Diane Baker Says ‘Curiosity’ Has Kept Her So Resilient Over the Years: ‘You Have to Keep Going’

Diane Baker is one of the most prolific actresses in Hollywood, with a diverse career that spans over five decades. Known for movies like The Diary of Anne Frank, Journey to the Center of the Earth and Alfred Hitchock’s Marnie, her joy for living and commitment to making a difference in the world remains remarkably evident, despite being 87 years young!

“It’s funny, I’m sitting in between feeling like I am now getting to a certain age, where you begin to feel that age!” she exclusively tells Closer. “But at the same time, a certain day comes along and it’s like I’m still right there at 19 years old, about to start!”

Diane often thinks about what has kept her so resilient and so vibrant all these years.

“I think it’s curiosity. Curiosity, curiosity. I think you have to keep going and keep doing and keep interested in everything around you. One of the great bits of advice I got is get out of yourself. Don’t concentrate only on you, you, you.”

She continued: “It’s not about me. It’s about everything else – the people you come in contact with, who you meet, the work you do and what you can give to the project or the other person. I think I’ve tried to live my life getting out of myself.”

Diane is thrilled to be a special guest at the TCM Classic Film Festival, which takes place April 24-27 at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel.

“I love Turner Classic Movies so much. I feel like I’m part of their family. I hope they never let it go. I keep praying Warner Bros. will hang on to it or at least keep it as it’s meant to be. If there’s ever a question of them selling it off, somebody has got to come along and preserve it and keep it going, because it just can’t disappear. I meet people on a daily basis, who can’t live without the channel.”

During a festival panel, Diane will be introducing the sports comedy Pat and Mike, one of the nine films Spencer Tracy and Katharine Hepburn made together, which was directed by George Cukor.

“I love the Tracy and Hepburn films they did together, their chemistry, the synergy was just beautiful. And George was very kind and supportive of me, often inviting me to various events, to meet people when I was starting out as an actress. I guess he saw something in me.”

One of Diane’s fondest memories with George was at the annual USC Libraries event, which celebrates films, where she met the legendary Mae West!

“George introduced me to Mae with her bodyguard. And then he got me up on my feet to introduce all the older movie stars at the USC Libraries event. I was scared to death – the room was packed!”

At the podium, Diane began the introductions of the actors. “I said, ‘And now, Miss Mae West,’ and stood there waiting. Took her three minutes to get up from the seat because of the tight dress she wore! She couldn’t get out of the chair! I thought to myself, ‘my god! Three minutes!” she quipped.

“These are the great moments in my life and I loved George Cukor!”

Baker is a big fan of TCM’s passionate online fan community as well. “You always are learning something from someone about movies.”

Tickets and more information for the TCM Classic Film Festival can be found here: https://filmfestival.tcm.com/attend/individual-tickets/