Daryl Hannah is a woman whose talent captivated thousands of viewers. In the 1980s, everyone was talking about her and emulating her. After rising to fame in the action film Blade Runner, the actress went on to appear in over 40 films. True success came when Kill Bill, featuring her, hit the big screen, as reported by chicagovski.com.
Childhood and Youth
The future actress was born in December 1960 in Chicago. Her mother, Susan Metzger, initially worked as a school teacher before finding her niche in producing. Her father, Donald, was an entrepreneur. The couple had three children together—a son and two daughters—but eventually divorced. A few years later, Susan remarried a businessman and had another daughter.
Daryl spent her childhood in the small town of Long Grove, along with her siblings. She was quiet and very shy, which led to a misdiagnosis of autism. Soon, it became clear that she had other issues; when she started school, it was discovered that she had difficulty remembering letters, making reading and writing a challenge. Consequently, she focused on physical fitness and joined her school’s soccer team.
At 14, she suffered from insomnia and, instead of sleeping, spent nights watching films and enjoying the performances of her favorite actors. During this time, Daryl realized her passion for the arts. She began with ballet under Maria Tallchief’s guidance and soon devoted all her time to acting. After high school, she enrolled in the University of Southern California’s drama program. Upon graduating, she continued her theater studies at Chicago’s Goodman Theatre.
Film Career
At 18, Hannah appeared in the sci-fi drama The Fury, landing a secondary role. She didn’t let this discourage her and remained determined. After reassessing her approach, she began choosing her roles carefully. Her next film, Blade Runner, featured her as a robot girl aspiring to become human. Released in 1982, the film grossed $33 million and established Hannah as a promising actress.
Her first lead role came in the romantic melodrama Splash, where she played a mermaid who falls in love with a young man, portrayed by Tom Hanks. The film’s release catapulted both actors into stardom.
In 1984, Hannah starred in the crime comedy The Pope of Greenwich Village. In 1986, The Clan of the Cave Bear, where she played Ayla, a girl raised by a clan of bears, was well-received by audiences and critics alike.
By 1990, Hannah was making her mark on Hollywood. Among her most memorable projects was At Play In The Fields Of The Lord, where she played Andy Huben, the wife of a missionary on a mission in the Amazon tropics. Another standout was the thriller Cord, where she portrayed a victim of a brutal kidnapping. The crime-thriller duology Kill Bill brought Hannah to the height of her popularity. After achieving immense professional success, she continued to act in numerous films and series.
In 2010, she appeared in the British drama Closed Book and the fantasy-comedy Eldorado. The following year, Hannah explored indie films with Zombie Night. Notably, in 1993, she directed the short film The Last Supper, winning a jury prize at the Berlin Film Festival.
Personal Life of the Film Diva
Daryl was never short on attention from the opposite sex, though she only truly fell in love a few times. Her first significant relationship was with John F. Kennedy Jr., whom she had known since her youth. After reconnecting at a friend’s wedding, they grew closer. At the time, Hannah was dating rock musician Jackson Browne. She ended that relationship and began enjoying her time with Kennedy. However, the romance was short-lived, as John’s mother, Jacqueline Kennedy, strongly disapproved. He eventually married Carolyn Bessette, leaving Hannah heartbroken.
Reports of her dating various men surfaced in the press over the years, but Hannah never confirmed any rumors. In 2018, at the age of 57, she married 74-year-old rock musician Neil Young.
The film diva continues to delight fans with her work. When she’s not acting, she participates in environmental campaigns and animal protection programs. In interviews, she has stated that she has never regretted choosing acting. Her passion for the arts has helped her overcome all her fears and insecurities.