Oscar-winning actress, dancer, and author Shirley MacLaine has always lived on her own terms, a journey that includes a memorable start with her signature hairstyle in 1954. While appearing on Broadway in The Pajama Game, she recalls, “One day, very unceremoniously, the stage manager sat me down in the basement and cut off all of my beautiful, long red hair.” She added in her latest book, “I didn’t mind, though; I actually liked it.” This change coincided with a pivotal moment when the young understudy from Virginia was abruptly thrust into the role of a Broadway leading lady after the show’s star, Carol Haney, twisted an ankle. “I never had a rehearsal,” Shirley shared with CBS Sunday Morning.

Things progressed rapidly for MacLaine. During the two-and-a-half weeks she filled in for the injured star, her talent was noticed by a film producer. “The word got out that I was good,” Shirley recounted. The legendary Alfred Hitchcock himself sought her out, asking her to star in his new picture. At the young age of 18, Shirley MacLaine's future in the entertainment industry had been decisively secured.

Now 91, the acclaimed actress looks back on an enviable life filled with the bright lights of Hollywood, romance, adventure, and inevitable heartache. Her latest memoir, titled The Wall of Life, delves into this rich history, sharing intimate photographs, cherished memories, and candid opinions about the many notable individuals she has encountered throughout her extensive career.

Among her recollections, Shirley MacLaine shares teaching her co-star from 1961’s The Children’s Hour, Audrey Hepburn, “a little bit about cussing.” She fondly remembers Liza Minnelli as “a very close friend.” Of Elizabeth Taylor, MacLaine described her as “the most kind and generous of all the actresses I’ve known,” offering a testament to Taylor's character.

Her experiences on film sets also provide colorful anecdotes. For instance, on the set of the 1955 film Artists and Models, Shirley witnessed co-star Jerry Lewis having a “tantrum.” She also confessed to developing a crush on Dean Martin, though it remained unpursued. “No! I was sort of afraid if I got that close, he would be less funny,” she explained on CBS. “And I think the humor meant more to me,” highlighting her priorities and perspective on relationships.

Shirley MacLaine's journey began in Richmond, Virginia, where she was born and reared. Her artistic inclinations emerged early, as she started ballet lessons at the tender age of 3, setting the stage for a remarkable and multifaceted career in the performing arts.