Karen Allen: From Hollywood Stardom To Textiles And Yoga

Not many actors transition seamlessly from Hollywood blockbusters to running a textiles store in a quaint New England town, but Karen Allen has always been her own person. “As a child, I called textile work my first ecstasy,” Karen, now 67, exclusively shared with Closer Weekly in the magazine’s latest issue, available on newsstands now. “I remember standing in front of fabric and rug stores, my heart pounding, marveling at what people could create with their hands. It was so inspiring to me.” But her journey to weaving and textiles would have to wait as her acting career took off.

Karen’s career began in 1978 with her breakout role in the raucous comedy Animal House, which catapulted her into the spotlight. This role led to her iconic performance as Marion Ravenwood in Raiders of the Lost Ark, one of the most beloved films of all time. She continued to charm audiences with her performances in the 1980s, starring in films like Starman and the holiday classic Scrooged. However, as her fame grew, Karen made the conscious decision to step back from the limelight to focus on raising her son, Nicholas, now 28, with her ex-husband, actor Kale Browne. This period also rekindled her passion for fabrics, leading her to explore a new chapter in her life.

Leaving the glitz and glamour of Hollywood was a liberating decision for Karen. “I felt as though I had to say ‘no’ to a lot of really wonderful films that were just going to be a repetition of something I’d already done,” she explains. Despite her hiatus, Karen couldn’t resist returning for the 2008 sequel Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, reuniting with Harrison Ford, Steven Spielberg, and George Lucas. She’s also appeared in independent films like 2017’s Year by the Sea. We sat down with Karen to discuss motherhood, her illustrious career, and her thoughts on a potential sequel to Animal House, which she jokingly suggests could be titled Animal Home and set in an assisted-living facility. Keep scrolling for our exclusive Q&A with Karen!

Read also:

Salt Trick For Skin The Secret To Glowing Healthy Skin

What Are Some Fun Memories from the Set of Scrooged?

When reflecting on the 30th anniversary of Scrooged, Karen fondly recalls working with director Richard Donner and the legendary Bill Murray. “It was such a joy to work with them,” she says. “Even though the script was fantastic, we had the freedom to play around because Bill is, at his core, a comedian who loves to tinker with the written word. It was an experience unlike any other I’d had up to that point.”

Do You Have Any Memorable Bill Murray Stories?

One of Karen’s favorite memories involves Bill Murray and his former Saturday Night Live castmate and Scrooged co-writer, Michael O’Donoghue. “It was freezing outside at 5 a.m., and Bill was expressing concerns about a particular scene not working,” she recalls. “Suddenly, the makeup trailer door opened, and there was Michael in his bedroom slippers, pajamas, and a little boy’s hat, ready to help us figure it out. It was a moment of pure dedication and camaraderie.”

What’s the Latest on the Next Raiders Film?

Karen shares that the next Raiders film has been delayed as the team works diligently on the script. “This will likely be the last one Harrison Ford and Steven Spielberg will do,” she reveals. “It feels like the end of an era, so they’re taking their time to get it right. Whether I’ll be involved or not is still a mystery to me, but I’m hopeful and excited about the possibility. Production is rumored to start about a year from this spring, so we’ll see what the future holds.”