Goldie Hawn's Life in Photos

Mar. 15, 2025

Goldie Hawn in 2016.Photo:Todd Williamson/Getty

Todd Williamson/Getty

Goldie Hawnis celebrating another year around the sun.TheSnatchedactress turns 79 on Nov. 21, 2024. Hawn began her career as a professional dancer before landing her big break in acting. For her first major film role in 1969’sCactus Flower, Hawn won theAcademy Awardfor Best Supporting Actress. She remained in the film industry until the early 2000s, when she stepped back from acting to focus on other endeavors, including her MindUP foundation.In addition to an enduring career, Hawn is the mother of actressKate Hudsonand actorOliver Hudson, as well as thelongtime partnerofKurt Russell.See Hawn’s storied life and accomplished career in photos, from her Oscar win to her loving family and successful foundation.

Goldie Hawnis celebrating another year around the sun.

TheSnatchedactress turns 79 on Nov. 21, 2024. Hawn began her career as a professional dancer before landing her big break in acting. For her first major film role in 1969’sCactus Flower, Hawn won theAcademy Awardfor Best Supporting Actress. She remained in the film industry until the early 2000s, when she stepped back from acting to focus on other endeavors, including her MindUP foundation.

In addition to an enduring career, Hawn is the mother of actressKate Hudsonand actorOliver Hudson, as well as thelongtime partnerofKurt Russell.

See Hawn’s storied life and accomplished career in photos, from her Oscar win to her loving family and successful foundation.

01of 10Goldie Hawn’s ChildhoodGoldie Hawn in 1964.Joseph Klipple/GettyGoldie Hawn was born on Nov. 21, 1945, in Washington, D.C., to dance school owner Laura and conductor Edward Hawn. She has one older sister, entertainment publicist Patti Hawn.In a 2017Interviewmagazine article, Hawn said that her parents supported her but had high standards, whether it was singing or dancing.Despite having dreams to be on Broadway, she tried to stay realistic and listen to her father’s advice: “‘Expectations are greater than realization,’ “ Hawn recalled Edward saying. “Because if you expect too much, you’re not going to be living in the present; you’re going to be living in a dream.”

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Goldie Hawn’s Childhood

Goldie Hawn in 1964.Joseph Klipple/Getty

Joseph Klipple/Getty

Goldie Hawn was born on Nov. 21, 1945, in Washington, D.C., to dance school owner Laura and conductor Edward Hawn. She has one older sister, entertainment publicist Patti Hawn.

In a 2017Interviewmagazine article, Hawn said that her parents supported her but had high standards, whether it was singing or dancing.

Despite having dreams to be on Broadway, she tried to stay realistic and listen to her father’s advice: “‘Expectations are greater than realization,’ “ Hawn recalled Edward saying. “Because if you expect too much, you’re not going to be living in the present; you’re going to be living in a dream.”

02of 10Goldie Hawn’s Ballet CareerGoldie Hawn teaching in 1964.Joseph Klipple/GettyShe began taking ballet lessons at age 3, and at age 10, danced in the chorus of the Ballets Russes de Monte Carlo production ofThe Nutcracker. After dropping out of American University at 19 years old, she began teaching at a ballet school.Hawn made her professional dancing debut at the New York World’s Fair doingCan-Canabove a bar. The aspiring star later toured the country, doing theater and go-go dancing in places such as Puerto Rico, New Jersey and Los Angeles.She was dancing on television when an agent picked her out from the chorus line and offered to sign her.

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Goldie Hawn’s Ballet Career

Goldie Hawn teaching in 1964.Joseph Klipple/Getty

She began taking ballet lessons at age 3, and at age 10, danced in the chorus of the Ballets Russes de Monte Carlo production ofThe Nutcracker. After dropping out of American University at 19 years old, she began teaching at a ballet school.

Hawn made her professional dancing debut at the New York World’s Fair doingCan-Canabove a bar. The aspiring star later toured the country, doing theater and go-go dancing in places such as Puerto Rico, New Jersey and Los Angeles.

She was dancing on television when an agent picked her out from the chorus line and offered to sign her.

03of 10Goldie Hawn’s First RoleGoldie Hawn in ‘Good Morning World’.CBS Photo Archive/GettyHer acting career started in 1967 with the short-lived sitcomGood Morning World, in which she played Sandy Kramer, the “dumb blonde” girlfriend of Ronnie Schell’s radio disc jockey. When the show ended in 1968, Hawn was cast as a regular on the sketch comedy showRowan & Martin’s Laugh-Inas another “dumb blonde” character.In a rare interview withVarietyin 2023, Hawn recalled a female reporter asking, “Don’t you feel kind of irresponsible for being like a dumb blonde and, you know, playing dumb in a time when women are reaching out to become independent and liberated?”She remembered responding, “Oh, but I’m already liberated.”

