Glenn Close says she joined 'greatest icons ever in entertainment' at TCL handprint ceremony
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Glenn Close marked a major Hollywood milestone on Friday, May 1, as she took part in a Hand & Footprint Ceremony at the TCL Chinese Theatre in Hollywood. The 79-year-old screen legend was honored during the event, which also coincided with the TCM Classic Film Festival running in Los Angeles from April 30 to May 3.
Dressed in a brown suit and sunglasses, Close placed her hands and feet in cement, joining a select group of entertainers whose impressions are permanently preserved at the iconic venue.
Glenn Close joins hollywood icons at TCL Chinese Theatre handprint ceremony
During her speech, Close reflected on her early journey in film and the people who shaped her career. She recalled working the late Robin Williams and Mary Beth Hurt in the 1982 film 'The World According to Garp,' which marked her screen debut.
Close shared a long personal connection with Hurt, whom she met in 1974 while understudying her in the play 'Love for Love,' describing her as her “beloved best friend of 52 years.”
Speaking about acting, Close described performers in unconventional terms, saying, “We are members of the alien nation, because I think we have more antennae than maybe some other humans.”
She continued, “There are aliens and civilians, and we definitely speak different languages. I fear a world where the civilians completely disenfranchise us aliens. We aliens thrive and live on creative collaboration. It is our sustenance.”
Close also spoke about what she called “creative friction,” describing it as the process of setting aside ego to achieve the strongest artistic outcome. She added a lighter note, referencing her grandson: “Then there's the world according to Rory, my grandson, which is, ‘Uh-oh.’ Or ‘Oh, wow!’”
Reflecting on her place among Hollywood legends honored at the theatre, Close said she saw a shared thread of persistence and artistic belief, calling it a “crazy unquenchable engine” that drives creative work. She added that being included among them was “the honor of my life.”
The ceremony was attended by guests including Melissa McCarthy, Ben Falcone, and Zelda Williams, who joined in celebrating Close’s legacy.
Glenn Close reflects on legacy, family and upcoming projects
Close’s daughter, Annie Starke, also spoke at the event while holding her son, Rory Westaway Albu, born in February 2025. Close later expressed joy about becoming a grandmother, saying, “I love it. Every single minute!”
She reflected on watching her daughter step into motherhood, describing her as “blossoming” and a “lovely, funny, wonderful mother.”
Discussing the term “icon,” Close noted that while the word is often overused, she acknowledged the significance of being part of a legacy preserved at the TCL Chinese Theatre, where the handprints of major film figures are immortalized.
Ben Mankiewicz, host of TCM Primetime and the TCM Classic Film Festival, praised Close’s enduring impact, recalling his first experience seeing her on screen decades ago and highlighting her continued presence in cinema, including her role in 'Dangerous Liaisons,' which she will present at a special festival screening.
The 1988 film earned Close one of her eight Academy Award nominations. She also has several upcoming projects, including 'The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping,' British drama 'Up to No Good,' and the Hulu legal drama 'All’s Fair,' which has been renewed for a second season.
