The “Body Heat” and “Romancing the Stone,” star, who has been open about her health struggles and alcohol use, made a rare public appearance.
Kathleen Turner appeared noticeably frail during a recent outing in New York City. Her appearance has sparked a wave of emotional reactions from fans, many of whom expressed deep concern and empathy for the movie star.
During the outing, Turner was seen relying on a walker and the assistance of two companions as she moved toward a waiting car. Dressed in a long, dark coat layered over a blue sweater and paired with black pants and sneakers, Turner seemed unsteady on her feet as she navigated the sidewalk.
Her pictures from the outing were shared online and fans shared their opinions on her wellbeing. A fan pointed out, “She’s not well.” A commenter who was surprised, penned, “I don’t believe it is Kathleen.”
One person couldn’t hold back their heartbreak, noting, She is really suffering – RA very painful – even to walk – – meds cause significant weight gain , affects internally and facial appearance- Grace 🙏🏻🙏🏻 [sic].”
Another observant person wrote, “Look at her hands. She obviously has arthritis and probably other autoimmune diseases as well.” A viewer seemed shocked by a detail they spotted, writing, “Wow her hand has turned white.”
An emotional fan commented, “I love her 💗 It hurts me that she is suffering with such pain.” Hoping for a positive turn, one supporter shared, “Oh man… she has trouble walking 😢😢… love her … praying it’s some temporary ailment.” One more person expressed their feelings in a few words, “Geez. Hard to see. God bless.”
Kathleen Turner has previously spoken candidly about her decades-long battle with rheumatoid arthritis, an autoimmune disease that targets joints and internal organs, which was first diagnosed while her acting career was thriving in the early 1990s.
During the filming of “Serial Mom” in 1993, she began experiencing what she described as “unbearable” pain. Turner began to notice the swelling in her feet was so severe that she could no longer fit into any of her shoes.
By the time she was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis, she could barely move, struggling to turn her head or even walk. She noted, “I was told I’d be in a wheelchair the rest of my life because of rheumatoid arthritis.”
The illness became fully debilitating that she wouldn’t even go up and down stairs without resorting to crawling on her buttocks for support. Turner divulged, “The pain is very bad because there’s no way to sit, lie or stand that allows you to escape it. People don’t understand because it’s not life-threatening. It will not kill me, but it kills your life.”
The actress explained that more than two decades ago, treatment options were limited, and the medications available today simply didn’t exist.
Thankfully, advances in medication eventually helped bring her condition under control. One such treatment, Enbrel, played a significant role in her recovery. Turner appeared on television to discuss her journey with rheumatoid arthritis, though she never mentioned the drug by name.
She also did not disclose her paid relationship with the company that made it, which led to policy changes in media. One such change was CNN’s new rule in 2002 requiring full disclosure of such partnerships after her interview.
Aside from, Enbrel, the actress had multiple joint replacements and underwent surgeries, determined to reclaim her place on stage, and she did, building a thriving second act in theater.
As she battled health challenges, Turner also confronted ageism in Hollywood, acknowledging that her appearance had changed with time. The 70-year-old pointed out that she was no longer the youthful person audiences once remembered, and emphasized that people needed to accept that and move on.
Despite facing severe physical limitations, rumors, and an industry that often misunderstood her condition, Turner refused to let the disease define her. As much as her physical state at the moment worries her fans, her story will remain a powerful testament to her determination in the tough Hollywood industry.
