Goldie Hawn may have had a humble start in life, but she quickly climbed the ranks of Hollywood. Not only has she starred in many iconic and classic movies, but she’s well-known for stirring in the pot and unapologetically speaking her mind.
1. She Wanted To Be A Dancer
As the daughter of a dance school owner and a musician, it’s only natural that Goldie wanted to put her own talents to use. A dancer since the age of three, she even ran a ballet school briefly before becoming a professional dancer in the 1960s. Her star was only just beginning to rise—but first, she had an uncomfortable encounter with a famous cartoonist.
2. She Had A Terrifying Casting Couch Experience
He was one of America’s most famous cartoonists. She was only 19. Goldie went to Park Avenue to audition for a part and found herself in the private apartment of Al Capp, the cartoonist behind Lil Abner. She knew something was wrong the moment he walked in—citing his "insidious grin"—but she’d come to audition and that’s what she was going to do.
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3. She Was A Good Girl
Goldie Hawn knew she was a good girl. She let Capp know she had scruples and pointedly mentioned her parents and Jewish faith. But Capp didn’t seem to care; first he changed into nothing but a robe and then he asked Goldie to lift the hem of her dress to show off her legs. Goldie tried her best to stay calm and composed—but what happened next shocked her to the core.
4. She Wanted Out
Goldie had been looking for the door the instant Al Capp changed into his robe, but even when he asked for a kiss, she knew she couldn’t let him know she was afraid. As she went over to the couch he was sitting on, he pulled his robe aside. When she refused his lewd proposition, he bit back and said, "Well, you just go back and marry a Jewish dentist". Finally, Goldie had had enough.
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5. She’d Rather Marry A Jewish Dentist
Marrying a Jewish dentist was surely better than sacrificing her morality to a lecherous cartoonist. But as Goldie walked out, crying from the experience, she realized she didn’t have any money to get her back to the New York World’s Fair, where she’d been dancing.
Capp then threw her 20 bucks for a cab, adding insult to injury, but Goldie got the last laugh a few years later.
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6. She Wrote Him A Note
A thank you note is a kind gesture—but maybe not the way Goldie Hawn wrote her note to Al Capp. Fresh off an Oscar win for 1969’s Cactus Flower, Goldie thanked Capp for not casting her; it left her open for casting in Laugh-In in 1968. And just to drive the point home, she told him she hadn’t needed to go home and marry a Jewish dentist. Her career was on the rise—but her first few roles drew some criticism.
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7. She Played A Dumb Blonde
Feminism was on the rise in the late 1960s; women had had enough of being unequal citizens. But while feminists were burning their bras in protest, Goldie Hawn was showing off her body in bikinis and paint, well on her way to becoming an It girl.
Her first acting role was as the ditzy girlfriend of a DJ in 1967’s Good Morning World and she followed it up with a similar role on Rowan & Martin’s Laugh-In. These roles brought her international attention—but not everyone agreed with her choices.
NBC, Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In (1967–1973)
8. She Already Felt Liberated
Even at only 22, Goldie Hawn marched to the beat of her own drum. When the editor of a women’s lifestyle magazine implied she should feel terrible about playing the role of a stereotypical dumb blonde, she was shocked. She already felt liberated, she explained to the editor; after all, liberation comes from the inside.
Women who weren’t well on their way to international stardom might have felt different, but Goldie’s dumb blonde roles continued—until she got older and realized an uncomfortable truth about Hollywood.
NBC, Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In (1967–1973)
9. Women Have A Shelf Life
Even today, Hollywood has a reputation for having a sleazy underbelly, full of "casting couch" directors and outright assault. As Goldie aged, she came to realize that women in Hollywood had a shelf life; after all, she wouldn’t be a blonde bombshell in a bikini forever.
In the 1980s, she began to focus on more female-centric films—films with more of a social message. She even became a producer in addition to acting. But Hollywood continued to push back against her and other "women of a certain age". 
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10. She Was A First Wife
It was star power times three. In 1996, Goldie starred with fellow megastars Diane Keaton and Bette Midler in The First Wives Club, a hit that grossed over $180 million. But the movie almost wasn’t made, because Hollywood didn’t want to take a chance on a movie led by older women—even such well-known names.
The actresses took pay cuts just to get the movie made—but Hollywood was about to do them even dirtier.
