American Acting Legend Ali MacGraw’s Natural, Beautiful Life — In Her Own Words

Ali MacGraw explains, in her own words, what continues to motivate her as part of The Unstoppables, a series from the New York Times about people whose ambition is undimmed by time. Below, the iconic American actor, author, model and activist explains what motivates her at age 85.

You know, I’m a strange old bird at this point. I live north of Santa Fe, kind of in nature, and I’m very involved with the community. I’m blessed to be in good health. and I know so many people who don’t have that choice. I have a life that makes me happy. Looking back, it seems so strange that — overnight, at 30 — I became a “movie star.”

I’m relieved I got out of that often exciting, often terrifying decade alive. I’d been working since I was 14, but I hadn’t gone to school for acting. I was chosen to be in Goodbye, Columbus and then everything exploded with the stupefying surprise of Love Story — this cost-nothing project nobody expected to be a success.

Suddenly I was carried into a place I had never imagined.

Before the movies, I’d been a photographer’s assistant. I’d had a job working as an assistant for Diana Vreeland, as the girl who did the trivial stuff.

I was around people like her, who have never been equaled in their vision and passion for history and astonishing imagery. I’d also had amazing parents who worked hard their whole lives but who gave us a home that was filled with amazing books and art stuff and left us with inspiring values.

So when this freaky moment of stardom suddenly came along, I did the best I could.

I failed and failed and got my share of deservedly horrific reviews in conspicuous vehicles. And, believe me, I didn’t feel like I was being misjudged. Unlike a lot of people, though, I did not swallow the Kool-Aid. I’m reasonably intelligent. I behaved well. But I would have preferred to have been good at what I was applauded for.

I’m grateful I had all that, but I live a very different life now. I don’t care at all about being seen in the latest piece of clothing or knowing the latest song.

I don’t feel diminished by not knowing those things. I did it all and was looked at, and that was for another time.

Current and upcoming projects: MacGraw is featured alongside Penélope Cruz and Margot Robbie in a Chanel J12 watch campaign, and is an ambassador for a variety of animal welfare and educational rights groups in New Mexico, where she lives.

This article originally appeared in The New York Times.

As told to Guy Trebay

Photographs by: Simbarashe Cha

©2024 THE NEW YORK TIMES

More icons

Style icon Miss Piggy on life in lockdown and starring in muppets now. A throwback to a conversation with the original diva.

Halston: The rise and fall of one of America’s greatest fashion designers. Dan Ahwa speaks with documentarian and filmmaker Frederic Tcheng about the rise and fall of an American fashion legend.

Comedian Eli Matthewson meets ‘Drag Race’ co-host Michelle Visage. The local comedian chats to one of television’s biggest names.

Judith Baragwanath remembers the glamorous legacy of Vinka Lucas. A local icon remembers another local icon. “So, farewell then, Vinka Lucas, last of the legends in the glamorous world of brides and After Five.”