Hollywood Legend Makes Rare Public Appearance
Leigh Taylor-Young, the celebrated soap star who later became an ordained minister, was spotted enjoying a rare outing in Los Angeles on Tuesday. The veteran actress, whose career spans over six decades, looked effortlessly stylish as she crossed a parking lot with a friend.
The red-haired star showcased her signature elegance with a bold red lip and a blue scarf tied neatly around her neck. She wore a pretty floral top paired with khaki trousers and mustard yellow sneakers, completing her look with a notepad in hand and a bright smile.
From Screen Siren to Spiritual Leader
Taylor-Young's career began in the 1960s and continues to thrive, with her most recent appearance in last year's thriller Guns & Moses. Her impressive portfolio includes long-running roles in iconic television shows such as Peyton Place, Dallas, and Passions.
She also made memorable appearances in classic TV programmes including Fantasy Island, The Love Boat, and Beverly Hills, 90210. Her portrayal of Rachel Welles on Peyton Place not only earned her an Emmy nomination but also led to her first marriage with co-star Ryan O'Neal.
A Life of Romance and Artistic Encounters
The actress's personal life reads like a Hollywood chronicle. Her spontaneous wedding to O'Neal occurred during a promotional trip to Hawaii when an ABC manager suggested they marry at his home. The couple welcomed a son, Patrick, who later followed in their footsteps as both an actor and sportscaster.
Reflecting on her first marriage, Taylor-Young described it as "more of an infatuation" with a "volatile and temperamental man who didn't seem prone to fidelity." The marriage ended in divorce in 1971.
Her romantic history also includes a relationship with Fleetwood Mac member Dave Mason, whom she described as "very happily together" with in a 1994 Chicago Tribune profile. Taylor-Young has walked down the aisle four more times since her divorce from O'Neal and has been married to writer John Morton since 2013.
When Warhol Painted Her Leg
One of the most remarkable moments in Taylor-Young's extraordinary life came when she crossed paths with pop art legend Andy Warhol. The meeting occurred at the premiere of her 1968 film I Love You, Alice B. Toklas, where Warhol had an inspired idea.
"He suggested that he paint a butterfly on my thigh for the photographers," Taylor-Young recalled. "Everyone loved it, as the photographers flashed away. It was a truly 'Sixties' moment with Andy Warhol."
Their friendship continued for years, with the actress later "hanging out" with Warhol and his entourage while filming The Gang That Couldn't Shoot Straight.
A Higher Calling
Beyond her acting achievements, Taylor-Young answered a spiritual calling that transformed her life's direction. She is now an ordained minister of the Church of the Movement of Spiritual Inner Awareness, an organisation where her husband serves as spiritual director.
This remarkable journey from Hollywood starlet to spiritual leader demonstrates the multifaceted nature of a woman who has continually reinvented herself while maintaining her grace and style throughout the decades.
