Stockard Channing Admits She’s Been Living as a ‘Recluse’ Since Quitting U.S.

“Practical Magic” star Stockard Channing has shared candid insight into her life as a “recluse” in London, while opening up about her decision to quit the U.S. and relocate to the U.K. in the wake of her longtime partner’s tragic death.

The 82-year-old actress, who became a household name after starring as Rizzo in the 1978 musical film “Grease,” lifted the lid on her relocation from Maine to England following the 2014 death of Daniel Gillham, her partner of 24 years.

In a personal essay written for British news outlet The Sunday Times, Channing reflected on her reasons for turning her back on the traditional trappings of fame, explaining that she is “happy” residing by herself—although she conceded she has always wondered what it might have been like to have kids.

“I’ve lived alone since I lost Daniel and I’m happy being a recluse,” she said, explaining that she moved from New England to London alone “just before Covid,” nearly six years after Gillham died at the age of 58.

Addressing the impact that his passing had on her, Channing explained that it felt as though a significant era of her life had come to an end, noting that the shift it cause made her realize it was time to move on from the place where they had lived together.

“My partner, Daniel, died in 2014 and it was more devastating than I realized; it had a lag effect. The pattern of my life shifted, so I shifted my life from Maine,” she shared.

The Hollywood alum admitted that her move was also due, at least in part, to the shift in politics in the States, adding that her relocation “vaguely coincided with [Donald] Trump getting elected and the way politics has changed in the U.S.”

However, she noted that she views her life very much through the different chapters she has lived, including her four marriages to Walter Channing Jr., Paul Schmidt, David Debin and David Rawle, whom she divorced before beginning her relationship with Gillham in 1990.

“I was married four times before Daniel, and they all represent epochs of me. I grew up in the ’60s, reacting to that repressed notion of marriage and sexuality from the ’50s—kinda like Rizzo,” she said.

Channing added that the same can be said of her movie roles, noting that different generations recognize her for different projects she has worked on.

“I guess films are like songs: they take you back to a particular time in your life,” Channing penned. “Maybe a more innocent time.”

However, one of the roles she never took on was that of a mother, although she confessed that she has “thought” about having children throughout her life—and sometimes still wonders what it would have been to like to be a mom, adding ” it’d be great to have someone taking care of me.”

“But hey, children can be just as selfish as everybody else out there,” the actress added.

In 2025, she told the outlet that she was not interested in dating again, noting, “No, I think that would be such a pain in the ass. I’m consolidating, thank you very much. I’m very happy with the friends I have. No. Life is good. Life is very good.”

While Channing now considers London her full-time home, she does still own her property in Maine, with records showing that her longtime Georgetown abode remains listed under a company tied to her name.

Spanning just over 16 acres, the idyllic waterfront dwelling is located just outside Little Knubble—on the shore of Campbell Cove.

It’s unclear how often Channing is able to use the dwelling, however she does still return to the U.S. for work—although she was able to remain happily at home while filming the upcoming “Practical Magic” sequel, which was shot on location in England.

The movie, which is due for release on Sept. 11, will see the actress reprising her role as Aunt Frances, alongside co-stars Sandra Bullock, Nicole Kidman, and Dianne Wiest. Meanwhile, Joey King, Maisie Williams, and Lee Pace are all new additions to the cast.

Channing will also be directing the play, “Krapp’s Last Tape,” later this year.

However, after those two projects wrap, the actress conceded that she will probably hang up her acting chops for good.

“I’m not sure I’ll do anything after that. Acting is like everything in life; you never know what’s going to happen,” she confessed.