Shirley MacLaine and Stephen Dorff Share an ‘Unexpected, Soulful Connection’ Rooted in Friendship

Shirley MacLaine and Stephen Dorff got along great while shooting the movie People Not Places and their friendship has gone from strength to strength since, sources exclusively tell Closer.

“They have this unexpected, soulful connection that no one could have predicted,” the insiders reveal about their close bond. “Shirley is deeply spiritual, she has all those books about past lives and reincarnation, and it turns out Stephen’s on his own spiritual journey.”

“He lost his brother about 10 years ago and that’s what kicked off his interest in the more metaphysical stuff. He’s the kind of guy that wants to talk about life and death and energy and that’s right up Shirley’s alley,” the source adds. “He’s also got the old-school brooding movie star vibe, like James Dean, which is her thing too.”

The Deputy star, 51, revealed the painful loss of his younger brother, Andrew, nearly led him to quit acting in 2020 after his sibling suddenly died in 2016 of unknown causes.

“Two years ago, I was pretty much going to stop acting because I was just bored and not liking the parts I was getting,” he told People. “I lost my little brother and I was pretty much done.”

“I was very lucky growing up, I had an amazing family,” he said while reflecting on his childhood. “As I’ve gotten older, I’ve been punched in the gut a few times after losing a few members of my family. If anything, we grow and learn. I put it into my work.”

Shirley, 91, and Stephen have since teamed up for an indie film in which she plays an elderly widow living in Atlantic City who crosses paths with an erratic homeless man, portrayed by Stephen. Their shared loneliness leads them on a journey together, where he faces his past and she shapes what remains of her future.

Producer Brad Furman gushed about their star power in a statement to Deadline, “This is the opportunity of a lifetime, as I have been collaborating with both Shirley and Stephen in preparation on this film for years,” he said. “I have had the privilege of working with incredible actors, and none have been more committed than these two, to their crafts and these roles.”

Shirley, who celebrated her birthday just weeks ago, was recently spotted sipping on a glass of wine and dining on fish tacos at The Sunset in Malibu during a low-key lunch with Stephen in April.

The two appeared to be in great spirits while chatting and enjoying the sunny weather.

Shirley, the daughter of two educators and older sister of Oscar-winning director Warren Beatty, also sees herself in Stephen.

“Shirley can sniff out a phony a mile away and Stephen is a very what you see is what you get kind of guy, he’s authentic, which she appreciates,” says the source. “When they were filming together Stephen was very deferential to Shirley, he treated her like a queen.”

“It’s not surprising that they’re still meeting up, they really bonded. And Shirley is still full of plans, she wants to do a movie with him!”