See what 1970s icon Faye Dunaway looks like at 85

Faye Dunaway is one of the few true legends still standing in Hollywood.

The iconic actress, known for portraying strong, complex, and often difficult women, ranks among the greatest performers in cinema history. And at 85, she remains a lasting presence in the entertainment world.

Best remembered for her unforgettable line, “No more wire hangers!” in the cult classic Mommie Dearest, Dunaway also delivered powerful performances in films such as Hurry Sundown with Michael Caine and Bonnie and Clyde, where she beat out Jane Fonda and Natalie Wood for the lead role.

Born in Bascom, Florida, Dunaway has earned three Golden Globe Awards and an Emmy throughout her career.

It is impossible to discuss her legacy without mentioning Mommie Dearest (1981). In her portrayal of Joan Crawford, Dunaway stunned cast and crew alike when she first appeared on set fully transformed into the legendary actress. The film, based on Christina Crawford’s memoir, explores the troubled relationship between Joan Crawford and her adopted daughter.

Dunaway captured both the terror and charm of Crawford, blurring the lines between performance and reality. She once told a biographer, “I want to climb inside her skin,” and later wrote in her autobiography, Looking for Gatsby, that some felt it was “like seeing Joan herself come back from the dead.” Even the Los Angeles Times remarked that she seemed to borrow Crawford’s voice for the role.

Despite the film’s lasting fame, Dunaway later expressed regret. “I think it turned my career in a direction where people had the wrong impression of me,” she told Entertainment Tonight. “That’s a very hard thing to overcome.”

Throughout her career, Dunaway worked alongside Hollywood’s biggest stars, including Paul Newman, Robert Redford, Kirk Douglas, and Johnny Depp. She generally avoided romantic relationships with co-stars, believing they could damage both performances and productions.

She once told Harper’s Bazaar, “You know it’s going to ruin the performance and ruin the movie, so you don’t do it.”

An exception was her romance with Italian actor Marcello Mastroianni. After starring together in A Place for Lovers (1968), the two shared a passionate three-year relationship that ended when he refused to leave his wife. Dunaway later told People, “I was deeply in love with him. He made me feel protected.”

In 1974, she married Peter Wolf of The J. Geils Band. The marriage ended in divorce five years later. She later married photographer Terry O’Neill in 1983, with whom she had a son, Liam. They divorced in 1987.

Over the years, Dunaway has gained a reputation for being demanding and difficult on set. In 2019, she was dismissed from an off-Broadway production of Tea at Five, and in 1994, she was dropped from Sunset Boulevard.

Several colleagues have spoken openly about her challenging personality. Jack Nicholson once called her the “gossamer grenade,” while Bette Davis famously criticized her as uncooperative and self-centered.

Despite these controversies, Dunaway’s talent remains undeniable. She received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1996 and was named one of People magazine’s 50 Most Beautiful People in 1997.

Today, Dunaway is single. In a 2016 interview, she admitted she was still open to love, saying, “I’m very much a loner, but I’d like a partner if I could find the right person.”

Her most recent film role was in 2022’s L’uomo che disegnò Dio, alongside Kevin Spacey.

Hollywood would not be the same without Faye Dunaway. Her powerful performances, unforgettable roles, and complex personality have secured her place in film history. What do you think of her portrayal in Mommie Dearest and her legendary career?