At 89, Shirley MacLaine shows no signs of slowing down. The Academy Award-winning actress continues to radiate energy, often enjoying a martini while dining in Hollywood. Her seven-decade career is legendary, from The Apartment and Two Mules for Sister Sara to her unforgettable role in Steel Magnolias.
Though Shirley played the famously short-tempered Ouiser Boudreaux in Steel Magnolias, she’s nothing like her character. “Not that much bothers me,” she once remarked. “I think attitudes are a choice. Anger is a choice, peace is a choice, sarcasm—which is what I’m good at—is a choice.”
Today, Shirley’s life is, as she describes, “perfect.” Between enjoying life on her New Mexico ranch surrounded by her rat terriers and indulging in good food and naps, she lives in harmony with nature. Occasionally visiting Hollywood, Shirley spends most of her time on her ranch, where the tranquility recharges her spirit.
Shirley’s journey started on Broadway before she captivated audiences in Alfred Hitchcock’s The Trouble with Harry at just 21. Looking back on working with Hitchcock, she fondly remembers, “He was a hoot… Thank God I wasn’t tall, thin, ethereal, beautiful, and mysterious, or I probably would have hated him.”
With over 50 films to her name, Shirley is one of Hollywood’s enduring icons. Even in her late 80s, she continues her love for acting, recently appearing in Only Murders in the Building. Reflecting on her commitment to her career, she once said, “I never thought about quitting because I wanted to pay for plane tickets to travel.” Travel, she says, rivals even her love for Hollywood.
Her personal life has drawn its own intrigue. Shirley was married to producer Steve Parker for nearly 30 years, and though they had an unconventional marriage, she’s always been open about her views on relationships. However, a memoir by her daughter, Sachi, claiming Shirley’s true father was an astronaut named Paul, created a rift between them. Shirley denied the claim, calling it painful, though Sachi has stood by her story.
Shirley’s romantic history includes tales of high-profile relationships, including rumored romances with Robert Mitchum, Dean Martin, and even two prime ministers—unverified but tantalizingly intriguing.
Despite a life in the limelight, Shirley finds joy in simplicity, embracing nature and creativity over the typical Hollywood glitz. Her recent role in Only Murders in the Building rekindled her love for the craft, and she cherished reuniting with old friends Steve Martin and Martin Short.
Shirley MacLaine’s enduring talent and charm continue to inspire, and may she shine on the silver screen and in our hearts for many more years.
