’80s star Kelly Le Brock talks new film ‘Tomorrow’s Today,’ why she left

It was more than two decades ago when Kelly Le Brock said goodbye to Hollywood with zero intention of returning.

It was after the star’s highly publicized divorce from Steven Seagal in 1996. By then, the actress was looking for a simpler life and decided to quietly leave behind her career to live in southern California where she raised her three children out of the glaring spotlight. It was a relief for Le Brock, who first began modeling in her teens and later skyrocketed to fame with films like 1984’s “The Woman in Red,” 1985’s “Weird Science” and 1990’s “Hard to Kill.”

But occasionally, Le Brock gets “the itch” to act again. And when the script for “Tomorrow’s Today” came along, she quickly said yes. The film, which was previously titled “Charlie Boy,” drew world attention when Sean Young was fired from the set. In 2018, the “Blade Runner” star was accused of allegedly stealing laptops from a production office.

In the comedy, Le Brock plays a grieving mother and ex-wife of a former gangster who is attempting to right the wrongs of his life.

‘WEST SIDE STORY’ STAR NATALIE WOOD ‘ALWAYS TRIED TO PROTECT ME,’ SISTER LANA WOOD SAYS

Kelly LeBrock attends the red carpet world premiere for the documentary “Altitude Not Attitude” at The Landmark on June 03, 2021, in Los Angeles, California. 
(Amy Sussman/Getty Images)

The 61-year spoke to Fox News about “Tomorrow’s Today,” leaving Hollywood and what life is really like for her these days.

Fox News: What was it about the role of Donna in “Tomorrow’s Today” that drew you in as an actress?
Kelly Le Brock: I’m a professional ex-wife *laughs*. [Director] Timothy [Hines] is very persistent and he assured me that he would take very good care of me and make me look great. But I also think he put together a wonderful little film for little money. I read the script and it had potential. It had heart and Timothy was working on it constantly. And in the end, it’s a nice little story to tell… [Co-star] Greg [Kritikos] is such a doll. He’s quite the character. And the rest of the cast was warm and wonderful. It was a good experience for me.

Fox News: What was it like for you to play someone like Donna?
Le Brock: I have three wonderful children and I’ve had experiences where I’ve been faced with possible and potential tragedies with all three of them. And you know, I’ve done a lot of hospices in my life and they worked with a lot of children with cancer. Those experiences have touched my heart deeply. So I was able to draw from those personal experiences. I wanted to show how grief can sometimes be subtle and quiet. It never leaves you, even when you try to be private about it.

Kelly Le Brock left Hollywood in the ‘90s and put down roots on a ranch.
(Micheline PELLETIER/Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images)

Fox News: Back in the ‘80s, you were considered the ultimate dream girl. And then you disappeared. Why did you leave Hollywood?
Le Brock: Hollywood wasn’t a place where I wanted to raise my children. My divorce was very much in the press. And I’m just not a Hollywood girl. Never have been. I never really liked the attention. I wanted to have dirt in my nails and be in the outdoors. 

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE ENTERTAINMENT NEWSLETTER

So I quit my career and moved to the wilderness where I lived with no television for 25 years. I did the best that I could as a single mom. I have three wonderful children. I could always go back to my career. I could never go back to my children. Some people can do both. But I already had the fame and was done with it. I became famous when I was very young and it didn’t do me a bit of good. It just caused trauma. Being famous is not for everybody.

Fox News: With social media, it’s easier now than ever to become famous.
Le Brock: It’s gotten out of control. I don’t want a part of it. I don’t have a computer. I have internet but it’s bad service. And I like it that way. I’m very happy.

Gene Wilder and Kelly Le Brock in publicity portrait for the film “The Woman In Red,” 1984.
(Orion/Getty Images)

Fox News: You left Hollywood and moved to a ranch. It must have been freeing for you to be surrounded by nature and animals.
Le Brock: Well, there are animals in Hollywood too, they just wear clothes *laughs*. I’m just more comfortable in the country. Always have been. I grew up in upstate New York on the Lake Champlain region. I’ve always had this inherent need to be on land with big, open spaces. I ride my horse, I’ve chased grizzlies up on the continental divide, I’ve been up and down the Grand Canyon. I grow my own vegetables. I’ve been out in the wild where I’ve run out of water and drank from puddles. I guess I’m kind of different, but I like it that way.

Kelly Le Brock was a model before she pursued acting.
(Andrea Blanch/Getty Images)

Fox News: What was it like for you to raise your children out of the spotlight?
Le Brock: The divorce…