Shirley MacLaine
- Known For
- Acting
- Born
- April 24, 1934 in Richmond, Virginia, USA
- Active Years
- 1944–2026 (83 Years)
- Total Credits
- 189 credits in database
Acting Born Apr 24, 1934 Richmond, Virginia, USA 189 credits
Biography
Shirley MacLaine, born Shirley MacLean Beaty on April 24, 1934, in Richmond, Virginia, is an American actress, singer, author, activist, and former dancer. She began her acting career as a teenager, appearing in minor roles on Broadway in the musical Oklahoma! and in The Pajama Game, and later worked as an understudy in additional productions. MacLaine made her film debut in Alfred Hitchcock’s black‑comedy The Trouble. Over a career that has spanned seven decades, she has become known for portraying quirky, headstrong and eccentric women. Her work has earned an Academy Award, a Primetime Emmy Award, two British Academy Film Awards and six Golden Globe Awards, and she is credited with approximately 170 screen roles.
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Career overview
Shirley MacLaine was born Shirley MacLean Beaty on April 24, 1934 in Richmond, Virginia. She began performing as a teenager, appearing in minor roles in the Broadway productions of Oklahoma! and The Pajama Game. After those early stage appearances she continued to work as an understudy in a variety of other theatrical productions, gaining experience that would launch her transition to the screen.
MacLaine’s film debut came with Alfred Hitchcock’s black‑comedy The Trouble, introducing her to a wider audience and marking the start of a career that would extend across seven decades. She became known for portraying quirky, headstrong and eccentric women, a reputation that contributed to a body of work encompassing hundreds of credits. Over the course of her acting career she has been honoured with an Academy Award, a Primetime Emmy Award, two British Academy Film Awards and six Golden Globe Awards, reflecting both critical recognition and lasting influence in the industry.
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Frequent co-stars
Career timeline
Shirley MacLaine, comme un torrent
Dame Maggie Smith - A Celebration
Commitment to LifeBella!MCAINE: An Anagram of Cinema
American DreamerRat Pack
Only Murders in the BuildingBroadway: Beyond the Golden Age
NoelleMike Wallace Is Here
The Little MermaidBreslin and Hamill: Deadline Artists
The Last WordThe Last Word · Executive ProducerBright Lights: Starring Carrie Fisher and Debbie Reynolds
A Heavenly ChristmasWild Oats
Men of GraniteChita Rivera: A Lot Of Livin' To DoDiscovering Audrey Hepburn
Elsa & FredRichard Attenborough: A Life in Film
The Secret Life of Walter MittyTalking Pictures
Wide-AwakeBerniePalme
Vito
Downton AbbeyValentine's Day
GleeVittorio D.
Coco ChanelInside 'The Apartment'Anne of Green Gables: A New BeginningHollywood Singing and Dancing: A Musical HistoryHollywood Singing and Dancing: A Musical History - The 1920s: The Dawn of the Hollywood Musical
Closing the Ring
Rumor Has It...In Her ShoesBewitchedCasting a Spell: Making 'Bewitched'
Best Sellers or: Peter Sellers and 'Dr. Strangelove'
Salem Witch TrialsCarolinaBroadway: The Golden Age, by the Legends Who Were ThereJack Paar: Smart TelevisionPrivate Screenings: Shirley MacLaine
V Graham NortonHell on Heels: The Battle of Mary Kay
These Old BroadsAFI Life Achievement Award: A Tribute to Barbra StreisandRescued from the ClosetBarbra Streisand: Timeless - Live in Concert
BrunoBruno · DirectorThe Unknown Peter Sellers
