Having Shelley Winters as a godmother was truly a dream come true for Laura Dern, who can’t stop raving about her. “It was the greatest thing that could ever happen,” Laura shares with excitement. Laura’s mom, Diane Ladd, was one of Shelley’s closest friends, which made the bond even stronger. “Shelley was an incredible influence on me,” Laura continues. “She told me you can lose weight on an eight-day ice-cream diet. I haven’t tried it yet, but I choose to believe her.”
Shelley Winters: The Woman of Enormous Appetites
Shelley Winters was a force of nature, a woman who lived life with gusto. She had insatiable appetites for food, men, and challenging roles in her career. Her two Oscar wins—for The Diary of Anne Frank and A Patch of Blue—were just the beginning of her illustrious journey. She was also nominated twice for A Place in the Sun and The Poseidon Adventure. But it wasn’t just the awards that defined her; it was her countless romances and uncensored stories on talk shows and in her memoirs. “She was unapologetically herself,” Laura explains. “She understood the complexities of being a celebrity and finding love. She was so raw, so genuine, and that’s why I loved her so much.”
Sally Kirkland: Another Actress Under Shelley’s Wing
Sally Kirkland also had the privilege of being mentored by Shelley. She recalls Shelley as someone who was “brutally honest” and “feisty as hell.” Sally shares these insights in the latest issue of Closer Weekly, now available on newsstands. “Shelley wasn’t afraid to speak her mind,” Sally emphasizes. “She lived her life with authenticity and passion, and that’s something I deeply admire.”
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The Early Days: Breaking into Hollywood
Born Shirley Schrift in St. Louis, Shelley grew up in Brooklyn with dreams of becoming an actress. Her journey wasn’t easy. She worked at Woolworth’s and even organized a successful strike for her female coworkers. Her big break came when she auditioned for the role of a dowdy factory worker in the 1951 film A Place in the Sun. Sally recounts the story: “She put on an old coat and hat, wore no makeup, and showed up to meet George Stevens. He didn’t even recognize her at first, but he cast her on the spot.”
Love and Marriage: A Turbulent Journey
Shelley’s personal life was as dramatic as her career. Her first marriage to serviceman Mack Paul Mayer ended after six years when he moved to Chicago, and Shelley chose to stay in Hollywood to pursue her dreams. “She never had a long-lasting relationship with any man,” Sally explains. “She dedicated her life to her career.” But Shelley didn’t shy away from love. She had numerous affairs with famous men, including Sean Connery, whom she called her favorite lover. Sally adds, “She and Marilyn Monroe would make lists of all the men they wanted to date. Shelley was fearless in her pursuit of love.”
Her marriage to actor Vittorio Gassman in 1952 was another turbulent chapter. Their relationship was filled with drama, like the time Shelley dumped a pot of pasta on his head because he complained about her cooking. They had a daughter, Vittoria, in 1953, but the marriage didn’t last long. Tory, as she’s known, grew up to become a doctor, and Shelley was always proud of her accomplishments.
A Career of Versatility
Shelley continued to take on diverse and challenging roles throughout her career. Her performances in The Diary of Anne Frank and A Patch of Blue showcased her incredible range as an actress. “I’ve always found something to like in the characters I’ve played, but I really hated this woman,” Shelley once said about her character in A Patch of Blue. Her honesty and vulnerability
