Episode 125 – Reminiscing with '60s “It” Girl Turned Glam Queen Leigh Taylor-Young – Part 1

In this captivating first installment of a two-part conversation, host Tony Miros sits down with the legendary Leigh Taylor-Young to trace her journey from Midwestern roots to international film and TV fame. Leigh shares how growing up in a home without a television shaped her imagination—until age 13, when she finally saw her first classic films and fell in love with the screen. Originally an economics major at Northwestern, one acting class changed everything, and soon she was immersed in classical theater, inspired by giants like Sir John Gielgud and soaking in the magic of Broadway.

Leigh recounts the serendipitous twists that launched her career—from her Broadway debut in “3 Bags Full,” to a spontaneous audition that landed her the role of Rachel Welles on “Peyton Place,” stepping in for Mia Farrow. On set, she met future husband Ryan O’Neal, and shortly after giving birth, she found herself co-starring with Peter Sellers in the cult classic “I Love You, Alice B. Toklas.” You’ll hear wild stories from that shoot—including the time someone secretly swapped out oregano for real pot on set—and Leigh's personal memories of working alongside Sellers, whom she called a mentor and master improviser.

The tales only get wilder from there! Leigh reveals what it was like filming “The Gang That Couldn't Shoot Straight” with a then-unknown Robert De Niro (spoiler: they almost got arrested during rehearsal), and “The Adventurers,” which premiered on a 747 mid-flight. Her globe-trotting adventures included filming “The Horsemen” with Omar Sharif in Afghanistan, meeting royalty, and spending days living with a nomadic gypsy tribe—camel kisses and all!

With charm, humor, and plenty of glamorous memories, Leigh paints a vivid picture of a one-of-a-kind Hollywood journey. And believe it or not—this is just Part 1. Don’t miss this delightful trip through classic cinema, unexpected adventures, and unforgettable behind-the-scenes stories from a true Hollywood original.

LEIGH TAYLOR-YOUNG 

Leigh Taylor-Young was born in Washington, D.C. into a diplomatic family and began her academic journey studying Economics at Northwestern University. Her passion for performance led her to shift her focus to Theater, studying under legendary teacher Alvina Krause and later with Sanford Meisner at the Neighborhood Playhouse in New York. She made her Broadway debut in 1966 in “Three Bags Full,” followed by a notable Off-Broadway turn in Samuel Beckett’s “Catastrophe,” which toured internationally.

Her breakout film role came in 1968 opposite Peter Sellers in “I Love You, Alice B. Toklas,” launching a diverse movie career that included “Soylent Green” with Charlton Heston, “Looker” with Albert Finney, “Jagged Edge “with Glenn Close and Jeff Bridges, and more recent projects like “Bliss” and “Spiritual Warriors.” On television, she starred in “Peyton Place,” “Dallas,” and won an Emmy for “Picket Fences,” with guest appearances on “Star Trek: Deep Space Nine,” “90210,” and “The Sentinel,” showcasing her wide range across genres and platforms.

Beyond acting, Leigh has long been dedicated to spiritual growth and service. She became an ordained minister in 1975 and worked closely with her spiritual teacher John-Roger. Alongside her husband, John Morton—head of John Morton Ministries—she has traveled globally offering workshops and seminars on spiritual awareness and personal transformation.

Official Website of Leigh Taylor-Young – www.lty.com/lty-the-60s/ 

Movement of Spiritual Inner Awareness - https://www.msia.org/discover/welcome 

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