Phoebe Cates, famous for her performances in movies such as Gremlins and Drop Dead Fred, will forever be remembered for her unforgettable topless pool scene in the 1982 classic Fast Times at Ridgemont High.
Yet, more than 20 years ago, the once-celebrated actress left the Hollywood scene and now enjoys a typical 9-to-5 job in a field she is passionate about.
Born as Phoebe Belle Cates on July 16, 1963, in New York City, she went to private schools and took ballet lessons at Juilliard when she was a young girl.
Coming from a family with strong ties to the entertainment world, Phoebe’s father, Joe Cates, was a producer and director, while her uncle served as the president of the Directors Guild. Her siblings were also involved in the industry.
Initially, Phoebe aimed for a career in dance, but a knee injury during her youth made her abandon that dream.
At just 14, she shifted her focus to modeling and quickly found success. She graced the cover of Seventeen magazine four times, but eventually, she discovered that modeling wasn’t her true passion and started seeking other avenues.
“It started to feel monotonous. Eventually, I was just doing it for the paycheck,” Phoebe reflected on her short-lived modeling career.
Her path changed when she encountered her future film agent at a gathering at New York’s iconic Studio 54, which prompted her to train under Robert Ravan, the founder of The Actors’ Circle in New York.
“I realized I didn’t want to attend college. Acting appeared to be a fantastic escape if I could secure a few film roles,” she recounted in an interview with The Daily Item in 1985.
Cates also trained with Alice Spivack at H.B. Studios and made her acting debut in 1982, playing Sarah in Paradise. Shortly after, she featured in Experienced and, most notably, Fast Times at Ridgemont High.
The film has turned into a cult classic, primarily known for Cates’ pool scene, which Rolling Stone referred to as “the most unforgettable bikini-drop in the history of cinema.”
As one of her friends noted, that scene made a lasting impression on the hearts of numerous teenage boys.
In 1982, Phoebe shared her perspective on the moment. “In this industry, if a girl aspires to have a career, she must be open to stripping. If you have a great body, why not flaunt it?”
The ensemble of Fast Times at Ridgemont High was remarkable, showcasing future stars such as Sean Penn, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Eric Stoltz, and Forest Whitaker.
“We were all so young, and it turned out to be a huge success. People would quote the lines while watching in theaters,” Jennifer Jason Leigh shared with The Daily News.
Phoebe went on to pursue her career in both film and theater, playing Christine Ramsey in Private School in 1983 and appearing alongside Steven Spielberg in Gremlins in 1984. While auditioning for The Big Chill, she crossed paths with the highly regarded actor Kevin Kline, although she did not land the part.
Even with a 16-year age difference, Cates and Kline began dating two years after their initial meeting. Kline enlisted the help of his former assistant, who had become Cates’ employee, to assist him in winning her heart.
In 1989, Phoebe and Kevin got married in New York City, with Cates being 25 years old and Kline at 41. They welcomed their first child, Owen Joseph, in 1991, and their daughter, Greta Simone, came along in 1994.
By 2017, the couple marked 27 years of marriage, which sparked interest in their secret to a lasting relationship. “We take care of the marriage,” Kline shared.
Even though Cates’ career was flourishing, she decided to step back from acting to dedicate her time to raising their children. Throughout the 1990s, she gradually faded from the public eye.
In a 1998 interview with Playboy, Cates revealed that she and Kline had made a pact to alternate their acting roles so that one parent would always be home with the kids.
Kline noted that whenever it was her turn to work, Cates chose to remain at home with the children. Although she sometimes took on minor acting roles, she was more frequently spotted accompanying Kline to red-carpet events.
In 2005, Phoebe launched her boutique, Blue Tree, located near Carnegie Hall. The store features a wide range of products, including fragrances, clothing, and gifts.
Since then, Phoebe has committed herself to being a full-time shopkeeper, often engaging directly at the store and selecting new items. You can find Blue Tree at 1283 Madison Avenue in New York City, situated on the Upper East Side where she also lives.
