The Moment That Changed Everything
It was a fateful day in Paris when Gene Kelly laid eyes on a 17-year-old Leslie Caron performing on stage. “He saw me dancing during the premiere of a ballet inspired by Oedipus and the Sphinx,” Leslie recalls, her voice brimming with nostalgia. “I was the Sphinx, and little did I know that this role would set me on a path I could never have imagined.” Just 18 months later, the young ballerina found herself in Hollywood, starring in the iconic musical An American in Paris. “I had never spoken a word on stage in my life,” she admits with a laugh. “Acting out loud was terrifying, but I learned to embrace it, even if it felt like a nightmare at first.”
A Quiet Life in London
Now 90, Leslie enjoys a peaceful life in London, surrounded by the people and things she loves most. Her days revolve around her grandchildren, cherished friends, and the stunning garden that graces her home. She also shares her life with Jack, a loyal rescue dog who keeps her active. “I make sure I stay fit, not just for myself, but for Jack too,” she says with a smile. “He’s my constant companion and keeps me grounded in ways I never thought possible.”
The Torrid Romance That Defined a Decade
Leslie’s walls are adorned with photographs of cherished memories, including those of her passionate romance with Warren Beatty in the 1960s. She fondly remembers a time when Warren would wake her up in the middle of the night, worried that she wasn’t thinking about him as she slept. “It was funny at first,” she admits. “When you’re young, it feels romantic to know someone is obsessing over you. You feel flattered, like you’ve captured their heart entirely.” But as time went on, Leslie realized the relationship was more about Warren’s controlling nature. “He thought of himself as my tutor, dictating everything from my wardrobe to my behavior,” she reveals. “It was clear that his narcissism overshadowed any genuine connection we had.”
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Shadows of Shirley MacLaine
Leslie often found herself compared to Warren’s sister, Shirley MacLaine, which added another layer of complexity to their relationship. “Warren always gravitated toward women who reminded him of his sister,” Leslie explains. “We had a lot in common—both dancers, both independent, both with strong personalities. Shirley was the center of Warren’s world for a long time, and I think that played a role in how he saw me.” Despite this, Leslie knew she wanted more than to be a reflection of someone else’s past.
A Career to Remember
Leslie’s acting career took off after her debut in An American in Paris in 1951. She became a leading lady in Hollywood, earning two Oscar nominations for her roles in Gigi (1958) and The L-Shaped Room (1962). She’s also one of the few women to have danced on screen with both Gene Kelly and Fred Astaire, though she’s kept her preference between the two a mystery. “For 70 years, I’ve refused to pick a favorite,” she says with a twinkle in her eye. “A great dancer is a great dancer, and I’ve been lucky enough to work with two legends.”
Her favorite collaborator, however, was Cary Grant, whom she worked with in Father Goose (1964). “Cary was a remarkable performer,” she reminisces. “He had this natural charm, this seductive intelligence that drew you in. But underneath it all, he was a man who worried about money and carried the weight of his childhood poverty. He was complex, just like the characters he played.”
A Life Well-Lived
After a lifetime of performing, Leslie decided to step away from the spotlight last year. “During the first lockdown, I realized it was time to retire,” she shares. “I don’t have to wake up to a schedule anymore. I can watch a movie until the very end, and I can sleep in if I want to. That kind of freedom is priceless.” With a career spanning decades and a life filled with love, art, and adventure, Leslie Caron has truly earned her well-deserved peace.
