60-year-old 'Top Gun' star made a rare public appearance

The actress has kept herself out of the limelight for more than three decades already, but she was spotted out and about recently.

Kelly McGillis, who was best known for her role as Charlotte "Charlie" Blackwood in the 1986 film Top Gun, has mostly kept to herself since the movie became an instant hit, prefering to keep her life private.

But during a weeked in June 2018, McGillis appeared to be enjoying an afternoon out in Hendersonville, North Carolina.

The 60-year-old actress opted for comfort in her dresscode, wearing a plain white, loose t-shirt, a pair of plain black trousers, and a pair of black sandals. She carried a denim jacket over her arm, and wore sun glasses to protect her eyes.

Around her neck hung her keys, and she carried a large black handbag.

In Top Gun, McGillis played the love interest and instructor of Tom Cruise's character, LT Pete "Maverick" Mitchell.

After the success of the film, McGillis has gone on to appear in more than 50 films and series over the years.

She was even nominated for both a Golden Globe and a BAFTA her role in the 1985 Harrison Ford film Witness. Throughout her career, she won two Bravo Otto's for Top Gun and Made In Heaven. The latter also won her a Golden Ciak.

McGillis' most recent work is her role in the 2017 thriller Maternal Secrets.

Her sudden appearance in public is surprising, given the news that Top Gun has just been given a sequel, for which both Val Kilmer and Tom Cruise will be reprising their roles.

As yet, there is no news whether McGillis will be involved with the second installment or not.

When the original film was released, it grossed almost $357 million worldwide. The sequel will be directed by Joseph Kosinski, after Top Gun director Tony Scott committed suicide in 2012.

Kilmer will also have to put on his character with a distorted voice box after he survived throat cancer.

The film is set to hit theaters in July 2019.