Ali MacGraw became a Hollywood star almost instantly. But just as fast as she gained fame, she vanished from the entertainment world completely.
Now, at 84 years old, the actress lives in a small and quiet town, gracefully embracing her grey hair.
Ali MacGraw – whose full name is Elizabeth Alice MacGraw – was born on April 1, 1939, in Pound Ridge, New York. Her mother Frances was an artist who worked at a school in Paris before moving to Greenwich Village. She married Richard MacGraw, also an artist. Ali came into the world that same year.
Richard had some childhood troubles that made him different from others.
He grew up in an orphanage and ran away at 16 to go to sea. Later on he studied art in Munich, Germany.
“Daddy was scared and really angry. He never forgave his real parents for abandoning him,” Ali shared about her father’s life filled with “suppressing all his hurt.”
As for Ali’s childhood
Their family struggled financially too. Frances and Richard lived with their kids—Ali and her brother Richard Jr.—in a house on a wilderness preserve where they shared space with an elderly couple.
“There were no doors; we used the kitchen and bathroom together,” Ali said. “It felt like no privacy at all! It was awful.”
Mom Frances took on various commercial-art jobs to support them while Richard found it tough to sell his paintings which led him to frustration that affected everyone at home including Ali’s brother who suffered from their father’s anger.
“On good days he was nice but on bad days he was terrible,” she remembered sadly. “Daddy would hit my brother hard; I saw it happen—it was horrible.”
Growing up around artists inspired Ali to pursue creativity herself as she got older. She earned a scholarship to Rosemary Hall prep school then moved onto Wellesley College in Massachusetts by 1956.
At just 22 years old, Ali moved to New York City landing her first job as an assistant editor for Harper’s Bazaar working closely with photographers!
Fashion career beginnings
Fashion editor Diana Vreeland hired her as what she called a “flunkie.” If you’ve seen The Devil Wears Prada? It felt similar!
“It would be ‘Girl! Get me this!’” MacGraw recalled humorously.
She worked hard for several months until fashion photographer Melvin Sokolsky noticed how beautiful she looked; soon after that she became stylist earning more money! She stayed there six years total!
“I don’t know where this work ethic came from but she’d show up by eight am & often I’d return around one am only find her still working!” Ruth Ansel—a former art director—remembered fondly of Ali’s dedication!
Ali excelled as stylist but soon got asked if she’d model instead! Before long magazines featured her everywhere even commercials too leading straight into acting!
Years earlier Salvador Dali sketched her nude but when he started sucking on toes? That made MacGraw choose acting over modeling instead!
She jumped right into films without any formal training which gave something special about how natural beauty shined through onscreen capturing audiences hearts immediately!!
After appearing briefly A Lovely Way To Die (1968), next came Goodbye Columbus (1969) where things really took off earning herself Golden Globe nomination Most Promising Newcomer Female!!
Then came Love Story—a role defining career moment
Her agent sent over script which brought tears twice because of its beauty so determinedly wanted part met producer Robert Evans—head Paramount Pictures—in Beverly Hills Hotel Polo Lounge!! Not only did Evans think perfect fit movie Love Story—but fell head over heels too!!
MacGraw played Jenny alongside Ryan O’Neal becoming huge success when released theaters across America hitting No1 spot grossing sixth highest ever US/Canada history!!
Award-winning actress
For performance received Academy Award nomination plus film itself won five nominations overall while snagging second Golden Globe Best Actress Motion Picture Drama award!!!
Robert Evans not only adored onscreen chemistry—they fell deeply love marrying ’69 welcoming son Josh two years later!!
Though hot new star during ’70s private life marriage began unraveling quickly after Steve McQueen visited asking if she’d join him The Getaway—they clicked instantly!!!
“I looked into those blue eyes & knees went weak!” recalled excitedly feeling obsessed afterwards…
Affair blossomed leading leaving Evans moving Malibu living together along son Josh…
“Steve seemed original principled guy outside system—I loved that!”
But eventually realized McQueen had issues himself stemming abandonment issues growing up causing trust problems especially regarding work-life balance expectations placed upon relationship ultimately unsustainable long term…
Not only did he’d explode jealousy whenever glanced another man—but insisted signing prenup promising wouldn’t ask anything divorce happened later finalized ’78…
“I couldn’t even attend art class because expected have dinner ready every night waiting home.”
“Steve liked blondes—not me.”
This marked dark period life arriving set filming Convoy (1978) both drunk high prompting quitting drugs altogether…
Leaving showbiz behind
Meanwhile many films like Players (1970) Just Tell Me What You Want (1980) flopped badly…
“It’s brutal women” told Guardian returning late ‘70s industry…
“No woman over forty has been spotlight doesn’t tire media questions fashion industry cruelty.”
MacGraw briefly enjoyed stardom before shifting focus interior design yet didn’t fully abandon acting appearing miniseries Winds War (1983) China Rose(1985)—but soon faced tougher times ahead…
Struggling find roles felt useless without partner describing love akin drug high…
Feeling lonely desperate turned heavy drinking checked herself Betty Ford Clinic California seeking help…
“The worst stuff happened when drank losing judgment fancying other women husbands…”
Family tragedies struck again when house burned down wildfire forcing move Santa Fe New Mexico settling Tesuque village nearby…
Neighbors see former star appreciate community service volunteering International Folk Art Market annually Santa Fe…
In ’06 returned stage reuniting Love Story co-star Ryan O’Neal Broadway adaptation Festen…
Outside Broadway spotlight faded last decades focusing animal rights producing successful yoga videos instead…
Speaking Herald-Tribune ’19 still open adventures work saying:
“One lucky thing age curious open-minded not one thing love feel lost without doing something creative…”
Even though left acting family remains connected business son Josh actor director making name Hollywood looking much like mom!!!
Josh Evans
Being child famous celebrities Robert Evans & Ali certainly pressure involved…but Josh born January ’71 always wanted showbiz since start!!!
First job wasn’t film though—it just happened naturally along way starting small role Dream Little Dream(1989)! As teen nothing lose visited manager office checking breakdowns movies being made meeting recognized Oliver Stone directing Born Fourth July starring Tom Cruise wanting audition part little brother!!
“When sat down Oliver asked ‘Oh think look like Tom Cruise?’ now knowing realize mocking me replied confidently ‘Yeah do.’ So said ‘We’ll see what happens.’ Four months later call audition landed role exciting feeling special movie gonna be!”
Since then great career both acting directing starred biopic Doors(1991)—with eight films directed including Michael Madsen starring Death Desert(2015)! But prefers behind camera rather than front side showing self saying:
“If interesting opportunity arises not opposed it others qualified want more than do directing telling stories free whereas acting feels job enjoy once done…”
Josh truly handsome resembling mother greatly especially big wonderful eyes!!! In ’19 father passed away however family cherished memories honored star Hollywood Walk Fame(2012)!
Josh married twice first October ’12 singer Roxy Saint having son Jackson loves spending time family including Grandma who adores grandson calling favorite human planet loving relationship built friendship respect between them both!!!
Ali & Josh proud wonderful families wishing best future maybe someday see together stage or movie set again??
