Shirley MacLaine, 92, Makes Rare Video Appearance Joking About Sweet Charity
Shirley MacLaine, 92, appeared in a video message posted Aug. 17 by the Southampton Playhouse on Instagram. She wished fans well ahead of an Aug. 25 screening of her 1969 musical Sweet Charity and acknowledged the film flopped.
- Sweet Charity was a box office disappointment upon its 1969 release.
- 3 Academy Award nominations went to the film despite mixed critical reviews.
- MacLaine received a Golden Globe nomination for best actress in a musical or comedy for the role.
- MacLaine is set to star opposite Ansel Elgort in an upcoming road trip comedy, Lucy Boomer.
Why it matters: MacLaine won the best actress Oscar in 1984 for Terms of Endearment and has received six total Academy Award nominations. The Southampton screening marks a public moment for an actress who has been rarely seen since 2024.
- Sweet Charity was director Bob Fosse's feature debut; he later won the Oscar for 1972's Cabaret.
How 6 sources split on this story
Center coverage, 2 sources: The center treats the video as a news peg to survey MacLaine's full career, box office history, and upcoming projects.
Left coverage, 1 sources: The left leads with MacLaine's wit and her career arc, framing the flop acknowledgment as charming self-deprecation from a living icon.
Right coverage, 3 sources: The right emphasizes fan reaction and MacLaine's physical presence, framing the video as a warm moment from a beloved classic-era star.
New York Post7hShirley MacLaine, 92, sends her love to 'Sweet Charity' fans in rare video
Daily Mail6hShirley MacLaine, 92, looks sprightly in extremely rare appearance in poignant video honoring Sweet Charity... see her now
Fox News5hShirley MacLaine makes rare video appearance, pokes fun at 1960s movie flopWhat’s next: The Aug. 25 screening includes a Q&A with Shelby Coleman, widow of composer Cy Coleman.
- MacLaine and Elgort are attached to road trip comedy Lucy Boomer, announced in November 2025.
- When Lucy Boomer will begin production or release has not been reported.
- Whether MacLaine plans any additional public appearances or acting projects beyond Lucy Boomer is unknown.