Kathleen Turner rose to fame as a sex symbol in the early 1980s. Though her appearance has changed over the years, she remains a well-known figure in Hollywood. She starred in numerous films with A-list actors such as Steve Martin, Michael Douglas, and Jack Nicholson, but her acting career started to decline over time. In 1994, Turner revealed that she was suffering from an autoimmune condition that caused severe pain and fevers, which hindered her ability to perform.
This health issue affected her popularity in the entertainment industry. Nevertheless, she received several award nominations for her acting talents, demonstrating that beauty and fame are not prerequisites for success in show business. Turner was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis, a chronic inflammatory autoimmune disease, in the early 1990s. Doctors had a grim outlook, predicting that she would soon need a wheelchair due to the swelling in her wrists affecting her mobility. Consequently, rumors spread that she had turned to heavy drinking to cope with the pain of her condition.
In 2009, Turner wrote an essay about her struggle with rheumatoid arthritis, describing how her concerns about physical appearance and sexiness became insignificant compared to the challenge of simply walking without pain. Turner is renowned for her role as Jessica Rabbit in the 1988 film “Who Framed Roger Rabbit.” Following her diagnosis, she was prescribed various medications, which significantly affected her physical appearance.
This fueled public speculation that she had developed addictions to alcohol or drugs. Rather than addressing the rumors, she chose to remain silent, enduring the ongoing media criticism of her transformation. Her new appearance was due to the side effects of her medical treatments—something beyond her control. Despite knowing this, she decided not to disclose the cause of her drastic physical changes.
Turner’s long battle with rheumatoid arthritis has ended, and she credits her recovery to daily gymnastics and Pilates. Her marriage to real estate mogul Jay Weiss lasted 23 years before they divorced in 2007. Turner still occasionally appears in films and theater productions, though less frequently than during her peak. It is heartening that, despite her medical challenges, she was able to take control of her health and overcome the obstacles posed by her condition.
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