Shirley MacLaine shared time on the silver screen alongside dozens of leading actors.
In MacLaine’s new memoir, “The Wall of Life: Pictures and Stories from This Marvelous Lifetime,” the Academy award-winning actress wrote about one rising star needing a little pep talk while on set.
MacLaine, 90, began in the entertainment industry as a contract player at Paramount, which is where she connected with Elvis Presley, who had also just embarked on his own acting career.
“His dressing room was two doors down, and he didn’t know how to behave as he needed to on the set,” MacLaine wrote, per People magazine.
SHIRLEY MACLAINE EXPLAINS WHY SHE AND JACK NICHOLSON NEVER HAD AN AFFAIR
Shirley MacLaine met Elvis Presley when they were working together on the Paramount lot in the ’50s. (Getty Images)
“I just told him to be nice to people and kind, because he was a huge star then.”
SHIRLEY MACLAINE SAYS HOLLYWOOD IS ‘100% DIFFERENT’ TODAY: ‘THE GLAMOUR’S GONE OUT OF IT, I’M AFRAID’
She added, “But we didn’t hang out, I didn’t know him that well.”
“I just told him to be nice to people and kind, because he was a huge star then.”
MacLaine was a contract player with Paramount in her early acting days. (Getty Images)
MacLaine also revealed that Morgan Freeman wasn’t too interested in her charm, either.
“I propositioned him, and he turned me down,” she wrote. When asked for more details, MacLaine said, “Oh, I really liked him right away. I thought his acting was brilliant. I barely said anything, and he just shook his head. Isn’t that interesting?”
MacLaine, who had an open marriage with her husband of 28 years, Steve Parker, claimed that she had affairs with all of her leading men except two — Jack Nicholson and Jack Lemmon.
Though MacLaine and Nicholson played love interests in James L. Brooks’ 1983 film “Terms of Endearment,” the Emmy Award winner explained why their real-life relationship remained platonic.
LIKE WHAT YOU’RE READING? CLICK HERE FOR MORE ENTERTAINMENT NEWS
“He just made me laugh all the time. He was one of my favorite people,” she said. “I don’t think he would’ve been my type to have an affair with anyway. I would laugh too much.”
Jack Nicholson and Shirley MacLaine both earned Oscars for their roles in “Terms of Endearment.” (Fotos International/Getty Images)
In the movie, MacLaine starred as widow Aurora Greenway, who embarks on a romance with her next-door neighbor, promiscuous retired astronaut Garrett Breedlove (Nicholson).
Nicholson won the best supporting actor Academy Award for his performance in the film, while MacLaine finally took home her first best actress Oscar for her portrayal of Aurora after four previous nominations.
“He just made me laugh all the time. He was one of my favorite people.”
CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE ENTERTAINMENT NEWSLETTER
During her acceptance speech, MacLaine noted that she had been looking forward to working with Nicholson, and said, “to have him in bed was such middle-aged joy.”
MacLaine later joked that she found “middle-aged joy” being in bed with Nicholson. (Getty Images)
MacLaine also wrote about introducing Elizabeth Taylor to her third husband, Mike Todd, a producer for “Around the World in 80 Days” in which MacLaine starred.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
“I suspected they would get along,” she told People. “I asked one of them to come to where I was so they could meet … and there was attraction right away.”
Fox News Digital’s Ashley Hume contributed to this report.
Khamrah by Lattafa for Men - 3.4 oz EDP Spray
4% Off
Ghost Sweetheart Eau de Toilette | Pineapple, Jasmine and Sandalwood | Perfume for Women 50 ml
50% Off
Marc Jacobs Dot Eau De Parfum for Women, 100 ml
42% Off
Ted Baker W Eau de Toilette for Her, Fig Leaf, White Peony and Violet Top Notes, Pink Orchid and Raspberry Middle Notes, 75ml
£11.77 (£15.69 / 100 ml) (as of 20/04/2026 02:59 GMT +01:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
Ted Baker Woman Pink Eau de Toilette Spray Floral Green Feminine Fragrance, Opening Notes are Fresh Peach, Bergamot and Tangerine with Warm Musk, Vanilla and Vetiver Base, 100ml
11% Off
Vera Wang Princess Eau de Toilette - 30 ml
Choco Musk 50ml Eau De Parfum for men and women | Chocolate Musk by Jannat Aromas
17% Off
Christina Aguilera Signature Eau de Parfum (50ml) Floral, Fruity & Exotic Scent, Luxury Fragrance for Women
9% Off
Calvin Klein - Eau De Toilette CKIN2U - Calvin Klein Women, Ladies Perfume, Women's Perfume, Calvin Klein Perfume, Calvin Klein One - 150 ml
5% Off
Jimmy Choo Flash Eau de Parfum, 60 ml (Pack of 1)
3% Off
Fruit of the Loom Men's Heavy T Shirt, White, XL UK
28% Off
ATNKE LED Lighted Beanie Cap,USB Rechargeable Running Hat Ultra Bright 4 LED Waterproof Light Winter Warm Gifts for Men and Women/Pink
17% Off
Men's 1/4 Zip Pullover UK Sale Clearance, Fleece Sweatshirt Casual Jumper Long Sleeve T-shirt Top Stand Collar Sweater Plain Pullover Sports Leisure Workwear Quarter Zip Sweater Lightweight Jumpers
£5.88 (as of 12/11/2025 00:52 GMT +01:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
Crevice Cleaning Brush, Bathroom Tile Groove Gap Cleaning Brush,Premium Crevice Cleaning Tool Aluminum Support with 15° Angle Magic Brush, Thin Brush for Home Kitchen
19% Off
Wireless Earbuds, Bluetooth 5.3 Headphones in Ear with HiFi Stereo Deep Bass, 4 ENC Noise Cancelling Mic Wireless Earphones 40H Playtime, Bluetooth Earbuds Dual LED Display, IP7 Waterproof, USB-C
42% Off
