Since Elizabeth Taylor’s death I’ve been remembering some of the outstanding moments of her grand life. I was there for many of her happiest times. I want to take you back to her big birthday party at Disneyland. Watch her giggle with delight and, just for fun, check out the hair!!

Remembering Elizabeth
As I make the rounds from Fox News to CBS to Australian Broadcasting and the BBC to talk about Elizabeth Taylor, I’m reminded how deeply her death has touched people around the world. It’s hard to put into words the loss we feel, but let me try.

Elizabeth Taylor [she always hated to be called Liz, by the way] was the last great movie star. She leaves us to remember her movies, her life and her legacy. Behind her glamour and stunning beauty-set-off by those violet eyes, was a talented actress and a warm human being. She could make you laugh, and occasionally gasp, when she added some salty language to her pithy observations about everything from love and marriage to her struggles to overcome debilitating physical challenges. The Elizabeth I’ll remember is a woman who knew how to wear her fame. She could let it surround her like a necklace of diamonds, or put it aside to be, if not down to earth, at least disarmingly amused by her own celebrity. Above all she cared about more than being an Oscar-winning icon. She cared about the world. I’m sure she’s hoping that even if you’re renting one of her classic movies to pay her tribute, you won’t forget that she was a lot more than a famous face.

Rue McClanahan will live on as the sassiest Golden Girl.

Here’s the best thing she ever told me:

“I used to be quite shy.  I got over that which is great because shyness is very painful.  I’m thinking better of myself than I used to because I’m taking the cue from Blanche.  After all, if she thinks she’s such hot stuff and she looks a lot like me, why shouldn’t I think I’m hot stuff!”

Rue was hot and vivacious stuff.  A great Southern gal with a fabulous laugh.  She had a fabulous career and a fabulous reputation because she was married six times and could still joke about it.

“Don’t ask me for advice about men,” she always warned with a wink.

Turn on a “Golden Girls” episode and just try not to laugh. Her Blanche was the Kim Cattrall of the show.

Rue knew she had hit a winner when she told me about Blanche, “I miss her when I think about her.  I realize I may never find a character again who could be that long time wonderful.”

I had the opportunity and pleasure to interview Paul Newman many times over the years. I’ll miss Paul, but luckily he left a lot for us to remember him by. Take a minute to enjoy some of the more memorable and humorous moments with him.