Minnelli and Hackman starred alongside Burt Reynolds in the 1975 dramedy, in which their characters form a love triangle.

Liza Minnelli says late costar Gene Hackman was ‘downright rude’ on set of Lucky Lady

Minnelli and Hackman starred alongside Burt Reynolds in the 1975 dramedy, in which their characters form a love triangle.

By Sharareh Drury

March 10, 2026 2:06 p.m. ET

Leave a Comment

Liza Minnelli at 2014 Academy Awards; Gene Hackman in 1996. Credit:

Kurt Krieger/Corbis via Getty; Ron Davis/Getty

Liza Minnelli's iconic career has included both starring alongside and befriending some of Hollywood's most prolific names, from Elizabeth Taylor to Michael Jackson.

In her new memoir, *Kids, Wait Till You Hear This!*, the Oscar winner dishes out plenty of star-studded anecdotes — some more positive than others.

Reflecting on her role in the 1975 film *Lucky Lady*, which was directed by Stanley Donen, Minnelli recounts the lackluster chemistry she had with her late costar Gene Hackman. "I don't like to whine, but Stanley later shared publicly that Gene was very dismissive of me during the film," Minnelli writes.

Gene Hackman and Liza Minnelli in 'Lucky Lady'.

20th Century Fox Film Corp./Courtesy Everett

"It's hard to go to work when the chemistry is absent," Minnelli adds. "I think it's fair to say that Gene was downright rude."

Minnelli and Hackman (who died last year) starred alongside Burt Reynolds in the comedy-drama set during the Prohibition era. In the film, a widow named Claire (Minnelli) gets involved in smuggling alcohol with her lover, Walker (Reynolds), and his friend, Kibby (Hackman). Things get tricky as a tense love triangle develops among the trio, all while they try to avoid the law.

*Lucky Lady* ultimately flopped at the box office, with a review from *The New York Times* calling the film "ridiculous without the compensation of being funny or fun."**

Liza Minnelli refers to mom Judy Garland's relationship with Frank Sinatra as more than an 'affair' in new book

Liza Minnelli defends AI use on first new song in 13 years, slams 'trolls'

Another revelation from Minnelli's new memoir is the *Cabaret* actress detailing the "passionate love" between her mother, Judy Garland, and Frank Sinatra, whom she affectionately referred to as Uncle Frank.

Minnelli shares that her parents, Garland and Vincente Minnelli, often invited the famed singer to parties, and that he was even one of the first people to hold her when she was born. This closeness, as Minnelli learned, was more than just friendly between Garland and Sinatra.**

Liza Minnelli at the 2026 GLAAD Media Awards.

Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty

***Get your daily dose of entertainment news, celebrity updates, and what to watch with our EW Dispatch newsletter.***

"During the time my parents were married, I eventually figured out that there was more between Frank and Mama than friendship. Much more," Minnelli writes, adding that her mother and the "Fly Me to the Moon" crooner were "very complicated, mercurial, intense human beings."

*Kids, Wait Till You Hear This!* is on shelves now.**

- Celebrities & Creators

- Celebrity Feuds & Controversies

Original Article on Source

Source: “EW Celebrity”