Did Illness Ruin Kathleen Turner’s Voice? the Real Story Behind Her Changing Sound
By Marcus Vance
Did Kathleen Turner smoke to get her deep voice?
Turner smoked cigarettes during parts of her life, which contributed to later vocal rasp, but smoking did not create her voice. She had a naturally deep contralto speaking voice in her twenties, reinforced by classical diaphragmatic training in London long before she experienced vocal aging.
Can rheumatoid arthritis directly attack the vocal cords?
Yes. In rare cases, rheumatoid arthritis attacks the cricoarytenoid joints, the tiny cartilage hinges that open and close the vocal folds inside the larynx. However, in Turner's case, the primary medical factors altering her voice were high-dose corticosteroid treatments, fluid retention, acid reflux, and general physical inflammation.
Did Kathleen Turner sing in Who Framed Roger Rabbit?
No. Turner provided the iconic speaking voice for Jessica Rabbit, delivering her dialogue with sultry, low-pitched cadence. The singing voice for the character, including the performance of "Why Don't You Do Right?", was performed by actress Amy Irving.
Marcus Vance is a cybersecurity auditor and technology writer dedicated to educating the public about online safety, data privacy regulations, enterprise security, and emerging cyber threats.
