Actors have a responsibility to portray mental illness accurately, says Glenn Close

Glenn Close has revealed that her portrayal of vengeful Alex Forrest in 'Fatal Attraction' had a fatal flaw, as it contributed to misunderstanding of mental illness.

In the film, Close's character becomes obsessed with Dan Gallagher, played by Michael Douglas, after a brief fling.

When Dan cuts her off, Alex - a single publishing executive- goes off the rails, threatening his family, attacking him with a knife and infamously boiling a bunny.

In an interview with CBS News, Close said she "would have a different outlook" on Alex today, the New York Daily News reported.

She said that she "would read the script totally differently" now.

In fact, the idea that Alex Forrest was mentally ill didn't even come up for discussion, Close said.

Close said that her unhinged character in the flick played into stereotypes of the mentally ill.

She said that actors and entertainers have a responsibility to portray mental illness accurately.