The film world is in mourning following the passing of a legendary actress, a loss deeply felt by director Nancy Meyers, who has broken her silence to honor a personal and professional bond spanning nearly four decades.
In a heartfelt online statement, Meyers described the profound impact of the actress’s death, acknowledging the outpouring of public tributes as a source of solace. She framed the loss on multiple levels: for cinema, it is the departure of a monumental talent; personally, it is the loss of a friend who was like a sister; and professionally, it is the end of an unparalleled creative partnership.
Meyers celebrated the actress’s unique genius, describing her as the most spontaneous person she had ever encountered. She revealed the unique trust they shared, explaining that writing for this performer elevated her own work because she felt completely secure. The actress possessed a rare ability to deliver scripted lines with the freshness of improvisation and could command a room with her mere presence and infectious humor.
The director emphasized that this transformative effect was not unique to their collaborations but was a gift the actress brought to every project and every director she worked with. Meyers attested to her colleague’s fearless commitment, noting that she gave her absolute best to every scene, every day, on every film set.
Calling her a born movie star with a laugh that could brighten any day, Meyers concluded that knowing and working with her had been a life-changing experience, ending with a simple, “Thank you. I’ll miss you forever.”
The acclaimed actress, who passed away at 79, was an Oscar winner for her iconic role in a celebrated romantic comedy and received several other Academy Award nominations throughout her storied career, including for her performance in a Meyers-directed film where she starred opposite major Hollywood figures.
Her former partner and frequent collaborator, filmmaker Woody Allen, also released a statement, calling her a one-of-a-kind individual the world is unlikely to ever see again.
