Phoebe Cates became an 1980s Hollywood icon through roles in Fast Times at Ridgemont High and Gremlins. Born July 16, 1963, in New York City, she walked away from fame at 31 to focus on family. Her choice surprised an industry that rarely forgives absence.
Today at 61, she’s married to Kevin Kline for 36 years and runs Blue Tree boutique on Madison Avenue. She raised two creative children who pursued music and film. Her story challenges what success in Hollywood actually means.
Quick Facts
| Category | Details |
| Full Name | Phoebe Belle Cates Kline |
| Date of Birth | July 16, 1963 |
| Age (2025) | 61 years old |
| Height | 5’7″ (1.70 m) |
| Birthplace | New York City, USA |
| Ethnicity | Chinese-Filipino, Russian Jewish |
| Husband | Kevin Kline (married March 5, 1989) |
| Children | Owen Kline (born 1991), Greta Kline (born 1994) |
| Net Worth | Estimated $35 million (2025) |
| Famous For | Fast Times at Ridgemont High, Gremlins |
| Current Occupation | Boutique owner (Blue Tree, Madison Avenue) |
| Last Acting Role | The Anniversary Party (2001) |
Early Life and Heritage
Phoebe Cates grew up in a show business family in New York City. Her father Joseph Cates (born Joseph Katz) created The $64,000 Question game show and produced on Broadway. Her uncle Gilbert Cates produced multiple Academy Awards ceremonies.
Her mother Lily Cates was born in Shanghai, China, with Chinese-Filipino heritage. Her father came from Russian Jewish roots in Manhattan. This multicultural background gave Phoebe a unique look that modeling agencies noticed early.
At age ten, she enrolled at the Juilliard School for dance training and received a scholarship to the School of American Ballet. A knee injury at fourteen ended those dreams. She shifted her focus toward modeling instead.
Modeling Career Beginnings
Phoebe started modeling at ten, appearing in Seventeen magazine and teen publications. By fifteen, she’d landed four Seventeen covers, starting with the April 1979 issue where she wore braces. The magazine insisted she keep them for authenticity.
She never romanticized the work. In a 1982 interview, she said: “It was just the same thing, over and over. After a while, I did it solely for the money.” Her practical view revealed she saw modeling as income, not glamour.
She also worked as plainclothes security at Gallery Drug Store at fifteen. She walked aisles pretending to shop while watching for shoplifters. She caught one elderly woman stealing Band-Aids but chose not to report her.
Controversial Film Debut
Paradise (1982) marked Phoebe’s film debut at seventeen. Filmed in Israel from March to May 1981, the Blue Lagoon-inspired romance required nude scenes. Her father encouraged her to accept the role.
She later claimed producers used a body double for close-ups without her consent. Co-star Willie Aames told press: “She will have nothing to do with the film. She’s really upset about it. She won’t do any promotion with me.” This reflected minimal protections for young actresses in early 1980s cinema.
She later stated: “What I learned was never to do a movie like that again.” The experience taught her about power dynamics in the industry. She was seventeen during filming, eighteen when it released.
Hollywood Peak Years
Fast Times at Ridgemont High (1982) changed everything for Phoebe. She played Linda Barrett, the confident friend to Jennifer Jason Leigh’s character. The red bikini pool scene during Judge Reinhold’s fantasy became cinema history.
She distinguished this from Paradise: “The topless scene in Fast Times was funny, which made it easy” according to News. The comedy provided artistic justification her debut lacked. The film launched careers for Sean Penn, Jennifer Jason Leigh, and Forest Whitaker, entering the National Film Registry in later years.
Gremlins (1984) became her highest-grossing film. Produced by Steven Spielberg’s Amblin Entertainment and directed by Joe Dante, she played Kate Beringer. Her Christmas monologue about her father dying in a chimney while dressed as Santa became the film’s darkest moment.
She starred in TV mini-series Lace (1984), playing a bitter movie star. Her line “Which one of you bitches is my mother?” was named the greatest television line by TV Guide in 1993. She returned for Lace II (1985) and Gremlins 2: The New Batch (1990).
Theater Work Passion
Phoebe actively pursued stage acting alongside her film career. In June 1984, she debuted Off-Broadway in “The Nest of the Wood Grouse” at Joseph Papp’s Public Theater. She told interviewers: “While doing the play, I felt a certain freedom and a certain connection with acting that I had never really felt before.”
By 1988, theater became her priority. She stated: “There are simply not that many good parts in film, but theater has tons of good women’s roles. I think of theater as what I like to do most.” She rarely watched her own films.
She appeared in David Henry Hwang’s “Rich Relations” at Second Stage Theatre. Her Broadway debut came in December 1989 in Paddy Chayefsky’s “The Tenth Man” at the Vivian Beaumont Theater. She also played Juliet at Chicago’s Goodman Theatre and Nina in “The Sea Gull” at La Jolla Playhouse.
