Christie Brinkley Balances Family and Career in ‘American Summer’

Christie Brinkley, a renowned actress and supermodel, stars alongside Steve Guttenberg in the film “American Summer.” This movie, celebrating simpler times and family ties, is a reflection of Brinkley’s personal life values. In real life, she has created a welcoming home environment for her adult children.

Brought to theaters on September 4, the film highlights Guttenberg’s character as he relives a childhood summer filled with baseball and first love, while also dealing with the absence of his U.S. Army father.

I have always been all about family, so I have built my life in a way that my kids… I want them independent, Brinkley stated. But they always tend to come home on weekends, holidays. We are big on being together, and I love that.

Fans recognize Brinkley’s close relationship with her children — Alexa Ray Joel, 40, Jack Paris Brinkley-Cook, 31, and Sailor Brinkley-Cook, 28. Her Instagram followers often wonder how she maintains such close ties. She believes inviting them and their friends back home regularly creates that bond.

Brinkley’s outlook on family stems from her own upbringing. After the loss of her parents in 2012, she cherishes family time even more. Her father’s death on July 14 was shortly followed by her mother’s passing on September 9 of that year. This experience reinforced her appreciation for family.

Once you lose both of your parents, it becomes more precious because you know that there is a finite time to it, Brinkley shared.

Steve Guttenberg, her co-star, relates to Brinkley’s sentiments. He took a break from acting to care for his father, who had kidney failure. He fondly remembers the time his family lived near each other.

My parents were always so ready to be there for me. Good times, bad times, they were there, and they always made an effort to be a family, Brinkley said.

The film “American Summer” acts as a tribute to family life in small-town America. For Brinkley, it’s a story that pulls audiences back to a time before the distraction of cell phones. She hopes it encourages people to connect more with one another.

Brinkley’s appreciation for simpler pleasures is evident in her hobbies, like birdwatching. Her social media features many photos of birds at her feeder. Birdwatching’s rising popularity, especially among young people, is a testament to the desire to reconnect with nature.