Paramount Pictures, The First Wives Club (1996)
11. They Wanted A Sequel
The First Wives Club did so well that Hollywood wanted to get a sequel made (though we all know sequels are almost never as good as the original). But when they approached Goldie, Diane, and Bette, they wanted to offer the exact same deal and the exact same pay cuts.
Even making more than $180 million at the box office wasn’t enough to guarantee a pay raise for the sequel—though Goldie believed that if it had been three men, Hollywood would have offered more money automatically.
Goldie continued to act off and on over the next few years, but she never quite reached the same heights in her career.
Paramount Pictures, The First Wives Club (1996)
12. She Focused On Her Foundation
Launched to fame at only 21, Goldie struggled with stress and anxiety regarding how the world viewed her: as a funny, bubbly ditz. She reached out for psychological help, which allowed her to adjust to all the attention, and years later created the Hawn Foundation.
The foundation helps children around the world to deal with stress and anxiety—and nobody there really cares who an actress is. But it was her own children that Goldie really wanted to concentrate on.
Silver Screen Collection, Getty Images
13. She Has Three Children
Before her famous relationship with Kurt Russell—and their son together, Wyatt—Goldie had two broken marriages. First she married Gus Trikonis, a fellow actor and dancer known for his role in West Side Story. They separated four years later, but it was Goldie’s second marriage that produced her first two children—and a family feud that has lasted decades.
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14. She Had A Troubled Second Marriage
Some men just can’t handle a successful woman. That’s what Goldie claims is the reason behind her breakup with her second husband, Bill Hudson. Hudson, on the other hand, claims Goldie has "devastating character flaws" and wanted an open marriage.
She was never satisfied with just one man. That didn’t stop them from having two children together, Oliver and Kate—neither of whom are particularly close to their father either. But it gets worse.
Unknown author, Wikimedia Commons
15. They Have A Rocky Relationship With Their Father
According to Hudson, Goldie worked hard to keep him separated from his kids once she met longtime love, Kurt Russell. And not only that, but she spread the narrative that he simply abandoned them—and when questioned, told him it made a better story to present him as an absent father.
To make things worse, Oliver Hudson publicly posted "Happy Abandonment Day" on his Instagram on Father’s Day 2015. Ouch!
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16. He Responded Harshly
As a defense against accusations of abandonment, disowning seems a bit like cutting off your nose to spite your face. But that’s what Bill Hudson did, telling the Daily Mail that Oliver and Kate were effectively nothing to him. He even asked them to stop using the Hudson name. But strangely enough, this whole thing led to texts sent back and forth, leading Oliver and Kate to tentatively keep in touch with their biological father.
But they still had a lot to forgive him for.
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17. He Wrote A Book
The tell-all celebrity memoir is a staple of the gossip pages and bookstore shelves, and Bill Hudson had things to say. His first big claim was that Goldie was still married to Gus Trikonis when they first started dating—and not only that, but brought Trikonis with her to the restaurant on their first date. That’s enough to put a damper on the evening, but Hudson claims their second date was even more shocking.
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18. He Accused Her Of Taking Substances
If you’re going to indulge, there are probably worse places than a Rolling Stones concert. During their second date, Hudson claimed in his book, fellow concert-goers passed them a large plate of a certain powdery substance. And if Hudson is telling the truth, Goldie happily partook.
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19. They Had An Intimate Session Together
Maybe that’s what led to their 12-hour romp in bed, during which they declared their love for each other—even though Goldie was still married to Gus Trikonis. Of course, this could all be lies told by a spurned ex-husband with a grudge, and Goldie’s always denied that she had affairs. Besides, Goldie had more important things to focus on: her relationship with Kurt Russell.
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20. They Met At A Young Age
Actors meeting their lovers on set is hardly a new phenomenon; it just usually doesn’t last as long as Goldie Hawn and Kurt Russell’s relationship. Goldie and Kurt met on the set of 1966’s The One and Only, Genuine, Original Family Band. Goldie was 21, but Kurt was only 16—and though Goldie found him attractive, she also realized he was too young for her at the time.
Fast forward over a couple of marriages and kids, and they met again in 1983. It wasn't long before their love blossomed.
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21. She Wanted A Family Man
What really set Goldie’s heart racing was Kurt’s attitude towards kids, especially hers. In a sweet gesture, the first time she brought him to her house, he went to check on Oliver and Kate, sitting with them each for a few minutes as they slept.
