Ali MacGraw
Actress, Social Activist and Feminist
Ali MacGraw gained notice in the 1969 film Goodbye, Columbus, but real stardom came the following year with the popular film, Love Story, for which she was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Actress. Following this, MacGraw was featured on the cover of Time magazine. In 1971, she also appeared on Richard Blackwell’s worst-dressed list. In 1972, after appearing in only four films, she had her footprints and autograph embedded at Grauman’s Chinese Theatre. In 1972, she co-starred in the action adventure film The Getaway with Steve McQueen, whom she married in 1973. They were divorced in 1978. Having…
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Ali MacGraw gained notice in the 1969 film Goodbye, Columbus, but real stardom came the following year with the popular film, Love Story, for which she was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Actress. Following this, MacGraw was featured on the cover of Time magazine. In 1971, she also appeared on Richard Blackwell’s worst-dressed list.
In 1972, after appearing in only four films, she had her footprints and autograph embedded at Grauman’s Chinese Theatre. In 1972, she co-starred in the action adventure film The Getaway with Steve McQueen, whom she married in 1973. They were divorced in 1978. Having taken a break from acting, she re-emerged in the 1978 film Convoy, Players (1979), Just Tell Me What You Want (1980), and then the 1983 television miniseries China Rose and The Winds of War. In 1984, MacGraw joined the hit ABC prime-time soap opera Dynasty as Lady Ashley Mitchell, which, she admitted in a 2011 interview, she did for the money. She appeared in 14 episodes of the show before her character became one of the few casualties of the infamous “Moldavian wedding massacre” cliffhanger episode in 1985.
MacGraw’s autobiography, Moving Pictures (which she now describes as “not well written”), revealed her struggles with alcohol and male dependence. She was treated for the former at the Betty Ford Center. In 1991, People magazine chose her as one of the “50 Most Beautiful People” in the World.
Since 1994, she has lived in Santa Fe, New Mexico, after “fleeing Malibu” when a house she was renting caught fire and burned down. Having become a Hatha Yoga devotee in her fifties, she made a Yoga video with the American Yoga Master Erich Schiffmann, Ali MacGraw Yoga Mind and Body, which was a bestseller upon release and was still popular more than a decade later. The video’s impact was such that in June 2007 Vanity Fair magazine credited her for being one of the people responsible for the practice’s recent popularity in the United States. In keeping with her interests, she narrated a documentary, The Fire of Yoga, in 2003.
She made her Broadway theatre debut in New York City in 2006 as a dysfunctional matriarch in the drama Festen (The Celebration). She was also included in a Seventeen magazine issue for inspiring hairstyles.
In 2008, GQ magazine listed her in their “Sexiest 25 Women in Film Ever” edition for her 1972 role with Steve McQueen in The Getaway.
In 2009, she appeared as the lead actor in Macy’s TV commercials about its clothing line.
On October 12, 2010 she appeared on The Oprah Winfrey Show. Oprah arranged a “Love Story Reunion” by reuniting the 1970 Love Story star with co-star Ryan O’Neal.
The two discussed their roles in the movie and O’Neal said he had a terrible crush on MacGraw throughout the filming, asking her to go away with him even though both were married at the time. Now that they are single, O’Neal said on “Oprah” that he would again ask MacGraw out.
During the show a quote from Calvin Klein was mentioned as saying, “She (McGraw) exemplified the great American Style”
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MEDTRONIC
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UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI – KANSAS CITY
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BAYLOR UNIVERSITY CAMPUS
We had a fantastic day with Inge! She was very engaging with all those that attended. Her personal stories about the holocaust were very special and we were moved that she was willing to share them with everyone. Thank you again, PDA for all your hard work and dedication to make this program such a success!
SALT LAKE COMMUNITY COLLEGE
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SAP COMPANY
Thank you again, Dr. Kimbrough, for a great presentation, our attendees are still talking about it!
CAMPUS LABS
Dr. Henry Lee's presentation was entertaining, insightful and wise. I, and everyone at Pfizer, especially appreciate the remarks you directed about following your passion and preparing yourself to excel. Thank you, everyone, at PDA for helping to make this happen!
PFIZER
The event was successful! I received many messages expressing how awesome, outstanding and inspiring Ms. Webb-Christburg's speech was."
DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. MEMORIAL BREAKFAST, BOSTON, MLK SPEAKER
Everything went well. Atsuko was very easy to work with and the students enjoyed her performance! Thank you again for your recommendation and I hope to work with you again in the future!
CENTRAL MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY
Dr. Novello left this morning after a very successful event on our campus! Thank you PDA Group for your help from the first phone to the last you were with us every step of the way.
GRAND VALLEY STATE UNIVERSITY
Jordan Carlos was very very entertaining! A majority of students who answered the event survey indicated they really enjoyed Jordan and definitely will bring him back!
WESTERN CAROLINA UNIVERSITY
On behalf of myself and my organization Entertainment Unlimited the Campus Programming Board of Ferris State University, we thank you PDA and Dan for a successful event!! Dan was magnificent! Students really enjoyed the presentation. I know I did. Can't wait to bring in more programs with PDA Group.
FERRIS STATE UNIVERSITY
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WESTERN MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY
Thank you, Peter, for all your help, you'll be happy to know that the event went incredibly well! Aneesa Ferreira was by far one of the best speakers we've ever had!
FURMAN UNIVERSITY
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A Conversation With Ali MacGraw
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Ali MacGraw on Steve McQueen - SuperSoul Sunday - Oprah Winfrey Network
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Testimonials
I didn’t respond sooner because I couldn’t find the words. Ali was absolutely amazing! She spent time with each and every guest – making them feel as if they were the only person in the room. I awakened this morning to over sixty emails telling me how wonderful she is, how beautiful, how interesting, and how much they loved meeting her. When Ali spoke to our guests from the podium, she held the audience in the palm of her hand.
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