Senior Planet Talks to…Glenn Close

Living legend Glenn Close, 78, has wowed us for some 50 years with three Tony-winning stage performances and eight Oscar-nominated movie roles. Now starring opposite Daniel Craig in the all-star whodunnit, Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery, she tells Senior Planet what makes her tick. 

Q: How do you choose your roles?

GLENN: I pick roles where I think I have something to contribute that will be exciting, challenging and collaborative. I’m as excited and intrigued by my craft as I’ve ever been, and still have the energy for it and the will to explore. As long as I can get characters that are different from everything else I’ve played, I think I’ll keep going as long as I can.

Q: Your latest role as devout church lady Martha in Wake Up Dead Man is part mystery and part comedy. How do you hit those beats?

GLENN: You know, I always get nervous. I wish I were Marty Short or Robin Williams – who could just stand on their feet and make people laugh. But when I think that somebody has to be funny, I panic. So I just have to be in the moment and trust that the words have been placed in a way that will make people laugh.

Q: How do you relate to playing such a religious woman?

GLENN:  When I was seven, my parents got into a cult where you were supposed to be a good Christian or good Hindu or good whatever…and they made us go into very rigorous behavior. And so I knew what that was like. I knew what it was like to worship, almost, the head of what was a cult. So I think, for Martha, the church is definitely like a cult.

Q: You’ve been a champion of costume design throughout your whole career. Who can forget your costumes as Cruella De Vil? How involved were you in creating Martha’s severe look with costume designer Jenny Eagan?

GLENN: Oh, I think what Martha wears so much informs her character. Jenny came out to my hometown in Montana, and unpacked all these ideas – the belts and boots. Martha only wears black with little things of white, and covers up her hands because she doesn’t like her hands, so she has some nice gloves. And then I decided to use something that my father gave me, a crucifix that he got when he went to St Peter’s in the 70s. And I had worn it in House of the Spirits on my belt, so I wanted to repeat that, so I wore the crucifix that my dad gave me on my belt for this movie.

Q: How do you manage your time between work and philanthropy and all the causes you’re involved in such as advocating for mental health?

GLENN: I tell you, I manage my time better when I’m working than when I’m at home. Sometimes I say: Do you realize you’re standing in the middle of your living room, not knowing quite what to do?! But when I’m working – I’m right there. And when I’m not working, I just relax, be with family, go into nature and read some great books.

Q: Is there something you like to do every day?

GLENN: I like to have a moment of calm meditation, just sitting. Even if it’s just 15 minutes – I find it very helpful.

Q: After living in New York and Connecticut, how is life in Montana?

GLENN: I love it. I live across the yard from my sister, so I like to check in with her every day and also with my daughter. I have a new grandson, so there’s no end to what to do as far as just being home and seeing my family, who I love, and reading, writing, whatever.

Q: What do you do for fitness?

GLENN: I don’t go to the gym as much as I should because my favorite workout is walking in nature in the foothills of the Bridger Mountains, observing nature. That is my happy contented place to be.

Q: And in terms of nutrition?

GLENN: I don’t live in California, so I’m not on any kind of diet or supplements. Actually, for my age, I take very little medicine, which I consider to be very lucky. Knock on wood.

Q: Haha! You just knocked on wood and now your dog is barking?

GLENN: Yes, that’s my dog, Pippi. I knocked on the table so now he thinks someone is at the door. He’s 10 years old and he’s my protector.

Q: Is there a particular value that you’ve held during your 50-year career?

GLENN: The value I try to adhere to, is to choose things that I personally think are good, and for that reason only, that speaks to me as an actor – not as somebody who wants to be on the red carpet or thinks they’re going to get an award – something that you think is of value to explore.

Q: What is your secret to aging with attitude?

GLENN: Stand up straight. Walk straight. Don’t stoop over – and when you get out of bed in the morning, walk. Don’t shuffle into the bathroom, just little things like that. And when you walk, keep up a certain pace, if you can. I’m lucky to still be very vigorous. I think moving is very important. And also attitude: Ask people questions, get to know people. Everyone has a fascinating story and, I mean, I’ve just heard some stories from people here on the movie I’m working on now [Hunger Games]. And never in a million years would you know that unless you asked them – so get out of yourself. Get out of your head. And, if you’re alone, get a great little dog as a companion and stay curious.

Q: My editor wants to know about your skin-care routine because you are always so radiant?

GLENN: Moisturize, moisturize, moisturize. I never put soap on my skin and I don’t wash my face a lot. When I clean my skin, I either use Mario Badescu – which I’ve used since the 80s – or a Neutrogena facial cleanser. I moisturize my face at least three times a day.

 

PHOTO:  (L-R) Josh O’Connor and Glenn Close in Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery. Cr. Courtesy of Netflix © 2025

Gill Pringle began her career as a rock columnist for popular British newspapers, traveling the world with Madonna, U2 and Michael Jackson. Moving to Los Angeles 27 years ago, she interviews film and TV personalities for prestigious UK outlets, The Independent, The i-paper and The Sunday Times – and, of course, Senior Planet. A member of Critics Choice Association, BAFTA and AWFJ, she wrote the screenplay for 2016 Netflix family film, The 3 Tails Movie: A Mermaid Adventure. An award-winning writer, in 2021 she was honored by the Los Angeles Press Club with 1st prize at the NAEJ Awards.

  

Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery is in Select Theaters from November 26, streaming on Netflix from December 12.