Hepburn's Final Film: The Director She'd Work With Again
The legendary actress nearly turned down her last movie role due to self-doubt, but ended up having such a wonderful experience that she eagerly wanted to collaborate with the filmmaker again.
Hollywood stars often get painted as these massive, confident personalities, but that wasn't really Audrey Hepburn's story. Sure, she had this incredible grace and poise on screen, but in real life, she was much more reserved and introverted. There's always been this fascinating gap between the characters she played and who she actually was as a person.
Her influence on today's stars is undeniable. Just look at what happened when Natalie Portman channeled Hepburn's iconic Breakfast at Tiffany's look for a Harper's Bazaar cover shoot in 2006. Portman felt "very elegant" in the similar outfit, but she was quick to keep things in perspective. "I mean, you can't possibly measure up to Audrey Hepburn," she admitted. "But the elegance that she exuded was transmitted to the dress, you know, the feeling, the emotion of it."
The Challenge of Playing Against Type
That elegance Portman mentioned actually came from Hepburn's naturally quiet personality. Interestingly, playing Holly Golightly was one of her toughest acting challenges precisely because the character was so outgoing. She once told her agent Kurt Frings, "Holly is so contrary to me. She frightens me. This part called for an extroverted character. I am an introvert."
Hepburn dealt with what we'd probably call imposter syndrome today - that nagging feeling of not being good enough, even when you clearly are. This self-doubt nearly cost her what would become her final performance.
Almost Saying No to Spielberg
When Steven Spielberg approached her for a role in "Always," most people figured Hepburn was done with acting. She almost proved them right by nearly turning down the part. Her usual uncertainty kicked in, making her question whether she should take on another project.
Thankfully, she changed her mind, and it turned out to be one of the best decisions she could have made. The experience was so positive that she was already thinking about future collaborations. "I loved it, and I wouldn't mind if he asked me again, like next summer. I'd be right back. I had really one of the best times of my life," she reflected.
A Mutual Admiration
Spielberg felt just as lucky about the whole thing. He'd written her a personal letter to convince her to join the project, not really expecting her to say yes. When she did, he couldn't believe his good fortune. Working with her became one of his career highlights, especially knowing it would be her last performance before she passed away.
Even in this small role, Hepburn brought that same magnetic quality that had defined her entire career. She carried herself with that familiar quiet confidence and elegance, even though deep down, it all stemmed from simple uncertainty about her own abilities. That contradiction - between her public image and private doubts - might just be what made her so genuinely captivating.