Andie MacDowell has simply returned house from three days of press for her Hallmark Channel collection, The Manner House, when she greets me over Zoom from her Nancy Meyers–esque house in Kiawah Island, South Carolina. Along with her canine at her ft and landscapers outdoors, discuss instantly turns to her serene environment, and the way quickly I can go to there.
“I’ve a very quiet spot [that my property is on] and don’t see one other home, which is tough to seek out because it’s fairly populated for an island,” she says. “However that was my little gem that I discovered. I’m surrounded by timber, in order that’s good.”
If the 66-year-old actor and mannequin by no means wished to depart her little slice of heaven to journey anyplace once more, you couldn’t blame her, however that’s not who Andie MacDowell is. Whether or not she’s jet-setting to the Cannes Movie Pageant with L’Oréal or to Toronto to movie The Manner House, the mom-of-three enjoys the frenetic tempo.
But when something, she’s simply extra purposeful about it now, selecting to work with folks and types who need to give her as a lot as she’s given them. “I’ve a whole lot of respect for Hallmark as a result of they rent me, and I prefer to work,” she says. In truth, MacDowell has been loyal to Hallmark ever since she starred of their first scripted collection, Cedar Cove, which premiered in 2013. “There’s a distinctive feeling when work for them that you simply don’t actually expertise elsewhere. The followers, and that connection…. You see the love they really have for these characters and for the present. The artistic expertise brings a whole lot of pleasure to folks, and that’s good.”
MacDowell stars as Del Landry on The Manner House.
©2024 Hallmark Media
Though The Manner House, which is presently airing its third season, was the most-watched authentic collection on cable amongst girls of ages 18-plus following its second-season finale final yr, MacDowell largely makes information lately for her candid feedback on growing older and her empowering stance on going grey.
“I don’t need folks to have the expectation that I have to look youthful to have worth or to be stunning or fascinating,” she first informed Vogue in 2021. Since then, she’s continued to rock her beautiful silver curls on the carpet, and open up about not giving into food regimen tradition.
MacDowell remembers a time just lately the place she may barely zip up a brand new outfit. She had it on for 10 minutes earlier than she took it off. Then, as she was sleeping that evening, she began to really feel ache in her rib cage that prompted “newfound readability within the morning,” she says. The outcome? Acknowledging she has “an ideal physique” that doesn’t want to vary for a glance.
However now, the actor finest identified for roles in 4 Weddings and a Funeral, Groundhog Day, and far more, needs to make clear one thing else that’s irritating her: the dearth of good, main roles centered on mature girls. Hollywood is evolving, sure, however not quickly sufficient, and never in the way in which it must be, MacDowell tells me.
“Don’t do cliché older folks,” she says. “That’s all I actually care about. There are a whole lot of older girls down right here [in South Carolina], and so they’re doing incredible issues with their lives. They’re making issues occur.”
And so is MacDowell. For Glamour’s newest version of Icons Solely, she expands on that subject, in addition to why it’s necessary to take again the phrase matronly (“Why can’t I be matronly in a stunning, highly effective method?”), and which one in every of her youngsters she needs she would have listened to extra.
Greg Williams
Glamour: Your full identify is Rosalie Anderson MacDowell. When did you modify it, and why?
Andie MacDowell: I moved to New York in 1979. I went into Elite someday and among the women had bare footage, and I used to be actual embarrassed. So, at first I used to be afraid to stroll in. However I did, and a mannequin scout mentioned, “Who’re you?” I informed her, “I’m Rose MacDowell.” She mentioned, “Include me,” and he or she seemed via my ebook. After which she mentioned, “When can you progress right here?” I mentioned, “Two weeks,” identical to that, not understanding. I assumed I may get it collectively by two weeks.
And so I went house, informed my dad. He didn’t like the thought. It’s the one time I ever stood as much as my father, as a result of he was fairly… He wasn’t imply, however dignified, respectful. He mentioned, “You’re not doing that.” And I mentioned, “I’m sorry, Daddy, however I’m going to go.” I had $2,000. I purchased a Ralph Lauren go well with. I used to be so naive. I used to be so small city, I had no clue. I spent a lot of the cash on the Ralph Lauren go well with. It was a pencil skirt; how silly.
And the place have been you going to dwell in New York given that you simply simply spent most of your cash on this go well with?
Oh, I simply finagled my method. It’s a must to be fairly savvy. So anyway, within the company, they mentioned I seemed too ethnic, too European. That is 1979. We hadn’t fairly opened up but. The world had not opened as much as dark-headed women. All people was blonde, blue-eyed.
