Phoebe Cates, the famous actress who won hearts with her unforgettable roles in movies like “Fast Times at Ridgemont High,” “Gremlins,” and “Drop Dead Fred,” hasn’t been in the public eye for more than 20 years. At first, she wanted to be a dancer and trained at Julliard, but a knee injury made her look into modeling instead.
But she soon discovered that the job wasn’t really interesting and started to pursue acting. She started modeling when she was 14 just to make money, but after meeting her film agency at Studio 54, she trained with Robert Ravan and Alice Spivack. In 1982, Cates made her acting debut as Sarah in “Paradise.” She then starred in “Fast Times at Ridgemont High,” a movie that would make her a pop culture icon.
The movie’s renowned pool scene, which shows Cates without a top, has become an iconic picture in movie history. Rolling Stone called it “the most memorable bikini drop in movie history.” Cates thought about the scenario and said, “In this business, a girl has to be willing to strip if she wants a career.” Why not show off your body if you have a nice one? Cates became famous when the movie did well, and she went on to star in movies like “Private School” and “Gremlins.”
While auditioning for “The Big Chill,” Cates met Kevin Kline, who would become her husband. She didn’t get the part, but the two got married in 1989 and have been together for more than 30 years. Cates decided to stop acting once she had kids so she could focus on her family. She said in an interview that she and Kline agreed to switch off acting jobs so that their kids would always have a parent.
Cates is now the happy owner of Blue Tree, a shop on Manhattan’s Upper East Side. She works there every day, picking out items and talking to clients. The store sells a lot of different things, such clothes, perfumes, and presents. Cates is still a beloved figure even though she left Hollywood, and her legacy continues to inspire new generations. Phoebe Cates has shown that there’s more to her than just her famous movie parts by having a long-lasting marriage and a successful job as a shopkeeper.