BeckmannThe Early ShowGet Bruce!Joan of ArcForever Hollywood
Louise Brooks: Looking for LuluBilly Wilder: The Human Comedy
The ViewA Smile Like YoursHappy Birthday Elizabeth: A Celebration of Life
Mrs. WinterbourneThe Celluloid ClosetThe Evening StarShirley Maclaine: Kicking Up Her Heels
The West Side WaltzThe First 100 Years: A Celebration of American Movies
Guarding TessInside the Actors Studio
Full Filmography
189 titles- Shirley MacLaine, comme un torrent (2026) as Self (archive footage)
- Dame Maggie Smith - A Celebration (2024) as Martha Levinson (archive footage)
- Commitment to Life (2023) as Self (archive footage)
- Bella! (2023) as Self
- MCAINE: An Anagram of Cinema (2023) as Self - Actress (archive footage)
- American Dreamer (2022) as Astrid Fanelli
- Rat Pack (2022) as Self (archive footage)
- Only Murders in the Building (2021) as Rose Cooper
- Broadway: Beyond the Golden Age (2021) as Self
- Noelle (2019) as Elf Polly
- Mike Wallace Is Here (2019) as Self (archive footage)
- The Little Mermaid (2018) as Eloise
- Breslin and Hamill: Deadline Artists (2018) as Self
- The Last Word (2017) as Harriet Lauler
- The Last Word (2017) Executive Producer
- Bright Lights: Starring Carrie Fisher and Debbie Reynolds (2017) as Self (archive footage, uncredited)
- A Heavenly Christmas (2016) as Pearl
- Wild Oats (2016) as Eva
- Men of Granite (2015) as Sophia Prather
- Chita Rivera: A Lot Of Livin' To Do (2015) as Self (archive footage)
- Discovering Audrey Hepburn (2015) as Self (archive footage)
- Elsa & Fred (2014) as Elsa
- Richard Attenborough: A Life in Film (2014) as Self
- The Secret Life of Walter Mitty (2013) as Edna Mitty
- Talking Pictures (2013) as Self (archive footage)
- Wide-Awake (2012) as The Pianist
- Bernie (2012) as Marjorie Nugent
- Palme (2012) as Self
- Vito (2011) as Self (archive)
- Downton Abbey (2010) as Martha Levinson
- Valentine's Day (2010) as Estelle
- Glee (2009) as June Dolloway
- Vittorio D. (2009) as Self
- Coco Chanel (2008) as Coco Chanel
- Inside 'The Apartment' (2008) as Self
- Anne of Green Gables: A New Beginning (2008) as Amelia Thomas
- Hollywood Singing and Dancing: A Musical History (2008) as Self
- Hollywood Singing and Dancing: A Musical History - The 1920s: The Dawn of the Hollywood Musical (2008) as Self
- Closing the Ring (2007) as Ethel Ann
- Rumor Has It... (2005) as Katharine Richelieu
- In Her Shoes (2005) as Ella Hirsh
- Bewitched (2005) as Iris Smythson / Endora
- Casting a Spell: Making 'Bewitched' (2005) as Self
- Best Sellers or: Peter Sellers and 'Dr. Strangelove' (2004) as Self
- Salem Witch Trials (2003) as Rebecca Nurse
- Carolina (2003) as Grandmother Mirabeau
- Broadway: The Golden Age, by the Legends Who Were There (2003) as Self
- Jack Paar: Smart Television (2003) as Self
- Private Screenings: Shirley MacLaine (2003) as Self
- V Graham Norton (2002) as Self
- Hell on Heels: The Battle of Mary Kay (2002) as Mary Kay Ash
- These Old Broads (2001) as Kate Westbourne
- AFI Life Achievement Award: A Tribute to Barbra Streisand (2001) as self
- Rescued from the Closet (2001) as Self
- Barbra Streisand: Timeless - Live in Concert (2001) as Herself
- Bruno (2000) as Helen
- Bruno (2000) Director
- The Unknown Peter Sellers (2000) as Self
- Beckmann (1999) as Self
- The Early Show (1999) as Self
- Get Bruce! (1999) as Self
- Joan of Arc (1999) as Madame de Beaurevoir
- Forever Hollywood (1999) as Self
- Louise Brooks: Looking for Lulu (1998) as Narrator (voice)
- Billy Wilder: The Human Comedy (1998) as Self
- The View (1997) as Self