This wasn’t a man just looking for a quick fling with an Oscar-winning actress. However, that's not to say they weren’t hot and heavy—just ask the officers who caught them on their first date.
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22. They Broke Into A House
Most people go for coffee or dinner on a first date—but Goldie Hawn and Kurt Russell aren’t most people. Their first date started innocently enough, with plans to go dancing. But they couldn’t find anywhere with a dance floor, so instead they went to the house Goldie was renovating for a private dance. The only problem?
They had to break into the house and someone called the authorities. Fortunately, the couple were just told to go get a hotel room for the night instead.
Ron Galella, Getty Images
23. They Had A Son Together
In 1986, Wyatt Russell, the couple’s only biological child together, was born via a scheduled C-section. Along with Oliver and Kate, and Kurt’s previous son, Boston, Wyatt brought the Hawn-Russell family to four children. But being a mom isn’t easy when you’re a Hollywood star, and Goldie definitely felt the pressure.
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24. She Just Wanted To Be Normal
Some celebrities like to parade their offspring in front of the public. Goldie felt that paparazzi and fans constantly recognizing her while she had children to protect was more of an invasion. She even reached out to her father to express the wish to simply be normal; just a mom taking care of her kids. But Hollywood kept calling, pulling her away from her family.
Becoming a producer in addition to an actor helped—but also fueled some behind-the-scenes drama.
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25. She Won’t Name This Director
It’s considered a classic comedy, but Private Benjamin had a number of issues behind the scenes. As Goldie’s first venture into producing, it could’ve ended her career in one way or another. The director of the movie, whom she’s never named, dropped out during production, believing that the movie’s plot was anti-Semitic.
Fortunately, the movie’s fate wasn’t up in the air for long; director Howard Zieff stepped in and happily collaborated with Goldie to make a movie many consider one of the best comedies ever made. But the media is quick to turn, and it was a different movie that brought Goldie the worst press of her career.
Warner Bros., Private Benjamin (1980)
26. She Was Accused Of Meddling
1984’s Swing Shift marked the reunion of Goldie Hawn and Kurt Russell, leading to their 30-year-plus love affair. But it also led to a spat between Goldie and the film’s director, Jonathan Demme. Demme has stated in interviews that the movie was the worst experience of his career, though he refused to say much more.
What we do know is that against Demme's wishes, Hawn forced the studio to shoot several new scenes and recut the movie. Demme never wanted to speak to Goldie’s motivations in recutting the film—a fair response, given Goldie’s star power—but others in the press weren’t so kind.
Warner Bros., Swing Shift (1984)
27. She Wanted All The Focus On Her
Is there anything bigger than an actor’s ego? According to some in the media, that was the driving force behind Goldie’s editing of Swing Shift—especially to downplay the role of fellow actress Christine Lahti. But more than that, Goldie’s cuts seemed to speak to a deeper insecurity: continuing to present herself as the bubbly, charming blonde she started her career as.
That’s the media’s stance on the cuts, anyway. Goldie had a different point of view.
Warner Bros., Swing Shift (1984)
28. She Claimed The Studio Told Her To
Studio meddling is the bane of directors everywhere, and can easily turn a good movie into a cheap spectacle. According to Goldie and her production partner, Anthea Sylbert, Warner Bros was the driving force behind her cuts to the film.
The studio needed her to make the film a success, and besides, she was the star and Demme had an alleged habit of taking the focus off her to instead focus on the supporting characters. And no actress will stand for that. After all, she had experience in fighting for her career.
Warner Bros., Swing Shift (1984)
29. She Tangled With Harvey Weinstein
It’s a name synonymous with the #MeToo movement and predators in Hollywood. But in the late 80s, Harvey Weinstein was still a powerful man, a film producer and co-founder of Miramax. Goldie was set to star (and produce) in a film version of Chicago for Miramax, opposite Madonna.
It would’ve been a chance for her to show off her dancing skills—but instead Weinstein betrayed her.
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30. He Rewrote The Script
She called it undermining—for her and Madonna both. Goldie had already signed on to play Velma Kelly, but before Chicago went into production, Weinstein had the script rewritten, and the new Velma was rewritten as only 23 years old. Goldie was in her 40s at the time. But her experience served her well; she knew exactly what Weinstein was trying to do, and she confronted him about his slimy ways.
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31. She Made Him Pay Her
It could’ve gone badly for her. But Goldie spoke her mind and told Weinstein not to mess with her—they made a deal. If you’ve seen Chicago, then you know it doesn’t star Goldie Hawn or Madonna, but Goldie still got the last laugh.
