Fred Tillman is widely known for being the ex-husband of popular movie star Kelly McGillis. Kelly is primarily famous for her role in the movie Remember Me and Top Gun. Likewise, she has starred in other top movies including The Accused, Winter People, and Santabear’s First Christmas.
The duo was married for an approx 13 years before they got divorced. So, the question remains why did the pair part ways despite being in a long-term relationship, and do the ex-lovers share any children?
On the other hand, did you know that the Top Gun star was lesbian? Well if you are also one of these people who want to know more about the personal and professional life of Fred Tillman. You have come to the right place as we are going to uncover all of the details regarding Kelly McGillis’s ex-husband.
Let’s begin!
Details On Fred Tillman’s Early Life; Who Are His Parents?
Tillman was born in June 1948 and is currently 74 years old in 2023. Fred hasn’t shared information regarding his parents but according to some online sources, his mother’s name is Hester Tillman. Unfortunately, she passed away on 27th March 2009 at her home. At the time of her death, she was 95 years old.
The duo was together for over 13 years.Talking about his ethnicity, Fred is said to be Caucasian. On the other hand, his ex-wife was of mixed descent. Kelly is of Irish, Welsh, German, and Scottish ancestry. As for their nationality, both of them have American citizenship.
His Educational Details
For his higher education, Fred went to American University and graduated from there. Unfortunately, Tillman has preferred to keep the information about his primary and secondary education under the limelight.
On the other hand, his ex-spouse went to Newport Harbor High School. After completing high school, Kelly decided to pursue her education which was rare in those days. Similarly, she decided to join Allan College in Santa Maria where she studied Pacific Conservatory Of The Performing Arts.
Fred Tillman’s Professional Life: He Was A Yacht Salesman
Kelly’s former hubby was a Yacht salesperson in Newport Beach, California during the early 90s. However, after his marriage to the Top Gun actress, the couple decided to move to Key West. The duo decided to open up a restaurant named Kelly’s Caribbean Bar, Grill & Brewery situated in the former PAN American Airways office.
It has been over a decade since the restaurant was opened and is continuing to serve the customers. However, the celebrity spouse doesn’t seem to be working as a restaurateur after the divorce from his ex-wife Kelly. Apart from his career as a restaurant owner and Yacht salesperson, Fred is also a profound marketing consultant.
Similarly, as mentioned earlier, Kelly was an actress loved by her fans and co-stars. As of 2022, she has played in numerous movies and gained a massive fan base due to her magnificent performances. She is also recognized as the actress of Witness who portrayed Rachel’s role.
McGillis while playing in the movie Top Gun.In 1987, Mcgillis played in a popular movie Once We Were Dreamers. In the film, she played the character of Anda and was loved by the fans who went to watch the movie.
Some of her most popular movies are loved by people around the world are Private Sessions, Santabear’s First Christmas, Made in Heaven, Santabear’s High Flying Adventure, The House on Carroll Street, The Accused, Winter People, Rabbit Ears: Thumbelina, Cat Chaser, Grand Isle, and Perry Mason: The Case of the Fatal Framing.
Fred Tillman Was In A Marital Relationship With The Top Gun Actress Kelly McGillis: Their Marriage and Divorce
Fred and his then-wife Kelly’s love story is nothing out of the ordinary. The duo first met in Los Angeles where after brief interactions and dates they decided to secretly marry on new year’s eve in 1988. Likewise, the newlywed left Los Angeles and traveled to Key West Florida.
Love was in the air as both of them were living their life peacefully, however, tabloids got the wind of their marriage and people started talking. Multiple news claimed that Fred’s ex-wife Kelly married a nobody. In spite of feeling sad, the Top Gun actress felt the polar opposite. She preferred to take it as a compliment.
Similarly, while talking about the matter, she explained,
“I have lived with actors and dated actors and personally, I found it really boring,” said McGillis, who starred opposite Tom Cruise in Top Gun.”
Furthermore, Fred’s then-wifey also talked about things she wanted different in her life and that Tillman was the right person in her life. She didn’t care if he wasn’t from showbiz because in the end what matters is love.
Does The Former Couple Share Children?
Throughout their marriage, Fred and his former spouse Kelly shared two beautiful children. Their first daughter was born on May 24, 1990, and was named Kelsey Tillman. She is currently 32 years old. After that, the former lover got blessed with their second daughter Sonora Tillman on April 10, 1993. As of 2023, she is 29 years old.
The former Yacht broker with his ex-wifeKelsey is a very secretive individual and thus hasn’t shared much information on her personal life. Whereas her sister Sonora, on the other hand, is pretty active on social media. Fred’s second daughter is the mother of two namely, Atlas Owen Wood (B. March 19, 2016) and Harlow Wood (B. February 14, 2019).
Why Did The Pair Separate?
Sadly, just four days after Sonora was born, Tillman got arrested for propositioning a prostitute. Surprisingly, the woman was a cop disguised as a prostitute. Similarly, for his action, Fred was fined $250.
After his arrest, McGillis and Tillman’s relationship went downhill. They started to fight over little things and soon, the ex-lovers decided to end their relationship. They were together for 13 years before deciding to part ways in 2002.
Moreover, during that time Kelly was suffering from illegal substance use. Thus the custody of the kids was given to her ex-hubby for the time being. Similarly, after spending 9 months in rehab she worked day and night to improve her relationship with her daughters
What Is The Relationship Status Of Fred Tillman? Is He Married?
As already talked about previously, the celebrity ex-hubby is very private when it comes to talking about his personal matters. Fred has been living a very low-key life after his divorce from the celebrity Kelly McGills. However, multiple tabloids have confirmed his status to be single. But we can’t say for sure that he is an unmarried man. Well, whatever the case, we hope that Tillman is living a happy life.
On the other hand, his former wife Kelly was married to Boyd Black from 1979-81.
Fred Tillman’s Ex-wife Revealed That She Was A Lesbain; She Even Married A Woman
Nearly a decade after Fred’s and Kelly’s divorce, the Top Gun star publicly announced that she was lesbian. Kelly announced the news to the public in 2010, the same year, she married a beautiful woman named Melanie Leis on September 15, 2010. Fred along with 11 other individuals was invited to attend the wedding.
In an interview, Melanie described how she felt after she saw Kelly and said,
“I started working at the restaurant while Kell was out of town working on a movie. One day I looked up, and there she was. I did not see her from across the room or anything like that. That she was a movie star “didn’t play with my head at all. Her presence, not the image of who she is professionally, but her sense of humor absolutely grabbed me.”
However, multiple sources have also confirmed the fact that Melanie was upset from time to time because the actress was refusing to admit their relationship publically. Thus, the pair had separated several times during their 10 years of romance. Unfortunately, their marriage was short-lived as the couple divorced in 2011.
Fred Tillman’s Net Worth
Talking about Fred’s net worth, he has an estimated net worth of $1 million. He must have earned most of his money through his job as a salesperson, and marketing consultant.
On the other hand, his ex-wife Kelly McGillis has an estimated wealth of $4 million in 2022.