Susan from 'Big' Still Flaunts Curls in Makeup-Free Photos at 62 after She Gained 40 Ibs & Raised 4

Tom Hanks and Elizabeth Perkins | Elizabeth Perkins | Source: Getty Images | Instagram.com/@elizabethperkins

The life of Hollywood star Elizabeth Perkins, who played Susan in the famous 80s classic "Big," looks different today than it did 35 years ago, and the curly-haired beauty has gained weight due to her diabetes diagnosis. Perkins had a daughter, got married, divorced, and found love again with her current husband, and blended family. Now, she lives a comfortable life with her family, continues acting, and rescues animals.

It's been 35 years since the release of the 80s fantasy comedy-drama "Big." The movie follows the life of a 13-year-old pre-adolescent boy, Josh Baskin (played by Tom Hanks), who wishes to be grown-up and finds himself in an adult body shortly after. Elizabeth Perkins plays the role of Susan Lawrence, who plays Hanks' girlfriend in the movie.

The film began to be considered controversial because many viewers supposedly deemed the romantic scenes inappropriate. Controversial issues with the actual movie lines subsequently arose shortly after the public disapproved of the explicit scenes, which were not even all that explicit.

Tom Hanks and Elizabeth Perkins at a promotional shoot for their film "Big" in 1988 | Source: Getty Images

When speaking to Page Six, Perkins spoke very candidly about the fact that she does not believe that a modern-day reboot of hers and Hank's love scene would make it in today's society because of the different times we find ourselves in. According to Perkins, there was little to no discussion about how such scenes would come across back then. Looking back on the romantic scene specifically, Perkins detailed how it all went down:

"We don't see them having sex, but he does take my shirt off. Actually, I take my shirt off, and he touches my breast; then we cut to the elevator door opening, and he's got a big smile on his face. We never say, 'Oh, they slept together,' but they definitely fooled around."

Tom Hanks and Elizabeth Perkins promoting their film "Big" in 1988 | Source: Getty Images

Despite all the controversy surrounding the film, many fans still adore the classic and get very emotional and nostalgic when watching heartwarming scenes. A fan of the flick posted a Youtube video of what he feels is the best scene out of the entire movie - when Baskins walks around his city reminiscing about being a kid as he longingly watches other kids go about their childish ways.

Two users commented on how particular scenes from "Big" always make them cry. One commentator spoke about how the nostalgic movie always has a strong effect on her:

"I always cry at the ending of this movie where he says to Elizabeth Perkins' character that he will always think of her, and then he gets out of her car, and this sad music plays. And we see him going back to being 13 in the end. It really hit me hard."

A screenshot from a Youtube video of the comment talking about how emotional a fan gets every time when watching the movie posted in 2017 | Source: Youtube/Marcos EC

A screenshot of a comment from a Youtube video in support of the movie that speaks to the deep emotions fans feel when watching "Big" posted in 2021 | Source: Youtube/Marcos EC

Looking back on her role in the movie and, more specifically, how her on-screen chemistry with Tom Hanks was, Perkins recalled having a major crush on the sweet-natured iconic actor. While talking with Andy Cohen on his show "Watch What Happens Live," the "Weeds" actress remembered being slightly smitten with Hanks following their epic on-camera kiss:

"He lays one on me about halfway through the movie. I had such a crush on him at the time [but] he was with Rita Wilson already. They were dating but hadn't gotten married yet [however] he was just completely off limits."

The curly-haired actress was only 27 then and was known for her good looks and very slender waistline. Remarkably, Perkins revealed that she even has the very same custom-made dress she wore in one of the movie's scenes to this day. Now the actress is 62, and she looks completely different.

Elizabeth Perkins, Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson at the "Earth to Moon" premiere in Los Angeles, 1998 | Source: Getty Images

Elizabeth Perkins 35 Years After "Big"

Since acquiring a bombshell status from her killer looks in "Big," Perkins is still beautiful at 62 years old. The "About Last Night" film star is now seen frequenting Instagram to give fans a snapshot of how her life looks now. Perkins now lives a very happy life with her husband, Argentine-American cinematographer Julio Macat and their blended family.

In an Instagram post that Perkins posted to her feed, the couple is seen cuddling with each other over a fancy lobster lunch, seated at a table with a picturesque view of the nature surrounding them. Both individuals look extremely happy, with broad smiles pasted on their faces as they turn to look at the camera. Perkins sweetly captions the photo:

"This guy. I'm lucky."

