Stockard Channing, known for her role in “Grease,” has embraced a quieter life in the United Kingdom, a change she pursued following the passing of her partner, producer Daniel Gilham, in 2014. She moved to London shortly before the COVID-19 pandemic.
In an essay for The Sunday Times, Channing, now 82, expressed contentment with her life as a recluse. She remarked, “I’ve lived alone since I lost Daniel and I’m happy being a recluse.” Reflecting on her past, she noted her four marriages before Gilham, each representing different eras of her life.
Channing shared insights into her lifestyle, drawing comparisons to her “Grease” character, Rizzo, as she discussed societal expectations on marriage and children from her youth. She stated, “Children were thought about and, yeah, I think about them now because it’d be great to have someone taking care of me. But, hey, children can be just as selfish as everybody else out there.”
On her transition from Maine to the UK, she described how Gilham’s death impacted her. “The pattern of my life shifted, so I shifted my life,” she explained, amidst political changes in the United States.
Channing also recalled her time on “The West Wing,” saying, “People look at ‘The West Wing’ and go, ‘Wow, wasn’t it great when politicians had an ounce of integrity?’ Abbey didn’t suffer fools, and she’s the character most like me in real life.” She mentioned a candid interaction with director Aaron Sorkin, who crafted Abbey’s character around her personality.
Outlining her daily routine, Channing detailed how her morning starts at 7 a.m. when her dog wakes her. “After he’s had his breakfast and I’ve made a strong pot of coffee, my dog walker takes him out and I go back to bed,” she stated, describing her ideal morning involving a diary and fountain pen.
As for exercise, she noted, “I know that exercising is the right thing to do but my brain tells me to go hide behind the bike sheds,” highlighting her occasional preference to skip her routine. Lunch becomes her first meal of the day, and she approaches cooking with humor, sharing that her dog benefits if her ramen is unsuccessful.
Channing elaborated on her personal appearance, emphasizing comfort over fashion. “If I’m leaving the apartment I comb my hair, but I don’t have a wardrobe of designer outfits,” she remarked, acknowledging her collection from past decades without concern for fashion trends.
Her fans span multiple generations, each recognizing her from different roles, whether from “Practical Magic,” “The West Wing,” or “Grease.” She appreciated that films, much like music, evoke nostalgia and connect people to memories of simpler times.