Did you know there’s an episode of The X-Files named after Gillian Anderson’s daughter? Yes — her name is Piper Maru Klotz, and she has lived a very unique life. While her mom became a global star, Piper quietly built a creative and artistic life of her own.
In this article, we’ll take a closer look at Piper’s story. You’ll learn about her childhood, family, creative journey, and what she’s doing today. From growing up on film sets to launching her own design studio — there’s so much to know about this talented and private young woman.
Piper Maru Klotz’s Early Life
Piper Maru Klotz was born on September 25, 1994, in Vancouver, Canada. Her parents are Gillian Anderson, the famous actress, and Clyde Klotz, an art director who worked on The X-Files. At the time, Gillian was already becoming a big star, and Piper was born during the filming of the show’s second season.
Her parents got married in January 1994, but sadly, their marriage didn’t last long. They divorced in 1997, just a few years after Piper was born. From that point on, Piper lived most of her early years with her mom in the United States, growing up as an only child until the age of 12.
Later, Gillian began a new relationship with Mark Griffiths and had two more sons, Oscar and Felix, making Piper the big sister in the family.
Her Unique Childhood Around Film Sets
Piper didn’t have a typical childhood. While many kids grew up playing in their backyards, Piper spent a lot of time on TV and movie sets — especially The X-Files. Her mom, Gillian Anderson, once said that Piper “grew up in my trailer.”
Imagine being a kid and seeing fake aliens, strange costumes, and spooky props almost every day. That was normal for Piper. She even played with prosthetic body parts on set! Gillian explained how having her daughter around helped her focus on being a mom, even while juggling a busy acting career.
She also mentioned that returning to work just 10 days after giving birth to Piper was incredibly hard, but somehow she made it work. Gillian called single moms “superwomen,” and her journey definitely shows how tough and strong she had to be.
The Meaning Behind the Name “Piper Maru”
Here’s something really cool — one episode of The X-Files (season 3, episode 15) is named “Piper Maru”. And yes, it’s named after Gillian’s daughter! That’s such a rare and special thing.
The name itself stands out. It’s different and memorable. Fans of The X-Files often recognize it right away. This episode isn’t just a fun Easter egg — it shows how much Gillian valued her daughter and wanted to honor her in a unique way.
Not many people can say they have a TV episode named after them — but Piper can.
Piper Maru Klotz’s Education and Creative Interests
Piper has always loved art. Even as a young girl, she showed a strong interest in drawing, creating things with her hands, and exploring colors and design. That passion stayed with her as she grew older.
She went to school in the U.S. and then moved to London with her mom around age 12. She later finished her studies at a state university in the U.S., where she earned her bachelor’s degree. While she didn’t follow her mother’s path into acting, she found her own calling in the creative world.
Piper knew early on that she wanted to express herself through art and design, not through acting or fame.
How Piper Maru Klotz Built Her Career in Art and Design
Piper started working behind the scenes rather than in front of the camera. She had a small, uncredited role as a child in the film The House of Mirth (2000), where her mom played the lead. But that was her only on-screen appearance — she never acted again.
Instead, she focused on visual art. Between 2016 and 2018, she worked in the art department for the rebooted seasons of The X-Files. She also helped create a short animated film called Inanimate in 2018.
These small but meaningful projects helped her grow as a designer. Her attention slowly shifted from working on sets to creating her own personal artwork and craft-based pieces.
Her Business, Maru Objects Studio
In 2022, Piper took a big step and launched her own creative studio called Maru Objects. This studio focuses on handmade art, homeware, and even playful games. It reflects her style — artistic, thoughtful, and very different from the Hollywood world she grew up around.
At first, she sold her work online through a website. But in early 2023, she decided to shut down the online shop. Why? Because she wanted to move away from digital art and focus more on working with her hands.
She shared this update on Instagram, saying she was ready for a change. She wanted to create more meaningful pieces — things that feel real, not just digital.
Piper Maru Klotz’s Life in London
Piper has been living in London for many years now. She moved there with her mom when she was around 12 and has made it her home ever since. It’s where she grew as an artist and found her creative path.
