Phoebe Cates: A Life Beyond Hollywood. Phoebe Cates, born July 16, 1963, in New York City, seemed destined for stardom. Coming from a family of entertainers, she first dreamed of ballet before an injury led her to modeling and eventually acting. Her breakout came in 1982 with Fast Times at Ridgemont High, where her role as Linda Barrett became iconic.
She followed with hits like Private School and Gremlins, cementing her place in pop culture. Though she had the talent and star power to dominate Hollywood, Phoebe chose a different path. In 1989, she married actor Kevin Kline, and the couple agreed one parent would stay home with their children.
When their son and daughter were born in the 1990s, Phoebe stepped away from film to focus on family life. She made only brief…