John Malkovich Reflects on Past with Michelle Pfeiffer
In a recent episode of the “Fashion Neuropathy” podcast, John Malkovich talked about his past relationship with Michelle Pfeiffer, his co-star from “Dangerous Liaisons,” during a conversation with Bella Freud. Malkovich, now 71, emphasized that this isn’t a topic he has discussed often.
“It’s not something I’ve never talked about before,” he commented, implying a sense of familiarity with the subject.
He noted that in acting, emotional connections can form quite rapidly. “It’s part of the job,” he explained, recognizing that sometimes those bonds extend beyond professional boundaries.
Malkovich described Pfeiffer, 67, as a remarkable colleague—someone who was fun, moving, and incredibly fair. He reflected, “And I certainly wasn’t. I’ve realized over the years that great colleagues are more unusual than you might think. That relationship… well, maybe it speaks to my own psychology, or perhaps my foolishness. Losing such a colleague is difficult.”
He drew a comparison between his long-standing partnership with actress Ingeborga Dapkunite and the nature of his relationship with Pfeiffer. “Ingeborga and I have been working together for 33 years and remain excellent friends; we have never crossed a line,” he stated. “When something like that does happen, it likely can’t just revert back to how things were.”
At the time of his connection with Pfeiffer, Malkovich was married to his then-wife, Grenne, but they divorced in 1988, the same year that a film helmed by Stephen Flaherty made its release.
Since then, he has been in a relationship with Italian production designer Nicoletta Peylan, whom he met on the set of “The Sheltering Sky” back in 1989.
As for Pfeiffer, she divorced her husband, Peter Horton, in 1988 after seven years of marriage. She has remained publicly silent about her relationship with Malkovich, and she has been married to producer David E. Kelly since 1993.
Pfeiffer once reflected on her fortunate life, commenting on her family, humor, and how attraction is about more than just looks. “It’s important to respect your partner,” she noted, suggesting that without that respect, relationships can become tiring.
