Remember her? She was so pretty
Early Fame
Phoebe Cates rose to fame as a teen idol,
appearing in popular films like Fast Times at Ridgemont High and Gremlins.
Born in 1963, she made 16 movies in 12 years, becoming
“instantly recognisable to most American teens of this era.”
Behind the Spotlight
Cates began as a model but disliked it, saying,
“it was basically the same thing over and over… I only did it for the money.”
Early roles brought attention but also discomfort, especially when filmed young.
Artistic Preferences
Though successful on screen, Cates preferred theater.
In 1988 she said, “I think of theater as what I prefer to do best,”
noting film roles for women felt limited.
Life After Hollywood
She left acting in the mid-1990s to focus on family with husband Kevin Kline.
Later, she opened a New York boutique and made only rare acting appearances,
choosing a quieter, balanced life.
