A beloved presence on screen since the 1980s, Andie MacDowell, once renowned for her distinctive curly brown hair, is now proudly embracing gray pride as a silver-haired icon.
Embracing the natural process of aging, MacDowell humorously compares herself to George Clooney, stating, “because why not?”
Celebrating her 65th birthday on April 21, MacDowell, a timeless beauty, has nothing to conceal.
Having initially begun her career as a model for esteemed fashion brands like Armani, Yves St Laurent, and Calvin Klein, MacDowell transitioned to the screen with her debut in 1984’s “Greystoke: The Legend of Tarzan, Lord of the Apes.” Due to her pronounced southern drawl, her voice was dubbed by Glenn Close in the Oscar-nominated film.
The gracefully spoken actor captivated audiences with a supporting role in “St. Elmo’s Fire,” where she joined the close-knit Brat Pack.
Her breakthrough came with Steven Soderbergh’s directorial debut, “Sex, Lies & Videotape” (1989), earning her the first Golden Globe nomination.
However, it was her starring role alongside Bill Murray in “Groundhog Day” (1993) and the comedy “Four Weddings and a Funeral” (1994) with Hugh Grant that propelled her to commercial success.
Known for her method acting, MacDowell explored diverse roles in films like “Harrison’s Flowers” and the family TV series “Cedar Cove.”
Unsurprisingly, L’Oréal chose MacDowell, with her beautiful brown locks, as the face for their hair products in TV commercials.
Recently spotted in Cannes during a casual outing, MacDowell confidently flaunted her makeup-free face framed by her now gray-silver hair, tied in a low bun.
During the 76th Cannes Film Festival, the “Green Card” actor showcased her natural beauty in a comfortable white striped mini dress, paired with brown and black platform heels and dark shades.
Reflecting on her transition to gray hair during the early days of quarantine, MacDowell shared, “At the very beginning of quarantine, my hair started growing, and every time my kids would see me, they kept telling me I looked badass with my gray hair. When I pulled it up in a bun, all you could see was the salt and pepper, which is what I am, you know, dark and silver. I like to compare myself to George Clooney because why not? I’ve been saying for a while now it was time for me, personally, to make that transition because I felt like it was appropriate for my personality and just who I am.”
And despite her managers insisting that “It’s not time” for her to embrace gray hair, she confidently asserted, “I’m going to be more powerful if I embrace where I am right now. It’s time… If I don’t do it now, I won’t have the chance to be salt and pepper. I always wanted to be salt and pepper!”
In 2022, MacDowell shared a photo of her cover on Style magazine, proudly showcasing her gray hair and natural look. Her caption conveyed a powerful message: “As we age, we deserve dignity and pride.” She emphasized, “We deserve to feel glorious! I’ve always said there’s no expiration date on beauty.”
Her acting career also knows no expiration date. In 2021, MacDowell starred in the Netflix drama series “Maid,” alongside her daughter Margaret Qualley, 28, whom she shares with ex-husband Paul Qualley. MacDowell and Qualley, married in 1986 and divorced in 1999, have two other children, son Justin and daughter Rainey.
Speaking about working with her mother, Margaret expressed the uniqueness of having her mom play her on-screen mom, stating, “You walk in the room, and you have your mom playing your mom – that’s the biggest cheat in the world.” She also shared a touching moment in “Maid” where her on-screen mom tells her character, Alex, that she’s proud of her, which felt like a personal acknowledgment from her real-life mom.
MacDowell is currently filming “Goodrich,” starring alongside Mila Kunis, Kevin Pollak, and Michael Keaton, with whom she shared the screen in 1996’s “Multiplicity.”
Reflecting on the rising generation of actors with famous parents, MacDowell expressed hope for more opportunities to act with her daughter, emphasizing the preciousness of every moment and the desire to deliver an exceptional performance.