Why Do People Hate Glenn Close?
Who is Glenn Close?
Glenn Close is an acclaimed American actress known for her versatility and dramatic range. Some of her most famous roles include Alex Forrest in Fatal Attraction, Marquise Isabelle de Merteuil in Dangerous Liaisons, Norma Desmond in Sunset Boulevard, and Patty Hewes on Damages.
With a career spanning over 40 years, Glenn Close has been nominated for 8 Academy Awards, tying the record for most acting Oscar nominations without a win. She has won 3 Tony Awards, 3 Emmys, and 3 Golden Globes. Glenn is regarded as one of the greatest living actresses.
Reasons Why Glenn Close is Disliked
Although Glenn Close is a highly respected performer, she has garnered some detractors over the years for various reasons. Here are some of the main reasons why people dislike Glenn Close:
Typecasting as a Villain
Many of Glenn Close’s most famous roles have been as antagonists and villainous characters. After her breakthrough performance as the mentally unstable Alex Forrest in Fatal Attraction, she became typecast in Hollywood as a villainous actress.
While Close has proven her versatility over the years, she continues to be offered and play sinister roles like Cruella de Vil in 101 Dalmatians. Always playing the villain has led some audiences to equate the actress with being evil and manipulative.
Over-the-Top, Showy Acting Style
Glenn Close has a tendency to go over-the-top in some of her acting choices. In films like Fatal Attraction and 101 Dalmatians, her characters are portrayed in a very campy, exaggerated manner.
Some find her acting style to be too dramatic and expressive at times. It comes across as very “actress-y” rather than a natural performance. The overacting pulls viewers out of the cinematic world.
Lack of Success at the Oscars
With 8 Oscar nominations and no wins, Glenn Close has become one of those talented performers who can’t seem to ever win the biggest honor in Hollywood. After so many nominations and losses, there is a building resentment among fans who feel she should have won an Academy Award by now.
The lack of Oscar success makes it seem like Close is always the bridesmaid but never the bride. Some think she doesn’t have the acting chops to win or that she simply doesn’t deserve it. The Oscar shutouts cause dislike among her fans.
Difficult Reputation
There are stories of Glenn Close having a difficult personality and being hard to work with on set. Rumors of demanding behavior and trying to control aspects of a production have painted her as somewhat imperious and aloof.
Some colleagues have described her as intensely serious about the craft of acting to the point that it negatively impacts the on-set environment. The reputation of being “difficult” has made her unpopular with some Hollywood insiders.
Too Serious and Humorless
In most of her roles, Glenn Close portrays very serious, dramatic characters. Unlike other actors like Meryl Streep, she rarely takes on comedic or light-hearted roles. The constant portrayal of heavy, humorless characters contributes to a public image of Close being an overly serious person.
Her seeming lack of warmth and humor on-screen and during interviews has put some viewers off over the decades. She doesn’t come across as likeable or fun compared to other famous actresses.
Lack of Variety in Her Roles
After rising to fame in the 80s and 90s, Glenn Close’s career has slowed down in recent years. During her heyday, she took on a diverse array of roles that showcased her acting chops. However, in the last decade, Close hasn’t appeared in many popular films or varied parts.
The reduction in high-profile roles and lack of versatility has made some lose interest in her as an actress. She seems to be relying too much on the villainous characters when people want to see more range.
Too Much Plastic Surgery Speculation
As an aging actress in her seventies, Glenn Close has faced scrutiny over whether she has had excessive plastic surgery procedures done. Critics point to her seemingly frozen forehead, lifted brows, and taut skin as signs she has tried to defy nature.
The speculation about botox, facelifts, and fillers have diminished Close’s natural beauty in some people’s eyes. When the plastic surgery looks obvious or overdone, it turns some people off.
Positive Qualities of Glenn Close
Despite the criticisms, Glenn Close remains a skilled performer with many great attributes:
- Tremendous acting range from comedy to drama.
- Films like Dangerous Liaisons and Fatal Attraction are iconic.
- Versatility across television, film, and stage mediums.
- Her talent elevates every project she is involved in.
- Eight Oscar nominations point to the respect she commands.
- Memorable, complex female characters.
- Ability to lose herself entirely in each role she takes on.
- Unquestionable artistic commitment to acting and total professionalism.
So while she has her detractors, Glenn Close is still considered a once-in-a-generation talent by most fans and critics. Very few actors can boast such an illustrious, decorated career at the highest levels of entertainment.