She enjoys a quiet, low-key life in the UK. You won’t see her chasing the spotlight or trying to be a celebrity. Instead, she focuses on her work, her business, and her close circle of family and friends.
Still, she’s not completely hidden — she sometimes attends public events and red carpets with her mother, always standing out for her natural beauty and creative spirit.
Her Relationship with Gillian Anderson
Piper Maru Klotz shares a very close bond with her mother, Gillian Anderson. Even though Gillian had a busy career in Hollywood and TV, she always tried to give Piper her time and attention. In interviews, Gillian talked about how she made time for her daughter no matter how packed her schedule was.
The two have also been seen together at big events. In 2015, they attended the Olivier Awards in London wearing matching black dresses. Two years later, Piper joined Gillian at the premiere of The Crown Season 2. These rare appearances showed how strong their mother-daughter connection is.
Gillian once shared how grateful she was to have help while raising Piper but still said it was hard. She praised single moms and said, “They are superwomen.” Piper, on her part, seems to have grown up strong, independent, and creative — just like her mom.
Does Piper Maru Klotz Have Siblings?
Yes, Piper Maru Klotz has two younger brothers — Oscar Griffiths and Felix Griffiths. They are her half-brothers from her mom’s relationship with Mark Griffiths.
Oscar was born in 2006, and Felix in 2008. While Piper is focused on art and design, both boys have become professional downhill mountain bike racers. They’ve even signed with big teams and share their riding adventures on social media.
Even though Piper lives a quiet life, she’s the big sister in the family. It’s clear that all three children have followed very different paths, but each one has found something they love doing.
Piper Maru Klotz’s Boyfriend and Personal Life
Piper Maru Klotz has been in a long-term relationship with a man named Ed Salisbury. He’s a British freeskier, mountaineer, and climate activist. The couple has been together since at least 2017, and in 2023, they celebrated six years together.
Piper once shared a funny photo of the two of them on Instagram, calling them “partners in crime.” Their picture looked like mugshots, and her caption made fans smile. It showed how down-to-earth and playful she is in real life.
The two also share a French bulldog named Nelson, who often appears in her posts. Piper keeps her personal life mostly private but sometimes gives small glimpses into her world through art and photos.
What Piper Maru Klotz Looks Like Today
Piper is known for her natural beauty and artistic style. She stands at about 5 feet 8 inches (1.75 m), has a slim build, blue eyes, and naturally dark brown hair. In recent years, she’s been seen with golden bangs — a soft and creative look that matches her personality.
She usually wears simple but stylish clothes and avoids the flashy fashion seen in Hollywood. Her look feels calm, modern, and creative, just like her art.
Although she doesn’t seek attention, Piper often turns heads at events because of her quiet charm. She’s not a movie star like her mom, but she has a presence that people notice.
Fun and Lesser-Known Facts About Piper Maru Klotz
Here are some fun things you might not know about Piper:
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She is a skilled cake decorator. She has shared photos of her beautiful and creative cakes.
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Her Instagram shows more of her drawings and crafts than her own photos.
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She was once part of a short film team that made a lovely animated project called Inanimate.
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She made headlines at the Olivier Awards in 2015, even though she isn’t a celebrity.
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She often attends cultural and art events but keeps a low profile.
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While she grew up around fame, she chose to stay behind the scenes and focus on art instead.
Piper Maru Klotz proves that you don’t need to be in the spotlight to make a strong impact. Her quiet talent, creativity, and kind nature have made her a special person in her own way.
Final Thoughts
So, who is Piper Maru Klotz? She’s the first child of Gillian Anderson, but also much more than that. Piper is an artist, a designer, and a kind soul who found her own path away from the cameras.
She grew up in a world full of lights, scripts, and red carpets, but she chose peace, creativity, and a slower lifestyle. With her design studio, Maru Objects, her loving relationship, and her close bond with her mom, Piper has created a beautiful life.
And even though she may not be famous like her mother, one thing is clear — Piper Maru Klotz is someone worth knowing.