- A Smile Like Yours (1997) as Martha (uncredited)
- Happy Birthday Elizabeth: A Celebration of Life (1997) as Self
- Mrs. Winterbourne (1996) as Grace Winterbourne
- The Celluloid Closet (1996) as Self
- The Evening Star (1996) as Aurora Greenway
- Shirley Maclaine: Kicking Up Her Heels (1996) as Self
- The West Side Waltz (1995) as Margaret Mary Elderdice
- The First 100 Years: A Celebration of American Movies (1995) as Self
- Guarding Tess (1994) as Tess Carlisle
- Inside the Actors Studio (1994) as Self
- Intimate Portrait (1993) as Self (archive footage)
- Intimate Portrait (1993) as Self - Narrator (voice)
- Wrestling Ernest Hemingway (1993) as Helen Cooney
- Used People (1992) as Pearl Berman
- Pebble Mill (1991) as Self
- Defending Your Life (1991) as Shirley MacLaine
- Waiting for the Light (1990) as Aunt Zena
- Postcards from the Edge (1990) as Doris Mann
- You're the Top: The Cole Porter Story (1990) as Self (archive footage)
- Sammy Davis, Jr. 60th Anniversary Celebration (1990) as Self
- Steel Magnolias (1989) as Ouiser Boudreaux
- Shirley MacLaine's Inner Workout (1989) as self
- LIVE with Kelly and Mark (1988)
- Madame Sousatzka (1988) as Madame Yuvline Sousatzka
- Irving Berlin's 100th Birthday Celebration (1988) as Self
- Out on a Limb (1987) as Shirley MacLaine
- Out on a Limb (1987) Book
- Out on a Limb (1987) Teleplay
- That's Dancing! (1985)
- That's Dancing! (1985) as Self (archive footage)
- The Shirley MacLaine Show (1985) as Herself
- The Shirley MacLaine Show (1985) Writer
- Goldene Kamera (1984) as Self
- Cannonball Run II (1984) as Veronica
- Terms of Endearment (1983) as Aurora Greenway
- Harty (1983) as Self
- Champs-Elysées (1982) as Self
- I Love Liberty (1982) as Self
- Baryshnikov in Hollywood (1982) as Self - Cameo Performance
- Shirley MacLaine... Illusions (1982) as Self
- Entertainment Tonight (1981) as Self
- Be Pretty and Shut Up! (1981) as Self (archive footage)
- Loving Couples (1980) as Evelyn
- A Change of Seasons (1980) as Karyn Evans
- The Sensational Shocking Wonderful Wacky 70's (1980) as Self (archive footage)
- Shirley MacLaine: '...Every Little Movement' (1980) as Self
- CBS News Sunday Morning (1979) as Self
- Being There (1979) as Eve Rand
- Please Turn the Page (1977) as Self
- The Royal Variety Performance 1977 (1977)
- The Turning Point (1977) as Deedee
- Laugh-In (1977) as Guest Performer
- The Shirley MacLaine Special: Where Do We Go from Here? (1977) as Self
- The Shirley MacLaine Special: Where Do We Go from Here? (1977) Executive Producer
- Shirley MacLaine: Gypsy in My Soul (1976) as Self
- Circasia (1976) as Clown
- Les Rendez-vous du dimanche (1975) as Self - Guest
- Système 2 (1975) as Self
- The Other Half of the Sky: A China Memoir (1975) as Self
- The Other Half of the Sky: A China Memoir (1975) Director
- The Other Half of the Sky: A China Memoir (1975) Writer
- The Other Half of the Sky: A China Memoir (1975) Producer
- Der große Preis (1974) as Self
- Shirley MacLaine: If They Could See Me Now (1974) as Self
- Shirley MacLaine: If They Could See Me Now (1974) Producer
- Year of the Woman (1973) as Self
- Shirley's World (1972) as Shirley Logan
- The Possession of Joel Delaney (1972) as Norah Benson
- V.I.P. Schaukel (1971) as Self
- Desperate Characters (1971) as Sophie Bentwood
- Two Mules for Sister Sara (1970) as Sara
- Sweet Charity (1969) as Charity
- From Stage to Screen---A Director's Dilemma (1969)
- The Dick Cavett Show (1968) as Self - Guest
- The Bliss of Mrs. Blossom (1968) as Harriet Blossom
