Phoebe Cates made a lasting impact on Hollywood with her appearances in iconic films like Gremlins and Drop Dead Fred—but she will forever be etched in pop culture for her unforgettable topless pool scene in the 1982 classic Fast Times at Ridgemont High.
However, over 20 years ago, Phoebe stepped away from the spotlight, and now she works 9-to-5 doing something she truly loves.
Early Life and Career Beginnings
Born Phoebe Belle Cates on July 16, 1963, in New York City, Phoebe grew up in a family deeply connected to the entertainment world. Her father, Joe Cates, was a producer and director, and her uncle was the president of the Director’s Guild. Phoebe’s brother was a former actor, and her sister, Valerie, also worked in theater.
As a young girl, Phoebe attended private schools and studied ballet at the prestigious Juilliard School. Although she initially dreamed of a dancing career, an injury forced her to give it up. At 14, she turned to modeling, achieving significant success, even landing the cover of Seventeen magazine multiple times. Despite the accolades, Phoebe found little passion in modeling.
“It was just the same thing, over and over. After a while, I did it solely for the money,” Phoebe later admitted.
Her modeling career eventually led her to meet a film agent at a party at Studio 54 in New York. She then trained with Robert Ravan, founder of The Actors’ Circle, and studied under Alice Spivack at H.B. Studios. By 1982, Phoebe had made her acting debut in the film Paradise, followed by another role in Experienced. That same year, she shot to stardom in Fast Times at Ridgemont High, where her infamous swimming pool scene became a defining moment of the film.
Fast Times at Ridgemont High and Her Iconic Scene
Fast Times at Ridgemont High became a cultural phenomenon, and Phoebe’s topless pool scene went down in history as one of the most iconic moments in teen cinema. In fact, Rolling Stone magazine called it “the most memorable bikini-drop in cinema history.” It’s a scene that countless teenage boys remember fondly—and it’s probably what most people associate with Phoebe Cates.
“I’ve always thought that if a girl wants a career in this business, she has to be willing to strip. If you’ve got a good body, why not show it?” Phoebe once said, reflecting on her breakthrough role.
The film itself boasted a stellar cast, including Sean Penn, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Eric Stoltz, and Forest Whitaker. Jennifer Jason Leigh later recalled how the young cast never expected the movie to become such a cultural milestone: “We were all so young when we made it. And then it came out, and it was this big hit. You’d go to the theater, and people would say the lines with it, and people had obviously seen the movie over and over again.”
Phoebe continued acting in the early 1980s, starring in Private School in 1983, and co-starring in Gremlins (1984), directed by Steven Spielberg. During the audition process for The Big Chill, Phoebe met Kevin Kline, the critically acclaimed theater actor. Though she didn’t land the role in The Big Chill, a romance blossomed between the two. They didn’t begin dating until two years after their initial meeting, but once they did, it didn’t take long for things to get serious.
Marriage, Family, and Stepping Away from Hollywood
Phoebe and Kevin Kline, who was 16 years older than her, married in 1989 when Phoebe was 25 and Kline was 41. The couple had two children: their son, Owen Joseph, born in 1991, and daughter, Greta Simone, born in 1994.
As they celebrated 27 years of marriage in 2017, the couple shared the key to their happiness: “We take care of the marriage,” Kline said.
Despite her successful career, Phoebe decided to step away from acting after becoming a mother. In the 1990s, she largely disappeared from the entertainment industry. In a 1998 interview with Playboy, she explained that she and Kevin had agreed to alternate acting jobs so that one parent would always be home with the children. Kevin would work, while Phoebe stayed home, and vice versa.
While Phoebe occasionally appeared in small projects, she mostly kept a low profile, attending red-carpet events alongside Kline, who continued his acting career. Then, in 2005, Phoebe took a major step in a new direction when she opened Blue Tree, a store near the famous Carnegie Hall in New York. The shop offers a variety of products, from fragrances and clothing to unique gifts.
Today, Phoebe is fully dedicated to her role as a shopkeeper, managing the store hands-on and finding new products to sell. The store, located at 1283 Madison Avenue on Manhattan’s Upper East Side, is a reflection of her passions.
And just so you know—Phoebe still looks as stunning as ever!
Reflecting on Phoebe’s Legacy
When people think of Phoebe Cates, many immediately recall her memorable scenes in Fast Times at Ridgemont High and Paradise. Though she had a successful career in film, these iconic moments continue to define her in popular culture. Despite her early fame, Phoebe has carved out a new life for herself, embracing a fulfilling career outside of Hollywood and focusing on her family.
It’s clear that Phoebe has found happiness on her own terms—creating a life of balance, love, and fulfillment. We wish her all the best as she continues to live out this new chapter.