
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.
Read more
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).
Start here
The best way into Shirley MacLaine's work
First 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 filmEssential films
Ranked by acclaim and reachFilmography
73 films as actor- TBAPeople Not PlacesClare
- TBALucy BoomerLucy Boomer
- TBAMargret and StevieMargret Rey
- 2022American DreamerAstrid Fanelli
- 2019NoelleElf Polly
- 2018The Little MermaidEloise
- 2017The Last WordHarriet Lauler
- 2016A Heavenly ChristmasPearl
- 2016Wild OatsEva
- 2015Men of GraniteSophia Prather
- 2014Elsa & FredElsa
- 2013The Secret Life of Walter MittyEdna Mitty
- 2012Wide-AwakeThe Pianist
- 2012BernieMarjorie Nugent
- 2010Valentine's DayEstelle
- 2008Anne of Green Gables: A New BeginningAmelia Thomas
- 2008Coco ChanelCoco Chanel
- 2007Closing the RingEthel Ann
- 2005Rumor Has It...Katharine Richelieu
- 2005In Her ShoesElla Hirsh
- 2005BewitchedIris Smythson / Endora
- 2003CarolinaGrandmother Mirabeau
- 2002Hell on Heels: The Battle of Mary KayMary Kay Ash
- 2001These Old BroadsKate Westbourne
- 2000BrunoHelen
- 1997A Smile Like YoursMartha (uncredited)
- 1996The Evening StarAurora Greenway
- 1996Mrs. WinterbourneGrace Winterbourne
- 1995The West Side WaltzMargaret Mary Elderdice
- 1994Guarding TessTess Carlisle
- 1993Wrestling Ernest HemingwayHelen Cooney
- 1992Used PeoplePearl Berman
- 1991Defending Your LifeShirley MacLaine
- 1990Postcards from the EdgeDoris Mann
- 1990Waiting for the LightAunt Zena
- 1989Steel MagnoliasOuiser Boudreaux
- 1988Madame SousatzkaMadame Yuvline Sousatzka
- 1984Cannonball Run IIVeronica
- 1983Terms of EndearmentAurora Greenway
- 1980A Change of SeasonsKaryn Evans
- 1980Loving CouplesEvelyn
- 1979Being ThereEve Rand
- 1977The Royal Variety Performance 1977
- 1977The Turning PointDeedee
- 1976CircasiaClown
- 1972The Possession of Joel DelaneyNorah Benson
- 1971Desperate CharactersSophie Bentwood
- 1970Two Mules for Sister SaraSara
- 1969Sweet CharityCharity
- 1968The Bliss of Mrs. BlossomHarriet Blossom
- 1967Woman Times SevenPaulette / Maria Teresa / Linda / Edith / Eve Minou / Marie / Jeanne
- 1966GambitNicole
- 1965John Goldfarb, Please Come Home!Jenny
- 1964The Yellow Rolls-RoyceMae Jenkins
- 1964What a Way to Go!Louisa May Foster
- 1963Irma la DouceIrma La Douce
- 1962Two for the SeesawGittel 'Mosca' Moscawitz
- 1962My GeishaLucy Dell / Yoko Mori
- 1961The Children's HourMartha Dobie
- 1961Two LovesAnna Vorontosov
- 1961All in a Night's WorkKatie Robbins
- 1960Ocean's ElevenTipsy Girl (uncredited)
- 1960The ApartmentFran Kubelik
- 1960Can-CanSimone Pistache
- 1959CareerSharon Kensington
- 1959Ask Any GirlMeg Wheeler
- 1958Some Came RunningGinnie Moorehead
- 1958The MatchmakerIrene Molloy
- 1958Hot SpellVirginia Duval
- 1958The SheepmanDell Payton
- 1956Around the World in 80 DaysPrincess Aouda
- 1955Artists and ModelsBessie Sparrowbush
- 1955The Trouble with HarryJennifer Rogers







