MGM studio portrait
What can I say? Another of my heroes has died, this one lovelier than most, and she’ll be eulogized endlessly in the coming days. Every writeup will mention her childhood in films, her violet eyes, her staggering beauty, her many marriages, her love of jewels and perfume, her struggle with addiction, her longtime friendship with Michael Jackson, her tireless devotion to raising funds for AIDS research, and her unwavering support of gay rights. Let’s not forget, though, that she was also a spectacular actress (my all-time favorite Liz Taylor movie is the underrated Butterfield 8, with Giant running a close second—but I could watch her in anything) and the kind of person who never stopped living life to its fullest.
I love this quote that I saw in the New York Times—when asked recently if she’d be writing her memoirs, Liz replied, “Hell no, I’m still living my memoirs.” I remember seeing photos of her in swimming with sharks (!!) in Hawaii a few years ago, donning a wet t-shirt and a snorkel and an absolutely enormous smile and falling in love with her all over again.
As a Michael Jackson fan, I can’t memorialize Liz Taylor without taking a moment to thank her for always sticking by her best friend, and for being brave enough to speak out in support of him not only behind closed doors, but in public. I don’t think I believe in an afterlife, but if I did, I’d like to think that Mike and Liz are out there somewhere running around with Super Soakers, petting baby elephants, playing dress-up, and enjoying childhood fun together without the constant gaze of a camera.
Photos © MJJ Pictures
Rest in peace, Dame Elizabeth.
21 Comments
I totally believe they’re together shooting each other with super soakers. It makes me smille.
This news makes my heart sad. She was a tremendous actress, and so, so beautiful. My favorite image of her is the close-up of her kiss with Montgomery Clift in A Place in the Sun. Stunning and moving. And her performance in Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf leaves me reeling. What a legend. And what a life.
jbhat
Two more of my favorites!
LOVED Giant!
beautiful tribute to a beautiful lady.
In college a friend’s dad dated Elizabeth Taylor. After meeting her my friend said that not only was she surprisingly genuine and down to earth, but that every Tuesday was taco night at her place. Now whenever I think of super posh Dame Liz I happily conjure an image of her and her friends getting down with some tacos and margaritas.
That’s awesome, Sarah, on many levels. 🙂
Nice tribute, Anna. She was so unbelievably beautiful, and I love that someone so beautiful was even more beautiful inside. I loved her passion for life, her great talent, and her loyalty and compassion for others. A life well lived.
anna, this was the perfect tribute to her. sarah, taco night at liz taylors… talk about dreamy!
The photo you posted of Elizabeth Taylor is so pretty – I have never seen that photo before. I agree with the above comment – my favorite movies are Who’s Afraid Of Virginia Woolf and A Place In The Sun. She was stunning in Cat On A Hot Tin Roof. I admired her blunt honesty.
So well said Anna! I didn’t think I would be as affected by this as I am. I’m sad to say I haven’t seen Butterfield 8 but I will be pronto. I love her as Maggie the Cat in “Cat on a Hot Tin Roof” and in “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf” as well as “Cleopatra”.
Oh, you’ll love Butterfield 8. I’ve read that she hated making it, but it’s visually incredible and Liz is perfection.
Hi Anna, I just knew I could come here for some sweet solace. Thanks for writing such a nice tribute. Love the quote about her memoirs. What a goddess!
Poignantly said! What a great lady she was. Loved her opposite Spencer Tracy in Father of the Bride.
She really was a beautiful person inside and out. Some of todays stars should take a cue from her legacy.
She was one of those movie stars from my parents generation (WWII,50’s,60’s) and it makes me so sad when another passes. The end of a generation…
Le sigh. Le sads. 🙁
Very well said Anna, I love Elizabeth Taylor, definitely one of my favorites!
what a lovely tribute. thank you.
Giant and A Place in the Sun are two of my favorites! She is sooo absolutely stunning! I heard today that the private service started 15 minutes late, her wish was to be “fashionably late” to her own funeral…LOVE IT!
what a amazing tribute. I have never seen that video before thank you for your post, have a great weekend….
I like Michael jackson, thanks to share this video with us,,,..