Andie Macdowell Detailed Biography

The product of a profoundly unhappy home life, Andie MacDowell was compelled to make her own way from an early age. The Gaffney, SC, native spent her teenage years working a number of minimum-wage jobs before dropping out of Winthrop College when she was a sophomore in order to become an Elite model. Her innocent, well-scrubbed good looks were not only suited to her job as a cosmetics model, but, in 1984, they won her the role of Jane Porter in Greystoke: The Legend of Tarzan, Lord of the Apes. Unable to overcome her natural Carolina cadence, MacDowell's lines were dubbed by Glenn Close in the film -- the first and last time that audiences were denied the actress' warm, relaxing vocal shadings. Joining the Brat Pack brigade with St. Elmo's Fire (1985), MacDowell just as quickly broke away from it with her riveting performance in sex, lies and videotape (1989); her role as a dissatisfied housewife earned her a number of accolades, and helped to establish her as a "serious" actress. 
 

Andie Macdowell Trivia

MacDowell's likability enabled her to weather such disasters as Hudson Hawk (1991) and Bad Girls (1994), and allowed her to shine in a number of other films, including Groundhog Day (1993), Short Cuts (1993), and the hit romantic comedy Four Weddings and a Funeral (1994). Although she starred in a series of disappointing films during the late '90s, she remained highly visible, popping up in such movies as Unstrung Heroes (1995), The Muse (1999), and Town and Country (2000).

• Chosen by People Magazine one of the 50 most beautiful people in the world [2000]
• Former cosmetics model.
• Worked at McDonalds and Pizza Hut as a teenager.
• Chosen by People magazine as one of the 50 Most Beautiful People in the world. [1991]
• Her mother, Paula, died in 1981 (caused by chronic alcoholism).
• In 2000, MacDowell filed suit against Wal-Mart for displaying her picture in several stores without permission.
• MacDowell received an honorary Doctor of Letters degree from Lander University in Greenwood, S.C. for her dedication to the Graham Children's Health Center. [8 May 2001]
• Announced her engagement to Atlanta jewelry businessman (and childhood friend) Rhett Hartzog; they plan to marry in November in Asheville, N.C. [26 July 2001]
• Andie Macdowell has a son, Justin, born in 1986 and 2 daughters, Rainey born in 1989 and Sarah Margaret in 1995.
• Spokesmodel for L'Oreal cosmetics and haircare
• In her first film, (Greystoke: The Legend of Tarzan, Lord of the Apes (1984)), her southern accent was so heavy that her voice was entirely dubbed by Glenn Close.
• Measurements: 33-24-35 (1984 Elite model card), 34-25-35 (1988 model card), (Source: Celebrity Sleuth magazine)
• She is scheduled to receive a Medal of Honor in the Arts at Winthrop University on October 22nd, 2004. She attended the University for two semesters in the late 70s, only to have been told she wouldn't go far in acting.
• October 7th 2004 - Filed for divorce from childhood friend businessman Rhett Hartzog after nearly 3 years of marriage.

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