Few stars have captured our hearts quite like Shirley MacLaine, whose career has spanned over six decades with performances that range from delightfully comedic to profoundly moving. Whether dancing across the screen or delivering a cutting one-liner, MacLaine has consistently proven herself to be one of Hollywood’s most versatile and magnetic talents. Join us as we take a nostalgic journey through 14 unforgettable moments when Shirley MacLaine truly lit up the silver screen like no one else could.
1. The Apartment (1960)
Billy Wilder’s romantic comedy-drama gave MacLaine one of her most beloved roles as elevator operator Fran Kubelik, earning her an Academy Award nomination for Best Actress. Her portrayal of a young woman caught in a complicated relationship with her married boss while developing feelings for Jack Lemmon’s character struck the perfect balance between vulnerability and strength. The scene where she plays gin rummy with Lemmon while recovering from a heartbreak remains one of cinema’s most tender moments. Variety goes into the successful way this movie blends genres to create something truly unique.
MacLaine brought a refreshing authenticity to Fran that resonated with audiences who were used to more one-dimensional female characters in films of that era. Her chemistry with Lemmon created a partnership that felt genuine, making viewers root for their happiness despite the messy circumstances. The way she conveyed complex emotions with just a glance or smile demonstrated her remarkable talent and helped establish her as one of Hollywood’s most compelling actresses.
2. Terms of Endearment (1983)
MacLaine finally won her long-overdue Oscar for her portrayal of the domineering yet loving Aurora Greenway in this emotional James L. Brooks film. Her memorable hospital scene, demanding that nurses give her daughter pain medication (“Give my daughter the shot!”), stands as one of the most powerful moments in film history. Throughout the movie, MacLaine masterfully navigates Aurora’s journey from an overprotective mother to a woman finding new love with Jack Nicholson’s charming astronaut neighbor. When it turned 40 just a few short years ago, People composed a retrospective with the director, diving into the film at unprecedented levels.
The brilliance of MacLaine’s performance lies in how she makes Aurora simultaneously maddening and endearing, creating a character who feels utterly human in her flaws and strengths. Her comedic timing during lighter moments provides necessary relief from the film’s heavier emotional beats. The way Aurora evolves throughout the story, particularly in her relationship with her daughter (played by Debra Winger), showcases MacLaine’s remarkable range and her ability to create multi-dimensional characters that stay with audiences long after the credits roll.
3. Sweet Charity (1969)
Bob Fosse’s musical gave MacLaine the chance to showcase her impressive dancing skills as Charity Hope Valentine, a dance hall hostess with a heart of gold and dreams of finding true love. Her energetic performance of “If My Friends Could See Me Now” demonstrates both her technical dancing ability and her infectious charisma. MacLaine brought vulnerability and optimism to Charity, making audiences root for her happiness despite the character’s string of romantic disappointments. High Def Digest suggests that this film really puts into perspective all the different milestones in the world of film that Shirley has not only seen but participated in.
Taking over a role originated by Gwen Verdon on Broadway was no small task, but MacLaine made it entirely her own with her unique combination of dancing prowess and acting depth. The way she physically expressed Charity’s emotional journey added layers to the character that weren’t necessarily on the page. MacLaine’s performance reminds us that before she became known primarily as a dramatic actress, she was one of Hollywood’s most accomplished triple threats.
4. Steel Magnolias (1989)
As the wealthy and witty Ouiser Boudreaux, MacLaine delivered some of the film’s most memorable one-liners with impeccable timing and Southern sass. Her portrayal of this grumpy but good-hearted Louisiana woman provided both comic relief and emotional depth to the beloved ensemble film. The way MacLaine played off her fellow actresses—particularly Olympia Dukakis—created moments of friendship that felt authentic and lived-in.
What makes MacLaine’s performance especially remarkable is how she reveals the tender heart beneath Ouiser’s prickly exterior without compromising the character’s distinctive personality. Her transformation from declaring “I’m not crazy, I’ve just been in a bad mood for forty years” to showing up in support during times of crisis showcases MacLaine’s gift for subtle character development. In a film filled with standout performances, MacLaine’s Ouiser remains unforgettable for her blend of humor, heart, and humanity.
5. Being There (1979)
MacLaine’s portrayal of Eve Rand, the wealthy socialite who becomes infatuated with Peter Sellers’ simple-minded gardener Chance, showcased her ability to bring nuance to what could have been a one-note character. Her Eve is simultaneously sophisticated and vulnerable, bringing emotional complexity to Hal Ashby’s satirical masterpiece. The way MacLaine plays Eve’s growing fascination with Chance—mistaking his gardening metaphors for profound wisdom—balances comedy with a touching sense of loneliness.
