Where is Fred Tillman now? The untold story of Kelly McGill's ex-husband
Fred Tillman, once known as the husband of Top Gun actress Kelly McGillis, has stayed out of the spotlight since their split. While McGillis continued her acting career, Tillman chose a quieter path. So, where is Fred Tillman now? This article explores the untold story of his life after fame.

Source: Getty Images
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Key takeaways
- Fred Tillman gained public attention through his marriage to actress Kelly McGillis.
- Their relationship lasted over a decade and included joint business ventures.
- Tillman was a successful businessman, particularly in the hospitality industry, and played a key role in managing their ventures.
- He has mostly stayed private, with little information available about his current relationships or whereabouts.
Fred Tillman's profile summary
Full name | Fred Tillman |
Gender | Male |
Date of birth | 24 October 1949 |
Age | 75 years old (as of May 2025) |
Zodiac sign | Scorpio |
Place of birth | United States of America |
Current residence | Memphis, Tennessee, USA |
Nationality | American |
Ethnicity | White |
Religion | Christianity |
Sexuality | Straight |
Hair colour | Blue |
Eye colour | Brown |
Marital status | Divorced |
Ex-wife | Kelly McGillis |
Children | Sonora, Kelsey Tillman |
Profession | Businessman |
Net worth | $2 million |
Where is Fred Tillman now?
Fred Tillman is believed to be living a quiet, private life in Memphis, Tennessee. Since his divorce from Kelly McGillis in 2002, he has made few public appearances and stays out of the spotlight.
The renowned yacht broker was born on October 24, 1949, in the United States. Fred is 75 years old as of May 2025. He holds an American nationality and is of white ethnicity. He practices Christianity. Fred's zodiac sign is Scorpio.

Source: Original
Career
Tillman is an entrepreneur who has had a variety of business pursuits. One of the most successful operations was that of a yacht dealer. Fred Tillman is believed to have been in the yacht-buying business for an extended period.
At one point in his yacht business in April 1996, "The Centurion," a 110-foot schooner that belonged to McGillis and her then-spouse, Fred Tillman, suffered extensive damage by fire at a marina in Dania, Florida.
The fire began on another boat at the Port LauDania marina on the Dania Cutoff Canal and extended to the schooner. Tillman had driven the yacht from the couple's residence in Key West, intending to sell it at the Fort Lauderdale Yacht Show.
Along with selling yachts, the renowned entrepreneur and his former spouse, Kelly McGillis, co-owned a restaurant in Kelly West called Kelly's Caribbean Bar, Grill & Brewery. The restaurant has been around for a long time and is still run by the same folks, including the manager, Chuck Bryant.
What is Fred Tillman's net worth?
His net worth is around $2 million. He has accumulated his wealth through his yacht and restaurant business. His ex-wife Kelly McGillis' net worth is estimated at $4 million. She earns her income through her acting career.
What does Kelly McGill do for a living?
Fred's ex-wife is an actress who started acting in 1968 in the TV series One Life to Live. She has since been featured in several other films and TV series, such as Made in Heaven (1987), The Wild Thornberrys (2000), Black Widow (2006), and Love Finds You in Sugarcreek (2014).
Does Fred Tillman have children?
The renowned businessman has two children, Sonora and Kelsey Tillman, from his former marriage to American actress Kelly McGillis. Kelsey was born on 24 May 1990. She is 35 years old as of May 2025. Sonora was born on 10 April 1993. She is 32 years old as of 2025.
In an interview while pregnant, McGillis said Tillman was very supportive. But she emphasised her independence with:
“When I first met him, I said, ‘Never tell me to quit my job because I won’t. I’ll leave you first.”
The two got married in 1989 and remained married up to 2002. Fred and Kelly had been married for 13 years before their separation.

Source: Getty Images
What caused the split between Kelly McGillis and Fred Tillman?
McGillis openly battled alcoholism, sexual trauma, and depression throughout her life. She later revealed that she had been struggling with her sexual identity, which she had repressed for years. In a 2009 interview, McGillis came out as not straight, saying:
“I’m done with the man thing.”
This personal revelation likely played a major role in the dissolution of their marriage.
Trivia
- Before marriage, he was a yacht broker in Newport Beach, later relocating to Key West.
- He co-founded Kelly’s Caribbean Bar, Grill & Brewery in Key West with McGillis, turning it from a former airport office into a popular local hangout.
- Now lives a low-profile life in Memphis, Tennessee, working in business and staying out of the public eye.
- His net worth is estimated at around $2 million, amassed from yacht sales, restaurant operations, and marketing consulting.
- He studied at American University before launching into his yacht and entrepreneurial ventures.
Where is Fred Tillman now? Kelly McGill's ex-husband has kept a low profile, focusing on a private life away from Hollywood. The renowned businessman is reportedly living his quiet life in Memphis, Tennessee.
Yen.com.gh recently published Thomas James Burris' biography. He is a real estate developer and investor from the United States. He rose to prominence in the 1980s after marrying American singer and drummer Karen Carpenter, regarded as one of the finest vocalists ever.
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