My first paid film gig was as a PA on a Shirley MacLaine film. I will never forget her fans waiting for hours near the set, and her coming out to sign her books they’d bought, then chat for a moment.

That thing people say, “Never meet your heroes?” Not true with this legend.

Years later, I wrote to her to thank her for her kindness. She’d had the set photographer take individual photos of every single crew member, with Shirley in her full costume. I was running with sweat from standing in the heat on the highway and horrified when she draped her arm around my shoulder, but it’s a really great photo. Me, Shirley, my orange vest, and my very large STOP sign.

Years later, I wrote to Shirley to thank her for posing for that photo with me, and her assistant called me to verify my address. In the mail, a personalized, signed glossy.

Happy Birthday, Miss MacLaine. Thank you for showing us how a real pro acts, and creating a treasured moment with this late bloomer still in college.