Personal life
McGowan used to live in Seattle, Washington, but currently resides in Los Angeles, California. She was in a very public three and a half-year relationship with rock musician Marilyn Manson, and famously appeared with him at the 1998 MTV Video Music Awards wearing a nearly transparent fishnet dress. McGowan later ended their two-year engagement over “lifestyle differences.” She has since gone on to have relationships with fellow actor Kip Pardue, TV personality Ahmet Zappa, and Men’s Health magazine editor David Zinczenko. Prior to the release of Grindhouse, there was speculation that McGowan was dating married director Robert Rodriguez. In May 2007, it was reported that they confirmed their relationship while appearing hand-in-hand at the Cannes Film Festival. On October 12, 2007 it was announced by Zap2it.com that McGowan was engaged to Rodriguez. They are planning to wed in 2009 McGowan has admitted to sleepwalking as a child. “The weirdest spot I ever woke up was a snow bank in Montreal. Now I just speak Italian in my sleep.” McGowan also suffers from agoraphobia, an anxiety disorder.
McGowan is known as an activist for Boston Terriers. She herself has two, Bug and Fester, and has personally donated to various Boston rescues. McGowan reportedly encouraged friends to donate to Boston Terrier Rescue Net, and according to BTRN: “Having fallen in love with Bug and Fester, her friends donated generously. It amounted to a considerable contribution, which will go a long way in helping BTRN and the needy volunteers who selflessly give to deserving Bostons.”
According to an article in the New York Post, McGowan suffered serious injuries in a car accident early in 2007. Riding as a passenger, her car was struck by another vehicle and the force of the impact drove her eyeglasses into her face. McGowan is quoted as saying, “I didn’t realize I was hurt until I put my hand to my face and felt the flap of skin. My glasses had sliced me under my eye.” After obtaining the services of a plastic surgeon, McGowan is reported to be suffering no long-lasting consequences from the incident.
Of her acting method, she has said “I’m not really one of those people who goes and writes some big backstory and agonizes over characters… For me personally, it’s just kind of more instinctive. But I don’t have kind of an acting background. I fell into it accidentally”.
