Picture this: Jennifer Tilly, the actress known for her quirky, girlish characters like the mob moll in Bullets Over Broadway and the iconic role of Tiffany in the Chucky franchise. Off-screen, however, she's a master of strategy, having outplayed some of the best poker players in Las Vegas. Jennifer, now 61, shares her incredible journey with Closer Weekly, revealing how her 2005 World Series of Poker bracelet win changed her life. “I was so obsessed with becoming a poker grandmaster that I had this pivotal moment where I questioned, ‘Do I really want to act for the rest of my life?’” she says. “But now, I’ve found my balance, doing both acting and poker. Life is all about harmony, right?”
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Jennifer’s life isn’t just about balancing careers. She’s also found harmony in her 16-year relationship with poker champion Phil Laak, who’s 47. “He’s an amazing guy,” she gushes. As she gears up for two new indie films and returns to the role that made her famous in the upcoming Syfy series Chucky, we caught up with Jennifer at the American Heart Association’s Go Red for Women Red Dress Collection show in February to hear her inspiring story.
Scroll below to read our exclusive Q&A with Jennifer!
How Did It Feel to Be Nominated for an Oscar for Bullets Over Broadway?
Jennifer shares that no one expected her to get that nomination. Harvey Weinstein was pushing for Dianne Wiest in the supporting actress category, so Jennifer had to take matters into her own hands. “I had to buy ads and start my own campaign,” she recalls. “It was a testament to sheer perseverance. I had to fight for it, and that made it all the more rewarding.”
Ranking Costars: John Cusack, Jeff Bridges, and Chucky?
When asked to rate her famous co-stars, Jennifer doesn’t hold back. “Chucky is definitely the most annoying,” she jokes. “He’s always around, sticking his fingers in craft service or grabbing me between takes. But when it comes to real people, Jeff Bridges is a legend. He’s so kind to everyone on set, and it trickles down. And John Cusack? He’s fantastic to work with because he gives as good as he gets. It’s a rare quality in an actor.”
Is Her Distinctive Voice a Blessing or a Curse?
Her unique voice has been both a help and a hindrance throughout her career. “When I first started acting, I was doing this breathy Marilyn Monroe imitation,” Jennifer explains. “It was like a trick, a crutch I couldn’t act without. But one day, on The Getaway, the director cleared the set and said, ‘Jennifer, talk in your normal voice.’ I literally couldn’t do it. Now, my voice is huskier, lower, and perfect for cartoons. I voice Bonnie on Family Guy and another character in the new Monsters, Inc. series, Monsters at Work. So, it’s all worked out!”
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Did You Know Jennifer Tilly Has a Famous Sister?
Jennifer’s younger sister, Meg Tilly, is also a successful actress. “Meg was destined to become a prima ballerina, but an injury derailed her dancing career,” Jennifer recalls. “She decided to switch to acting, and I thought, ‘This should be easy for her.’ But she blew me away when she landed a starring role in Tex with Matt Dillon within three months. We both had our struggles, but we’re both proud to have achieved success. We even both got Oscar nominations!”
