Christie Brinkley on Family and ‘American Summer’

Christie Brinkley, the actress and supermodel, stars alongside Steve Guttenberg in “American Summer,” a film celebrating simpler times and family connections. At 72, Brinkley told Fox News Digital that these themes reflect her real life. She has created a welcoming home for her three adult children.

The movie, released on September 4th, focuses on Guttenberg’s character reminiscing about a pivotal childhood summer. It includes themes of baseball, first love, and his father’s overseas military service.

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

Brinkley’s strong emphasis on family is evident in her public appearances with her children, Alexa Ray Joel, Jack Paris Brinkley-Cook, and Sailor Brinkley-Cook. Their bond is deeply rooted in the family values instilled by Brinkley’s own parents.

After losing her parents in 2012, Brinkley expressed a deep gratitude for family time. Her father, Don Brinkley, passed away on July 14th, followed by her mother, Marge Brinkley, on September 9th of the same year.

“I have always cherished my family time,” she remarked. “And I think once you lose both of your parents, it becomes more precious because you know that there is a finite time to it.” —Christie Brinkley

Steve Guttenberg also experienced personal challenges as he took care of his father, Stanley Guttenberg, who had kidney failure. This personal connection adds depth to their film work together.

“American Summer” serves as a homage to families in small-town America. Brinkley highlighted the importance of putting away phones to connect with loved ones. She believes audiences are attracted to stories celebrating human relationships.

“…This [story] takes us back before there were cell phones. And I think that we’re going to find people now putting down their cell phones more often and just connecting with loved ones.” —Christie Brinkley

Brinkley enjoys simple pleasures, such as birdwatching, a hobby she shares on social media and believes is regaining popularity as more people seek to reconnect with nature.

After raising her children, Brinkley advocates for slowing down and prioritizing family. She believes this fosters strong family ties and encourages loved ones to return home.