British actress Joanne Whalley, best known for her roles in the late 1980s and early 1990s, was recently seen during a rare public appearance in Los Angeles. Whalley, who was married to actor Val Kilmer, has maintained an active career over five decades, with over 90 acting credits to her name. She was observed walking her dog with a friend, opting for a casual ensemble of a black t-shirt, leggings, and Adidas sneakers. Her natural appearance was noted, with her brunette hair pulled back in a ponytail.
Whalley first gained significant recognition for her role in the 1985 British television drama series Edge of Darkness, which earned her a BAFTA TV nomination for Best Actress. However, her worldwide fame escalated with her role as Sorsha in the 1988 fantasy film Willow. It was on the set of Willow, an adventure film executive produced by George Lucas and directed by Ron Howard, that Whalley met Val Kilmer. Kilmer played the mercenary swordsman Madmartigan, Sorsha's love interest.
The film, which also starred Warwick Davis in the titular role, was a commercial success, grossing $137 million worldwide against a $35 million budget. The film is also notable for launching the relationship between Whalley and Kilmer, who were married from 1988 to 1996. They have two children together. Kilmer has previously recounted a vision he had of marrying Whalley before they met. The couple's divorce was described by Kilmer as the "second most expensive" in New Mexico.
Whalley is also recognized for her role in the 1989 historical drama Scandal, where she portrayed Christine Keeler. Her career has included portraying various historical and fictional figures, such as Scarlett O'Hara in Scarlett (1994), Jackie Kennedy in Jackie Bouvier Kennedy Onassis (2000), Queen Mary I in The Virgin Queen (2005), and Catherine of Aragon in Wolf Hall (2015). Whalley continues to act, with recent credits including the documentary Every Moon Is Atrocious released earlier this year and a role in the British television series The Rumour in 2023.