Made her Broadway debut at 18 as a chorus dancer in the Rodgers and Hammerstein musical Me and Juliet
When Carol Haney, the actor she was understudying for in The Pajama Game, broke her ankle, MacLaine stepped in; she was subsequently spotted by a producer and signed to a deal with Paramount Pictures
Made her big-screen debut in Alfred Hitchcock's 1955 black comedy The Trouble With Harry
Published her first autobiographical book, Don't Fall off the Mountain, in 1970
It was followed by several other bestsellers addressing her beliefs about reincarnation, UFOs and spirituality
Launched ShirleyMacLaine
com in 2000, offering astrology information and spiritual discussion forums, as well as selling a wide array of New Age-oriented products
Made her solo directing debut with the dramedy Bruno (2000), in which she also costarred with Kathy Bates and Gary Sinise
After several years away from the big screen, returned with three features in 2005: Bewitched, In Her Shoes and Rumor Has It
; subsequently appeared in Closing the Ring (2007) and Valentine's Day (2010), among others
Awards
2013Critics' Choice Movie Awards-Best Actress in a Comedy:nominated
2009Emmy-Outstanding Lead Actress in a Miniseries or a Movie:nominated
2009Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actress in a Miniseries or Motion Picture Made for Television:nominated
2008Screen Actors Guild Awards-Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Television Movie or Miniseries:nominated
2006Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture:nominated
2003Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actress in a Miniseries or Motion Picture Made for Television:nominated
1995Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture - Musical or Comedy:nominated
1993Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture - Musical or Comedy:nominated
1991BAFTA Film Awards-Best Actress in a Supporting Role:nominated
1991BAFTA Film Awards-Best Actress in a Leading Role:nominated
1991Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture:nominated
1989Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture - Drama:winner
1988Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actress in a Miniseries or Motion Picture Made for Television:nominated
1988Venice Film Festival-Best Actress:winner
1985BAFTA Film Awards-Best Actress:nominated
1984Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture - Drama:winner
1983Los Angeles Film Critics Association-Best Actress:winner
1983National Board of Review-Best Actress:winner
1983New York Film Critics Circle-Best Actress:winner
1981BAFTA Film Awards-Best Actress:nominated
1980Emmy-Outstanding Variety or Music Program:nominated
1980Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture - Musical or Comedy:nominated
1979Emmy-Outstanding Comedy - Variety or Music Program:nominated
1977Oscar-Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role:nominated
1977Emmy-Outstanding Special - Comedy-Variety or Music:nominated
1976Emmy-Outstanding Special - Comedy-Variety or Music:winner
1975Emmy-Outstanding Special - Comedy-Variety or Music:nominated
1975Oscar-Best Documentary (Feature):nominated
1971Berlin Film Festival-Silver Bear for Best Actress:winner
1970Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture - Musical or Comedy:nominated
1968Golden Globe-Actress in a Leading Role - Musical or Comedy:nominated
1967Golden Globe-Actress in a Leading Role - Musical or Comedy:nominated
1965BAFTA Film Awards-Best Foreign Actress:nominated
1965BAFTA Film Awards-Best Foreign Actress:nominated
1964Golden Globe-Actress in a Leading Role - Musical or Comedy:winner
1963Oscar-Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role:nominated
1962Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture - Drama:nominated
1961Golden Globe-Actress in a Leading Role - Musical or Comedy:winner
1961BAFTA Film Awards-Best Foreign Actress:winner
1960Golden Globe-Actress in a Leading Role - Musical or Comedy:nominated
1960BAFTA Film Awards-Best Foreign Actress:winner
1960Oscar-Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role:nominated
1960Venice Film Festival-Best Actress:winner
1960Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture - Musical or Comedy:nominated
1959Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture - Drama:nominated
1959Berlin Film Festival-Silver Bear for Best Actress:winner
1958Oscar-Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role:nominated
1957BAFTA Film Awards-Best Foreign Actress:nominated
1955Golden Globe-New Star of the Year - Actress:winner