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Marriage and Family
Phoebe met Kevin Kline in 1983 during The Big Chill auditions. She didn’t land the part—Meg Tilly did—but she met her future husband. Both were dating other people then.They reconnected in 1985 at the New York Public Theater.
Kline later admitted: “When I first met Phoebe, I remember thinking, ‘She’s too happy to be with me. She’s too enthusiastic about life. What’ll we talk about?'” according to PEOPLE. They married March 5, 1989, the same year Kline won an Oscar for A Fish Called Wanda.
They settled on the Upper East Side of Manhattan, never moving to Los Angeles. They agreed to alternate work schedules so one parent stayed home. According to PEOPLE Kline explained in a 1998 Playboy interview: “We have agreed to alternate so that we’re never working at the same time. Whenever it’s been her slot to work, Phoebe has chosen to stay with the children.”
Their son Owen arrived in 1991 and daughter Greta in 1994. The family maintained weekly dinners even as the children grew up. Kline credits staying in New York instead of Hollywood for their lasting marriage.
Retirement from Acting
Phoebe was cast as Steve Martin’s daughter in Father of the Bride (1991) but dropped out due to pregnancy with Owen. Kimberly Williams-Paisley took the role in what became a major hit. She showed no public regret.
Princess Caraboo (1994) became her last film for seven years. Co-starring Kevin Kline, it received limited release. She was 31—an age when many actresses hit their stride.
From 1987 to 1993, her films struggled at the box office. Date with an Angel, Bright Lights, Big City, Shag, Heart of Dixie, Drop Dead Fred, and Bodies, Rest & Motion all underperformed. She wasn’t walking away from success but from a stalled trajectory.
She made one exception in 2001 for The Anniversary Party. Written and directed by best friend Jennifer Jason Leigh, Phoebe called it “a favor.” Both Owen and Greta appeared in the film alongside their parents.
Blue Tree Boutique
In 2005, Phoebe opened Blue Tree on Madison Avenue in Manhattan. The boutique features clothing, home goods, and specialty items curated to her aesthetic. It provided creative expression without the emotional exposure of acting.
The store let her stay in New York and control her own business. Unlike film where directors make final decisions, she owned every choice. She built something tangible that didn’t require auditions or casting directors.
Blue Tree has operated for 20 years as of 2025. Most independent boutiques on Madison Avenue close within five years due to expensive rent. Her sustained success demonstrates business skills beyond her acting reputation.
Legacy and Impact
Phoebe’s children pursued creative paths. Owen Kline appeared in The Squid and the Whale (2005) and directed Funny Pages (2022) for A24, which premiered at Cannes. Greta Kline fronts indie-pop band Frankie Cosmos, celebrating ten years since debut album Zentropy in 2024.
According to People Magazine Kevin Kline discussed their marriage at the 2024 Toronto International Film Festival: “She’s got her head on her shoulders, unlike me. I usually have my head on her shoulders, too. She’s a great wife, a great mother, great person, and she keeps me honest.” They’ve kept weekly family dinners going for decades.
Fast Times at Ridgemont High entered the Library of Congress National Film Registry for cultural significance. Rolling Stone called the pool scene “the most memorable bikini-drop in cinema history.” That 45-second moment secured her place in pop culture despite three decades away.
Conclusion
Phoebe Cates achieved fame, walked away, and built life on her terms. She’s not a cautionary tale but proof that success doesn’t obligate endless pursuit. Her experiences shaped her understanding that recognition differs from fulfillment.
Her Blue Tree boutique stands as her choice to create rather than perform. The question isn’t whether Hollywood needs her but whether she ever needed it. Her last three decades answer clearly.
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FAQ About Phoebe Cates
How old is Phoebe Cates in 2025?
61 years old, born July 16, 1963.
What is Phoebe Cates’ net worth?
According to Celebrity Net Worth her estimated net worth is $35 million from acting and Blue Tree boutique.
Who is Phoebe Cates married to?
Actor Kevin Kline since March 5, 1989.
How tall is Phoebe Cates?
5’7″ (1.70 m).
What are Phoebe Cates’ most famous movies?
Fast Times at Ridgemont High (1982) and Gremlins (1984).
Does Phoebe Cates still act?
No, her last role was The Anniversary Party in 2001.
What does Phoebe Cates do now?
Owns Blue Tree boutique on Madison Avenue since 2005.
Who are Phoebe Cates’ children?
Filmmaker Owen Kline and musician Greta Kline (Frankie Cosmos).
Why did Phoebe Cates quit acting?
She chose to raise her children after marriage.
What is Phoebe Cates’ ethnic background?
Quarter Chinese, quarter Filipino, half Russian Jewish.
Hello, I’m Serena Flores, a passionate writer with over 4 years of experience in lifestyle, biography, and internet culture content. I specialize in creating engaging, easy-to-read articles that simplify modern trends, slang, and real-life stories for every reader. My goal is to make complex topics relatable, offering well-researched insights and fresh perspectives that keep readers informed, inspired, and connected.