Daryl Hannah is back in the spotlight after writing a scathing essay in the New York Times criticizing Ryan Murphy’s romance for misrepresenting his relationship with JFK Jr.
But beyond the controversy, Hannah now leads a quieter life, focused on environmental activism, filmmaking and her marriage to musician Neil Young.
Let’s take a look at Daryl Hannah’s personal life:
Today, Hannah leads a quieter life, far from the gaze of Hollywood.
She married musician Neil Young in 2018 after years of dating, and the couple share a passion for environmental activism.
Daryl Hannah rose to fame in the 1980s with notable roles in Blade Runner (1982) and Splash (1984) opposite Tom Hanks after making his debut in The fury (1978).
She went on to star in hits like Roxanne (1987), Wall Street (1987), and Steel Magnolias (1989).
She continued to work regularly in film and television, most notably as the one-eyed assassin Elle Driver in Quentin Tarantino’s film. Kill Bill films, and most recently appeared in the 2021 comedy series The now and 2023 Fasten your seat belt.
Beyond acting, Hannah made her directorial debut with Paradox (2018), starring Neil Young, and later made a documentary in 2022 about the making of his album Barn, marking his evolution from Hollywood star to filmmaker and activist.
She continues to champion sustainability and social causes.
She has also spoken openly about being diagnosed with Asperger’s syndrome, explaining that it influenced her decision to step back from the spotlight.
Daryl Hannah’s relationship with JFK Jr.
Hannah and JFK Jr. dated for over five years in the late ’80s and early ’90s.
Their relationship was the subject of tabloid coverage, with speculation about marriage and constant attention from the paparazzi.
The romance ended in 1994, but Hannah’s connection to JFK Jr. remains part of her public identity, which she now feels obligated to defend against misrepresentations.
The series dramatizes the romance of John F. Kennedy Jr. and Carolyn Bessette, but also depicts Hannah as a character played by Dree Hemingway.
Hannah called the portrayal “irritating, self-centered, whiny and inappropriate.”
She dismissed scenes suggesting drug use, calling them “false” claims about driving.
She argued the portrayal was “classic misogyny” and revealed she had received “hostile and even threatening” messages since the show aired.
“Love Story” attracts more and more criticism
Hannah’s essay follows a fiery response from JFK Jr.’s nephew Jack Schlossberg, who told CBS that Murphy “knows nothing about us” and is enjoying “a grotesque display of someone else’s life.”
Producer Brad Simpson defended the project as being “made with sincerity,” while actress Sarah Pidgeon, who plays Carolyn Bessette, acknowledged that Schlossberg “has every right to share how he feels.”
Despite the negative reactions, love story was a heavyweight in the ratings.
Since its launch in February, the series has set a streaming record for Disney, with 25 million hours viewed across its first five episodes, making it FX’s most-watched limited series to date.
