Let’s talk about Hilary Swank, shall we? These days, she’s on top of the world. The talented actress recently tied the knot with entrepreneur Philip Schneider and is receiving all kinds of Oscar buzz for her role in the powerful new drama What They Had (which hit theaters on October 19). But life wasn’t always this bright for Hilary. Not too long ago, she faced one of the most challenging periods of her life, stepping away from her career to care for her father, Stephen Michael Swank, who underwent a lung transplant in 2014. This experience deeply changed her perspective on life and work, and she shared her story in a heartfelt interview with AARP The Magazine.
When her father needed care, Hilary didn’t hesitate to put her career on hold. For three years, she dedicated herself to helping him recover, and it wasn’t an easy journey. “Caregiving changed me for real and forever,” she revealed. This period of her life wasn’t just about providing care—it was about rediscovering her own identity outside of acting and finding meaning in the everyday moments that often go unnoticed.
Personal Reflections Through Art
It’s no surprise that What They Had, a film Hilary both produced and starred in, holds deep personal significance for her. At 44 years old, she’s no stranger to tackling emotionally charged roles. Her previous Oscar-winning performances in Boys Don’t Cry and Million Dollar Baby proved that she’s a force to be reckoned with when it comes to portraying complex characters. Now, she’s bringing her personal experiences to the screen, and the result is nothing short of extraordinary.
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A Story About Family and Sacrifice
In What They Had, Hilary plays a career-driven woman who returns to her hometown of Chicago to help care for her ailing mother, played by the incomparable Blythe Danner, who is battling Alzheimer’s disease. The film delves into the intricacies of family dynamics and the challenges that come with caregiving. “It’s about a family,” Blythe explained. “It’s about what normal people are dealing with—so many people are taking care of their parents today.”
Hilary’s own journey as a caregiver deeply resonates with the themes explored in the film. Growing up, she didn’t spend much time with her father, who was a traveling salesman, and her parents divorced when she was just 15. But when he needed her, she stepped up in a big way. “I drove him to hospital appointments,” she recalled. “We’d have lunch, and I’d make his dinner. It wasn’t glamorous, but those small acts of kindness gave me a new perspective on life.”
