He often warned me that the entertainment industry was evil and that Hollywood would steal my soul,” Graham says about her father.
Heather Graham recently opened up about her strained relationship with her family. In an interview with the Wall Street Journal, the 54-year-old Austin Powers star revealed that she hasn’t spoken to her parents in nearly 30 years.
Graham reflected on the events that led her to leave home at 18 and become estranged from her mother and father. Moving from a suburban neighborhood in Virginia to Agoura Hills, California, at nine years old, Graham recalled feeling like she “didn’t fit in” after the move. “In Virginia, I had a tomboy phase and loved exploring the woods. After we moved, I was isolated,” Graham shared, explaining how this shift led to her growing insecurity and turning to books for comfort.
When she began pursuing an acting career, Graham faced resistance from her parents, particularly her father, who was against her career from the start. “He regularly told me that the entertainment industry was evil and that Hollywood would claim my soul,” Graham said, adding that her parents were part of a generation that didn’t believe in therapy or discussing personal issues.
After her breakout role in License to Drive premiered in 1988, Graham, then 18, decided it was time to move out. “Living at home had become more difficult. I said to myself, ‘I’ve got to get out of here, I’ve got to be successful, and I’ve got to be a movie star,’” she recounted. She soon found an apartment in West Hollywood, where she lived with a high school friend who was also a working model.
Despite graduating from high school with a 5.0 GPA, Graham left UCLA during her junior year to focus on acting. Her career took off with roles in Swingers and Austin Powers, marking a turning point where she finally felt “self-sufficient.” It was during this time that she reevaluated her relationship with her parents and ultimately decided to stop talking to them at 25. “I’m estranged from them now,” she told the outlet. “My friends are proud of me, and I’m proud of myself. I have really good friends.”
Today, Graham feels at peace with the life she has built, despite the warnings from her parents. “I live in Los Angeles in a house I bought last year. I also have a loft in New York,” she said, noting that her L.A. home offers stunning views of the Pacific Ocean. “I love the ocean,” she added. “I also like sitting out back when writing or preparing for a movie. Nature is inspiring.”
As for what’s next, Graham is staying busy both behind and in front of the camera. She is currently writing, acting, and directing her latest film, Chosen Family, which is set to be released on October 11.
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