Weapons Star Amy Madigan Says Husband Ed Harris ‘Loved’ Her Transformation into Aunt Gladys (Exclusive)
Amy Madigan’s husband Ed Harris had a supportive reaction to her creepy transformation in Weapons
Madigan and Harris married in November 1983 and welcomed their daughter Lily in 1993
Madigan won Best Supporting Actress at the New York Film Critics Circle Awards
Amy Madigan is revealing her husband Ed Harris’s reaction to her wild look in Weapons.
A Husband’s Support
The 75-year-old actress used prosthetics and dramatic makeup to transform into the antagonist Aunt Gladys in the hit horror movie. Her character, a witchy woman who is responsible for the disappearance of 17 children in a suburban town, left a mark on her husband of 40 years.
She says Harris, also 75, “loved” her transformation into the villainous character while speaking exclusively with PEOPLE at the New York Film Critics Circle Awards on Tuesday, January 6th in New York City.
“He’s known me a long time and he saw all the parts of myself melded into Aunt Gladys,” she says. “I have a very supportive family—my daughter also—so I’m very lucky.”
Family Support During Awards Season
As for how her family is supporting her during the awards run, which has already scored her a Critics Choice Award and a nomination for a Golden Globe, the actress says, “They’re just saying, ‘You can do it. Hang in there.'”
“I’m like, ‘I don’t want to get hair and makeup done again,’ and they’re like, ‘It’s okay, it’s okay,'” she adds.
A Decades-Long Partnership
Madigan and Harris got married in November 1983, while costarring in the film Places in the Heart. They welcomed their daughter Lily a decade later in 1993.
The couple have gone on to star together in the movies Pollock, Riders of the Purple Sage, Gone Baby Gone and The Last Full Measure.
Life After Weapons
While speaking with PEOPLE, Madigan also opens up about how her life has changed since starring in the Zach Cregger-directed movie. “Because of Weapons, I’ve had a lot of recognition. There’s maybe more people calling and things like that, but you know I’m very realistic,” she says.
“We’ll just see what happens down the road,” the actress shares.
First Golden Globe Nomination in Decades
Madigan previously told PEOPLE that she and Harris are excited over her first Golden Globe nomination in 36 years.
“We’ve both been doing it a really long time, so we’re just both having a good giggle about it. We’re both enjoying it,” she said.
Award Win and Gratitude
Madigan, who won Best Supporting Actress at the New York Film Critics Circle Awards, said she had a “great experience” playing Aunt Gladys in her acceptance speech.
“We had a beautiful cast, and she came to life from a crew of hair and makeup, special effects, costumes and wigs,” the actress said.
“I’m very overwhelmed by people’s appreciation for Aunt Gladys,” she added elsewhere in her remarks.
A Career Renaissance
After decades in the industry, Madigan is experiencing a career resurgence thanks to her chilling performance in Weapons. The role required extensive physical transformation through prosthetics and makeup, creating a character that audiences find both terrifying and captivating.
Her portrayal of Aunt Gladys, the film’s witchy antagonist responsible for the disappearance of 17 children, has resonated with critics and audiences alike, leading to her first major awards recognition in over three decades.
The Power of Partnership
The support between Madigan and Harris exemplifies a Hollywood marriage built on mutual respect and understanding of the craft. Harris’s appreciation for seeing “all the parts” of his wife melded into her character demonstrates the deep familiarity that comes from 40 years together.
Their ability to work together on multiple films throughout their marriage—including Pollock, where Harris directed Madigan—shows a rare creative partnership that has endured in an industry known for relationship challenges.
Embracing the Moment
Despite the exhaustion that comes with awards season—including repeated hair and makeup sessions—Madigan is approaching this recognition with gratitude and humor. Her realistic perspective, combined with her family’s encouragement, allows her to enjoy the moment without getting overwhelmed by expectations.
The fact that both she and Harris are “having a good giggle” about her first Golden Globe nomination in 36 years reflects their grounded approach to success and recognition in the entertainment industry.
What’s Next
As Weapons continues gaining attention and Madigan’s performance receives accolades, the actress remains cautiously optimistic about future opportunities while staying grounded in reality. Her acknowledgment that “we’ll just see what happens down the road” demonstrates the wisdom that comes from decades in the business.
For now, she’s savoring the recognition, supported by a husband who has known her long enough to appreciate how she channeled herself into creating one of horror’s most memorable villains, and a daughter who encourages her through the demanding awards season schedule.
The overwhelming appreciation for Aunt Gladys represents not just a successful character portrayal, but a testament to Madigan’s talent and the collaborative effort of the entire Weapons production team—something the gracious actress was sure to acknowledge in her acceptance speech.