Back in 1989, Jean Louisa Kelly shot to fame as rebellious teen Tia Russell in the smash hit Uncle Buck. Now 53, she’s excited about an exciting new movie in the works
Jean Louisa Kelly was just 17 when she burst on the movie scene through her starring role in family comedy classic Uncle Buck.
Now, 36 years later, she’s barely aged a day, as far as her appearance goes. At 53, she still looks youthful and incredible, and she’s as enthusiastic about her career as ever, having recently spoken about a “frighteningly delicious project” she’s been involved in.
Back in 1989, Jean introduced herself to the world as rebellious teen Tia Russell. She held her own opposite comedy legend John Candy and the film catapulted her into the spotlight.
However, she didn’t rest on early success and instead enrolled at Columbia University, walking away with a degree in English in 1994 – an unusual move for a young actor at the time.
After graduating, Kelly re-entered Hollywood with renewed determination. She starred in the drama Mr. Holland’s Opus (1995) and took on the role of Luisa in the movie musical The Fantasticks — proving that she could not only act but also sing and dance when the spotlight demanded it.
Between 2000 and 2006 she became a fixture in living rooms across the US as Kim Warner on the sitcom Yes, Dear – a far cry from her feisty teen character in Uncle Buck.
As her two kids grew, Jean returned to her musical roots. In 2013 she released a children’s album, and later a more personal EP reflecting on life, parenthood, and growth. In 2023 she even debuted a solo show in New York – a one-woman concert tracing her journey from small-town New England to Hollywood.
Describing the show, she posted on Instagram: “Folks! I am making my NYC concert #debut on 1/21 at the Beechman Theatre! Accompanied by award-winning musical director Paul Bogaev, the show is a biographical hour of story and song — it’s uplifting and fun!”
The concert was a success and sold out, prompting encore performances at the same venue. She told Digital Journal: “It’s my personal journey in and out of show business and throughout my life, that starts when I am 11 and it comes up to present day. It’s a very individual journey and it’s a hopeful one. The fans will hear songs from all kinds of different Broadway musicals and films. It has a little bit of everything, and it’s uplifting.”
In the blockbuster smash Top Gun: Maverick, Jean appeared as Sarah Kazansky, the wife of “Iceman” Tom Kazansky.
She’s now set to star in upcoming horror film White Sands and said: “I loved being Auntie to a gorgeous and charismatic group of young actors in this frighteningly delicious project!”
The film, said to be in post production, focuses on an aspiring food-blogger who joins her boyfriend for a beachside birthday weekend at a seaside motel run – but they’re quickly disturbed by a “sinister force tied to the motel’s occult history.”
Describing being an actress in the digital age, Jean said: “There are a lot of opportunities. It’s amazing how much content there is out there, and I am excited about it. I do love how much good material there is for women, and especially women over 50, and it’s all opening up, and it’s very exciting.”
She also shared advice for young and aspiring actors, saying: “First of all, be you and don’t try to be somebody else, and trust that this is valuable.
“Know who you are working with and who you are auditioning for, I am giving that advice even though I wasn’t good at it myself.”
