Phoebe Cates, known for her roles in films like “Gremlins” and “Fast Times at Ridgemont High,” left Hollywood over two decades ago and has since pursued a different career that she loves.
Born on July 16, 1963, in New York City, Phoebe Cates had a family with connections to the entertainment industry, with her father being a producer-director and her uncle serving as the president of the Director’s Guild. She also had siblings involved in the industry.
Initially, Cates trained in ballet at Julliard, but her dreams of becoming a dancer were cut short due to a knee injury. At the age of 14, she transitioned to modeling, enjoying some success, including multiple appearances on the cover of Seventeen magazine. However, she grew disenchanted with modeling, feeling that it became repetitive and motivated solely by financial gain.
Her path to acting began when she met a film agent at a party at Studio 54 in New York and subsequently trained with Robert Ravan of The Actors’ Circle. Her initial motivation for pursuing acting was to avoid going to college.
Cates further honed her acting skills by studying with Alice Spivack of the H.B. Studios. She made her acting debut in 1982 in the film “Paradise” as Sarah and shortly thereafter gained widespread recognition for her role in “Fast Times at Ridgemont High,” particularly the iconic swimming pool scene, which became a pivotal moment in pop culture.
Cates reflected on the scene, acknowledging the role that physical appearance plays in the entertainment industry. She remarked, “In this business, if a girl wants a career, she has to be willing to strip. If you’ve got a good body, then why not show it?”
“Fast Times at Ridgemont High” featured a notable ensemble cast, including actors who later became major stars such as Sean Penn, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Eric Stoltz, and Forest Whitaker.
While continuing her acting career, Cates also starred in “Private School” (1983) and appeared in Steven Spielberg’s “Gremlins” (1984). Her meeting with critically acclaimed theater actor Kevin Kline during the audition for “The Big Chill” (1983) led to a personal connection. Cates and Kline eventually married in 1989 and had two children together, Owen Joseph and Greta Simone.
In the 1990s, Cates began to withdraw from acting to focus on her family. She and Kline had an agreement to alternate acting jobs to ensure that their children always had a parent present. Cates embraced her role as a full-time parent while occasionally taking on acting projects.
In 2005, Phoebe Cates opened a store called “Blue Tree” near Carnegie Hall in New York City. The store offers a variety of products, including fragrances, clothing, and gifts, and Cates is actively involved in running the business.
Despite her reduced presence in the entertainment industry, Cates remains well-remembered for her iconic film moments, and her successful transition to a different career path has allowed her to find fulfillment in her work as a shopkeeper.
As of the time of this article, Phoebe Cates continues to impress with her enduring beauty and successful business venture.
