There’s no doubt that Glenn Close is one of the most cherished and well-respected actresses in Hollywood. Not only have her legendary performances stunned spectators, but she has also been a source of empowerment for women inside and outside the entertainment industry.

Close boasts quite a collection of accolades, including two Screen Actors Guild Awards, three Golden Globe Awards, three Emmy Awards, and three Tony Awards. Not to mention, that in 2016, she was admitted into the American Theater Hall of Fame. She was also named as Time Magazine’s 100 most influential people in the world in 2019. It’s pretty clear that the actress is a legend in the entertainment industry, which is why it's important to take a closer look at some of her most spectacular performances thus far:

6 101 Dalmatians (1996)

Glenn Close as Cruella de Vil in 101 Dalmatians
Buena Vista Pictures Distribution

Close’s role in Disney’s 1996 live-action 101 Dalmatians is definitely a fan favorite. Cruella de Vil, much like Close herself, is bold and iconic, making her hard to forget. The actress is not only able to perfectly portray Marc Davis’ original villainess, but she’s able to add her own flavor to the role. Close’s de Vil is terrifying in a glorious way, with her fur coat gracefully sweeping the floor, and her villainous laugh echoing through each corner of the room. Perhaps one of the most memorable moments in the movie is when Cruella first visits, when Anita’s dog gives birth to puppies. In the brief encounter, Close is able to perfectly portray the terror that Cruella is, just through her body language. From the shrill in her voice, to the unhinged gleam in her eyes, to the devilish red-lipped grin, there’s no questioning that Cruella is an absolute force to be reckoned with.

5 Dangerous Liaisons (1988)

Dangerous Liaisons
Warner Bros. Pictures

Based on Christopher Hampton’s 1985 play Les liaisons dangereuses, Dangerous Liaisons is an American period romance drama. Close plays the part of the antagonistic Marquise de Merteuil. Avid movie watchers would know that it takes a lot of skill and talent to portray a well-rounded antagonist. Close’s Marquise is not only deviously villainous, but there are slight cracks in her mask that allow the audience to see that she is, at the end of the day; a human with vulnerabilities.

Close does an excellent job at portraying the villainous Marquise, who seeks revenge on her ex-lover. One particular scene from Dangerous Liaisons that has stuck with fans was when Valmont questions Merteuil’s scheming and asks her how she manages to invent herself. Close delivers Merteuil's answer with a faraway look in her eyes, retelling how in order to prevent society from toppling over her, she decided to play her cards smartly to become a “Virtuoso of Deceit”.

Through her dialogue, Merteuil is able to captivate Vicomte and prove to the audience just exactly how she has managed to survive in society thus far. The moments between Merteuil and Vicomte are intense, with Close’s eyes brimming with emotion. Only for the tension to cut like a string when her butler comes in to announce the arrival of a guest. And just like a switch has been flipped, all the intensity and a tiniest glimmer of vulnerability is gone. In all honesty, Close’s performance in Dangerous Liaisons is absolutely remarkable.

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4 Damages (2007-2012)

Damages

Sony Pictures Television

Written and produced by Daniel Zelman, Glenn Kessier, and Todd A. Kessier, Damages is an American legal thriller TV show. The plot of the show revolves around a ruthless lawyer Patty Hewes, portrayed by Glenn Close, and her protégé, as the two work together to tackle a variety of cases. Close does a good job at portraying Patty, a brilliant lawyer who is careful to mask her emotions, regardless of the situation or case that she’s up against. However, through Close’s performance, the audience is also able to glimpse at the minor cracks in Patty’s mask that reveal that she is just as humane as the rest.

3 Albert Nobbs (2011)

Albert Nobbs
Entertainment One

Based on a 1927 novella of the same name by George Moore, Albert Nobbs is a drama film that follows a 19th-century butler who was biologically born as a woman, but has spent 30 years of his life living as a man. Close’s portrayal of the complex Mr. Albert Nobbs is absolutely brilliant. Close’s performance is almost good enough to hide away the film's flawed uneven LGBTQIA+ representation (though that’s a different conversation altogether). Unlike some other loud, bold characters that Close has portrayed, Albert Nobbs is quieter, desperate to blend in with the environment. Not only does Close do a great job at portraying a man, but she also proves her range as an actress, being able to put on any mask given to her.

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2 The Wife (2017)

The Wife
Picturehouse Cinemas
SF Studios
Sony Pictures Classics

Based on a novel of the same name by Meg Wolitzer, The Wife is a drama film that follows an aging woman, Joan Castleman, portrayed by Close, who is questioning her life decisions as she travels with her husband, Joe, to Sweden, where he is set to receive the Nobel Prize for Literature. As is the case with most of her roles, Close’s performance in The Wife is a simmering tapestry of brilliance woven with tension, emotion, and deceit. On the surface, Joan seems like the perfect wife, a trophy, for her award-winning husband, but as the movie progresses it becomes quite apparent that Joan has given up more than she should have to facilitate her husband’s success.

Close’s performance in The Wife is a remarkable example of “show, don’t tell”, where she is able to portray the nuances of Joan's character simply through her body language. One of the most riveting moments of the movie is when Joe is giving his acceptance speech, and dedicates the award to Joan, referring to her as his muse. At this moment, Close does not say anything, but the intensity in her expression speaks for itself. She looks on the brink of falling apart, which she does in the scene that follows, but at that moment, the audience gets a glimpse of how talented Close truly is.

1 Fatal Attraction (1987)

Fatal Attraction
Paramount Pictures

Glenn Close’s portfolio boasts quite a lot of outstanding performances, but the one that is perhaps most significant is her role as Alex Forrest in the 1987 psychological thriller Fatal Attraction. The movie centers around a married man who gets more than what he bargained for after a one-night stand. Close’s portrayal of Alex is complex; she’s monstrous and insane, yet at the same time, she’s vulnerable and charismatic. A fan-favorite scene from Fatal Attraction is definitely the one where Dan finally confronts Alex about her stalker-ish behavior, and Close delivers her iconic lines: “I will not be ignored, Dan!”. The scene is quite interesting because it’s apparent that Alex is trying whatever she can to ensure Dan stays by her side. Close was even nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actress for her role as Alex.