- The Bliss of Mrs. Blossom (1968) Songs
- Omnibus (1967)
- The Carol Burnett Show (1967) as Self
- Woman Times Seven (1967) as Paulette / Maria Teresa / Linda / Edith / Eve Minou / Marie / Jeanne
- Gambit (1966) as Nicole
- John Goldfarb, Please Come Home! (1965) as Jenny
- John Goldfarb, Please Come Home! (1965) Songs
- The Car That Became a Star (1965) as Self
- What a Way to Go! (1964) as Louisa May Foster
- The Yellow Rolls-Royce (1964) as Mae Jenkins
- Irma la Douce (1963) as Irma La Douce
- The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson (1962) as Self
- My Geisha (1962) as Lucy Dell / Yoko Mori
- My Geisha (1962) Songs
- Two for the Seesaw (1962) as Gittel 'Mosca' Moscawitz
- The Mike Douglas Show (1961) as Self
- The Children's Hour (1961) as Martha Dobie
- All in a Night's Work (1961) as Katie Robbins
- Two Loves (1961) as Anna Vorontosov
- The Apartment (1960) as Fran Kubelik
- Ocean's Eleven (1960) as Tipsy Girl (uncredited)
- Can-Can (1960) as Simone Pistache
- Ask Any Girl (1959) as Meg Wheeler
- Career (1959) as Sharon Kensington
- The Sheepman (1958) as Dell Payton
- Some Came Running (1958) as Ginnie Moorehead
- The All-Star Christmas Show (1958) as Self
- The Matchmaker (1958) as Irene Molloy
- Hot Spell (1958) as Virginia Duval
- Tony Awards (1956) as Self - Host
- Tony Awards (1956) as Self - Presenter
- The Steve Allen Show (1956) as Self - Guest
- The Dinah Shore Chevy Show (1956) as Self
- Around the World in 80 Days (1956) as Princess Aouda
- The Trouble with Harry (1955) as Jennifer Rogers
- Artists and Models (1955) as Bessie Sparrowbush
- Reflets de Cannes (1954) as Self
- The Oscars (1953) as Self
- The Bob Hope Show (1950) as Self
- The Emmy Awards (1949) as Self
- Golden Globe Awards (1944) as Self
- Golden Globe Awards (1944) as Self - Presenter
- Golden Globe Awards (1944) as Self - Cecil B. DeMille Award Recipient
- Golden Globe Awards (1944) as Self - Nominee / Presenter
- Golden Globe Awards (1944) as Self - Winner
- Lucy Boomer as Lucy Boomer
- People Not Places as Clare
- Margret and Stevie as Margret Rey
Frequently Asked Questions
What movies or TV shows is Shirley MacLaine best known for?
Shirley MacLaine is widely recognized for notable roles and projects including American Dreamer (2022), Only Murders in the Building (2021), Noelle (2019), Mike Wallace Is Here (2019).
When and where was Shirley MacLaine born?
Shirley MacLaine was born on April 24, 1934 in Richmond, Virginia, USA.
How many credits does Shirley MacLaine have?
Shirley MacLaine has accumulated over 189 film and television credits across a career spanning from 1944 to 2026.
What is Shirley MacLaine's background in cinema and television?
Shirley MacLaine, born Shirley MacLean Beaty on April 24, 1934, in Richmond, Virginia, is an American actress, singer, author, activist, and former dancer. She began her acting career as a teenager, appearing in minor roles on Broadway in the musical Oklahoma! and in The Pajama Game, and later worked as an understudy i...
Shirley MacLaine by the numbers
189credits
141films
48TV series
1944–2026active years
Age in their best-rated roles
- Only Murders in the Building (2021) as Rose Cooper — aged about 87
- Forever Hollywood (1999) as Self — aged about 65
- The Apartment (1960) as Fran Kubelik — aged about 26
- Downton Abbey (2010) as Martha Levinson — aged about 76
- V.I.P. Schaukel (1971) as Self — aged about 37
- The Carol Burnett Show (1967) as Self — aged about 33
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