They wished to vary my identify, in order that they known as me Mac for a number of days, for MacDowell. It by no means actually resonated with me and made me really feel type of odd. So I went again in and mentioned, “Look, my center identify’s Anderson. My sister used to name me Andie as a joke. How about Andie?” And so they mentioned, “Certain, that’s nice.” So I used to be simply Andie, no MacDowell, till I began doing motion pictures. However my pals nonetheless name me Rose.
How did you are feeling about that?
It didn’t trouble me. I used to be so in awe of the whole lot. I had a lot to study. My biggest reward was having the ability to listen and watch folks and determine it out.
I didn’t personal something. I didn’t have something. I didn’t know something. So the whole lot was fascinating to me, after which I moved to Paris instantly. I did modeling work for Glamour, really.
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Sure, you probably did. So, given what you went via as a younger girl, how did that then affect you as a mother or father to Margaret and Rainey? Did you give them extra freedom?
Positively. I want I had listened to Rainey greater than I really did, as a result of a whole lot of occasions she had higher concepts than I noticed, and I remorse that. Margaret, I simply couldn’t cease her. There was no method. She wrote me a letter when she went to North Carolina Faculty of the Arts for dance within the tenth grade. She discovered the skilled faculty on her personal. She went to 2 modeling companies on her personal. She mentioned, “I wish to strive one thing new. I’ve devoted my complete life to bop.” And I mentioned, “In fact.” And I let her. I obtained her an condominium. I feel folks in my little city thought I used to be loopy. It was lots to let somebody do this at such a younger age, but it surely gave her so many life abilities.
Letting your youngsters be totally different than you is one of the simplest ways to be an grownup mother or father, and it’s necessary to understand that they’re totally different than you. Be taught from them, as a substitute of making an attempt to make them such as you.
Rainey Qualley, Andie MacDowell, and Margaret Qualley in 2009
Michael Loccisano/Getty Photos
How are you most totally different out of your daughters?
I positively fear extra. Rainey is simply such a singular artist, and typically I’d attempt to field her in a bit bit. She’s the best reward of my life, as a result of my life won’t ever be boring due to her. She’s authentic.
Which of your motion pictures are your youngsters’ favorites?
I obtained a whole lot of compliments after Inexperienced Card. I feel she beloved the subtlety of my work in that movie. I bear in mind [my son] Justin watching Unstrung Heroes, and he mentioned, “It made me actually unhappy when [your character] died.” He had no affiliation with me. And I assumed, “Oh, that’s actually good.” He was misplaced within the character.
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Which movie holds essentially the most particular place in your coronary heart?
I might say Groundhog Day, as a result of I really feel prefer it’s an ideal film. I don’t assume there’s an unfaithful second in it. It obtained into the Smithsonian. It’s not the type of film, sadly, that the Academy would’ve acknowledged or no matter, however I do really feel like it’s a masterpiece. And [director] Harold Ramis was the nicest man I ever labored with. However I don’t know why that fashion of movie might be not as extremely appreciated as maybe movies that do get appreciated. I feel it’s an ideal film. It’s really very Buddhist. It’s deep. It’s not a shallow film.
I do really feel like my work in it is extremely delicate, very sincere, very true. And that’s what I wanted to do, as a result of Invoice Murray’s so broad. It was like yin and yang. It made it work excellent. If I used to be making an attempt to be humorous, it might’ve ruined it. I gave him all the chance to do the whole lot he wished to do, and I simply did my job by staying sincere and actual and truthful. And that’s what makes it actually work.
Andie MacDowell and Invoice Murray in 1993’s Groundhog Day
©Columbia Footage/Courtesy Everett Assortment
What do you consider after I say St. Elmo’s Fireplace?
Kirby Keager (Emilio Estevez) and Dale Biberman (MacDowell). I’ve even had folks yell these names to me. I snicker, or I’ll say, “The place is Kirby Keager?” or one thing like that. So many issues come again to me. I simply bear in mind they have been an actual gang. I lived in New York, and the remainder of the solid lived in Los Angeles. I used to be in awe of them, and a bit intimidated. I bear in mind being in Georgetown and watching Demi Moore dance and considering she was such an ideal dancer. She had a lot freedom. It was enjoyable to be round them.
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Andie MacDowell and Emilo Estevez in 1985’s St. Elmo’s Fireplace
©Columbia Footage/Courtesy Everett Assortment
Let’s speak about Intercourse, Lies, and Videotape.
Oh, so many issues. That was an ideal expertise. It was simply such a beautiful character to get to play as a result of it’s laborious to seek out characters like that. Maid was the subsequent closest factor; actually juicy.