What’s remarkable about MacLaine’s performance is how she makes Eve’s attraction to Chance believable while also subtly conveying her character’s unfulfilled needs and desires. Her scenes with Melvyn Douglas (who plays her husband) reveal layers of a complicated marriage with minimal dialogue. MacLaine’s performance is crucial to the film’s success, as her character represents how easily people project meaning onto emptiness when they desperately want to believe in something.
6. Irma La Douce (1963)
Reuniting with director Billy Wilder and co-star Jack Lemmon after “The Apartment,” MacLaine dazzled as the titular Parisian woman of the night with a heart of gold. Her performance earned her another Oscar nomination and proved her ability to bring dignity and dimension to a character that could have easily fallen into stereotype. MacLaine’s Irma is spirited, independent, and utterly charming, making audiences fall in love with her just as Lemmon’s character does.
The physical demands of the role showcased MacLaine’s incredible stamina and dedication, as she performed numerous challenging dance sequences while carrying the emotional weight of the story. Her mastery of comedic timing, particularly in the scenes where she doesn’t recognize Lemmon in disguise, demonstrated her gift for both broad comedy and subtle emotional shifts. MacLaine’s portrayal of Irma remains a perfect example of how she could take potentially controversial material and transform it into something delightful and even touching.
7. The Turning Point (1977)
As retired ballerina DeeDee Rodgers who gave up her career for family, MacLaine delivered a performance full of regret, resentment, and eventual acceptance opposite Anne Bancroft. Their famous fight scene—complete with slapping and hair-pulling—became iconic, but it’s the quieter moments of DeeDee’s story that showcase MacLaine’s remarkable ability to convey complex emotions. The scenes with her daughter, an aspiring ballerina, reveal layers of pride, jealousy, and maternal love that feel authentic and earned.
MacLaine’s background as a dancer made her perfectly suited for this role, bringing physical authenticity to DeeDee’s movements even years after her character left the stage. Her performance earned yet another Oscar nomination and solidified her reputation as an actress who could bring depth to stories about women’s lives and choices. The way MacLaine portrayed DeeDee’s journey from bitterness to acceptance without sentimentality demonstrates her commitment to emotional honesty in every role.
8. Postcards from the Edge (1990)
As Doris Mann, a thinly veiled version of Debbie Reynolds in Carrie Fisher’s semi-autobiographical tale, MacLaine created a memorable portrait of a self-absorbed Hollywood star and complicated mother. Her rendition of “I’m Still Here” stands as one of the most electrifying musical moments in a non-musical film, showcasing her enduring star power. MacLaine’s ability to make Doris simultaneously infuriating and sympathetic speaks to her refusal to simplify complex characters.
The mother-daughter dynamics between MacLaine and Meryl Streep crackle with tension and love, creating a relationship that feels painfully real in its complications. MacLaine doesn’t shy away from showing Doris’s flaws—her need to be the center of attention, her competitive streak with her own daughter—while still revealing the insecurity and love beneath the diva exterior. Her performance stands as a brilliant exploration of fame, aging in Hollywood, and the messy bonds between mothers and daughters.
9. Gambit (1966)
In this stylish heist comedy, MacLaine charmed audiences as Nicole Chang, a Hong Kong dancer recruited by Michael Caine’s Harry Dean for an elaborate art theft scheme. Her performance displayed both comedic chops and an ability to shift between multiple personas as her character pretends to be various women as part of the con. The chemistry between MacLaine and Caine drives this entertaining caper, with MacLaine bringing both exotic allure and down-to-earth humor to her role.
What makes MacLaine’s performance particularly impressive is how she conveys Nicole’s gradual transformation from unwitting pawn to active participant in the scheme. Her facial expressions alone tell volumes, especially in scenes where she’s reacting to the absurdity of the situations she finds herself in. MacLaine’s performance elevates what could have been a standard heist film into something more memorable and engaging.
10. The Children’s Hour (1961)
In this controversial (for its time) drama directed by William Wyler, MacLaine delivered a haunting performance as Martha Dobie, a teacher whose life is destroyed by rumors about her relationship with her colleague Karen (Audrey Hepburn). Her devastating final scene, where Martha confesses her feelings for Karen, was groundbreaking for early 1960s cinema and demonstrated MacLaine’s courage in taking on challenging roles. The restraint and dignity MacLaine brings to Martha makes the character’s tragedy all the more powerful.
