Born Mary Kathleen Turner in Springfield, MO; educated at Southwest Missouri State University (now Missouri State University), University of Maryland, College Park and Central School of Speech and Drama, London. Blonde, sultry, smoky-voiced leading lady who graduated from daytime soaps to almost overnight big screen stardom with a show-stopping film debut as a seductive temptress in Lawrence Kasdan's contemporary film noir, BODY HEAT (1981). With looks and poise reminiscent of the Hollywood stars of old, and most typically cast in sensuous, aggressive roles, Turner has proved herself a likable comedienne in films ranging from the old-fashioned adventure yarn ROMANCING THE STONE (1984) to Danny De Vito's blackly humorous study in marital breakdown, THE WAR OF THE ROSES (1989). She was also effective as a cold-hearted hit-woman in the mafia comedy, PRIZZI'S HONOR (1985), and as a mature woman inhabiting the body of a teenager in Francis Ford Coppola's time-travel yarn, PEGGY SUE GOT MARRIED (1986). She provided the speaking voice of sexy Jessica Rabbit in the toon-noir WHO FRAMED ROGER RABBIT (1988). Upon meeting the legendary Lauren Bacall, to whom she has often been compared, she reported introduced herself by saying, "Hi, I'm the young you." In 1989, Turner earned acclaim on Broadway, starring as Maggie "the Cat" in Tennessee Williams's Cat On a Hot Tin Roof. The early 90s, however, represented a step back for Turner. Diagnosed with rhematoid arthritis in 1992, Turner had to restrict her career choices. As the disease worsened, her work began to slide and she appeared in increasingly low-budget and obscure films. A detective film, V.I. WARSHAWSKI (1991), and the small-scale medical drama, HOUSE OF CARDS (1993), failed with critics and the public. She turned to lighter material with John Water's SERIAL MOM (1994). Playing a modern-day homemaker with the looks of June Cleaver and the heart of Charles Manson, Turner at once frightened and delighted audiences. Other notable screen credits include THE MAN WITH TWO BRAINS (1983), CRIMES OF PASSION and A BREED APART (both 1984), THE JEWEL OF THE NILE (1985), SWITCHING CHANNELS and THE ACCIDENTAL TOURIST (both 1988), NAKED IN NEW YORK (1994), MOONLIGHT AND VALENTINO (1995), A SIMPLE WISH and THE REAL BLONDE (both 1997), BABY GENIUSES and THE VIRGIN SUICIDES (both 1999), and BEAUTIFUL and PRINCE OF CENTRAL PARK (both 2000). Despite drug therapy to help her condition, the disease progressed for about 8 years. Then, due to newly-available treatments, her arthritis went into remission and she was able to resume full activity. In 2002 Turner returned to Broadway, playing Mrs. Robinson in The Graduate. In 2005,she beat out a score of other contenders (including Jessica Lange, Frances McDormand, and Bette Midler) for the role of Martha, the aging, blowsy, alcoholic anti-heroine in a 2005 Broadway revival of Edward Albee's Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?. Turner's performance was extremely well-received, inviting comparisons to Elizabeth Taylor's Oscar®-winning movie performance from 1966. She received her second Tony® Award nomination for Best Actress in a Play. She has also appeared in episodes of the TV series "King of the Hill", "Friends", "Law & Order" and "Nip/Tuck". Turner serves on the board of People for the American Way, is chairperson for Planned Parenthood of America, and supports Amnesty International, Childhelp USA, and Citymeals-on-Wheels. She was one of John Kerry's first celebrity endorsements. She has been a frequent donor to the Democratic Party. She has also worked to raise public awareness of rheumatoid arthritis. Her first husband (1977-1982) was agent David Guc. In 1984, Turner married real estate mogul Jay Weiss, and her sister-in-law is fashion designer Donna Karan.  Nominated for Actress 1986: PEGGY SUE GOT MARRIED 1 nomination