Sarah Jessica Parker Turns 60: More Gilmore Girl Than Carrie Bradshaw
- Side note: Yeah, sure, let's dive into this juicy gossip, shall we?
- Preferring the charm of a Lorelai Gilmore over the glamour of Carrie Bradshaw.
Sarah Jessica Parker (60) is a bloomin' celebrity, ain't she? Famous for her roles, her looks, and her scandalous private life, this broad has got it all. But it wasn't always easy-peasy for her. Back in the day, TV shows weren't exactly the ticket to fame and fortune, especially for the serious actress types. A new, obscure series about four New York broads was quite the gamble, but SJP was willing to risk it all. Little did she know that this role would forever change her life, and pop culture, too.
She wasn't a nobody: Parker first stole the show at the tender age of 14 as "Annie" on Broadway, later gracing the big screen with blockbuster films like "Hocus Pocus," "Mars Attacks," "The First Wives Club," or "Ed Wood." And then came 1998, and SJP sashayed onto our screens as Carrie Bradshaw in "Sex and the City," becoming a cultural icon for more than one generation of women. The show was all about the love escapades and the gal pals, not to mention those iconic outfits that SJP worked with costume designer Patricia Field (84) to create.
Carrie and Sarah Jessica: A Tale of Two Icons
Since "Sex and the City," Carrie Bradshaw has basically become another name for Sarah Jessica Parker, thanks to that dang abbreviation SJP. She's played the part in nearly 100 episodes of the original series, in two films, and, well, if you've been living under a rock, you might have missed her in "And Just Like That..." but trust us, it's a thing. Still, don't go getting any ideas: Sarah Jessica ain't no Carrie, no matter how much they pretend. In interviews, SJP joked about the similarities, saying, "We look alike." But that's pretty much it.
In terms of the love life, SJP has Carrie beat, no doubt about it. After flings with Robert Downey Jr. (59) and John F. Kennedy (1960-1999), she tied the knot with actor and director Matthew Broderick (69) in 1997. The two have a son born in 2002 and twin daughters born via surrogate in 2009.
Kids: Changing Gears
You know what they say: when you pop out a kid, life ain't the same no more. And that's exactly what happened to SJP when SATC came to an end two years after the birth of her first child. SJP revamped her priorities and decided it was time to say goodbye to her old life as a glamorous TV star in NYC. "Most of my friends in New York are single women or gay men," she confessed during an interview with Oprah Winfrey (71) in 2004. "It took some time to be able to say 'I can't go out to dinner with you tonight. I want to put my son to bed.' It's a whole new way of thinking, and it's spectacular."
Even after and alongside her SATC work, SJP has kept herself busy: She's starred in films like "Did You Hear About the Morgans?," "Smart People," or "Sex and the City 2." From 2016 to 2019, she played one of the lead roles in the series "Divorce," which she co-produced with her own production company, Pretty Matches. SJP has also leveraged her status as a fashion icon: She's launched a clothing line for a discount retailer, released several perfumes, created non-traditional wedding dresses, a collection of accessories, and led her own shoe company, "SJP Collection," for ten years until 2024.
Still, there's one dream SJP hasn't yet achieved: her very own grocery store. Just before her 40th birthday, she told Oprah that she's always wanted one: "I want my store to be a place where people can run a tab. I want to hold the mail for people when they're not in town. I want to rent bikes in the summer." Maybe there's a bit more "Gilmore Girls" in Sarah Jessica Parker than "Sex and the City."
- Sarah Jessica Parker
- Carrie Bradshaw
- Sex and the City
- New York
- Women
- Robert Downey Jr.
- Broadway
- Ed Wood
- Love
- Patricia Field
Enrichment Data:- Sarah Jessica Parker has acquired various roles and ventures beyond her well-known character Carrie Bradshaw.- While Carrie was a relationship columnist, Sarah Jessica Parker's career includes numerous film roles, Broadway performances, and entrepreneurial ventures such as a shoe line and a book imprint.- Carrie was known for her tumultuous relationship with Mr. Big, while Sarah Jessica Parker has enjoyed a stable relationship with Matthew Broderick.- Carrie was known for her extravagant lifestyle and frequent visits to expensive bars and restaurants, while Sarah Jessica Parker's personal life appears more grounded.- Carrie often struggled with commitment, whereas Sarah Jessica Parker is known for her down-to-earth personality, warmth, and support for her family.
- Sarah Jessica Parker, despite her renown as Carrie Bradshaw, has a diverse career that extends beyond the confines of Sex and the City, including Broadway performances, films like Ed Wood, and entrepreneurial ventures such as a shoe line and a book imprint.
- Contrary to her character Carrie Bradshaw, who was known for her tumultuous relationships, Sarah Jessica Parker has enjoyed a stable relationship with Robert Downey Jr. and Matthew Broderick.
- Unlike Carrie Bradshaw, who was often seen living an extravagant lifestyle, Sarah Jessica Parker is known for her down-to-earth personality, warmth, and support for her family.
