Glenne Headly, an Emmy-nominated stage and screen performer who was a long-time ensemble member of Chicago’s Steppenwolf Theatre Company, died June 8 at the age of 62.
Her death was confirmed to Playbill by her reps, who provided the following statement: “It is with deep sorrow that we confirm the passing of Glenne Headly. We ask that her family's privacy be respected in this difficult time.”
Ms. Headly, born March 13, 1955, grew up studying dance (ballet at the Joffrey Ballet School and modern with the Martha Graham School) before graduating from the High School of Performing Arts with a major in drama. Shortly after attending the American College of Switzerland, Headly appeared in the Goodman Theatre’s production of Curse of the Starving Class.
Glenne Headly and Jason AlexanderIn 1979 Ms. Headly joined the Steppenwolf ensemble, first appearing in Waiting for Lefty alongside Amy Morton, Laurie Metcalf, and John Malkovich—whom she married in 1982; the couple divorced six years later. She remained a member of the company until 2005, although she did not act with the company after the 1980 production of Absent Friends.
During her tenure at Steppenwolf, Ms. Headly also appeared in such productions as Extremities opposite Susan Sarandon at the Westside Theatre, The Philanthropist in 1983 at Manhattan Theatre Club, the 1985 Broadway revival of Arms and the Man, and Aunt Dan and Lemon at London’s Almeida Theatre.
Ms. Headly last appeared on Broadway in Fish in the Dark, initially stepping in for Rita Wilson as she underwent treatment for breast cancer, then assuming the role full time for the final seven weeks of the run opposite Jason Alexander.
Her myriad film credits include Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, Dick Tracy, and Don Jon. She was twice nominated for an Emmy for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Miniseries: in 1989 for Lonesome Dove and 1997 for Bastard Out of Carolina. At the time of her death, Ms. Headly was in production for the Hulu series Future Man.
Ms. Headly is survived by her husband Byron McCulloch, whom she married in 1993, and her son, Stirling.
