Wells wanted to be an actress from an early age. However, she believed that appropriate training was needed to develop a career. For this reason, shortly after graduating from high school, she started taking acting and dancing classes. She also joined the American Conservatory Theater and performed at the San Francisco Opera House.
After a few small roles, she got her big chance – working on a film that is now considered a cult film “Back to the Future” (1985). The actress accepted the role without hesitation. The story was about a typical 1980s teenager who travels in a time machine to 1955, where he meets his parents at a young age. He must be careful not to mix up the events of the past – after all, his own life depends on it.
Her performance in Robert Zemeckis’ production was appreciated by the audience. Despite this, in subsequent parts her heroine, and at the same time the main character’s partner, was played by Elisabeth Shue. To the audience’s surprise, Wells resigned from further productions. However, she had an understandable reason.
The actress asked the director to find someone to replace her. As it turned out, she was guided primarily by the good of her own family. When her mother was diagnosed with cancer, Wells gave up her film career to support her and help with her care.
“My mother had stage four leukemia. There was so much going on in my private life that I never considered returning to show business and I knew it was the right decision.” – she admitted in an interview for the Huffington Post in 2015.
In 1991, Wells officially retired from acting. She started running a men’s clothing boutique (“Armani Wells”) and continues to do so to this day. In 2011, she returned for a moment to appear in the independent production “Alien Armageddon” and to provide the voice of Jennifer in the adventure game “Back to the Future”.
Claudia Wells still willingly attends conventions and rallies of fans of Zemeckis’ productions. Apparently so too she still shares a special bond with Michael J. Fox, the actor of the main character of the series. She never regretted the way her life turned out.
See also: He will soon return to the iconic role. It was a challenge for the actor