Sharon Stone appeared in a string of films before her commercial success with the 1992 erotic thriller Basic Instinct. The model turned actress made her film debut as an extra in Woody Allen’s Stardust Memories and worked her way through the 80s with nothing-to-brag-about roles. She finally garnered mainstream attention as Arnold Schwarznegger’s cyberwife in the 1990 sci-fi action film Total Recall. Two years later, it was Stone’s daring role as femme fatale Catherine Trammell in Basic Instinct that not only made her a sex symbol but elevated her to international stardom.
The thriller follows detective Nick Curran (Michael Douglas), who is investigating the brutal murder of a rock star. Stone’s character Catherine Trammell is a deviant, man-eater and a prime suspect. During the investigation, Curran and Trammell become involved in a torrid and sexually charged relationship. But, etched into the minds of viewers is the police interrogation of Stone’s character and, 30-years later, this provocative scene remains the film’s identity. The suspect, Catherine Trammell, is being interrogated by the cops when she throws them off their game. Don’t blink. She uncrosses and then recrosses her legs, exposing her you-know-what. In an interview with Piers Morgan, Stone confessed she had no idea the scene would be so revealing. She also told Morgan her character had sexually empowered women, “It has been a film that empowered women in their feminine-not just their sexual-but their feminine identity.”
The overt sexuality, graphic violence and rape scene generated controversy before the film’s release. Gay rights activists criticized the movie because of its portrayal of homosexual relationships and the depiction of a bisexual woman as a psychopath. The film was a box office hit and Stone received her first Golden Globe nomination for best actress.
Standing tall as a Hollywood A-lister, Stone followed up Basic Instinct with the role of Ginger McKenna in Martin Scorsese’s mob movie Casino. The epic crime film also stars Robert DeNiro and Joe Pesci. Ginger McKenna is based on the real-life Las Vegas showgirl and model the late Geraldine “Geri” McGee. She is stunning, alluring and uses her looks to trick men into supporting her. McKenna is also a heartless casino hustler who marries Tangiers Casino manager and mobster Sam “Ace” Rothstein (DeNiro). Her style is high-maintenance glamour and with it came 40 costume changes for Stone. The most eye-catching was the 45-pound gold and white beaded gown. Stone was recognized for her role with a Golden Globe Award and Academy Award nomination for best actress.
Sharon Stone was a 90s icon, but now it’s hard to name a film that comes close to the attention and accolades she received with Basic Instinct and Casino. Twenty plus years later, the 62-year-old actress is still beautiful and sexy. In an interview with Luxury London, Stone discussed her everlasting sex appeal, “Sexiness comes from deep inside. It’s the feeling of being present, having fun and liking yourself enough.” Stone has expanded her work beyond the silver screen. She is the Global Campaign chair of amFAR (American Foundation of AIDS research) and a vocal proponent of women’s rights. Stone has joined the cast of Ratched, the Netflix prequel to One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest and is scheduled to drop September 2020.