Gwyneth Paltrow is one of the most famous and successful actresses in Hollywood.
She has won an Oscar, a Golden Globe, and an Emmy for her roles in movies and TV shows.
She has also launched her own lifestyle brand, Goop, and written several books.
But did you know that her big break came from a small role in Steven Spielberg’s Hook?
In this article, we will tell you how Gwyneth Paltrow got her start in Hook and what she has done since then.
How old was Gwyneth Paltrow in Hook?
Gwyneth Paltrow was only 18 years old when she appeared in Hook as young Wendy Darling.
It was her second movie role, after making her debut in Shout with John Travolta.
She played the younger version of Maggie Smith’s character, who was Peter Pan’s first love and later his grandmother.
She had only one scene in the movie, where she kissed Peter Pan (Robin Williams) goodbye before he left Neverland.
Phil Collins in Hook
Phil Collins is not only a famous singer and drummer, but also an actor.
He had a cameo role in Hook as Inspector Good, a police officer who investigated the disappearance of Peter Pan’s children.
He had a funny moment when he read a ransom note from Captain Hook (Dustin Hoffman) and said:
“He’s left a note. ‘Dear Peter, your presence is required at the request of your children. Kindest personal regards, Jas. Hook, Captain.’ Jas. Hook? James Hook? Captain Hook?”
Glenn Close in Hook
Glenn Close is another Oscar-winning actress who had a cameo role in Hook.
She played Gutless, a male pirate who was punished by Captain Hook for doubting his plan.
Gwyneth was disguised with a beard, a wig, and heavy makeup.
She was thrown into the “Boo Box”, a chest filled with scorpions, while the other pirates booed her.
Gwyneth Paltrow movies
Gwyneth Paltrow has starred in many movies since her appearance in Hook. Some of her most notable films are:
- Emma (1996), where she played the titular role of a matchmaking heroine in this adaptation of Jane Austen’s novel.
- Shakespeare in Love (1998), where she played Viola de Lesseps, a fictional lover of William Shakespeare (Joseph Fiennes). She won an Oscar for Best Actress for this role.
- The Talented Mr. Ripley (1999), where she played Marge Sherwood, the girlfriend of a wealthy socialite (Jude Law) who was murdered by a con artist (Matt Damon).
- The Royal Tenenbaums (2001), where she played Margot Tenenbaum, the adopted daughter of a dysfunctional family of geniuses.
- Iron Man (2008), where she played Pepper Potts, the loyal assistant and love interest of Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.). She reprised this role in several Marvel Cinematic Universe films.
- Contagion (2011), where she played Beth Emhoff, the first victim of a deadly virus that spread across the world.
- The Politician (2019), where she played Georgina Hobart, the mother of a high school student (Ben Platt) who ran for student body president.
Gwyneth Paltrow husband
Gwyneth Paltrow has been married twice in her life.
Her first husband was Chris Martin, the lead singer of Coldplay.
They married in 2003 and had two children: Apple and Moses.
Gwyneth and Chris separated in 2014 and divorced in 2016.
They famously announced their split as a “conscious uncoupling” on Paltrow’s website, Goop.
Her second husband is Brad Falchuk, a TV producer and writer.
They met on the set of Glee in 2010 and started dating in 2014.
They married in 2018 and live together in Los Angeles5.
Gwyneth Paltrow age
Gwyneth Paltrow is 49 years old as of 2021.
She was born on September 27, 1972, in Los Angeles, California.
Gwyneth is the daughter of actress Blythe Danner and director Bruce Paltrow.
She has a younger brother named Jake, who is also a director.
Who are the cameo actors in Hook?
Hook featured many cameo actors besides Phil Collins and Glenn Close. Some of them are:
- Carrie Fisher as Woman Kissing on Bridge: She was one of the lovers who distracted Peter Pan when he flew over London.
- George Lucas as Man Kissing on Bridge: He was the other lover who kissed Carrie Fisher.
- David Crosby as Tickles: He was one of Captain Hook’s pirates who laughed at his jokes.
- Jimmy Buffett as Shoe-Stealing Pirate: He was the pirate who took Peter Pan’s shoes when he arrived in Neverland.
- Dustin Hoffman as Captain Hook: He was the main villain of the movie, but he also had a cameo as a male passenger on the plane that Peter Pan took to London.
Why did critics not like Hook?
Hook received mixed reviews from critics when it was released in 1991.
Some of the reasons why they did not like it are:
- They felt that the movie was too long, too sentimental, and too childish.
- They thought that the movie wasted the talents of its actors, especially Robin Williams and Dustin Hoffman.
- They criticized the movie’s special effects, costumes, and sets for being too artificial and unrealistic.
- They complained that the movie lacked the magic and charm of the original Peter Pan story.
How are Gwyneth Paltrow and Steven Spielberg connected?
Gwyneth Paltrow and Steven Spielberg have a close connection, as Spielberg is Paltrow’s godfather.
He is a friend of Paltrow’s parents, Blythe Danner and Bruce Paltrow.
Steven gave Paltrow her first role in Hook, and he also attended her wedding to Brad Falchuk.
He has praised Paltrow as a talented actress and a wonderful person.
What did Gwyneth Paltrow play in?
Gwyneth Paltrow played in many movies and TV shows in her career. Some of her most famous roles are:
- Young Wendy Darling in Hook
- Viola de Lesseps in Shakespeare in Love
- Pepper Potts in Iron Man and other Marvel Cinematic Universe films
- Margot Tenenbaum in The Royal Tenenbaums
- Georgina Hobart in The Politician
Conclusion
Gwyneth Paltrow is a star who got her big break in Hook.
She played young Wendy Darling in Steven Spielberg’s movie, which also featured many cameo actors.
Gwyneth went on to become an Oscar-winning actress, a lifestyle guru, and a mother of two.
She is one of the most versatile and successful celebrities in Hollywood.
