In the 1990s, The X-Files star Gillian Anderson—who turns 55 tomorrow, August 9th—swapped her character Agent Dana Scully’s buttoned up work clothes for some outlandishly fabulous attire in several different photoshoots. Anderson’s always been a photographer’s dream, not only thanks to her striking beauty but also her playful attitude towards the camera. Like in this 2008 shot by Rankin, for Esquire:
Then there’s this hilariously raunchy 2019 outtake from Sex Education. In other words, she’s long been game for anything. In photo shoots, that’s meant teaming up with some adventurous photographers for some highly memorable images. In honor of Gillian’s birthday, here are a few of those moments from the nineties, the decade during which she became a star.
That time she looked like Barbarella on acid in space with a phallic rocket, alien probes, and eyeballs galore. Photographs by David LaChapelle.
That time she encased herself in latex and looked AH-MAZING, for FHM, 1996. And now we know what a nineties Black Widow movie starring Gillian Anderson would’ve looked like. Photographer unknown.
That time she played a sexy damsel in distress while homaging 1950s sci-fi/horror for Rolling Stone, 1997. As a horror fiend, this cover shot will always be one of my favorite photos of anyone ever. Photographed by Mark Seliger.
That time she teamed with Mark Seliger again, this time as a redhead Morticia Addams, for US, 1997. Goth Gillian for the win!
The Starfire Lounge 