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Goldie Hawn’s First Role

Goldie Hawn in ‘Good Morning World’.CBS Photo Archive/Getty

CBS Photo Archive/Getty

Her acting career started in 1967 with the short-lived sitcomGood Morning World, in which she played Sandy Kramer, the “dumb blonde” girlfriend of Ronnie Schell’s radio disc jockey. When the show ended in 1968, Hawn was cast as a regular on the sketch comedy showRowan & Martin’s Laugh-Inas another “dumb blonde” character.

In a rare interview withVarietyin 2023, Hawn recalled a female reporter asking, “Don’t you feel kind of irresponsible for being like a dumb blonde and, you know, playing dumb in a time when women are reaching out to become independent and liberated?”

She remembered responding, “Oh, but I’m already liberated.”

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Goldie Hawn Wins an Oscar

Goldie Hawn and Ingrid Bergman in ‘Cactus Flower’.UPI/Bettmann Archive/Getty

UPI/Bettmann Archive/Getty

Hawn admitted toVarietyin 2023 that she regrets not attending.

“I never got dressed up. I never got to pick up the award,” she revealed. “It’s something that I look back on now and think, ‘It would have been so great to be able to have done that.’ ”

05of 10Goldie Hawn’s Marriage to Bill HudsonGoldie Hawn and Bill Hudson in 1976.Frank Edwards/Fotos International/Getty ImagesHawn married dancer and director Gus Trikonis in 1969, but they separated four years later. She finally filed for divorce from Trikonis on New Year’s Eve in 1975, after becoming engaged to musicianBill Hudson. She officially divorced Trikonis in June 1976 and married Hudson the next month, on July 3.In a 1976 interview with PEOPLE before their wedding, Hawn said, “What I really wanted was to get settled. A lot of women just want a sire. I’ve waited a long time for the right union, the right time and the right daddy.“Hudson and Hawn welcomed their first child, son Oliver, in September 1976. Theirdaughter, Kate, was born in April 1979. After four years of marriage, the Hudson Brothers guitarist filed for divorce from Hawn in August 1980, which was finalized in 1982.

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Goldie Hawn’s Marriage to Bill Hudson

Goldie Hawn and Bill Hudson in 1976.Frank Edwards/Fotos International/Getty Images

Hawn married dancer and director Gus Trikonis in 1969, but they separated four years later. She finally filed for divorce from Trikonis on New Year’s Eve in 1975, after becoming engaged to musicianBill Hudson. She officially divorced Trikonis in June 1976 and married Hudson the next month, on July 3.

In a 1976 interview with PEOPLE before their wedding, Hawn said, “What I really wanted was to get settled. A lot of women just want a sire. I’ve waited a long time for the right union, the right time and the right daddy.”

Hudson and Hawn welcomed their first child, son Oliver, in September 1976. Theirdaughter, Kate, was born in April 1979. After four years of marriage, the Hudson Brothers guitarist filed for divorce from Hawn in August 1980, which was finalized in 1982.

06of 10Goldie Hawn’s Relationship with Kurt RussellGoldie Hawn and Kurt Russell in 1984.CBS/GettyHawn met her longtime partner, actor Kurt Russell, in 1968 on the set of Disney’s live-action movie musicalThe One and Only, Genuine, Original Family Band, but they didn’t get together for another 15 years. Russell recounted toConan O’Brienthat the pair reconnected during an audition for their 1984 filmSwing Shift.“He was so good-looking, but he had no pretense about him. I could tell right away he wasn’t a womanizer,” Hawntold PEOPLEof her first impression.Three years into their relationship, the couple welcomed a son,Wyatt Russell, in July 1986.Hawn and Russell have been together for over 40 years and famously don’t plan to wed, ever.“It’s not about the marriage. It’s about the people and the relationship, and the will to stay together,” Hawntold PEOPLEin a December 2020 issue. “And that’s a big one because if you want it, you can have it. You’ve got to give things up, but the joy and the excitement of being together and touching the toes of somebody at night is really a nice feeling."

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Goldie Hawn’s Relationship with Kurt Russell

Goldie Hawn and Kurt Russell in 1984.CBS/Getty

CBS/Getty

Hawn met her longtime partner, actor Kurt Russell, in 1968 on the set of Disney’s live-action movie musicalThe One and Only, Genuine, Original Family Band, but they didn’t get together for another 15 years. Russell recounted toConan O’Brienthat the pair reconnected during an audition for their 1984 filmSwing Shift.

“He was so good-looking, but he had no pretense about him. I could tell right away he wasn’t a womanizer,” Hawntold PEOPLEof her first impression.

Three years into their relationship, the couple welcomed a son,Wyatt Russell, in July 1986.

Hawn and Russell have been together for over 40 years and famously don’t plan to wed, ever.

“It’s not about the marriage. It’s about the people and the relationship, and the will to stay together,” Hawntold PEOPLEin a December 2020 issue. “And that’s a big one because if you want it, you can have it. You’ve got to give things up, but the joy and the excitement of being together and touching the toes of somebody at night is really a nice feeling."

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‘Death Becomes Her’ and Later Career

Between 2002 and 2017, Hawn did not take any film or television roles, aside from a guest appearance on the animated seriesPhineas and Ferbin 2013. She made her long-awaited comeback in the 2017 comedySnatchedwithAmy Schumer.

