Summary
Daryl Hannah was one of the biggest movie stars of the ’80s, but she has remained in relative obscurity in recent years, prompting fans to wonder what happened to the actress. Hannah began her film career in 1978 with a supporting role in The Fury. Four years later, she was cast as the replicant Pris in Blade Runner, which made her a highly sought-after actress for the remainder of the decade. While the actress’s output in the ’90s was just as prolific as in the ’80s, it wasn’t anywhere near as acclaimed.
Aside from a memorable performance in Quentin Tarantino’s Kill Bill movies, Daryl Hannah’s work in the 2000s onward went largely unnoticed. While she tried her hand at theater in the 2000s, this didn’t become a mainstay in her repertoire. However, the actress devoted more time and energy to appearances in smaller films and commitments to her political and environmental activism. From her years as a huge star to her current relative obscurity, there are quite a few gaps to fill regarding Hannah’s reduced Hollywood presence.
Daryl Hannah Was One Of The Biggest Stars Of The ’80s
Daryl Hannah secured a number of small or supporting roles early in her career, but after a breakout performance in Blade Runner, she swiftly became one of the most in-demand actresses in the business. Perhaps due to the film’s complex subjects and hard-to-grasp concepts, Blade Runner wasn’t as appreciated then as it is now. However, even in spite of the sci-fi film’s humble beginnings, Hannah’s performance as Pris was among its highlights. Despite playing an android, Hannah brought a vulnerability to the character that strongly resonated, displaying that the actress offered more than just her good looks.
Two years later, Hannah starred in the fantasy romantic comedy Splash. Her charming performance in the hit movie resulted in her winning a Saturn Award for Best Actress, setting the tone for the rest of her career. The momentum from this win saw the actress star or co-star in nearly two projects a year throughout the remainder of the decade. Her other hits of the ’80s included Wall Street, Legal Eagles, Steel Magnolias, and Roxanne, in which she played the title character opposite Steve Martin.
What Daryl Hannah Has Done Since The Kill Bill Movies
While Daryl Hannah’s gradual shift out of the spotlight may be concerning for some, she has speculated on her career’s decline being attributable to Harvey Weinstein’s inappropriate behavior. Undeterred by her career’s decrease in momentum, Hannah has remained busy since playing Elle Driver in both Kill Bill movies. Despite mostly appearing in short films and direct-to-video projects, her performances have maintained a consistent level of quality.
While she’s still found work in film, Hannah has also made plenty of appearances in television with the shows Sense8 and The Now being among her most recognizable work on the small screen. Aside from her prolific work in front of the camera, Hannah has also focused her attention on behind-the-scenes duties as well. In 2018, Hannah wrote and directed Paradox, a musical film starring her rock icon husband, Neil Young, and his band. In 2022, she collaborated with her husband again when she helmed the documentary A Band A Brotherhood A Barn, about the making of Neil Young and Crazy Horse’s 2020 album, Barn.
Daryl Hannah received a Grammy Award nomination for Best Music Film for directing A Band a Brotherhood a Barn.
Daryl Hannah’s Most Recent Roles
One of Daryl Hannah’s more recognizable roles post-Kill Bill was as Angelica Turing in the Wachowskis’ 2015 science fiction drama series Sense8. The character was a meta-human known for being compassionate and willing to do anything to keep her loved ones safe from harm. It was a return to form as it somewhat harkened back to her roots in sci-fi with Blade Runner. Even though her character was killed off fairly early, Hannah’s performance was one of the best in the series.
Hannah’s range as an actress has afforded her the ability to have a sustainable career while also maintaining the work’s quality. Known for her work in drama, comedy, romance, and suspense films and shows, Hannah’s more recent roles have allowed her to express the many different sides of her creativity. Her most recent film appearance was in the 2019 indie film Undateable John, in which she played Rose, a stern but fair mentor figure. Even more recently was the actress’s supporting role in the miniseries The Now, in which she played Maxine Poole, the protagonist’s somewhat overbearing mother.
Daryl Hannah’s Political Activism Explained
Even though Daryl Hannah’s onscreen career has slowed down considerably these days, she has remained consistently busy with her political activism. A lifelong environmentalist, Hannah was particularly active during the 2000s and 2010s regarding farmers’ rights and environmental sustainability, and she has been a prominent voice against those who deny climate change and its effects. Additionally, Hannah served as an executive producer on the 2012 documentary Greedy Lying Bastards, a film that explores the phenomenon of climate change denial and its impact on society.
In addition to leading or being a part of many different protests, Daryl Hannah has also been arrested on multiple occasions for her activism. Perhaps the most notable of her arrests occurred in 2013 when she, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., and scores of others were arrested at the White House for protesting against the proposed construction of the Keystone Pipeline crossing from Canada through the United States.
