Cynthia Blaise is a highly respected dialect coach and actress known for her work in Hollywood films and television. Over the years, she has helped actors perfect their accents and speech, playing a crucial behind-the-scenes role in many productions. Despite her impressive career, she gained wider public recognition as the ex-wife of comedian and actor Keegan-Michael Key, co-creator of Key & Peele. Their high-profile divorce and its emotional toll on Blaise further brought her into the spotlight.
Quick Bio
| Full Name | Cynthia Blaise |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | 1958 |
| Birthplace | United States |
| Nationality | American |
| Profession | Dialect Coach, Actress |
| Education | University of Oregon, University of California, Irvine |
| Notable Work | Star Trek V: The Final Frontier, Hardball, Bad Teacher |
| Ex-Husband | Keegan-Michael Key (m. 1998 – div. 2017) |
| Health Struggles | PTSD, Depression (post-divorce) |
| Current Status | Private life, occasional Hollywood work |
Early Life & Background
Cynthia Blaise was born in 1958 in the United States. While there is little public information about her childhood and family, it is known that she developed a passion for linguistics, speech, and acting at an early age. This interest led her to pursue a career in dialect coaching, where she would later work with some of Hollywood’s biggest names.
Education & Training
Cynthia Blaise took her academic career seriously, earning degrees from prestigious institutions:
University of Oregon – Where she began her studies in acting and language.
University of California, Irvine – Where she earned a Master of Fine Arts (MFA) degree in acting and speech.
Her strong educational background provided her with in-depth knowledge of phonetics, voice coaching, and language nuances, allowing her to train actors in various dialects and speech techniques.
Career as a Dialect Coach & Actress
Cynthia Blaise’s career in Hollywood has been impressive yet largely behind the scenes. As a dialect coach, she has worked on major films and television shows, helping actors perfect their accents and pronunciation for specific roles. Some of her notable projects include:
Star Trek V: The Final Frontier (1989) – As an actress.
Hardball (2001) – Dialect coach.
Bad Teacher (2011) – Dialect coach.
The Tiger Hunter (2016) – Dialect coach.
In addition to coaching, Cynthia also worked as an actress in her early career, appearing in small but notable roles in films and TV shows. However, her primary focus remained dialect coaching, where she built a strong reputation in Hollywood’s speech training community.
Marriage to Keegan-Michael Key
Cynthia Blaise met Keegan-Michael Key in the 1990s, and they soon formed a strong bond over their shared love for acting. In 1998, they got married, and throughout their relationship, Blaise supported Key’s rising career in comedy and television.
At the time of their marriage, Cynthia was the more established figure in the entertainment industry, as she had already worked on several film and television projects. However, as Key’s career skyrocketed, especially with the success of Key & Peele, the dynamics in their relationship began to shift.
Divorce & Legal Battle
After nearly 20 years of marriage, Cynthia Blaise and Keegan-Michael Key divorced in 2017. Their split became highly publicized, largely due to the significant financial settlement that followed.
Key Aspects of Their Divorce:
Keegan filed for divorce in 2015, citing irreconcilable differences.
Cynthia claimed that the divorce had severely affected her health, leading to depression and PTSD.
The court ruled that Key must pay spousal support, including $34,000 per month plus an additional 21% of his earnings over $2.1 million.
Many speculated that Key’s new relationship with actress and producer Elisa Pugliese played a role in their divorce, as he remarried soon after the separation was finalized.
Health Struggles & Personal Challenges
The divorce had a serious impact on Cynthia Blaise’s mental and physical health. She reportedly suffered from severe depression, anxiety, and PTSD, which required ongoing treatment. In legal documents, she claimed that she had been left in a difficult financial situation, especially since she had largely stepped back from her career to support her husband’s success.
In addition to mental health struggles, she also reported suffering from hair loss, weight loss, and other stress-related health issues. This phase of her life was incredibly challenging, but she has since taken steps toward rebuilding her life and career.
Cynthia Blaise’s Age & Physical Appearance
As of 2024, Cynthia Blaise is 66 years old. Despite her age, she has maintained a graceful and elegant appearance, often seen in formal and professional settings.
She has light blonde hair, sharp facial features, and a refined presence, which made her stand out in Hollywood’s acting and coaching circles.
Life After Divorce & Career Comeback
After her divorce, Cynthia Blaise largely retreated from the public eye. However, she has made occasional returns to Hollywood, working on projects as a dialect coach.
It remains unclear whether she will fully return to the industry, but given her expertise and experience, she continues to be a respected name in her field.
Public Presence & Media Appearances
Unlike her ex-husband, Cynthia Blaise does not actively seek media attention. She has no public social media presence and rarely gives interviews.
She occasionally attends Hollywood industry events, but she prefers to keep a low profile, focusing on her private life and well-being.
Lesser-Known Facts About Cynthia Blaise
She was a professor of acting and speech before working in Hollywood.
She worked behind the scenes in numerous major Hollywood productions.
She was Keegan-Michael Key’s mentor in the early days of his career.
She won a substantial spousal support settlement after her divorce.
She has stayed out of the spotlight since her divorce.
Where Is Cynthia Blaise Now?
As of today, Cynthia Blaise is living a private life, away from the media and public attention. She may still be involved in Hollywood as a dialect coach, but she has largely chosen to stay out of the industry’s spotlight.
Her focus appears to be on her well-being and personal growth, as she moves forward from the challenges she faced after her divorce.
Conclusion
Cynthia Blaise is a talented and respected dialect coach who played an important role in Hollywood’s film and TV industry. While she is best known for her marriage and divorce from Keegan-Michael Key, her career achievements stand on their own.
Despite facing significant personal and health struggles, she has shown resilience and strength, continuing to rebuild her life on her own terms.
FAQs
Who is Cynthia Blaise?
Cynthia Blaise is a Hollywood dialect coach and actress known for her work in film and television. She is also the ex-wife of Keegan-Michael Key.
What is Cynthia Blaise known for?
She is best known for her work as a dialect coach in movies and TV shows, as well as for her former marriage to comedian Keegan-Michael Key.
What movies and TV shows has Cynthia Blaise worked on?
She has worked as a dialect coach on projects like Hardball, Bad Teacher, and The Tiger Hunter.
When did Cynthia Blaise and Keegan-Michael Key get married?
Cynthia Blaise and Keegan-Michael Key got married in 1998 and were together for nearly 20 years before their divorce in 2017.
Why did Cynthia Blaise and Keegan-Michael Key divorce?
Their divorce was finalized in 2017, with reports suggesting irreconcilable differences and Cynthia experiencing health struggles due to the split.
Did Cynthia Blaise receive a settlement from Keegan-Michael Key?
Yes, she received $34,000 per month in spousal support, plus an additional percentage of Key’s earnings over $2.1 million.
How did Cynthia Blaise’s divorce impact her health?
She reportedly suffered from depression, PTSD, weight loss, and hair loss due to the stress of the divorce.
Is Cynthia Blaise still working in Hollywood?
She has mostly stayed out of the spotlight but may still be working occasionally as a dialect coach.
How old is Cynthia Blaise?
She was born in 1958, making her 66 years old as of 2024.
Where is Cynthia Blaise now?
She is believed to be living a private life, away from media attention, focusing on her personal well-being and career.
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