In another Instagram post, Perkins shows off her full and luscious head of curly dark brown hair with light/blonde undertones and a fresh face, free of makeup. The gorgeous actress also wears a stylish pair of seeing glasses and is adorned by a cozy corduroy gown with white trim on the inside.

Perkins poses for the picture with a subtle but apparent small smile while looking in the mirror. The Hollywood A-lister refers to her luscious curls in the caption, which she credits to the Pacific North West weather.

Though the starlet reportedly gained a total of 40 lbs after "Big," her Instagram picture, where she looks stunning in a beautiful floral pink gown, makes it very hard to tell. Perkins posted a photo of herself on a balcony overlooking the beautiful Italian village of Positano.

In the photograph, she is wearing a wrap-around floral pink robe that accentuates her curves. She places her hand on her hip as she looks out into the distance with a smile and her hair pulled back into a top-knot bun.

Another lovey-dovey post of her and her husband, Macat, graces her Instagram feed. The couple were seen out and about in Hudson, NY, spending husband and wife time together.

Macat is to the left of her, lovingly leaning his head into hers as the two pose for the picture. Perkins has her curls pulled back in a half ponytail and has that same subtle smile of hers as her glinting eyes look toward the camera.

On another photo-op occasion, Perkins elegantly rides a beige-colored horse as she shoots the second season of her newer series "Minx." The actress looks beautiful in her brown riding boots and black leggings, matching the horse's color with her beige winter coat.

Her stunning curls are on display in all their glory as Perkins tilts her head toward the camera with a look of pride on her face. She holds onto the horse reigns while straddling the creature in an upward position.

Following the onset of her 40-lb weight gain, after experiencing health-related symptoms, Perkins was diagnosed with latent-onset autoimmune type 1 diabetes when she was 45 years old. At the time the actress started puffing up and experiencing her weight challenges, she had no idea it was diabetes-related.

Perkins reported feeling increased fatigue, frequent headaches, and blurry vision for a while before she knew what was wrong. The Hollywood actress even thought she was suffering from an entirely different disease - an infectious one, mononucleosis.

Perkins was shocked to learn that the symptoms she was experiencing had nothing to do with the infectious illness she previously thought she had and had everything to do with being common signs of diabetes. She divulged what she was going through and how isolated the whole ordeal made her feel:

"I [felt] fatigue, headache, blurry vision, excessive thirst, and [I] lost [much] weight. It was such a shock when I was diagnosed because I was fit and in the prime of my life, and in that first year, I felt very isolated and scared [and I'd] inject insulin when I was alone in my trailer."

Though the actress went through a challenging time after she was first diagnosed, the "Big" star has gotten her health back on track. She now shares little anecdotes about how to lead a healthier lifestyle when it comes to diet and what people consume when trying to lose weight.

In the same year that one of her most iconic films, "Big," was released - 1988 - Perkins had divorced her ex-husband, American actor Terry Kinney. Twelve years later, she found love with Argentine-American cinematographer Julio Macat, and the couple have remained married ever since.

The couple initially met on the set of the movie "Miracle on 34th Street," and have been in love ever since. Perkins already had a daughter, Hannah Jo Phillips, from a previous relationship with American director Maurice Phillips, while Macat had three boys of his own also from a prior relationship.

A screenshot of a friendly comment complimenting Elizabeth Perkins and Julio Macat on their union posted on February 14, 2022 | Source: Instagram/@elizabethperkins

When Perkins and Macat decided to wed, they were faced with the task of blending their previously made families together. Perkins became the step-mom to Macat's three boys, and Macat became the stepfather to Perkin's daughter.

Perkins is the youngest of three children, and when her mom and dad divorced, she moved with her mother to go and live on her grandfather's farm on the border of Vermont. When her mother remarried, her stepfather brought all 8 of his children to live with them. Her family ended up having a total of 11 children, including herself.

Perkins is also an avid dog rescuer, and the star has two rescued dogs of her own - Dudley and L'il Pete.

Growing up in a huge family, Perkins jokingly refers to the experience as feeling like living in somewhat of a commune. Looking back on her childhood and relating that experience to gaining three bonus sons now, the star jokingly says:

"When my sisters and I look back on that, we're like: 'Wow, what were you thinking?' Like: 'Oh, I met this wonderful guy. He has eight children.' I mean, I married a man [with] three children, and that's as far as you really want to go."

