At 90 years old, veteran actor and Oscar-winner Shirley MacLaine displayed her characteristic wit and humor while reflecting on her extensive career through a collection of photographs. Reviewing mostly black-and-white images, she quipped, “Where are the nude ones?”
In one notable picture of her perched on the hood of a Cadillac at Paramount, she remarked, “Here, I’m just trying to be coy, on purpose. Jesus. What a jerk!” Regarding another image, she said, “Oh, there I wanted to see how my legs photographed,” to which she added, “Well, I was born with good legs.”
MacLaine, known for her enchanting presence as a singer, dancer, and actress, has always captivated Hollywood, including stars like Dean Martin, whom she affectionately called the funniest person she ever met. Although she had a crush on him, she chose not to pursue it, fearing it would diminish his humor, which she treasured deeply.
Her home in Santa Fe was once adorned with a “Wall of Life,” showcasing her photographs with various notable figures, ranging from fellow Rat Packers to politicians. She has recently compiled this collection into a photographic memoir titled “The Wall of Life,” which highlights her journey starting from Virginia, where she was raised as the daughter of educators and the elder sister of actor and director Warren Beatty.
While Warren waited until college to pursue acting, Shirley took a different path, adopting her middle name as her stage surname and moving to New York before finishing high school. She credits her success to two teachers who advised her to consider acting seriously due to her expressive dancing.
Her career took off when she was cast as an understudy in the original Broadway production of “The Pajama Game.” When the lead star, Carole Haney, was injured, MacLaine had only five minutes’ notice before going on stage, a leap of faith that impressed director Alfred Hitchcock. He subsequently cast her in his film “The Trouble with Harry,” marking her film debut.
During their collaboration, MacLaine shared lunches with Hitchcock and joked about quickly gaining weight due to his “Hitchcockian meals.” She also remembered a rather bold encounter with producer Hal Wallis on her first day at Paramount, where he made an unwanted advance.
At that time, she was married to businessman Steve Parker, whom she described as the love of her life. They had a daughter, Sachi Parker, and maintained a famously open marriage, with MacLaine spending considerable time in New York and Hollywood while her family lived mostly in Japan.
MacLaine has been candid about her past relationships and her self-image, often expressing surprise at her attractiveness despite her many admirers. Even during her Oscar acceptance speech for “Terms of Endearment” alongside Jack Nicholson, she humorously expressed her long-held desire to work with him.
She continues to take on memorable roles suitable for her age in various films and has participated in popular series like “Downton Abbey” and “Only Murders in the Building” well into her 80s. MacLaine claims to have experienced several past lives and believes in a connection with the afterlife, recalling a conversation with Cecil B. DeMille many years after his death.
Residing in Santa Fe, MacLaine enjoys the reminiscent atmosphere of the area, stating, “I love the old antique-y, it’s-still-here feeling. It reminds me of myself!” While she acknowledges the finite nature of time, she is not fearful of death. In fact, she expresses a curiosity about the afterlife and looks forward to “being part of the heaven experience.”
For now, however, Shirley MacLaine remains very much present, continuing to celebrate her remarkable life.