Gillian Anderson has opened up about the sacrifices she made as her Hollywood career gained momentum, noting how some of these choices affected her family life. In an interview with The Sunday Times, Anderson, now 58, reflected on her life as a young mother while being in the limelight for her role as FBI Special Agent Dana Scully on The X-Files.
Anderson initially stated she had no regrets. However, she admitted that there are aspects of early parenting she wished she had handled differently. She acknowledged being caught up in her career, which sometimes came at her family’s expense.
At the age of 26, Anderson became a mother to daughter Piper with her first husband, Clyde Klotz, who worked on The X-Files as an assistant art director. This milestone came shortly after she started filming the successful sci-fi series.
During the height of her career, Anderson was working long, grueling hours. After divorcing Klotz in 1997, Piper had to split time between her parents, traveling between Los Angeles and Vancouver, attending a French lycée to maintain a consistent educational experience. Anderson recognized the challenges this posed for her young daughter, who had to cope with frequent travel and schooling in a non-native language.
Reflecting on her work schedule, Anderson admitted she didn’t leverage her role in the series to ease her commitments, despite having the influence to do so. Her perspective on managing career and parenting evolved as she later had two sons, Oscar and Felix, with businessman Mark Griffiths.
Despite contemplating alternative life choices, Anderson appreciates her current career opportunities. She’s continued to achieve significant roles in productions like The Crown, Sex Education, and The Salt Path. More recently, she appeared in Jane Schoenbrun’s film, Teenage Sex and Death at Camp Miasma, which premiered at the Cannes Film Festival.
Anderson considered slowing down by her 60s to explore directing and art, yet her successful career means she’s reevaluating those plans. Her enjoyment of work and valuable roles at this stage offers her fulfillment.
Christina Dugan Ramirez reports for Fox News Digital and has extensive experience in entertainment journalism, having worked at PEOPLE and covering prominent events in Hollywood.