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Shirley MacLaine

Actor

Shirley MacLaine

Born April 24, 1934 in Richmond, Virginia, USA73 films

Shirley MacLaine (born Shirley MacLean Beaty; April 24, 1934) is an American actress, singer, author, activist, and former dancer. Known for her portrayals of quirky, headstrong, and eccentric women, MacLaine has received numerous accolades throughout her career spanning seven decades, including an Academy Award, a Primetime Emmy Award, two British Academy Film Awards, and six Golden Globe Awards.

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Born in Richmond, Virginia, MacLaine made her acting debut as a teenager with minor roles in the Broadway musicals Oklahoma! and The Pajama Game. Following minor appearances as an understudy in various other productions, MacLaine made her film debut with Alfred Hitchcock's black comedy The Trouble with Harry (1955), winning the Golden Globe Award for New Star of the Year – Actress. She rose to prominence with starring roles in Around the World in 80 Days (1956), Some Came Running (1958), Ask Any Girl (1959), The Apartment (1960), The Children's Hour (1961), Two for the Seesaw (1962), Irma la Douce (1963), and Sweet Charity (1969). A six time Academy Award nominee, MacLaine won the Academy Award for Best Actress for the comedy-drama Terms of Endearment (1983). Her other prominent films include The Turning Point (1977), Being There (1979), Madame Sousatzka (1988), Steel Magnolias (1989), Postcards from the Edge (1990), The Evening Star (1996), Bewitched (2005), In Her Shoes (2005), Valentine's Day (2010), and The Little Mermaid (2018).

MacLaine has been the recipient of many honorary awards. She was awarded the AFI Life Achievement Award in 2012, Gala Tribute from the Film Society of Lincoln Center in 1995, and Kennedy Center Honor in 2013 for her contribution to American culture, through performing arts. In 1998, she was awarded the Golden Globe Cecil B. DeMille Award. Apart from acting, MacLaine has written numerous books regarding the subjects of metaphysics, spirituality, and reincarnation, as well as a best-selling memoir, Out on a Limb (1983).

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The best way into Shirley MacLaine's work
The Apartment posterFirst watchThe Apartment19608.2as Fran KubelikBud Baxter is a minor clerk in a huge New York insurance company, until he discovers a quick way to climb the corporate ladder.View film

Essential films

Ranked by acclaim and reach

Filmography

73 films as actor
  1. TBAPeople Not PlacesClare
  2. TBALucy BoomerLucy Boomer
  3. TBAMargret and StevieMargret Rey
  4. 2022American DreamerAstrid Fanelli
  5. 2019NoelleElf Polly
  6. 2018The Little MermaidEloise
  7. 2017The Last WordHarriet Lauler
  8. 2016A Heavenly ChristmasPearl
  9. 2016Wild OatsEva
  10. 2015Men of GraniteSophia Prather
  11. 2014Elsa & FredElsa
  12. 2013The Secret Life of Walter MittyEdna Mitty
  13. 2012Wide-AwakeThe Pianist
  14. 2012BernieMarjorie Nugent
  15. 2010Valentine's DayEstelle
  16. 2008Anne of Green Gables: A New BeginningAmelia Thomas
  17. 2008Coco ChanelCoco Chanel
  18. 2007Closing the RingEthel Ann
  19. 2005Rumor Has It...Katharine Richelieu
  20. 2005In Her ShoesElla Hirsh
  21. 2005BewitchedIris Smythson / Endora
  22. 2003CarolinaGrandmother Mirabeau
  23. 2002Hell on Heels: The Battle of Mary KayMary Kay Ash
  24. 2001These Old BroadsKate Westbourne
  25. 2000BrunoHelen
  26. 1997A Smile Like YoursMartha (uncredited)
  27. 1996The Evening StarAurora Greenway
  28. 1996Mrs. WinterbourneGrace Winterbourne
  29. 1995The West Side WaltzMargaret Mary Elderdice
  30. 1994Guarding TessTess Carlisle
  31. 1993Wrestling Ernest HemingwayHelen Cooney
  32. 1992Used PeoplePearl Berman
  33. 1991Defending Your LifeShirley MacLaine
  34. 1990Postcards from the EdgeDoris Mann
  35. 1990Waiting for the LightAunt Zena
  36. 1989Steel MagnoliasOuiser Boudreaux
  37. 1988Madame SousatzkaMadame Yuvline Sousatzka
  38. 1984Cannonball Run IIVeronica
  39. 1983Terms of EndearmentAurora Greenway
  40. 1980A Change of SeasonsKaryn Evans
  41. 1980Loving CouplesEvelyn
  42. 1979Being ThereEve Rand
  43. 1977The Royal Variety Performance 1977
  44. 1977The Turning PointDeedee
  45. 1976CircasiaClown
  46. 1972The Possession of Joel DelaneyNorah Benson
  47. 1971Desperate CharactersSophie Bentwood
  48. 1970Two Mules for Sister SaraSara
  49. 1969Sweet CharityCharity
  50. 1968The Bliss of Mrs. BlossomHarriet Blossom
  51. 1967Woman Times SevenPaulette / Maria Teresa / Linda / Edith / Eve Minou / Marie / Jeanne
  52. 1966GambitNicole
  53. 1965John Goldfarb, Please Come Home!Jenny
  54. 1964The Yellow Rolls-RoyceMae Jenkins
  55. 1964What a Way to Go!Louisa May Foster
  56. 1963Irma la DouceIrma La Douce
  57. 1962Two for the SeesawGittel 'Mosca' Moscawitz
  58. 1962My GeishaLucy Dell / Yoko Mori
  59. 1961The Children's HourMartha Dobie
  60. 1961Two LovesAnna Vorontosov
  61. 1961All in a Night's WorkKatie Robbins
  62. 1960Ocean's ElevenTipsy Girl (uncredited)
  63. 1960The ApartmentFran Kubelik
  64. 1960Can-CanSimone Pistache
  65. 1959CareerSharon Kensington
  66. 1959Ask Any GirlMeg Wheeler
  67. 1958Some Came RunningGinnie Moorehead
  68. 1958The MatchmakerIrene Molloy
  69. 1958Hot SpellVirginia Duval
  70. 1958The SheepmanDell Payton
  71. 1956Around the World in 80 DaysPrincess Aouda
  72. 1955Artists and ModelsBessie Sparrowbush
  73. 1955The Trouble with HarryJennifer Rogers