“When I turned 50, I asked some of my girlfriends, all actresses of the same age, ‘What are we going to do now?’ " she said inInterviewwhile explaining the large gap in her filmography. “I wanted to go live somewhere for a while, learn archaeology or take part in healing the world on some level.”

“I never looked back. I never wished to be acting again. I was so engaged,” she concluded.

08of 10Goldie Hawn and Her ChildrenKate Hudson, Wyatt Russell, Kurt Russell, Goldie Hawn and Oliver Hudson in 2000.Ron Galella, Ltd./Ron Galella Collection via Getty ImagesHawn has a close relationship with her threechildren, Oliver, Kate and Wyatt, as well as Boston, Russell’s son from another marriage.In a2017 PEOPLE cover story, Hawn praised all her children as “gifts” and called Oliver “the greatest, most handsome, amazing father, actor, comedian, human, son.”For Kate’s 45th birthday, Hawn penned a loving tribute to her “darling daughter” onInstagram: “Among all the things you have already accomplished in your life—amazing mother, great dancer, Academy Award-nominated actress, and now a fantastic singer—let us not forget you were the fastest runner in high school and all of LA!”“SO KEEP ON RUNNING SWEETHEART. You’re a RACEHORSE. I love you,” Hawn wrote.She has eightgrandchildren—threefrom Kate, three from Oliver and two from Wyatt.

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Goldie Hawn and Her Children

Kate Hudson, Wyatt Russell, Kurt Russell, Goldie Hawn and Oliver Hudson in 2000.Ron Galella, Ltd./Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images

Hawn has a close relationship with her threechildren, Oliver, Kate and Wyatt, as well as Boston, Russell’s son from another marriage.

In a2017 PEOPLE cover story, Hawn praised all her children as “gifts” and called Oliver “the greatest, most handsome, amazing father, actor, comedian, human, son.”

For Kate’s 45th birthday, Hawn penned a loving tribute to her “darling daughter” onInstagram: “Among all the things you have already accomplished in your life—amazing mother, great dancer, Academy Award-nominated actress, and now a fantastic singer—let us not forget you were the fastest runner in high school and all of LA!”

“SO KEEP ON RUNNING SWEETHEART. You’re a RACEHORSE. I love you,” Hawn wrote.

She has eightgrandchildren—threefrom Kate, three from Oliver and two from Wyatt.

09of 10The Goldie Hawn FoundationGoldie Hawn in 2024.Stefanie Keenan/GettyThe actress took a step back from acting at the turn of the century to launchThe Goldie Hawn Foundationin 2003. According to the foundation’s website, the organization aims to help children “regulate emotions, calm the nervous system, and choose kindness and gratitude daily.” It created a new curriculum and teaching model for kids called MindUP, which has reached six million children across 13 countries.“It’s been a lot of work for me and a tremendous amount of dedication and frustration and a great amount of pride and love because I see it working for these children,” Hawn toldForbesin a 2013 interview.  “I’m deeply, deeply passionate about creating peace and well-being in the classroom, and well-being as a global nation.”

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The Goldie Hawn Foundation

Goldie Hawn in 2024.Stefanie Keenan/Getty

Stefanie Keenan/Getty

The actress took a step back from acting at the turn of the century to launchThe Goldie Hawn Foundationin 2003. According to the foundation’s website, the organization aims to help children “regulate emotions, calm the nervous system, and choose kindness and gratitude daily.” It created a new curriculum and teaching model for kids called MindUP, which has reached six million children across 13 countries.

“It’s been a lot of work for me and a tremendous amount of dedication and frustration and a great amount of pride and love because I see it working for these children,” Hawn toldForbesin a 2013 interview.  “I’m deeply, deeply passionate about creating peace and well-being in the classroom, and well-being as a global nation.”

10of 10Goldie Hawn as a GrandmotherTodd Williamson/GettyAs grandmother to Kate’sthree kids(Ryder,BinghamandRani Rose), Oliver’s three kids (Bodhi Hawn,Wilder BrooksandRio Laura), and Wyatt’s two sons (Buddy PrineandBoone Joseph),Hawn has her hands full — and relishes her role. But she’s the same person she’s always been, just with a new nickname, she recently said onToday.“I don’t think I’ve changed at all,“she said, adding that she “loves” the job. “I’m not the boss. I’m just the one that can deliver happiness to them, and also an ear if they need it.”

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Goldie Hawn as a Grandmother

As grandmother to Kate’sthree kids(Ryder,BinghamandRani Rose), Oliver’s three kids (Bodhi Hawn,Wilder BrooksandRio Laura), and Wyatt’s two sons (Buddy PrineandBoone Joseph),Hawn has her hands full — and relishes her role. But she’s the same person she’s always been, just with a new nickname, she recently said onToday.

“I don’t think I’ve changed at all,“she said, adding that she “loves” the job. “I’m not the boss. I’m just the one that can deliver happiness to them, and also an ear if they need it.”

source: people.com