Notable films like The Future Avenger, Low Instincts, or Casino immediately bring Sharon Stone to mind, yet these titles also underscore a career that has evolved significantly.
Despite her continuous presence in the industry over the past decades, Stone acknowledges the shift in her career, expressing regret over Hollywood's apparent neglect following the stroke she endured in 2001.
Facing a life-threatening aneurysm that led to severe bleeding, Stone was on the brink of death upon arriving at the hospital. Surviving against all odds at the age of 43, she was amidst the peak of her career, recognized as a s-x symbol and an intelligent force in Hollywood. However, upon returning to the industry after a grueling recovery, Stone found herself without the opportunities she had earned.
"I recovered for seven years and haven't had any jobs since," she revealed during THR's Raising Our Voices luncheon. Stone chose to keep her health struggles private initially, knowing the industry's tendency to sideline individuals facing challenges. "Something went wrong with me; I've been away for 20 years. I haven't had jobs. I was a big movie star at one point in my life."
While Stone has indeed taken on roles post-recovery, they convey a sense of being overshadowed, diverging significantly from her pre-stroke projects. In the '90s, she held pivotal roles in high-budget films, broke gender norms in the male-dominated genre of westerns, and dominated erotic thrillers. After her near-death experience, she took a hiatus from cinema and returned to supporting roles or starred in less notable projects like Catwoman and Basic Instinct 2, occasionally seeking refuge in independent cinema.
Even involvement in Steven Soderbergh's ensemble film for Netflix, The Laundromat (2019), failed to reestablish her presence in contemporary conversations. Her foray into television with appearances in Law and Order (2010), The New Pope (2020), and Ratched (2020) did not propel her back into the limelight. Sharon Stone is now mostly recalled through anecdotes, her past films, or dazzling appearances on the red carpet.
Stone's words reflect the anguish of an actress who witnessed her personal tragedy lead to the erosion of her professional standing within Hollywood. Recalling her struggles in the industry, she emphasized breaking glass ceilings, negotiating pay, and setting boundaries. However, her resilience and self-defense seemingly came at a cost, causing conflicts within the business.
Reflecting on her current standing, Stone's fame appears to rest more on her legacy and her well-deserved place in cinema history than on her recent works. At 65, having overcome a life-threatening scare, Stone finds herself somewhat left behind.
Surviving the nine-day aneurysm bleeding in 2001 marked a turning point for Stone, prompting a grueling recovery she likened to "hell." Her two-year focus on rehabilitation ultimately extended to a full seven-year recovery. However, the process resulted in significant personal losses, including the need to remortgage her house and a perceived loss of her standing in the industry. Stone described this period as a stark contrast to her earlier celebrity status, comparing it to being forgotten, much like the aftermath of Lady Diana's death. She also endured cruelty from individuals during her recovery, adding a challenging layer to her journey.
