Phoebe Cates, for many of her fans, defined what it meant to dream of growing up as a teenager in the '80s. From adolescent adventures in Fast Times at Ridgemont High to finding her feet in Paradise, Phoebe brought love and laughter to teen audiences – and is now a mother to two grown-up kids herself.
Read on to find out what her creatively-inclined children have got up to, her long-lasting marriage and what the actress is doing now.
© Getty ImagesPhoebe Cates was a famous face during the '80s
Who is Phoebe Cates?
Born on 16 July 1963, Phoebe Cates got her start on screen in the 1982 film Paradise, and later that same year starred alongside Sean Penn and Jennifer Jason Leigh in Fast Times at Ridgemont High.
The actress is best known for her roles in '80s classic Gremlins and its 1990 sequel, as well as '90s comedy favourite Drop Dead Fred.
© Corbis via Getty ImagesPhoebe appeared in several iconic films during the '80s
Finding fame in the '80s
Many of Phoebe's best-loved roles came about during the '80s. From the farcical comedy of Fast Times at Ridgemont High to Gizmo and Billy's adventures in Gremlins and fantasy romance Date with an Angel, Phoebe quickly captured audiences' hearts.
She appeared in 11 different projects from 1982 to the end of the decade, becoming a defining face of '80s cinema.
© WireImage via Getty ImagesKevin and Phoebe tied the knot in 1989
Marriage to Kevin
Phoebe met her now-husband Kevin Kline at an audition for The Big Chill in 1982. They met again a few years later while working on different projects at the Public Theatre in New York and finally married on 5 March, 1989.
Kevin told Entertainment Weekly in 2002: ”When I first met Phoebe, I remember thinking, ‘She’s too happy to be with me. She’s too enthusiastic about life.... What’ll we talk about?’" Luckily, his first impression proved wrong and they've been married for over 30 years.
© Getty Images for TCMOwen Kline is an actor, filmmaker and cartoonist
Owen Kline, 34
The couple's first child, son Owen Joseph, was born on 14 October 1991. He works as a filmmaker, actor and cartoonist, directing his first feature Funny Pages in 2022.
Owen has appeared on screen in Oscar-nominated feature A Different Man and The Squid and the Whale and worked with his actress mother in The Anniversary Party (2001).
© Getty ImagesGreta Kline is a singer-songwriter for an indie-pop band
Greta Kline, 32
Phoebe and Kevin welcomed their second child, daughter Greta, on 21 March 1994. She started performing as Frankie Cosmos in 2012.
The singer-songwriter has recorded several studio albums with indie-pop band Frankie Cosmos and released her debut Zentropy in 2014.
© WireImage via Getty ImagesPhoebe Cates has since stepped back from acting
Stepping back from the spotlight
Since finding fame through the '80s and '90s, Phoebe has stepped away from the spotlight. She last appeared in 2001's The Anniversary Party and lent her voice to 2015 video game Lego Dimensions as her Gremlins character Kate.
While she and husband Kevin ensured their work schedules never overlapped, Phoebe decided to prioritise her family. Kevin told Playboy in 1998: "Whenever it's been her slot to work, Phoebe has chosen to stay with the children". It seems a life away from the spotlight still suits her down to the ground.
