The actress is most known for her scene-stealing efforts in Steel Magnolias, the Apartment and Terms of Endearment.
Unsurprisingly, the 90-year-old was tapped by movie bosses to play one of the most iconic characters in cinema history, taking on Holly Golightly in the 1961 classic Breakfast at Tiffany’s.
While the part eventually went to Audrey Hepburn, Shirley has now shed light on her decision to turn the offer down in the pages of her latest memoir, The Wall of Life: Pictures and Stories from this Marvelous Lifetime.
‘In 1961, they offered me the role of Holly Golightly in Breakfast at Tiffany’s, but I turned it down because I didn’t want to have to worry about my weight to be able to wear all those outfits and do all those fittings,’ she recalled, via Entertainment Weekly.
‘I legendarily hated fittings. I also didn’t think it was a very good script.’
‘The producers were very disappointed,’ she added.
‘At one point, though, I did think, I should have done that and stayed thin, but I don’t really regret it.’
Although Shirley left producers ‘disappointed’, author Truman Capote – who famously wrote book the movie is based on – actually has another famous face in mind for Holly.
In fact, he was adamant that Marilyn Monroe was perfect for the role, before she turned it down and instead opted to work on the Misfits, which came out in the same year.
Two years after Breakfast at Tiffany’s, Shirley went on to star in Terms of Endearment alongside Danny DeVito, Jack Nicholson, Jeff Daniels and John Lithgow – the movie she eventually won an Oscar for.
She has also taken home two Baftas, an Emmy and six Golden Globes over the course of her decades-spanning career – and isn’t even close to being done.
Over the last few years, she has popped up in Only Murders in The Building, American Dreamer and Noelle, and is set to star in upcoming flick, People Not Places.
‘It’s a wonderful script and we are getting ready to start and will see what happens,’ she said of the film.
Discussing her longevity, she recently told People Magazine of her gratitude that she ‘can keep working’.
‘I started my dance training at age three and stopped at about 67,’ she told the outlet. ‘It taught me discipline, loving music, working with people and dealing with pain.’
‘I have my friends and I am really healthy.’
Got a story?
If you’ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@metro.co.uk, calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we’d love to hear from you.
MORE : I still swear by Jessica Biel’s Texas Chainsaw Massacre 21 years on
MORE : Baywatch star Michael Newman dies aged 68 ‘from heart complications’ after Parkinson’s diagnosis
MORE : Ariana Grande says sorry after ‘snubbing’ iconic 80s actress
