When the first Top Gun blasted into theaters back in 1986, it wasn’t just about the F-14s or Tom Cruise’s blindingly white smile. It was about the women on the ground. Kelly McGillis, playing the whip-smart flight instructor Charlie Blackwood, and Meg Ryan, as the bubbly, tragic Carole Bradshaw, gave that movie its soul. They weren't just "love interests." They were the anchors.
Then 2022 rolled around. Top Gun: Maverick became a global juggernaut, but the theater seats felt a little different for fans of the original. Where was Charlie? Where was Carole? The conversation around the top gun actress then and now isn't just a trip down memory lane; it’s a blunt look at how Hollywood treats aging, fame, and the choices women make when the cameras stop flashing.
The Brutal Honesty of Kelly McGillis
If you’re looking for a sugar-coated Hollywood PR statement, don't go to Kelly McGillis. When asked why she wasn't in the sequel, she didn't blame "scheduling conflicts" or "creative differences."
She told Entertainment Tonight flat out: "I’m old, and I’m fat, and I look age-appropriate for what my age is, and that is not what that whole scene is about."
It was a mic-drop moment. In 1986, McGillis was the "it" girl. She was coming off Witness with Harrison Ford and was actually taller than Tom Cruise, which required some creative camera work. She played Charlie with a sophisticated, world-weary energy that felt real.
But Hollywood is a fickle place. By the early 2000s, McGillis basically walked away. She didn't "fail" out of the industry; she chose to leave. She moved to North Carolina, raised her two daughters, Kelsey and Sonora, and focused on her sobriety. She even worked at a drug and alcohol rehab center in New Jersey.
Life in North Carolina
Today, Kelly lives a quiet life in Hendersonville. She teaches acting. She doesn't dye her hair or get the "standard" fillers you see on every red carpet. She’s been open about her journey, including coming out as a lesbian in 2009. While Tom Cruise is still jumping off motorcycles at 60+, McGillis is perfectly fine with being a "grandma" in the eyes of the industry. She’s content. Honestly, that feels like a bigger win than a cameo.
Meg Ryan: From America's Sweetheart to Directing
Meg Ryan’s role in the original Top Gun was small but iconic. "Take me to bed or lose me forever!" is arguably the most quoted line in the movie. It launched her toward a decade of total rom-com dominance. We're talking When Harry Met Sally, Sleepless in Seattle, and You’ve Got Mail.
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But the "then and now" for Meg Ryan is complicated.
In the sequel, her character Carole is written out. We learn she passed away, leaving Maverick with the heavy burden of looking after her son, Rooster. Why wasn't Meg there in a flashback or a small role? Director Joseph Kosinski said he wanted to look forward, not back.
But the reality of Meg's career is a mix of high-profile breakups and a shift in the cultural zeitgeist. Her 2001 divorce from Dennis Quaid and a heavily publicized fling with Russell Crowe took a toll on her "Girl Next Door" image.
What She's Doing Now
Lately, Meg has traded the front of the camera for the director's chair. She directed and starred in What Happens Later (2023) alongside David Duchovny. She’s also become a target for tabloid snark regarding her appearance, a classic Hollywood double standard that her male co-stars rarely face. She lives a largely private life in New York and is often seen supporting her son, Jack Quaid, who has become a massive star in his own right through The Boys.
The Arrival of Jennifer Connelly
You can’t talk about the top gun actress then and now without mentioning Jennifer Connelly. She wasn't in the original movie, though her character, Penny Benjamin, was mentioned in a throwaway line of dialogue about an "Admiral’s daughter."
Connelly’s inclusion in Maverick was a clever move. At 50+ during filming, she was a "mature" love interest, yet she still fits that polished Hollywood aesthetic that McGillis accurately noted the industry demands.
Connelly has had a massive career trajectory since the 80s:
- The Early Days: Starring in Labyrinth (1986) with David Bowie.
- The Peak: Winning an Oscar for A Beautiful Mind in 2001.
- Today: Playing the tough-as-nails bartender/sailor in Top Gun: Maverick and leading the sci-fi series Snowpiercer.
She represents the modern version of the Top Gun woman—capable, independent, and arguably more of an equal to Maverick than Charlie was allowed to be back in the Reagan era.
Why the "Then and Now" Gap Matters
The contrast is stark. You have Tom Cruise, who seems to have conquered time itself through sheer willpower and perhaps a very strict regimen. Then you have the women from his past who have either aged "naturally" (McGillis) or moved into different creative spheres (Ryan).
Hollywood likes its nostalgia, but it likes its nostalgia to look a certain way.
There's a reason Val Kilmer was brought back for a heart-wrenching scene as Iceman, despite his health struggles, while the women were replaced or written out. It's a reminder that while the planes get faster, some things in Tinsel Town stay exactly the same.
Actionable Insights for Fans
If you want to support these actresses beyond their 1986 flight suits, here is how you can actually follow their work today:
- Watch Kelly McGillis in Stake Land: It’s a gritty, low-budget vampire flick where she gives a fantastic, grounded performance that shows off her actual acting chops without the Hollywood gloss.
- Stream Meg Ryan’s What Happens Later: If you miss the 90s rom-com vibe, this is her love letter to the genre she helped build.
- Check out Jennifer Connelly in Dark Matter: She’s currently doing some of her best work in high-concept sci-fi on Apple TV+.
The legacy of the Top Gun women isn't just about who stayed "hot" and who didn't. It's about a group of incredibly talented performers navigating a brutal industry and finding peace, whether that's in a classroom in North Carolina or behind a camera in Manhattan.