Working within the constraints of Production Code-era Hollywood, MacLaine conveyed Martha’s inner turmoil through subtle gestures and expressions that spoke volumes beyond what could be explicitly stated in the script. Her portrayal avoided sensationalism while still conveying the emotional truth of her character’s experience. This performance stands as evidence of MacLaine’s willingness to tackle difficult subject matter and her ability to bring humanity to characters society had marginalized.
11. Some Came Running (1958)
As Ginnie Moorehead, a goodhearted but unsophisticated woman hopelessly devoted to Frank Sinatra’s disillusioned writer, MacLaine earned her first Oscar nomination and proved herself capable of profound dramatic work. Her character’s unwavering loyalty despite being treated as an embarrassment creates a poignant counterpoint to the pretensions of the small-town setting. The film’s heartbreaking finale, where Ginnie’s devotion leads to tragedy, showcases MacLaine’s ability to make even a supporting character unforgettable.
What’s remarkable about MacLaine’s performance is how she transforms what could have been a simple comic relief character into the moral heart of the film. Her Ginnie may be unsophisticated, but MacLaine imbues her with dignity and authenticity that stands in stark contrast to the hypocrisy of the “respectable” characters. This early dramatic role demonstrated MacLaine’s remarkable range and her gift for finding the humanity in every character she portrayed.
12. Guarding Tess (1994)
As former First Lady Tess Carlisle, MacLaine created a memorably difficult but ultimately vulnerable character opposite Nicolas Cage’s frustrated Secret Service agent. Her imperious demands and sharp tongue provide plenty of comedy, but MacLaine gradually reveals the loneliness and fear beneath Tess’s difficult exterior. The evolution of the relationship between these two seemingly mismatched characters provides the emotional core of the film, with MacLaine expertly balancing Tess’s prickliness with moments of genuine vulnerability.
MacLaine’s performance demonstrates her gift for finding humor in difficult characters without reducing them to caricatures. The scenes where Tess’s tough facade cracks, revealing her awareness of her own mortality, are handled with remarkable subtlety and emotional truth. MacLaine shows how aging doesn’t diminish a person’s desire for dignity and respect, creating a character who remains formidable even as she becomes more sympathetic.
13. Downton Abbey (2019)
As Martha Levinson, the outspoken American mother of Elizabeth McGovern’s Cora, MacLaine brought her trademark wit and energy to the beloved British period drama’s big-screen adaptation. Her verbal sparring with Maggie Smith’s Dowager Countess delighted fans who had enjoyed their chemistry in the television series. Despite limited screen time, MacLaine made every moment count, embodying American directness and new-money confidence in perfect contrast to British reserve.
MacLaine’s performance reminded viewers that even in her 80s, she could command the screen with the same magnetism she’d displayed throughout her career. Her scenes with Smith created a masterclass in acting, with two legends playing off each other with impeccable timing and mutual respect. MacLaine’s Martha represents a different kind of strength than Smith’s Dowager—more brash and less bound by tradition—but equally formidable and entertaining to watch.
14. Bernie (2012)
In Richard Linklater’s dark comedy based on true events, MacLaine demonstrated her continuing vitality as an actress playing Marjorie Nugent, the meanest woman in East Texas who forms an unlikely friendship with Jack Black’s Bernie before meeting an untimely end. Her portrayal of this deeply unpleasant woman avoided easy villainy, instead suggesting the loneliness and bitterness that shaped Marjorie’s difficult personality. MacLaine conveys volumes with just a disapproving glance or tight-lipped smile, showing how Marjorie’s wealth had isolated her from genuine human connection.
What makes the performance particularly impressive is how MacLaine creates moments of vulnerability without ever making Marjorie conventionally sympathetic or softening her essential nature. The subtle shift in her behavior when she begins to depend on Bernie suggests depths to a character who initially seems merely tyrannical. MacLaine’s willingness to play such an unlikeable character—and to find the humanity in her without excusing her behavior—speaks to her continuing artistic courage even late in her career.
From her breakout roles in the 1950s to her work well into the 21st century, Shirley MacLaine has consistently delivered performances that resonate with authenticity, humor, and emotional truth. Her willingness to take on complex, flawed characters—especially women who don’t conform to societal expectations—has made her filmography a testament to the richness of female experience. As we look back at these fourteen brilliant performances, we’re reminded not just of MacLaine’s extraordinary talent but of how her presence on screen has enriched our lives and our understanding of what it means to be human, in all its messy, glorious complexity.
