Why Audrey Hepburn Nearly Turned Down Her Last Film

There’s a tendency to picture big-name film stars as brimming with self-assurance, but that’s not always the case. Audrey Hepburn, for all her fame and the stories that swirl around her, was known for a quiet sort of confidence. Her reputation has taken on a life of its own, but in reality, she was much more reserved than her on-screen persona suggested. She preferred to let her work speak for itself, and that’s part of why so many in the industry still look up to her. When people draw comparisons, it’s like trying to catch lightning in a bottle.

Natalie Portman, for example, found herself compared to Hepburn after landing some major roles. The comparisons peaked when she appeared on the cover of Harper’s Bazaar in 2006, dressed in a style reminiscent of Hepburn’s Holly Golightly. Portman admitted she felt “very elegant” in the outfit, but she was quick to downplay any suggestion that she could match Hepburn’s talent.

“I mean, you can’t possibly measure up to Audrey Hepburn,”

she said.

“But the elegance that she exuded was transmitted to the dress, you know, the feeling, the emotion of it.”

Hepburn’s Real Nature

That sense of elegance was something Hepburn saw as an extension of her own introverted nature. Taking on the role of Holly in the Blake Edwards classic was a massive challenge for her, mainly because the character was so outgoing. She once told her agent, Kurt Frings,

“Holly is so contrary to me. She frightens me. This part called for an extroverted character. I am an introvert.”

She often felt a sense of doubt about her abilities, what we’d now call imposter syndrome.

It’s surprising, but that uncertainty nearly led her to turn down her final film role in Steven Spielberg’s Always. Most people thought she’d finished with acting, so her appearance in the film was a pleasant shock for fans and the industry. In the end, she was glad she took the part, realising she enjoyed it so much she’d happily do it again. As she put it,

“I loved it, and I wouldn’t mind if he asked me again, like next summer. I’d be right back. I had really one of the best times of my life.”

Spielberg’s Perspective

The feeling was mutual. Spielberg considered working with Hepburn a highlight of his career. He’d written her a letter, not really expecting her to say yes, but hoping she might. When she agreed, he was over the moon, especially as it turned out to be her last acting role before she passed away. She brought her trademark energy to the part, leaving a strong impression even though it was a small role.

Despite the size of the part, Hepburn’s presence was unmistakable. She carried herself with the same understated confidence and style that defined her career, even if, underneath it all, she was just as uncertain as anyone else.