TOP Gun. Witness. The Accused. Few actresses could boast such a solid CV of era-defining films as Kelly McGillis.
While the 1980s marked her sudden burst of popularity - galvanised by a head-turning performance as a DoD instructor Charlie to Tom Cruise's Maverick pilot - a break from the limelight to focus on her family saw an embracing of television projects throughout the 90s.
Moving between high-profile TV shows like The L-Word and her passion for the stage, McGillis has continued to remain a presence on the Hollywood radar.
And it is thanks to the latter she is coming to North Wales as part of a national tour of Terrence McNally’s classic love story, Frankie & Johnny in the Clair De Lune set in 1980s New York.
Originally an Off-Broadway hit, the production sees McGillis star opposite fellow film-regular Rolf Saxon in an intense and fiery romantic comedy; which with plenty of swearing and nudity, promises to be a tender - but certainly adult - affair.
Amiable and candid while talking from the road in the midst of the tour, the screen siren's love of live theatre was apparent, as was her affection for McNally's engaging play.
Can you tell me a bit about the show?
It's a comedy that's got a lot of touching moments. Two grown ups who work together in a cafe and have raucous sex. One wants to have a relationship but the other's not so sure. These two people try to figure into a relationship with all the faults. I wouldn't say it's a happy ending, but it comes to a place of hope.
What attracted you to this particular role?
I really just love the character of Frankie. There's always something to work on every night. I love characters that have some density to them; that give me a chance to start digging and looking. She has so many layers.
It is an intimate play - are there challenges when there isn't an extensive cast?
The challenges are not getting along well, because you're two people and the roles are so intense. That was a little scary. In this there is no time to go home [and relax].
What about the full frontal nudity - was that daunting?
I read the script. I knew what I was taking on. I'm a grown up.
Audiences may know you best for your film and TV roles - is it a different discipline acting on camera rather than on stage?
Acting is acting no matter where you do it. It's just pretending. Saying that, it is a lot different than doing TV or different to doing a film - the preparations are different.
I think what's fun about theatre, which isn't in film, is it's all about timing. In a movie I do my acting, the director then goes in a little room with an editor and does my timing for me - a pause here, a cut there.
Here, I get to play with the audience. In this case they are the third character of the play. And it's different every single night - a new audience comes in and they are part of that experience.
I don't think it's about control. It's about playing, incorporating them, to allow them in to see my soul. It's all about love. As I get older I think that's certainly effecting how far I go - the older I get the further I go.
Confidence brought by experience?
Definitely. it's not about my ego anymore. When you're young it's all about what you do. The older we get we see the bigger picture and how truly insignificant we are in the scheme of things.
Do you prefer one over the other?
How many people do you know who have been able to work for over a long period of time?
You see a lot of people who come and go. It is a hard industry. Sometimes you have really great things happening, sometimes not. It's all about your attitude, your outlook. I'm just very grateful.
You have appeared in an eclectic selection of Hollywood films - drama, thriller, horror, and next as a nun in the apocalyptic vampire movie Stake Land...
I had a blast doing that movie! I've never done that kind of genre movie before. When I was offered it I found out they were shooting right next door to where I lived, so I was up for it - I thought I could do that and see some of my friends.
But I had the best time. I had no clue how [very] popular the genre is though.
I loved Jim Mickle [director] and everybody in it. It was really fun and I'm really glad I did it. I learned a lot.
Do you enjoy mixing it up?
Oh yes. I'm only here once.
What's next for you after Frankie & Johnny?
I'm doing a little film up in Canada and in talks with another as well. My daughter just had twin baby boys though so I'm going to go and help her out. They are [really] hard work. Life stuff is much more important than work.
My values are family first, work second. Actually family first, spirituality second... work third!
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Frankie & Johnny in the Clair De Lune will be showing at Venue Cymru in Llandudno between February 25-27. For more information or to book tickets contact the Box Office on 01492 872000 or visit the website at www.venucymru.co.uk