Goldie Hawn's story is much more fascinating than simply becoming one of Hollywood's most recognizable blonde comedy actresses.
She began as a young dancer, became a television sensation, won an Academy Award before turning 25, built a remarkable film career, raised three children who became actors, and maintained a relationship with Kurt Russell for more than four decades without ever marrying him.
BIRTH AND CHILDHOOD
Goldie Jeanne Hawn was born November 21, 1945, in Washington, D.C. She grew up in Takoma Park, Maryland.
Her parents were:
- Laura Hawn, who owned a dance school and jewelry business.
- Edward Rutledge Hawn,
a musician and bandleader.
Her mother was Jewish, with Hungarian immigrant ancestry, while her father was Presbyterian. Goldie was raised Jewish.
Goldie's interest in performing began remarkably early. She started ballet and tap dancing at just three years old. At age ten, she performed in the chorus of a Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo production of The Nutcracker.
As a teenager, she studied drama and performed Shakespeare, including playing Juliet in Romeo and Juliet.
FROM DANCER TO HOLLYWOOD
Goldie attended American University in Washington, D.C., studying drama, but left before graduating.
She operated a ballet school and taught dancing to support herself. In 1964, she performed at the New York World's Fair in the Texas Pavilion.
She eventually worked as a professional dancer, including go-go dancing in New York nightclubs.
Her big break came in 1968 when she joined the cast of the NBC television comedy program Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In.
Her infectious laughter, blonde hair, playful personality, and comedic timing made her an immediate audience favorite.
She quickly became one of America's most recognizable television personalities.
THE OSCAR WINNER
Goldie's movie breakthrough came with Cactus Flower (1969), starring alongside Walter Matthau and Ingrid Bergman.
She played Toni Simmons, a young woman involved with a dentist who pretends to be married.
Her performance earned her the 1970 Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress. She was only 24 years old.
It was an extraordinary accomplishment for someone who had only recently become famous on television.
A REMARKABLE MOVIE CAREER
Some of her best-known movies include:
1969 – Cactus Flower: Her Academy Award-winning performance.
1972 – Butterflies Are Free: A comedy-drama.
1974 – The Sugarland Express: A Steven Spielberg film.
1975 – Shampoo: A comedy starring Warren Beatty.
1978 – Foul Play: A mystery comedy with Chevy Chase.
1980 – Private Benjamin: She starred in and helped produce this major comedy. She received another Academy Award nomination, this time for Best Actress.
1984 – Swing Shift: A film that brought her together professionally with Kurt Russell.
1987 – Overboard: A popular romantic comedy with Kurt Russell.
1990 – Bird on a Wire: The action comedy with Mel Gibson.
1992 – Death Becomes Her: With Meryl Streep and Bruce Willis.
1996 – The First Wives Club: With Bette Midler and Diane Keaton.
2002 – The Banger Sisters: With Susan Sarandon.
MARRIAGES AND FAMILY
Goldie has been married twice.
Her first marriage was to dancer and director Gus Trikonis in 1969. They eventually separated and divorced.
In 1976, she married musician Bill Hudson, a member of the Hudson Brothers.
They had two children:
- Oliver Hudson, born in 1976.
- Kate Hudson, born in 1979.
Their marriage ended in divorce in 1982. Goldie's relationship with Bill Hudson subsequently became strained, particularly concerning the children's upbringing.
KURT RUSSELL
Goldie first met Kurt Russell in 1966 while working on the Disney movie The One and Only, Genuine, Original Family Band.
They did not become romantically involved at that time.They reconnected in 1983 while making Swing Shift, and their relationship began. They have remained together ever since! Their son, Wyatt Russell, was born in 1986.
The unusual part of their relationship is that they have never married each other. They have repeatedly explained that they don't believe a marriage certificate is necessary to validate their commitment.
Kurt also has a son, Boston Russell, from an earlier relationship. Goldie and Kurt have a blended family and eight grandchildren through their children.
HER CHILDREN FOLLOWED HER INTO ENTERTAINMENT
Kate Hudson became a major Hollywood actress, appearing in Almost Famous and How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days.
Oliver Hudson became known for television series including Rules of Engagement and Nashville.
Wyatt Russell initially pursued professional ice hockey before becoming an actor. His credits include 22 Jump Street, The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, and Monarch: Legacy of Monsters.
A NEW CHAPTER: HELPING CHILDREN
In 2003, Goldie founded The Hawn Foundation.
Its best-known educational initiative, MindUP, helps children develop emotional awareness, self-regulation, empathy, concentration, and resilience.
The program incorporates mindfulness and research from neuroscience and education.
Goldie has described her interest in children's emotional well-being as an important part of her life's work beyond Hollywood.
SHE ALSO BECAME AN AUTHOR
In 2005, Goldie published her autobiography, A Lotus Grows in the Mud.
The book explores her childhood, acting career, relationships, personal philosophy, and experiences in Hollywood.
She also wrote 10 Mindful Minutes, about helping children develop emotional resilience.
HER LONG ABSENCE FROM HOLLYWOOD
After The Banger Sisters in 2002, Goldie largely stepped away from movie acting for approximately 15 years.
She devoted more attention to family, personal interests, writing, and charitable work. She returned to movies in 2017 with Snatched, starring alongside Amy Schumer.
She subsequently appeared in Netflix's The Christmas Chronicles (2018) and its 2020 sequel.
TEN INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT GOLDIE HAWN
1. She started dancing at three years old.
2. She performed in The Nutcracker at age ten.
3. She played Juliet in Romeo and Juliet as a teenager.
4. She operated her own ballet school before becoming famous.
5. She won an Academy Award before turning 25.
6. She received a second Oscar nomination for Private Benjamin.
7. She has been with Kurt Russell since 1983.
8. She and Kurt have never married.
9. Three of her children became professional actors.
10. She founded an organization dedicated to improving children's emotional well-being.
THREE GOLDIE HAWN MOVIES HIGHLIGHTED
1. Private Benjamin (1980)
A hilarious comedy about a sheltered young woman who unexpectedly joins the Army. It showcases Goldie's considerable comedic talent and her abilities as a producer.
2. Overboard (1987)
Her romantic comedy with Kurt Russell. Their chemistry is terrific, and it remains one of her most popular films.
3. The Sugarland Express (1974)
A very different Goldie Hawn. This dramatic film was directed by Steven Spielberg early in his feature-film career.
Goldie Hawn's life is a story of talent, hard work, reinvention, family, and an unusually enduring Hollywood relationship. She managed to move from dancing in nightclubs to winning an Oscar and becoming one of America's most recognizable actresses.
SOURCES AND FURTHER READING
- Biography.com: https://www.biography.com/actors/goldie-hawn
- Academy Awards: https://www.oscars.org/oscars/ceremonies/1970
- Golden Globes: https://goldenglobes.com/person/goldie-hawn/
- The Hawn Foundation: https://mindup.org/
- Goldie Hawn's autobiography, A Lotus Grows in the Mud.