I had my son with me, and I had simply gotten pregnant with Rainey. I didn’t need to lose the job, so I didn’t inform anyone. I used to be about two months alongside.
Would you be extra open now?
Sure, as a result of I used to be extra pregnant with Unstrung Heroes. Diane Keaton directed me in Unstrung Heroes, and I used to be pregnant with Margaret. It was going to be like my fifth month working, so I used to be scared. And [Diane] requested me to be in it as a result of I used to be the primary individual they considered. I really like that script, and I really like her, so I actually wished to do it. However I informed her, “I’m pregnant,” as a result of I couldn’t faux I wasn’t. With Rainey I may.
It was early.
The one factor I had was good boobs.
Was there ever a task that you simply turned down due to household obligations?
In all probability, however nothing I actually bear in mind. I’ll inform you a narrative that explains why I had the boldness I had. I used to be very maternal. I went to a celebration and met this actress who was speaking about how she didn’t have youngsters as a result of she stored placing it off for her profession, after which it was too late. And I assumed to myself, “That’s not going to be me.” Proper at that second, “It’s not going to be me.” I used to be actually able to have youngsters. I used to be from a small city. I already felt like I used to be previous at 27. I did. And I used to be simply going to do it. It was my precedence over profession.
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However right here’s the humorous factor: I might by no means have mentioned that. I at all times pretended like my profession was an important factor. You by no means wished somebody to assume that you simply weren’t going to indicate up 100%. However the reality of the matter is my youngsters have been extra necessary to me. Though issues are higher now, on the time I had to consider how a lot my youngsters might be on set and the way a lot I’d speak about them. I needed to actually look tremendous targeted, like I wasn’t at all times excited about them. You needed to fear about these issues. However now, there’s a whole lot of males which have developed. I’ve seen a whole lot of modifications that I want I had been round [when I was a young mom]. It’s unhappy to listen to that individuals are nonetheless struggling. It’s nearly like we make progress, after which they push us again and we’ve to combat once more for a similar foolish issues.
It’s so true. There was a whole lot of nice issues that got here out of the pandemic—from distant work to an emphasis on our psychological well being and spending extra time with household. It appears like we’re going backward once more once we had gained a lot perspective of what works finest for households and people.
Proper. I had an issue with that complete revival or development of the phrase demure. I actually struggled with that as a result of we fought so laborious to not need to behave like that. And I used to be like, “The place is that this power coming from?”
Though the phrase was used to poke enjoyable at itself, I additionally hate the phrase girlies, which has turn into a giant factor. Like, what are we, 10? Why are we unexpectedly categorized into popular culture girlies and sports activities girlies and make-up girlies?
I’ve a narrative for you that entails all of this. After I had Rainey, I used to be working for L’Oréal. After I obtained pregnant with Justin, I needed to inform L’Oréal I used to be pregnant. They’d simply provided me the contract, and so they stored me. There have been occasions after I was afraid that I might lose one thing. That was one time I didn’t lose it. I labored lots for them doing adverts. Anyway, after I had Rainey, I used to be with working with photographer Irving Penn, and my milk had are available and my tits have been gigantic.
Irving would shoot within the morning, ship the pictures out, get them again, after which look to determine which path they want. [But one day] he took me into his workplace and informed me I seemed matronly. And are you aware that feeling in your throat?
Mm-hmm.
That was in my throat. I may barely communicate. I informed him I might drop some pounds. However he mentioned, “We are able to’t shoot as we speak. You look too matronly.” So I left, and I attempted to begin shedding pounds. In truth, somebody necessary informed me I seemed too matronly after my hair went silver. However at this level, I used to be a lot extra mature in who I used to be that I actually didn’t care what they thought, as a result of I favored my hair and I assumed I seemed fabulous. However why do we’ve this distaste for ladies and the phrase matronly?
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Why can’t it’s like demure? I’m matronly. That’s what I’m. Why can’t I be matronly in a stunning, highly effective, respectful, glamorous method? Why does it at all times need to be about being weak in an effort to be stunning: demure, smooth, coquette? Why does it at all times need to be that? As a result of that’s not the male gaze. Proper? And it’s not saying that I don’t need to even have moments after I’m perceived as attractive, as a result of I do.
A thousand %.
I’ve obtained to take actually excellent care of myself. I’ve obtained an ideal physique, and I can nonetheless do all that. However there comes a time when I’m what I’m. So, I’ve an actual highly effective expertise with that phrase. It has been in my life for a very long time.
Utterly comprehensible. Earlier than we run out of time, I need to speak about 4 Weddings and a Funeral.
