Glenn Close: A Family Connection to an Extraordinary Actress

Many people know Glenn Close as one of the most accomplished actors of our time, but for me, there’s a unique personal connection. Through both her father, Dr. William Close, and her mother, Elizabeth Mary Hester "Bettine" Moore, I share distant family ties with Glenn. In fact, Bettine is my 9th cousin, twice removed.

Genealogically speaking, Glenn’s 9th great-grandparents, Hugh Calkins (or Caulkins) and Anne Eaton, are my 10th great-grandparents. This shared ancestry makes the Calkins line our closest familial connection.

​

Royal Roots: A Shared Lineage to English Royalty

Our family trees stretch even further—back to English royalty. On Glenn Close’s father’s side, she descends from King Edward I of England and his second wife, Margaret (Marguerite) of France. Interestingly, I also descend from Edward I, but through both of his marriages:

• Through Eleanor of Castile, Edward’s first wife, whose son King Edward II is my 21st great-grandfather.

• And through Margaret of France, via their son Edmund of Woodstock.

 

Glenn, meanwhile, descends through Thomas of Brotherton, another son of Edward I and Margaret. So yes—royalty is in the mix for both of us, adding a fascinating dimension to our shared family history!

​

Discovering the Connection

I can’t recall exactly which branch I first discovered our connection on—perhaps the Caulkins line—but it's been a delight to trace these roots. Like all my famous distant cousins, I’ve never met Glenn in person, but I admire her from afar as the rest of the world does: a gifted and powerful actor who disappears into every role she plays.

​

Glenn Close’s Early Life and Family Background

Glenn Close was born on March 19, 1947, in Greenwich, Connecticut. She is one of six children born to Dr. William Close, a renowned physician, and Elizabeth “Bettine” Moore, a socialite with deep colonial roots.

Glenn’s siblings include Tina, Jessie, Alexander “Sandy”, and adopted brother Tambu Misoki. Though she was raised in an affluent environment, Glenn has often said her family steered clear of elite “WASP” society. She even avoided mentioning Greenwich as her birthplace, not wanting people to assume she’d had a life of ease.

Her upbringing was anything but conventional. Glenn’s parents were involved in Moral Re-Armament (MRA), a spiritual and moral movement founded in the U.S. in 1938. Glenn has described MRA as a controlling cult, dictating members’ speech, clothing, and behavior. As a teen, Glenn toured with Up With People, an MRA-affiliated musical group, promoting moral values through song and performance.

​

Breaking Free and Discovering Acting

At age 22, Glenn left MRA to pursue her true passion: acting. She was inspired in part by watching an interview with Katharine Hepburn—a cousin of ours on her father’s side—on The Dick Cavett Show. Glenn, then in college, began training seriously for the stage.

She made her professional stage debut in 1974 and had her TV debut in 1975 on Great Performances. In 1979, she starred in the TV films Orphan Train and Too Far to Go, signaling the start of a remarkable acting journey.

Hollywood Breakthrough and Award Nominations

Glenn’s big break came when director George Roy Hill discovered her on Broadway. He cast her in The World According to Garp (1982) alongside Robin Williams. For her performance, Glenn earned her first Academy Award nomination—an incredible debut for her first Hollywood film.

In 1983, Glenn starred in The Big Chill, another critical success that earned her a second Oscar nomination. That same year, she was nominated for an Emmy and a Tony Award, becoming only the third actor ever to achieve nominations in all three major award categories in a single year.

​

Range and Recognition

From portraying a terrifying stalker in Fatal Attraction (1987) to playing a comically vain First Lady in Mars Attacks, Glenn Close has demonstrated exceptional range. Her voice work, stage presence, and film roles all showcase her versatility.

To date, Glenn has received eight Academy Award nominations, making her one of the most nominated actors without a win. But awards don’t define talent—her body of work speaks volumes, and many believe it’s only a matter of time before she wins that elusive Oscar.

​

Personal Life and Advocacy

Glenn Close has been married three times and has one daughter, Annie Starke, born on April 26, 1988, with producer John H. Starke. Annie is following in her mother’s footsteps with roles on stage and screen.

Outside of acting, Glenn is a passionate advocate and philanthropist. Her causes include:

• Mental health awareness

• Wildlife conservation

• Women’s rights and LGBTQ+ equality

 

Glenn’s advocacy for mental health is particularly personal. Her sister Jessie lives with bipolar disorder, and in 2010, Glenn publicly had her DNA sequenced to raise awareness and reduce stigma around mental illness.

As someone who’s also explored DNA testing for genealogy and health, I admire Glenn’s openness and courage. Her willingness to use her platform for good is what truly makes her stand out—not just as an actor, but as a human being.

​

Final Thoughts

For me, Glenn Close isn’t just a brilliant performer—she’s a distant cousin who exemplifies resilience, integrity, and talent. Whether you know her from The Big Chill, Dangerous Liaisons, or 101 Dalmatians, there’s no denying her lasting impact on Hollywood and beyond.

Her story is not only a fascinating genealogical discovery for me but also a testament to how someone can rise above a difficult upbringing to make a meaningful mark on the world.