Eventually, Weinstein agreed to pay her the salary she’d signed for. In a fun little bit of irony, she told him at the time that it "restored her faith in dignity and ethics". Well, hindsight is 20/20.
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32. She Courted Controversy Over The Years
When you’re a famous actress, speaking your mind can certainly bring you some attention—and not always the good kind. Goldie’s made a number of controversial statements, despite her claims that working as a woman in a man’s world taught her to be unthreatening.
As a result, she got a bit of a reputation for being "difficult"—but was she really difficult, or just a woman who dared to bite back when people told her to stay in her own lane?
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33. She Found The Perfect Apartment
Money might not bring happiness, but it usually at least brings decent housing—and occasionally lawsuits. In 1994, a real-estate broker named Lynne Segal found an apartment for Goldie to rent during the filming of First Wives Club.
Five years later, the apartment came up for sale, so Goldie bought it—but Lynne Segal wasn’t the broker handling the sale. That doesn’t mean Segal didn’t feel Goldie owed her something for finding the apartment in the first place. Segal was about to make Goldie's life incredibly difficult.
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34. She Was Sued Over The Apartment
Was she right, or just looking for gold(ie)? Segal filed a lawsuit in Manhattan Supreme Court accusing Goldie of stiffing her on a 6% commission—to the tune of $230,000. Goldie denied it and with good reason: She’d already paid Segal for finding the apartment to rent. It was only when it came up for sale that she paid another broker to buy it outright. And the courts agreed, dismissing the case. 
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35. Her Daughter Defended Her
In the 60s, 70s, and even 80s, the powers that be discouraged a woman from speaking her mind—but that didn’t stop Goldie. And her daughter, Kate Hudson, defends her for doing so. Kate admires her mother’s strength and pointed out that just because Goldie was "difficult" doesn’t mean she was actually wrong. She just dared to look at scripts and films, and tell the men in charge when something seemed off.
Speaking of men, though, it was her comments about cheating that really raised some ire.
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36. She Claimed It’s Biologically Correct
Cheating is a devastating betrayal, no matter what gender you identify as. Goldie had an interesting take on it, however, when discussing cheating men with the ladies on The View in 2005. According to Goldie, men cheat because it’s a biological imperative—which frankly is the excuse of every cheating man out there. How does this affect her relationship with Kurt Russell? She said she’s never asked.
They’ve been together over 30 years, however. Something must be working, even if they have no intention of getting married.
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37. They Have No Reason To Marry
The tabloids are full of celebrity breakups, ranging from the "conscious uncoupling" to the drawn-out court battles. But you can’t get divorced if you never get married in the first place and Goldie believes that’s the secret to the longevity of her relationship with Kurt Russell. Not that they don’t like to have a little fun with their relationship, and the people who keep demanding to know when they’re finally going to tie the knot.
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38. He Almost Proposed At The Oscars
It would’ve been an epic story to set all the tabloids drooling…if it hadn’t been a joke. As they presented at the 1989 Academy Awards, Goldie and Kurt bantered about being costars and a couple, with Goldie coyly asking if Kurt was proposing to her. For a moment it seemed like he might…then told the audience they were running out of time and moved on.
It was a funny bit and one that Goldie doesn’t seem to regret—unlike her first experience with the Oscars.
Barry King, Getty Images
39. She Wasn’t Expecting To Win
In 1970, Goldie’s star was just starting to rise, but she felt she still had a long way to go. So, though the Academy nominated her for Best Supporting Actress for Cactus Flower, she didn’t bother attending the ceremony. Besides, she had another job booked and needed to be in England for the shoot.
Years later, she regretted being a no-show for such a prestigious event, and not accepting her award in person—especially since her idol, Fred Astaire, presented it. Though she was at other ceremonies, she missed the opportunity to dress up, and feels that the more modern Oscars ceremony lacks a certain "elegance". 
Art Zelin, Getty Images
40. She Says She’s Not Old-Fashioned
She may speak her mind, but Goldie Hawn still holds a certain reverence for the glamor of Old Hollywood. She claims that some more modern jokes are off-color, and even Hollywood is becoming a victim of cancel culture. After the 2022 Slap Heard Round The World (Will Smith versus Chris Rock), she praised Rock for staying calm and stated that it was "indicative of our culture right now". 
