Mad At The Dirt

Faye Dunaway On “Mommie Dearest”: “I Should Have Known Better”

In the past, Faye Dunaway has been famously tight-lipped about her feelings on 1981’s flop (and subsequent gay cult gem) Mommie Dearest, regularly telling interviewers the subject was off-limits, and even canceling interviews if the topic of the film was broached. (You can hear her in this voicemail rant say she doesn’t want any “dilly-dallying” over the film: “I don’t want to even discuss it in my interview,” she barks.)

Related: Hollywood Shocker! Faye Dunaway Reportedly Writing Book About Mommie Dearest

But for whatever reason, she was finally willing to open up to People about her suspicions that the film derailed her career.

“I think it turned my career in a direction where people would irretrievably have the wrong impression of me,” she says, “and that’s an awful hard thing to beat. I should have known better, but sometimes you’re vulnerable and you don’t realize what you’re getting into.”

“It’s unfortunate they felt they had to make that kind of movie,” she continues. “But you can’t be ashamed of the work you’ve done. You make a decision, and then you have to live with the consequence.”

Related: “Beyoncé! Bring Me The Ax!” Jay-Z Samples “Mommie Dearest” On New Track

The rumors about her behavior on set probably haven’t helped her reputation, either.

“People despised Faye,” co-star Rutanya Ald told Bay Area Reporter in 2013. “Faye was despised because she was so rude to people. Everyone was on pins and needles when she worked, and everyone relaxed when she didn’t.”

Listen to the voicemail below: 

 

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