Shirley MacLaine Truly Hated Her More Than Anyone | HO
Talk about some of the most influential stars of the Golden era of Hollywood ever to grace the screen, and Shirley MacLaine would surely find her name on that list.
Her famous debut in Alfred Hitchcock’s The Trouble with Harry opened the door to a successful career that spanned the next seven decades.Her lasting screen presence was due to a combination of talent, hard work and ability to connect with people. But, truth be told she didn’t have a great relationship with certain individuals.
There were some behind-the-scenes disputes with co-stars that eventually got leaked to the public, at the time. Now, after many decades, Shirley MacLaine has finally addressed the belief that there was a co-star she truly hated more than anyone.
Shirley MacLaine’s legacy is a fascinating tapestry of talent, tenacity, and occasional turbulence. As one of Hollywood’s enduring icons, her seven-decade career brims with classic performances and a reputation for her strong-willed and independent spirit. But even among her most memorable Hollywood moments, some relationships remain infamous for the public disputes and behind-the-scenes dramas, notably with one co-star in particular. Let’s explore Shirley MacLaine’s remarkable life, her storied career, and the conflicts that led her to famously dislike one co-star “more than anyone.”
Born on April 24, 1934, in Richmond, Virginia, MacLaine was named after the beloved child actress Shirley Temple. She grew up in a creative family; her father, Ira Owens Beaty, was a psychology professor and school administrator, while her mother, Canadian-born Katherine Corinne MacLean, taught drama. This background nurtured Shirley’s artistic potential and set her on a path that would lead to stardom. She endured challenges, such as weak ankles, which her mother tried to address through ballet classes. This seemingly minor hurdle became the foundation for her tenacity and discipline, later transforming her from a ballet student into a Hollywood powerhouse.
MacLaine’s big break came when she was cast in the Broadway musical The Pajama Game as an understudy for Carol Haney. When Haney was injured, MacLaine stepped in, capturing the attention of producer Hal B. Wallis, who offered her a five-year film contract. This led to her first major role in Alfred Hitchcock’s The Trouble with Harry (1955), which won her the Golden Globe for New Star of the Year. From that point on, she starred in numerous films that defined the era, including Artists and Models, Around the World in 80 Days, and The Apartment.
MacLaine quickly gained a reputation not only for her talent but also for her assertive personality. She did not shy away from speaking her mind, which occasionally led to friction with co-stars and directors. She was known to be selective about her roles, and her independent nature often sparked rumors of on-set disagreements. However, none became as famous as her rivalry with Deborah Winger on the set of Terms of Endearment (1983).
Terms of Endearment was a milestone for MacLaine, earning her the Academy Award for Best Actress after four previous nominations. Her performance as Aurora Greenway, a strong-willed, overbearing mother, resonated with audiences and critics alike. However, behind the scenes, her relationship with Winger, who played her on-screen daughter, was far from harmonious. Their dynamic was reportedly so strained that it sometimes led to physical altercations, including a notorious incident where Winger allegedly pulled a prank on MacLaine by pulling up her skirt and making an obscene gesture.
In her memoirs, MacLaine has acknowledged the tension with Winger, hinting that their strong personalities clashed repeatedly. While both actresses were known for their dedication to their craft, their differing approaches created a toxic atmosphere. Rumors of their rivalry circulated widely, with both actresses occasionally alluding to the difficulties they experienced working together. However, despite—or perhaps because of—their off-screen tension, their on-screen chemistry was electric, contributing to the film’s lasting appeal.
Beyond her on-screen achievements, MacLaine’s life has been marked by her interests in spirituality, metaphysics, and reincarnation. She has written extensively on these topics in her memoirs, sharing her unconventional views with the world. Her beliefs, however, sometimes drew ridicule, including a memorable encounter with David Letterman, who mocked her beliefs about reincarnation during a 1988 interview. MacLaine retorted by quoting Cher’s infamous insult about Letterman, creating a legendary late-night moment that underscored her refusal to be demeaned or dismissed.
Her commitment to her beliefs also drew criticism for controversial remarks, including comments about karma in the context of historical events and her thoughts on physical ailments as manifestations of inner issues. Nonetheless, MacLaine continued to write prolifically, authoring more than 15 books, many of which became bestsellers and expanded on her thoughts about consciousness, spirituality, and extraterrestrial life.
MacLaine’s career has been a series of reinventions. From a Broadway dancer to a movie star to an acclaimed author, she continuously adapted to Hollywood’s changing landscape. She even transitioned to television in the 1970s, and though her career temporarily declined, she came back with a renewed sense of purpose in the late 1970s, performing as a singer and securing another Oscar nomination in The Turning Point (1977).
Despite her professional resilience, MacLaine’s life has been marked by complex personal relationships. Her marriage to Steve Parker, which lasted 28 years, was open but fraught with infidelity. Their relationship became a subject of tabloid fodder when their daughter, Sachi, published a memoir detailing the difficulties she faced with her parents, accusing her father of manipulation and her mother of emotional distance. MacLaine publicly denied many of her daughter’s claims, creating yet another layer of complexity in her personal narrative.
Now, as one of the last remaining stars of Hollywood’s Golden Age, Shirley MacLaine remains active and continues to captivate audiences with her work. Her recent performance in American Dreamer, alongside Peter Dinklage, serves as a reminder of her timeless appeal. She has also been candid about the evolution of Hollywood, expressing nostalgia for the glamour that once defined the industry and a sense of disillusionment with the rise of streaming platforms.
Her resilience and adaptability have solidified her status as an icon. But even as she celebrates her 90th birthday, her rivalry with Winger lingers as a reminder that behind every great performance, there can be great tension. For MacLaine, who has overcome obstacles both on and off the screen, her relationship with Winger underscores the intensity of her dedication to her craft. It is a fascinating paradox: while the two actresses disliked each other deeply, their strained relationship brought authenticity to their performances in Terms of Endearment.
In the end, Shirley MacLaine’s journey reflects a life lived with fierce independence, an unwavering commitment to her beliefs, and a deep love for her craft. Her story continues to inspire, reminding us that even the brightest stars are shaped by the challenges they face, both on and off the screen. And in Hollywood’s constellation of legends, MacLaine’s star shines as brightly as ever.
