Actress Stockard Channing has found a deep sense of contentment in a reclusive lifestyle in London, a shift she attributes in part to the death of her longtime partner, Daniel Gilham.
Channing, 82, who relocated to the UK "just before Covid," described her current life as one where she is "happy being a recluse." She explained that the move was envisioned after Gilham's passing in 2014, after which she began living alone. "I was married four times before Daniel and they all represent epochs of me," Channing stated in an essay for The Sunday Times.
The actress noted that Gilham's death "was more devastating than I realized; it had a lag effect." This profound loss fundamentally altered the pattern of her life, prompting her to shift her existence away from Maine.
Channing, who gained widespread recognition for her role as Rizzo in the 1978 film "Grease," reflected on her past roles, including Abbey Bartlet in "The West Wing." She recalled that during her time playing the first lady, there seemed to be a level of "honest, intelligent discourse" in politics that she feels is now missing. Channing considers Abbey Bartlet to be the character most like her in real life, noting that the character "didn't suffer fools."
Her daily routine in London is decidedly low-key. Her mornings begin around 7 a.m. when her dog wakes her. After tending to her pet and enjoying coffee, she often returns to bed. The rest of her morning is dedicated to writing in her diary with a fountain pen, documenting her thoughts and feelings. "At my age life is guided by bodily functions," she admitted.
By 10 a.m., Channing engages in some exercise, though she humorously confessed that her "favorite exercise days are when I play hooky." She also described her approach to meals, stating that lunch is her first meal of the day and that if her ramen attempts fail, she gives it to her dog. While she has designer outfits from the 1980s and 1990s, she rarely goes out and typically only combs her hair if she does leave her apartment.
Reflecting on her public image, Channing stated, "I've never considered myself as beautiful. And I'm not a celebrity 'tart.' I'm just me, take it or leave it." She acknowledged that different age groups recognize her from various projects, including "Practical Magic" for younger audiences, "The West Wing" for adults, and "Grease" for "real grown-ups."
Despite the initial critical reception of "Grease," Channing noted its enduring popularity and significant financial success, observing that "films are like songs: they take you back to a particular time in your life. Maybe a more innocent time."