Kathleen Turner rose to fame in the 1980s, known for her captivating presence and beauty. Many consider her to be one of Hollywood’s most impressive actresses, and her resilience has helped her navigate the ups and downs of her career and personal life.
Growing up in a family of four, Kathleen faced hardships from an early age, including the sudden death of her father while mowing the lawn in Hampstead. Just a month later, her family was forced to leave the UK and moved to Springfield, Missouri, where she continued to grieve.
As an adult, Kathleen found solace in New York while pursuing acting. At first she enjoyed stage work, but her big break came in 1981 with the role of a femme fatale in “Body Heat”. A few years later, she co-starred with Michael Douglas in “Romancing the Stone”, where the chemistry between them sparked romantic feelings, even though Douglas was separated from his wife at the time.
Kathleen married real estate developer Jay Weiss in 1984 and they had their daughter Rachel Ann in 1987. However, their marriage faced challenges as they raised their child. Kathleen felt the pressure of balancing work and family, which led to feelings of guilt and oppression.
In 2005, he starred in the Broadway revival of “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?” Their marital problems worsened. Eventually, the couple divorced amicably and Kathleen received a Tony Award nomination for her role in the play.
She had a successful film career in the 1980s and received an Oscar nomination for “Peggy Sue Got Married”. However, the 1990s brought health problems when Kathleen developed rheumatoid arthritis, which caused severe pain and limited her mobility. She found herself in an identity crisis and questioned her future as an actress.
She initially turned to drugs and alcohol to cope, but after a short stay in rehab, she found that her problems were manageable with better medication tracking. Today, she practices yoga and Pilates to stay active and manage her pain.
As she grew older, Kathleen focused more on theater and returned to her roots. In her forties, she acted in productions such as Cat on a Hot Tin Roof. She also devoted herself to causes she believed in, such as volunteering for Amnesty International and Planned Parenthood.
A lifelong feminist, Kathleen Turner uses her platform to empower women and support them on their journey to independence. Her philosophies are highlighted in Gloria Feldt’s 2008 memoir, Send Yourself Roses, where she reflects on women’s empowerment. What do you think about Kathleen Turner’s inspiring journey? Share it in the comments!
Frank Fritz, “American Pickers” star, dead at 60 — rest in peace
Fans are devastated at the news that Frank Fritz, the antiques expert who gained fame on the reality series American Pickers, has died at 60.
Fritz, who left the series in 2021, had been suffering from health problems and was hospitalized from a stroke two years ago.
The news was announced by Fritz’s friend and co-star Mike Wolfe, who said that Fritz passed away last night.
“I’ve know Frank for more [than] half my life and what you’ve seen on TV has always been what I have seen, a dreamer who was just as sensitive as he was funny,” Wolfe wrote in a social media tribute. “The same off camera as he was on, Frank had a way of reaching the hearts of so many by just being himself.”
Fritz and Wolfe gained fame as the hosts of the reality TV series American Pickers, which premiered on the History Channel in 2010. The series showed the two “pickers” traveling across the USA, searching for valuable antiques and collectibles in unexpected places.
“We’re looking for amazing things buried in people’s garages and barns,” the show’s opening narration explains. “What most people see as junk, we see as dollar signs. We’ll buy anything we think we can make a buck on.”
“We make a living telling the history of America… one piece at a time.”
The series attracted millions of viewers, becoming one of History Channel’s most popular programs. In its debut year it was the #1 non-fiction series among total viewers and adults 25-54.
While the antiques were often interesting, there’s no doubt it was the chemistry and charisma of the two hosts that kept viewers coming back for more.
In 2021, it was announced that Fritz would be leaving American Pickers after a decade on the hit series. Fritz said the decision was not his own, and that he was pushed out by the network after a back surgery.
“I didn’t leave the show,” he told The Sun at the time. “I finished shooting and then I had a little back surgery and the pandemic came.”
He also suggested that his co-host’s ego was a factor, saying the show had “tilted towards him 1,000 percent.” “I haven’t talked to Mike in two years,” Fritz said. “He knew my back was messed up, but he didn’t call me up and ask how I was doing. That’s just how it is.”
In July 2022, Fritz was hospitalized from a stroke. In 2023, he had a tearful reunion with Mike Wolfe, and the two resolved their purported feud. However, Fritz declined an offer to rejoin American Pickers, deciding to focus on his health.
It’s clear that the two former co-hosts have remained friendly since then, and it seems Wolfe was by his side til the end.
“We’ve been on countless trips and shared so many miles and I feel blessed that I was there by his side when he took one last journey home,” Wolfe wrote on Instagram. “I love you buddy and will miss you so much I know [you’re] in a better place.”
American Pickers remains a staple of the History Channel lineup. Fritz has never officially been replaced as co-host, though series regulars like Danielle Colby, Mike Wolfe’s brother Robbie, and friend and antiques expert “Jersey Jon” Szalay will rotate accompanying Wolfe on his antiquing trips.
Colby also shared her own tribute to Fritz on social media. “Frank, I will miss your ability to make everyone laugh, your love for talking tattoos, your epic collections but what I will miss the most are those little glimpses of vulnerability from time to time,” she wrote.
“Frank, you loved your cat and your momma and we bonded on those things. You will be missed for all of these reasons and so many more.
Rest in Peace Road Dog.”
Rest in peace to the iconic reality TV star Frank Fritz 
Please share this story in his memory.
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