Jennifer Tilly
Jennifer Tilly is an Academy Award nominated actor, professional poker player, and in-demand voice over actor whose career has spanned more than several decades. She grew up in the United States and Canada, graduating from Stephens College with a bachelor’s degree in Theater. Jennifer is known for playing scene stealing, iconic characters in films like “The Getaway,” “Bound,” “Liar, Liar,” “Bullets Over Broadway,” and “The Fabulous Baker Boys.” Her voice has delighted audiences in numerous films and television shows, including ‘Celia’ in “Monsters Inc.” and ‘Bonnie’ on “Family Guy.” She has performed in hit Broadway shows, including “The Women” and, “Don’t Dress For Dinner,” and in 2005 she astounded the Poker world when she bested more than 600 women to win the coveted gold bracelet at The World Series of Poker. Her career changed forever when she joined the cast of “Bride of Chucky” not only voicing the homicidal, maniac doll paramour of Chucky, ‘Tiffany Valentine,’ but also playing a meta version of herself. After seven Child’s Play/Chucky films the franchise has transitioned from hit film, to hit TV show. The Chucky series premiered last year to rave reviews on both SyFy and USA networks and will return this fall for the highly anticipated season 2.
In the CHUCKY films, how has Tiffany Valentine/Jennifer Tilly evolved?
In the beginning, Tiffany was sweeter and simpler. I mean she liked to kill people, but she was not as prolific at it as she was in later films. As the series progressed, she evolved in terms of personality. First off she became a mother, and that gave her more humanity, and after she had the children she started breaking away from Chucky and wanting different things. In the Chucky series she is emerging as some sort of master criminal! She is a little more deranged than she has been in previous incarnations. She is a wild character to play, that’s for sure!
What has it been like working with Don Mancini over the course of the franchise? How would you describe your working relationship?
Don is one of my very best friends and has been for more than 20 years. We’re very much in sync in how we see Tiffany, and we have a lot of fun with her. He’s really open to suggestions, Don takes his horror seriously, but with the Tiffany character he’s allowed to be campier and more irreverent. Because he loves Tiffany, he enjoys writing for her. He’s written a great character arc for me. Although generally pretty specific about how he likes things to be done, he gives me a lot of leeway, because Tiffany is more of a collaboration between Don and myself.
Due to the roles you’ve taken in BOUND and the elements of queerness in the CHUCKY franchise, you’ve amassed a huge following of LGBTQ+ fans. What drew you to the role of Violet? Especially knowing this there was little to no lesbian representation in films.
I loved the character of Violet, I loved that she was so intelligent and in control. When I would describe her to people I saw her as mostly submerged. Like an iceberg where the bulk of the iceberg is underwater. When she met Corky she responded to the freedom that Corky had in the way that she lived her life. She recognized the other half of herself. The half that until now she was not allowed to be authentically.
Bound was a groundbreaking film in that the sexuality of the characters was incidental. They were just two people who happened to be in love. The fact that they were gay was not a big plot point. I think the matter-of-fact way the Wachowskis approached the characters gender preferences paved the way for many films to come after that.
Your closet contains an assortment of garments from vintage to couture, with a mixed price range of ready to wear apparel. How would you describe your personal style?
I’m a hoarder! I hardly ever throw anything out. That way when things come around again and everybody is scouting for vintage Galliano and Gaultier online, I just go into my storage space and pull out the originals that I already have. I love vintage clothes, I have a lot of hats and beautiful capes from the 20s. I like to be eclectic, and not look like anybody else. I’m not really too concerned with blending in. When people ask me what I’m going to wear to a party. I say, “don’t go by me because I will be egregiously overdressed!”
What kind of items do you gravitate towards when shopping?
I like layers, I like items that I can see myself wearing 10 or 20 years from now. I like velvet and beautiful embroidery, and unique and unusual pieces.
Collecting vintage clothing is a passion of yours. What is your favorite decade for style inspiration?
My favorite decade was the 20s. But I also love the 50s and 60s silhouettes. I love the 50s Balenciaga and Dior, those beautiful full skirts and chic hats. I love the fun and freedom of the 60s, the psychedelic Pucci prints, the metallic PacoRabonne mini dresses, and the dreamy goddess gowns of Halston.
What are some of your favorite designers to shop vintage?
Galliano era Dior, Tom Ford Gucci and YSL, anything Gaultier and Westwood. Also, Biba, Pucci, and Ossie Clark.
What is your favorite item in your closet?
I have a gorgeous Fortuny gown that I bought a long time ago. It’s plain black and has the most beautiful pleats.
Who is your favorite couture designer ?
I love Dolce Gabbana AltaModa and Jean Paul Gaultier haute couture. I also recently bought an amazing dress from Iris Van Herpen, that’s like a kinetic sculpture.
What are your favorite things about couture clothes?
Couture clothes are amazingly well constructed. They are the exact opposite of fast fashion. When I buy a couture piece it’s like a work of art. You’re buying a piece of fashion history. You expect to wear it for the next 30 years. It is fitted to your body so beautifully and is timeless.
In high school you wrote a column for your school newspaper called “Through the School Grapevine.” Do you have any memorable anecdotes from your days as a school gossip columnist?
I remember I got $.25 an inch, so I never really learned to edit properly. I would try to write my columns as long-winded as possible because I needed the money.
Poker has undeniably played a huge part in your life. What is one strategy that you use to be successful when playing the game?
I always use the metaphor of boxing. You don’t want to be the one on the ropes covering your face saying, “please don’t hit me anymore!” You want to be the one doing the hitting. So, I tell women who ask for advice to be aggressive. You should be the one making the other person wonder what you have.
You need to be the alpha! Don’t let the other person take the lead in betting if you’re going to put money in the middle you might as well be the aggressor. People expect women to be soft and malleable. Surprise them!
If you had to choose a theme song to describe your life, what would it be?
“Let It Be.”
What keeps bringing you back to the Chucky franchise?
The character Tiffany is a riot, she’s so campy and delicious! I love working with Don Mancini, and the Chucky fans are the most loyal and dedicated fans there are. The scripts are consistently well written and unexpected. Whenever I get one, I’m super excited to see what Don has written for Tiffany next. Tiffany is the greatest character on earth to play because she’s always in there causing a commotion. And being sexy while she does it! It never becomes boring.
Social Media (including Tiffany’s)
On Twitter and Instagram, I’m @jennifertilly (with a blue check mark.)
Tiffany’s Twitter and Instagram is @tiffnymoviestar
CREW CREDITS:
Editor-In-Chief: Alison Hernon
Creative Director + Photographer + Producer: Mike Ruiz
Talent: Jennifer Tilly
Hair: Toni Burns
Makeup: Alisa Yasuda
Photographer’s Assistants: Ozzie Gutierrez & Fabian Pourmand
Tearsheets by Daniel López, Associate Art Director, PhotoBook Magazine
Interview by Alessa Hatch, Contributor, PhotoBook Magazine
*All clothes courtesy of Jennifer Tilly
