Rule 5 Saturday - Jennifer Connelly

I'd like to claim that my selection of Jennifer Connelly for this Rule 5 post was because she is playing Maverick's main squeeze, Penny Benjamin, in the Top Gun: Maverick sequel to Top Gun. But that wouldn't be true. But it is a good excuse to look into her. Hollywood in Toto says: ‘Top Gun: Maverick’ – No Woke, Just Thrills and Nostalgia on Steroids

The oft-delayed sequel can’t replicate that Reagan-era optimism or the original’s rah-rah patriotism. This is 2022, and cheering on a straight white male military hero is problematic to the small but vocal minority that runs the culture.
. . .
No hand wringing over military might or extended emasculation of its rugged hero, for starters. No lectures on America’s imperfect past or gender inequality.

And, suffice to say, “Top Gun: Maverick” isn’t woke in the slightest. It is, though, a testament to American excellence and the ability to achieve a goal no matter the odds.

How retro. How … refreshing.

“Top Gun” flame Kelly McGillis didn’t make the reunion, but Jennifer Connelly capably anchors the romantic subplot as another woman from Maverick’s past. She’s strong and feisty, but she’s here to keep her old beau’s ego in check while making him a better man.

As for Connelly? 

She began her career as a child model before making her acting debut in the 1984 crime film Once Upon a Time in America. After having worked as a model for several years, she began to focus on acting, starring in a variety of films including the horror film Phenomena (1985), the musical fantasy film Labyrinth (1986), the romantic comedy Career Opportunities (1991), and the period superhero film The Rocketeer (1991). She received praise for her performance in the science fiction film Dark City (1998) and for playing a drug addict in Darren Aronofsky's drama film Requiem for a Dream (2000).

Connelly was born in Cairo, New York, in the Catskill Mountains. She is the daughter of Ilene, an antiques dealer, and Gerard Karl Connelly, a clothing manufacturer. Her father was a Catholic of Irish descent. Connelly's mother was Jewish, and was educated at a yeshiva;

So, does that make her Jewrish? 

Publications such as Vanity Fair, Esquire, and the Los Angeles Times have ranked her among the most beautiful women in the world.

She's good looking for sure, but that might be a little generous. 

Some NSFW from early days.

Linked at Pirate's Cove in the weekly Sorta Blogless Sunday Pinup and links. The Wombat has posted Rule 5 Sunday: Anya Forger and FMJRA 2.0: Mirage on time and under budget at The Other McCain. Linked at Proof Positive in the weekly Best of the Web* and at The Right Way in the weekly Rule 5 Saturday LinkOrama.