What Happened to Phoebe Cates? How the 'Fast Times' Star Found Her Happy Ending Offscreen

She once mesmerized audiences as a sultry screen siren of the 1980s, but then, without warning, she vanished. Decades later, Phoebe Cates is living a quieter, more surprising life far from Hollywood.

Phoebe Cates shot to fame in the early 1980s, capturing hearts and headlines with her unforgettable role as Linda Barrett in "Fast Times at Ridgemont High."

One iconic scene — that slow-motion walk in a red bikini — seared itself into the pop culture memory of a generation, instantly cementing her place as an '80s legend.

She went on to star in box office hits like "Gremlins" and "Private School," but by the mid-1990s, Cates had all but disappeared from the silver screen.

One Last Starring Role, Then Silence

Her final major appearance came in 2001, when she reunited with longtime friend and "Fast Times" co-star Jennifer Jason Leigh in the indie film "The Anniversary Party," which Leigh co-wrote and directed.

But this brief return was just that — brief. Cates had already turned her back on the spotlight, choosing instead a life filled with privacy, motherhood, and a wholly unexpected second act.

From Ballet Dreams to the Cover of Vogue

Born on July 16, 1963, in New York City, Phoebe Belle Cates was raised in a family that lived and breathed entertainment. Her father, Joseph Cates, was a Broadway and TV pioneer, while her uncle, Gilbert Cates, was a renowned director and producer.

By the age of 14, she had already become a highly sought-after model, gracing the covers of Seventeen, Elle, British Vogue, and Interview. Her journey toward stardom truly began at a party at Studio 54, where she met a film agent who would launch her into acting.

The Bikini, the Cool Girl, and a Generation's Obsession

Cates became a breakout star in the early 1980s with her role as Linda Barrett in "Fast Times at Ridgemont High." One moment in particular — her now-iconic emergence from the pool in a red bikini — left a lasting impression on pop culture and helped shape the entire genre of teen movies.

In 1982, girls loved "Fast Times" for its coming-of-age themes and characters like Judge Reinhold's earnest, awkward Brad. But for the boys, it was all about that scene — Cates stepping out of the water, in that scarlet bikini, droplets sliding down her flat stomach, her lips glistening, her dark hair slick and gleaming under the sun.

But Cates's power went far beyond a single slow-motion moment. For many young women, she was a figure of aspiration, a girl they had already come to know from the glossy pages of magazines, where she'd reigned over countless back-to-school spreads.

Now, she had crossed into film, playing the cool girl who knew everything, who seemed untouchable yet oddly familiar. Her rise in Hollywood continued with starring roles in "Gremlins," "Private School," and "Paradise."

She also appeared in stage productions on both coasts, including "The Nest of the Wood Grouse" and "Rich Relations" Off-Broadway, as well as Shakespeare classics like "Much Ado About Nothing" and "Romeo and Juliet."

A Hollywood Romance That Actually Lasted

It was during auditions for the 1983 drama "The Big Chill" that Cates crossed paths with Kevin Kline, a respected stage actor newly breaking into film with his role in "Sophie’s Choice."

The pair began dating in 1985 and married in 1989 — the same year Kline won an Oscar for "A Fish Called Wanda." Against all odds, their relationship would become one of the most enduring love stories in Hollywood history.

Not a Hollywood Couple

Over time, Kline openly praised Cates for grounding their marriage and family. In a 2024 interview with Business Insider, he said, "If your marriage lasts more than six months, you're already in the Guinness Book of World Records, if you're a Hollywood marriage."

But he quickly pointed out that theirs wasn't one of those. They've never lived in Hollywood, he revealed. Instead, the couple settled into a quiet life on Manhattan's Upper East Side, where they raised their two children, Owen and Greta.

Choosing Motherhood over the Movies

In an earlier interview with People, Kline revealed the secret to their balance. "We have agreed to alternate so that we're never working at the same time," said Kline.

When it was Cates's turn, he said, she made the deliberate choice to stay home with their children. "She loved acting while she was doing it, but she was not driven by it, as I had been," he revealed.

Their son Owen, born in 1991, is now following in his parents' creative footsteps as an aspiring film director. Their daughter Greta, born in 1994, is a talented music student and accomplished singer-songwriter.

Reflecting on his wife's decision to step away from the spotlight, Kline summed it up with deep admiration, "That was one of the many things I loved about her."

Kline, for his part, admitted he wasn't ready to make the same sacrifice — at least not completely. "No, I wasn't quite ready to give up acting for it," he reflected. "But suddenly I had a wife and children, and because of her being who she is – and two brilliant, wonderful children – I've had a life, and something of a career on the side."

From Red Carpet to Retail: Cates Reinvents Herself

In 2005, Cates quietly reinvented herself as a businesswoman with the launch of Blue Tree, a quirky and sophisticated boutique located on Madison Avenue in Carnegie Hill.

Co-founded with her friend Lisa Matlin, the shop quickly made waves for its eclectic, unpredictable inventory. "Phoebe's dream was to have it be like a general store, but according to me," reads a playful description on the store's website.

From women’s fashion and jewelry to music, gourmet goodies, and homeware, Blue Tree is as unconventional as its founder. "There are no rules," the site declares. "We are always re-inventing, recreating in the hopes of delighting."

No Regrets, No Comeback: Just Contentment

Though her film career remains a defining part of 1980s pop culture, Cates has never looked back. Her post-Hollywood life is marked by love, creativity, and contentment, even if it looks nothing like the spotlight she once ruled.

As her husband summed up in his 2024 interview, "She's a great wife, a great mother, great person, and she keeps me honest. Except for in interviews."