Episode 126 – Reminiscing with ‘60s “It” Girl Turned Glam Queen Leigh Taylor-Young – Part 2
In Part Two of this must-hear Hollywood Obsessed conversation, host Tony Miros continues his deep dive with the radiant Leigh Taylor-Young as she opens up about her most iconic roles & emotional moments from her legendary career. Leigh reflects on the cult sci-fi classic Soylent Green, sharing what it was like working alongside Charlton Heston and her beloved co-star Edward G. Robinson, with whom she developed a deep off-screen bond. Her memories of their final wrap party goodbye will move you to tears. From epic MGM sets to unexpected friendships with legends like Joseph Cotten, Leigh paints a vivid portrait of old Hollywood with warmth and grace.
The stories keep coming, from filming The Horsemen with a larger-than-life Omar Sharif to her hilarious cameo in the disco-era spectacle Can’t Stop the Music. Leigh dishes on working with Michael Crichton & Albert Finney in the thriller Looker, James Coburn, and even stepping into the world of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine—a gig she says she had a blast doing, thanks to an imaginative makeup team. Her fond memories of Rock Hudson while filming The Devlin Connection, and her admiration for fellow legends like Van Heflin & Lee Grant, shine a spotlight on her enduring reverence for the craft and those who paved the way.
From the courtroom thriller Jagged Edge to the food fight chaos of Secret Admirer, Leigh also recounts unforgettable on-set antics with Cliff DeYoung, Dee Wallace, and more. And for soap lovers? She dives into her delicious turn as Kimberly Cryder on Dallas (where she relished going toe-to-toe with J.R. Ewing), and her Emmy-winning role on Picket Fences—complete with a surprise twist from creator David E. Kelley moments before she took home the gold.
Now a passionate spiritual guide and world traveler, Leigh reflects on her latest role: sharing peace, joy, and purpose through international seminars alongside her husband. Still acting—most recently in Showtime’s American Gigolo—Leigh Taylor-Young proves that true Hollywood icons never stop shining.
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 & 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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Leigh Taylor-Young
Actress / Minister
Born to a diplomatic family in Washington, D.C., Leigh Taylor-Young began her formal education as an Economics major at Northwestern University. Upon discovering her love for acting, Leigh changed her major to Theater and studied under the renowned teacher, Alvina Krause. In recognition of Leigh’s emerging talent, Krause allowed her to perform as the youngest member of the distinguished Eaglesmere Summer Repertory Theater. Leigh then continued her studies in New York City with Sanford Meisner at the Neighborhood Playhouse. Following a great passion for theater, Leigh soon opened on Broadway in 1966 as the juvenile lead in the comedy, Three Bags Full. She returned to Off-Broadway in 1983 in Catastrophe, one of Samuel Beckett’s last works, and toured with the company in Los Angeles, New York, and Europe.
In 1968, Leigh began her diverse film career by starring opposite Peter Sellers in the now-classic comedy, "I Love You, Alice B. Toklas." She then starred with Robert DeNiro in "The Gang That Couldn’t Shoot Straight," Charlton Heston in "Soylent Green," Albert Finney in "Looker," Omar Sharif in "The Horsemen," and Glenn Close and Jeff Bridges in "Jagged Edge." More recent films include "Bliss," "Klepto," "Slackers," and "Spiritual Warriors." Having appeared regularly in such well-known television series as "Peyton Place," "Dallas," and "Picket Fences" – for which she won the Emmy award – two daytime series, "Passions" and "… Read More
