Welcome to our exclusive interview with Kelly Lynch, an actress renowned for her dynamic and versatile performances across a variety of genres. Lynch’s career spans several decades, marked by a range of challenging and iconic roles that have left an indelible mark on Hollywood.
Born in 1959 in Golden Valley, Minnesota, Kelly Lynch embarked on her acting journey in the 1980s. Her early roles were characterized by a blend of talent and determination, quickly establishing her as a promising actress in the industry. Her breakthrough came with the film “Drugstore Cowboy,” where her portrayal of Dianne garnered critical acclaim and set the stage for a series of memorable performances.
Lynch’s versatility is evident in her wide array of roles, from the tough and resilient Dalton’s love interest in “Road House” to the enigmatic and complex Ivan Aycock in “The L Word.” Each character she portrayed showcased her ability to dive deep into diverse personas, bringing them to life with authenticity and depth.
Aside from her acting career, Kelly Lynch has been a strong advocate for women’s representation in Hollywood. Her voice has contributed to the evolving conversation around gender roles in the industry, advocating for more complex and substantial roles for women, particularly those over 50.
Join us as we delve into her experiences, behind-the-scenes stories, and perspectives on the evolution of women’s roles in Hollywood. In this interview, Lynch shares insights into her most challenging roles, her fondest memories from iconic films, and her vision for the future of women in cinema.
Kelly Lynch Interview
TFTC: Throughout your career, you’ve played a variety of roles across different genres. Which role challenged you the most as an actress, and what did you learn from that experience?
Lynch: Ivan in the “L-Word”, straight actors can no longer play trans characters and it was a tremendous challenge and honor to be given that role.
TFTC: “Road House” has become a cult classic over the years. Looking back, what are your fondest memories from working on this film, and how do you feel about its lasting impact on fans?
Lynch: Fondest memories were working with Patrick Swayze. We had no idea however that “Roadhouse” would become “the most watched film of all time on television”?! Beating “Gone With The Wind”!
TFTC: In “The L Word,” you portrayed the character Ivan Aycock, a role that was quite groundbreaking at the time. How did you approach this role, and what impact do you think it had on the representation of gender non-conforming characters in television?
Lynch: #1 great hair and makeup team! I believe love is love, but being in “Ivan’s” shoes made me more understanding of gender fluidity. It was the most challenging part of my career as we were so different.
TFTC: Your performance in “Cocktail” was memorable. Can you share any behind-the-scenes stories or challenges you faced while working on this film?
Lynch: Yes, those extremely small bikinis!!!
TFTC: As an actress with a rich and varied career, how do you see the evolution of women’s roles in Hollywood, and what changes would you like to see in the industry going forward?
Lynch: I see more complexity in women’s roles and more female directors. I would love to see more roles for actors of all ages over 50.
