Donna Mills, the celebrated Hollywood actress who rose to prominence during the 1980s, continues to captivate audiences with her timeless elegance and enduring career. The Illinois-born star, now 85 years old, recently made a rare public appearance that showcased her remarkable vitality and style.
A Glittering Career Across Decades
Mills established herself as a versatile performer working across both film and television throughout her extensive career. Her early cinematic work included starring alongside Clint Eastwood in the 1971 psychological thriller Play Misty for Me, while more recent credits saw her sharing the screen with Jennifer Lawrence in the 2015 biographical drama Joy.
However, it was her iconic role as the manipulative Abby Cunningham on the primetime soap opera Knots Landing that cemented her status as a television legend. Mills portrayed the memorable character from 1980 until 1989, working alongside co-stars Ted Shackelford and Joan Van Ark in this successful Dallas spinoff that aired until 1993.
Recent Public Appearance
The Hollywood icon recently attended the launch of TYPTI, a new racquet sport hosted by Steve Bellamy at California Smash in El Segundo, California. Mills looked effortlessly chic in a tailored ivory blazer layered over a white-and-blue striped top, paired with blue slacks and comfortable sneakers as she posed enthusiastically with a racquet.
Secrets to Ageless Beauty
Mills has been remarkably open with her fans about maintaining her youthful appearance and vitality well into her eighties. In recent interviews, she has shared comprehensive insights into her lifestyle choices that contribute to her enduring Hollywood shape.
Dietary Philosophy
The actress follows a disciplined approach to nutrition that has evolved over decades. "During the soap-opera years I never ate pasta, sugar, bread, ice cream, cookies or any of that kind of stuff," Mills revealed. While she has become slightly more flexible in recent years, she remains cautious about carbohydrate consumption.
"I love bread, I love dessert, I love ice cream and all those things, but carbs make me put on pounds so I try to avoid them," she explained. "As a dancer eating protein was the way I had to eat."
Her current diet focuses primarily on proteins and vegetables, with creative substitutions for traditional comfort foods. "I make spaghetti squash instead of pasta," she noted. "I make my own out of fresh squash but you can buy it already made. I sauté a little garlic and butter then put that over it with a little Parmesan cheese. It’s divine and satisfying."
For sweet cravings, Mills has discovered alternatives through keto baking. "I found a great Keto book and began to make some low and no sugar desserts out of it and they’re delicious," she shared.
Fitness Regimen
Maintaining physical activity remains crucial to Mills' routine. "I usually work out every day," the octogenarian disclosed. "Having been a dancer, I have my ballet bar in a little gym upstairs, and I just got a Peloton for my birthday."
Her exercise program includes weight training with light weights and extensive stretching. Additionally, she plays tennis three times weekly despite managing arthritis that occasionally causes discomfort.
When afternoon fatigue strikes, Mills employs a natural energy booster. "At around 4 o’clock in the afternoon I get sleepy all of a sudden I’m yawning I don’t like to drink coffee then because I won’t be able to sleep at night so I get out into the fresh air and take a brisk walk even just 10 minutes," she described. "It wakes me up and refreshes me."
Hydration and Skincare
Proper hydration has become an essential component of Mills' wellness approach. "Staying hydrated is also important for energy I never used to be aware of this I could go all day without drinking water but I began to realize that isn’t good for me," she acknowledged. "Now I drink about two large bottles a day I’d like to put a little lemon in the water for a little flavor or when exercising I add an electrolyte additive."
Regarding skincare, the actress advocates for sun protection above all else. "For skin care, the main thing is stay out of the frickin' sun! It makes such a difference," she emphasized. Mills has consciously avoided cosmetic enhancements, stating "I'd rather have lines than a duck bill" when asked about potential procedures.
Personal Life and Motherhood
Mills became a first-time mother at age 54 when she adopted her daughter Chloe in 1994. "I was single, I was 54, and I badly wanted to be a mother," she recalled. "It was not a tough decision to adopt. So I stopped working for many years while Chloe [now 28, a model and an executive at Soho House] was in school, and it was exactly the right thing to do."
Romance entered her life later when she met actor and producer Larry Gilman at age 60. "I lucked out. Before him, I kind of went for the bad boys. But when I met him, I just knew I was going for the not-bad boy," she reflected with affection.
Enduring Friendships and Career Reflections
Decades after Knots Landing concluded, Mills maintains close bonds with former co-stars. "Joan Van Ark and Michele Lee are still dear friends 40 years after we starred in Knots Landing. We even get together for the fans. And some show up wearing that dramatic eye makeup like my character, Abby!" she revealed.
The actress acknowledged that playing a villainous character occasionally affected her personal interactions during the show's run. "Back in the Knots Landing days, a lot of women were really standoffish to me in real life. I couldn't figure out why. Then I realized it was my character. They thought I was going to take their husband!" she recounted with amusement.
Looking Toward the Future
Far from considering retirement, Mills remains enthusiastic about continuing her acting career. "I'm in my third act and was recently cast in a new movie as a vicious, sadistic grandmother," she shared excitedly. "And that's what I really want next, a whole series—like Succession, which I love—where I can be evil to my heart's content!"
Her philosophy about aging reflects this proactive approach. "At age 60, 70, later, you have so much more to contribute—don't just sit down and say, 'I'm done,'" she advised, embodying the vibrant spirit that continues to define her remarkable life and career.
