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Shirley MacLaine Biography

Birth Name:
Shirley MacLean Beaty
Birth Place:
Richmond, Virginia, United States
Profession
Actor, author, director, dancer

Fast Facts

  • 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

Relationships