Lois Chiles

Lois Chiles was born in Houston, Texas, on April 15, 1947, and is a well-known American actress and former fashion model. She gained great recognition for playing Dr. Holly Goodhead in the 1979 James Bond film Moonraker, and other films she acted in include The Way We Were and Broadcast News. 

Beyond acting, Chiles is committed to philanthropy, notably cancer research, due to some personal losses.

Personal Life: Love and Loss

Lois Chiles had her share of love and heartbreaks in her personal life. She was in a longer-term relationship with the musician Don Henley before marrying the philanthropist Richard Gilder, who shared her passion for giving back, in 2005. Together, they enjoyed each other's company until Gilder died in 2020. 

Chiles' charitable work has been fueled in part by her brother's fight with cancer, and she has focused in particular on non-Hodgkin's lymphoma research, putting her sorrow into action as a method by which his memory lives on.

Early Life: A Texas Star is Born

Lois Chiles was born in Houston, Texas on April 15, 1947, to an affectionate family that encouraged her early aspirations. She grew up in a very supportive atmosphere with two brothers. However, her life had a tragic turn in 1979, as she lost one of her brothers due to non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. 

It was this loss that shaped her outlook, inspiring her later in life for philanthropic work, especially in raising awareness about cancer research.

Education: From Classrooms to Catwalks

She first studied at the University of Texas at Austin, continuing to Finch College in New York City. It was in New York that the editor of Glamour magazine discovered her, catapulting her into the world of modeling. Soon she was in high demand and modeled for top agencies such as Wilhelmina Models, and Elite Models of Paris. 

This experience not only honed her poise and confidence but set the stage for her foray into acting.

Acting Career: The Rise of a Hollywood Icon

Lo Chiles began her film career with the independent film Together for Days, but a surefire attention-getter was when she starred alongside Robert Redford in The Way We Were, which got her launched as a star. She then went on to play Jordan Baker in the film version of The Great Gatsby and most memorably played Dr. Holly Goodhead in Moonraker. This was a groundbreaking role because it redefined the "Bond girl," as Chiles was bright and capable. 

Continuing in some great films like Death on the Nile in 1978 and Broadcast News in 1987, besides notable television appearances in Dallas and on CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, proved exactly how versatile she could be as an actress.

Legacy: A Lasting Impact

Lois Chiles' work goes way beyond that impressive filmography. She recently took up teaching, sharing her vast knowledge and experience with young actors at the University of Houston. Her presence extends from her performances to her commitment to empowering others within the industry. 

She has been able to pave the way for strong female characters, such as her character of Dr. Goodhead in action movies, and is still an inspiration to future generations.

Trivia: Behind the Scenes

One of the more intriguing pieces of trivia about Chiles is that she was at one time pitching the role of Agent Triple X in The Spy Who Loved Me. It would have been released in 1977, and through her judgment, she felt this was the time to take a self-imposed hiatus from acting. 

It is interesting to consider how much forethought she put into her career decisions. Over the years, she has given several interviews in which she often reminisces about her days as a Bond girl and shares tidbits that are fascinating to this very day.