Glenn Close’s Career Achievements
- 3 Tony Awards for Best Actress
- 3 Primetime Emmy Awards
- 3 Golden Globe Awards
- Obie Award for Distinguished Performance
- 2 Screen Actors Guild Awards
- Palm Springs International Film Festival Award
- Induction into Hollywood Walk of Fame
- Nominated for 8 Academy Awards
She has also been nominated for 9 BAFTA awards, 7 Critics Choice Awards, and 5 Drama Desk Awards. Glenn Close ranks as 22 on the American Film Institute’s list of greatest female American screen legends.
Table Comparing Glenn Close Oscar Nominated Performances
Film | Role | Category | Result |
---|---|---|---|
The World According to Garp | Jenny Fields | Best Supporting Actress | Lost to Jessica Lange – Tootsie |
The Big Chill | Sarah Cooper | Best Supporting Actress | Lost to Linda Hunt – The Year of Living Dangerously |
The Natural | Iris Gaines | Best Supporting Actress | Lost to Peggy Ashcroft – A Passage to India |
Fatal Attraction | Alex Forrest | Best Actress | Lost to Cher – Moonstruck |
Dangerous Liaisons | Marquise de Merteuil | Best Actress | Lost to Jodie Foster – The Accused |
Albert Nobbs | Albert Nobbs | Best Actress | Lost to Meryl Streep – The Iron Lady |
The Wife | Joan Castleman | Best Actress | Lost to Olivia Colman – The Favourite |
Hillbilly Elegy | Mamaw | Best Supporting Actress | Lost to Yuh-jung Youn – Minari |
So in summary, while Glenn Close is respected as one of the greatest actresses in Hollywood history, she has also garnered detractors over the years due to perceptions about her acting style, characters, reputation, and lack of Oscar success.
However, her vast range, technical skill, and long-term excellence dwarf any dislike lobbied against her by critics. Glenn Close’s talent shines through despite not being universally beloved by all.
Conclusion
In summary, Glenn Close is disliked by some due to being typecast as a villain, overacting in roles, Oscar shortcomings, difficult reputation, lack of humor, and too much plastic surgery.
However, the vast majority still view Close as one of the most talented actresses ever thanks to her incredible range, memorable roles, professionalism, awards success, and cultural impact.
While not universally beloved, Glenn Close has cemented herself as an all-time great performer regardless of those who dislike aspects of her acting or personality. Her contributions to cinema, television, and theatre are undeniable. For serious students and fans of acting, Close remains an icon and inspiration.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was Glenn Close’s most famous role?
Glenn Close is most associated with her legendary performance as Alex Forrest in the psychological thriller Fatal Attraction. Her unhinged character became a cultural phenomenon in the 1980s.
How many Oscar nominations does Glenn Close have without a win?
Glenn Close has been nominated for 8 Academy Awards for acting, the most without ever winning. Her nominations were for The World According to Garp, The Big Chill, The Natural, Fatal Attraction, Dangerous Liaisons, Albert Nobbs, The Wife, and Hillbilly Elegy.
What makes Glenn Close such a respected actress?
Critics praise Glenn Close for her technical mastery of acting, total immersion into every role, vast emotional range, and long-term success across film, television, and theatre. She is known for her meticulous preparation and commitment to the craft.
Is Glenn Close known to be difficult to work with?
Glenn Close has a reputation among some in Hollywood for being hard to work with at times. Rumors suggest she can be very demanding on set and intense about the acting process. However, many colleagues also praise her professionalism.
Why hasn’t Glenn Close ever won an Oscar?
Despite 8 nominations, Glenn Close has failed to win a competitive Academy Award for reasons including strong competition in her categories, better performances by co-nominees, lack of clear Oscar bait roles late in her career, and her overall body of work being taken for granted.
What was Glenn Close’s most villainous role?
While she has played many antagonists, Glenn Close’s performance as Marquise Isabelle de Merteuil in Dangerous Liaisons is considered her most quintessentially villainous role. The character’s cunning manipulation and sociopathy make the Marquise one of film’s most unforgettable social climbers.
What Glenn Close roles show her comedic talent?
While known for drama, Glenn Close has proven her comedic talent with roles in The Paper, The Simpsons, Mars Attacks!, 101 Dalmatians, and Guardians of the Galaxy. Her vocal performance as Cruella de Vil showed her flair for physical comedy.
How has Glenn Close impacted women in Hollywood?
Glenn Close’s longevity at the top of Hollywood and her ability to get films made even later in her career has inspired many actresses. Her production company helps women creatives. Close advocates for gender equality in entertainment.
Is Glenn Close going to win an Oscar someday?
Many Oscar pundits believe Glenn Close’s time will finally come and she’ll win an Academy Award to honor her storied career. She seems poised for more roles catered to Oscar season. It’s possible she’ll take home Oscar gold someday soon.