Tinseltown, Shutterstock
41. She Spoke Out Against Cancel Culture
Is it holding people accountable or stifling free speech? Goldie Hawn told Variety that the concept of cancel culture frightens her and she feels there’s instability in both Hollywood and the world at large. She’s a woman who made her mark in comedic films, but she now feels that comedy is being restricted, leaving comedians afraid to tell certain jokes.
Maybe that’s why she’s stepped back from Hollywood.
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42. She’s Semi-Retired
Though she’s popped up here and there, Goldie mostly stepped back from the movie business after 2001’s The Banger Sisters. She turned her focus instead to helping kids, both her own and the ones she supports through her Hawn Foundation and MindUP program.
Occasionally a role calls her back to the silver screen but nothing that’s brought her to the same heights as her early career. She enjoyed being a mother more than acting, though being part of a famous family can certainly bring some weird dynamics to light.
Searchlight Pictures, The Banger Sisters (2002)
43. She Gave Her Kids Unusual Punishments
No parent likes to hear their kid’s in trouble with the authorities, especially when entertainment news is quick to jump on it. Fortunately, when Oliver Hudson got into trouble as a teenager, it was for a relatively minor thing: accidentally paintballing some people.
No real harm done, but Goldie and Kurt still wanted Oliver to learn his lesson. A simple grounding wouldn’t do, so instead, they instituted a more unusual punishment—one that likely made Oliver think twice about any future mischief.
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44. He Had To Use The Paintballs For Something Else
A first car; every teenager’s pride and joy, their first taste of freedom and responsibility. So what better punishment than to tell Oliver he had to paintball his car, a Honda Prelude with blue leather interior. And unlike some Hollywood kids, he wasn’t just going to get a new one if he complained, so instead he had to drive around in a dented, paintballed car for as long as the car lasted.
But hey, at least he didn’t cause his famous mother to have a wardrobe malfunction.
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45. She Flashed The Fans
There’s nothing unusual about a mother asking her daughter for fashion advice, but most of the time it doesn’t lead to a wardrobe malfunction. Teenage Kate Hudson recommended a nice black halter dress for her mother to wear to a Vanity Fair Oscars afterparty. But when Goldie got out of the car at the party, she waved to her fans…and the top of her dress fell down. At least it didn’t happen at the SuperBowl.
Ron Galella, Getty Images
46. She Took Easily To Social Media
Some celebrities have a fraught relationship with social media, and given how rabid people can be on the internet, who can blame them. But Goldie added another star to her resume with her Instagram account. During the pandemic, she often posted videos of her dancing and spreading a positive message.
Of course, renewed public attention often brings renewed public criticism, and Goldie’s been the subject of a few rumors about her appearance.
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47. She Won’t Reveal If She’s Had Plastic Surgery
Hollywood likes its actresses young and pretty, with smooth skin and taut bodies. As Goldie aged, the usual rumors about plastic surgery started to pop up, especially as she approaches her eighties. Goldie claims that her still-youthful appearance is due to healthy living, exercise, and a positive mindset, but rocker Courtney Love begs to differ.
Tinseltown, Shutterstock
48. She Encouraged A Facelift By Age 35
It’s a truth we all have to face: as we age, our bodies tend to give in to gravity. According to Courtney Love, Goldie told her to get a facelift at the age of 35. So did Goldie Hawn get plastic surgery, including that early facelift? Goldie certainly isn’t confirming it; she’s too busy with her philanthropic endeavors, being a grandmother to her seven grandchildren, and maintaining her relationship with Kurt Russell.
Tinseltown, Shutterstock
49. She’s Not Done Just Yet
Never say never. She may be approaching her eighth decade, but Goldie isn’t totally done with the idea of Hollywood. The right role may just tempt her out of retirement, especially if it’s a chance to work once again with Kurt Russell. Until then, she’s happy to spend time with her grandkids, work with her foundation, and always speak her mind.
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50. He Wasn’t Trying To Impress Her
Few people know that Kurt Russell almost blew his chance with Goldie. After a divorce from his first wife, Season Hubley, Kurt wasn’t looking for another relationship. And Goldie was twice-divorced, with two young children. So when they met again, Kurt was hungover and the first thing he said to Goldie was that she had a great figure.
If Goldie had been anyone else, that probably would have been the end of that possible relationship. But Goldie just laughed and said thank you, and the rest is history.
