Phoebe Cates Moves From Being ’80s Teen Actress To Boutique Owner

During the ’80s and ’90s, Phoebe Cates started her journey in the entertainment realm, initially gaining recognition as a model. She graced the covers of prestigious publications like Seventeen magazine and secured numerous modeling gigs. However, Cates soon felt a deep-seated desire for greater creative expression, leading her to transition into acting.

Despite achieving notable success in the industry, the 60-year-old eventually decided to step back from the spotlight. Opting to retire from acting, she embraced a more private life, choosing to distance herself from the relentless scrutiny of public life and find solace outside the bustling world of show business.

Phoebe Cates was an ’80s teen actress with a flourishing career

Cates cultivated a deep-seated love for acting from an early age. Her formative years were spent at the Professional Children’s School in New York City, where she honed her skills and actively participated in various school productions. In 1982, she made her mark with a breakout role as Linda Barrett in the beloved coming-of-age comedy Fast Times at Ridgemont High. Notably, her unforgettable pool scene in the film has since achieved legendary status, etching itself into the annals of cinematic history.

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Throughout the 1980s and early 1990s, the 60-year-old showcased her versatility as an actress through various roles in romantic comedies like Private School and Date with an Angel to brilliant performances in TV dramas such as Bright Lights and Big City, where she starred opposite Michael J. Fox, Cates demonstrated her ability to inhabit a broad spectrum of characters with depth and authenticity.

However, as the 1990s ended, the actress gradually retreated from the spotlight, prioritizing her personal life over her career in Hollywood. While she occasionally graced the screen in projects like The Anniversary Party, directed by her dear friend Jennifer Jason Leigh, Cates gradually shifted her focus away from Hollywood until her final retirement.

Phoebe Cates now operates a boutique

Following her departure from the film industry, the 60-year-old shifted her attention to nurturing her family, which began with her union with her husband Kelvin Kline in 1989. However, her aspirations went beyond solely embracing the role of a mother.

In 2005, Cates embarked on a new venture by launching her boutique, Blue Tree, an establishment that offers an eclectic array of products, including jewelry, clothing, and home decor items; the actress had previously revealed in an interview with CNBC that she had always wanted to own a store. “I’ve always wanted to have a store,” Cates admitted. “Everyone kind of said, ‘Why would you want to do that? Oh, Retails terrible and all this.’ But I really dreamed it.”