RA battle, the actress now urges building support systems. She looks to fellow arthritis warriors like talk show host Kelly Ripa for inspiration:
"Every time I think my illness has kept me from doing something, I remember Kelly and other people thriving while balancing RA."
Turner also speaks openly these days so her story inspires others. She sums up her advice as: "Share with others facing RA challenges and just keep going forward."
FAQs
What caused Kathleen Turner's weight gain?
Prednisone, a steroid medication Turner took to manage symptoms of her rheumatoid arthritis, caused her to gain a significant amount of weight. The drug treated her joint inflammation but led to a 40 pound weight gain and swollen face.
Does Kathleen Turner still have rheumatoid arthritis?
Yes, Turner was diagnosed with RA at age 38 and continues living with the autoimmune disease decades later. She manages painful symptoms daily through medications and alternative therapies like yoga and follows a careful diet and exercise regimen.
How did RA affect Kathleen Turner's career?
The joint pain, mobility issues, and steroid-related weight gain hindered Turner's acting career. She struggled to find roles in her 40s and 50s due to an appearance much different than that of her youthful breakout roles. But she reinvented herself over time in theater and character parts.
Is Kathleen Turner still acting despite having RA?
Yes, Turner continues to take on acting projects despite living with rheumatoid arthritis for over 30 years now. While leading lady roles are limited, she embraces intriguing character and supporting parts. Fans most recently saw her play a senator in Netflix's "The Kominsky Method."
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.
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