Before marrying Macat, Perkins raised her daughter as a single mother after her divorce from Kinney. The Hollywood actress reported on how lonely the experience of raising a child alone in Los Angeles was:

" [L.A.] is probably one of the loneliest places to [raise] a child alone. You put your daughter to bed at 7:30, and there you are; once you get over the relationship you've left, [it isn't easy] to move on from that point because you know whoever [will] enter your life, it's not just you anymore. It's also your child."

Despite the challenges she faced as a single mother and her worry about getting into another relationship as a single mother when she met Macat, all that worry washed away. Because she had already gotten used to being a part of a big family, having Macat and his three sons join her family was no big feat for the talented actress. Perkins disclosed:

"The idea that he had children and I could have a big family was comforting to me. I found the idea of having all these people in the house very familiar."

Macat and Perkins share four children between them - Maximillian Macat, Alexander Macat, Andreas Macat, and Hannah Jo Phillips. All their kids are now fully-grown, and Perkins and Macat have been empty nesters for some time now. When speaking about her children, Perkins shared the following:

"We've been empty nesters for seven, eight years [and] it's fantastic. You do miss them. You romanticize them coming back, and then they're there, and all the food [has] been eaten, [and] the place is a mess."

Even though Perkins enjoys her life as an empty nester, fans should not be confused about her still very apparent "mama-bear" tendencies regarding her children. Perkins is a fierce protector over her kids, and she's got the certified "phenomenal mother" T-shirt to prove it.

"The Flinstones" alum now posts beautiful family pictures of her husband and four children. Of her four kids, her daughter, Phillips, is married.

Inside Elizabeth's Blessed Life At 62

Perkins is at a stage in her life where she is thriving, settled, happy and secure. Living out her days with her loving partner Macat, working and experiencing the lives of their grown children, is how Perkins spends most of her time.

The Hollywood star enjoys frequent visits from her two older sisters, where they take hikes together and spend time in nature. Another way Perkins likes to spend her time is by cleaning, as the actress claims to be a "neat freak."

The "Sharp Objects" actress is also a social activist and spends a lot of time pursuing outreach work and supporting important movements advocating for human rights. Perkins is a dedicated supporter of the grassroots movement Moms Demand Action, which fights to put public safety measures protecting people from gun violence in place.

Perkins is also an avid dog rescuer, and the star has two rescued dogs of her own - Dudley and L'il Pete. Both her dogs are of mixed breeds, and the two sweethearts are reportedly like brothers.

The Broadway professional adores her dogs and has vowed never to buy a dog over rescuing one. Perkins gave a reason for why the work she does as a dog rescuer is so important to her:

"I'm a little dog rescuer. I had two rescue dogs before [my current ones, and] I go for the personality, not the breed. I would never buy a dog because I know how many we're putting to sleep every month in L.A. County; I'm a[n] [extremely] big fan of rescue[s]."

Perkins loves her dogs a lot, but they come as a close second to her love for her husband. When asked about how her dogs felt being away from her during the quarantine, Perkins explained how her pups essentially went through a depression and reported how excited she was to return to them but not as excited as she was to see her husband:

"I can't wait to get home, not just for my dogs [but because] I haven't seen my husband in almost three months [which is] the longest we've been separated."

Looking back on her extensive and accomplished acting career and still being a prime figure in the industry today (with her many current series regular roles), Perkins is blessed and grateful. The "He Said, She Said" star marvels at the amazing opportunities she still gets presently:

"The fact that I'm at this age and I'm still able to work with somebody like Denis Leary, whom I really respect - I feel like I couldn't ask for a better life. I'm in a long-term marriage with a man I adore."

Perkins also spends her days traveling with her husband, Macat, and their children. The actress posts pictures of stunning vacation spots that they frequent on occasion.

Of the many trips around the world they have taken, one trip, in particular, was a work trip on which one of Macat's sons, Maximillian, a fledgling cinematographer, joined the couple. Macat and his son were seen working with film equipment in a photo posted by Perkins in which the two were working on a film project together.

Perkins and Macat now live in a beautiful, spacious home kitted out with luxury features, ornaments, and decor. The couple continues to be happy in love and spends quality time together with family while still working in the industry.

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