I used to be in London for Groundhog Day, and I had a gathering with [director] Mike Newell and I feel [screenwriter] Richard Curtis too. I feel I met them out at a bar, and my job was to persuade them that I used to be the precise individual. I obtained the job.
I don’t often watch dailies [footage] as a result of I’m very laborious on myself, and I don’t need to get bizarre, however I noticed some dailies. The “Holy Spirit” scene.… I simply was like, “That is going to be big.” Hugh Grant was so charming. It was simply lovely. I overlook how a lot we made the film for. Possibly 4 million? And it was simply vastly, vastly profitable.
Andie MacDowell and Hugh Grant in 1994’s 4 Weddings and a Funeral
©GramercyPictures/Courtesy Everett Assortment
The script was excellent. It’s laborious to seek out scripts like that, particularly at my age, to get something that’s excellent. However I had my day. I had my day after I was very lucky to work on a whole lot of nice scripts.
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That makes me unhappy as a result of I do really feel like this business is getting higher with providing roles that aren’t…
It’s not even providing. They only don’t write them. If you happen to watch TV, I at all times inform everyone, simply watch how typically you see an individual of age, as a result of they’re uncommon. The folks they’re going to write down about are going to be of their 20s or 30s or 40s. You generally is a character in [a series], however not often will a present be written about mature folks. Individuals are not fascinated about mature folks, sadly.
I do assume that there’s the chance for fascinating characters on the market. They’re simply not writing them.
That’s why I used to be so glad Margo Martindale was in The Sticky on Prime Video as a result of she was primary on the decision sheet and he or she is 73. I need to see extra of that.
Proper, or at the very least fascinating characters. Maintain them vibrant. Make them distinctive. Don’t do cliché older folks. That’s all I actually care about. Give me one thing fascinating to do. I’m round a whole lot of girls. There are a whole lot of older girls down right here, and so they’re doing incredible issues with their lives. They’re engaged on conservation. They’re making issues occur. They’ve a lot knowledge and information. They’re mentoring youthful folks. They’re very important and fascinating.
Would you ever write one thing, or group up with somebody to write down?
I’ve thought of it. I’ve concepts. I did do one thing with somebody, and it was near occurring, however I don’t know what occurred. Simply since you write it doesn’t imply it’s going to occur, sadly. It’s a must to get somebody to imagine in it.
Earlier, you talked about how particular Maid was, particularly because you set to work with Margaret. What sticks with you from that have?
It was such an fascinating character, and I used to be at all times simply wanting my daughter to imagine me. She performed it so subtly, and I’m broad, however that’s my character.
We had some actually fantastic moments, [even] after I’m simply so merciless to her. However I felt actually comfy as a result of I knew she knew I didn’t really feel that method. The collection meant lots to a whole lot of totally different folks, and that meant lots to me.
Margaret Qualley and Andie MacDowell within the restricted collection Maid, which premiered on Netflix in 2021
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Earlier than we go, let’s play some rapid-fire questions: What former costar do you continue to ship vacation playing cards to?
I don’t ship vacation playing cards to anybody.
What’s one thing you’ll by no means spend any cash on?
Medication. I’d go into a kind of outlets for some marijuana to assist me sleep, however I’m not going to purchase medication.
What’s one thing you don’t thoughts spending cash on?
I really like style, like new garments. I’m horrible. I’m a sucker for cashmere sweaters. I can’t assist it. Generally I can gown like the place I’m, after which I’ll exit and go, “Oh, I ought to have gotten cool-looking pants to go to LA.” I suppose that’s from my modeling years. I used to be so fortunate to get to put on all these stunning garments.
You may put on something. You may put on a paper sack and make it look cool.
That’s candy. However I don’t need to.
[Laughs] Who haven’t you labored with that you simply’d nonetheless like to act with?
I at all times wished to work with Christopher Walken, however I don’t know what he’s doing anymore. I wouldn’t thoughts working with Meryl. I imply, come on. You’re going to want for one thing.
Why can’t we’ve a collection with you and Meryl Streep dwelling on Kiawah Island? You don’t have to depart your property. Meryl can keep at your own home.
Proper. Appears like a plan.
Lastly, what are you wanting ahead to on this new yr?
Private progress, since that’s the one factor we will management. I’ve issues that I wish to enhance on. I’ve obtained X period of time left right here, and I’ve obtained some behaviors and feelings I’m uninterested in and am able to develop. I simply need to elevate myself to a spot the place I really feel like I’ve developed and turn into nearly the whole lot I need to be. That’s my aim for 2025.
This interview has been edited for area and readability.
