Tribute to Shirley MacLaine: Kristin Davis
Shirley MacLaine will receive the 2017 KCET Cinema Series Lumière Award, honoring MacLaine’s illustrious career. KCET will also broadcast "Hollywood Idols Shirley MacLaine: Kicking Up Her Heels" that features acclaimed directors and actors discussing their experiences working with MacLaine on Saturday, March 4 at 7 p.m.
It isn't very often that you get to work with someone that you have admired for literally your entire life. So when I recently got the chance to work with Shirley MacLaine I was thrilled, and also very nervous! I have to say that Shirley far exceeded my expectations (and my expectations were pretty high!)
I have admired Shirley's work because she brings such a very indelible and singular presence to every role she plays. I have admired her personally for her constant personal quest to be a better person, and her bravery for sharing that process with all of us through her many books. My experience with Shirley was fascinating on a daily basis. She went out of her way to put me at ease and made it clear that she wanted to be a part of a team.
I found the intensity of her engagement in even little details of our production to be quite inspiring, especially considering all of the truly iconic projects she has worked on. She personifies a true artist in terms of her daily efforts to find the deeper meaning in what we were doing at work everyday, and also in her genuine curiosity and warmth to the people around her on set. She would often whisper ideas in my ear and I would strive to achieve them during the next take.
She elevated every day I spent with her and made me laugh with her unexpected observations of the world. Working with Shirley was truly an honor and a pleasure that I will always treasure.
I am so thrilled that she is receiving this honor for her lifetime of brilliance!