Hollywood has produced countless memorable partnerships, but some behind-the-scenes moments remain just as fascinating as the productions themselves. Actress Morgan Fairchild recently revisited her experience working with screen icon Elizabeth Taylor, offering a surprisingly brief yet thought-provoking description.
While discussing Taylor, Fairchild summed up the legendary actress with just one word: “distant.” The comment immediately sparked curiosity, especially because the two appeared together in the acclaimed television miniseries “North and South.”
Even with that reserved description, Fairchild has shared warm memories of Taylor over the years, recalling her remarkable beauty, calm presence, and lasting humanitarian work.
Fairchild Reflects on Elizabeth Taylor
During an interview with Entertainment Weekly, Morgan Fairchild described Elizabeth Taylor as “distant.” No additional explanation followed, leaving the brief remark open to interpretation.
The actresses were both featured as special guest stars in the 1985 television miniseries “North and South,” one of the highest-rated TV miniseries of its era. The production became a television phenomenon and later expanded with two sequel installments. Fairchild appeared in both “North and South” and “North and South: Book II,” while Taylor appeared in the original series.
The production assembled an exceptional cast that blended established Hollywood legends with rising stars.
Alongside Taylor and Fairchild, the miniseries featured Johnny Cash, Gene Kelly, Robert Mitchum, Robert Guillaume, Jean Simmons, Patrick Swayze, Terri Garber, Genie Francis, Lesley-Anne Down, David Carradine, Forest Whitaker, and Kirstie Alley.
The sequel “North and South: Book II” welcomed additional legendary performers, including James Stewart, Olivia de Havilland, Lloyd Bridges, and Linda Evans.
A Memorable Arrival on the Set
Although Fairchild kept her comments about Taylor brief during the recent interview, she shared detailed memories from filming “North and South.” One experience stood out as particularly memorable.
Fairchild recalled traveling on a private jet with Elizabeth Taylor, actor Hal Holbrook, makeup artist Dick Smith, and producer David L. Wolper’s associate David Walker before arriving at the filming location in Charleston.
Hal Holbrook portrayed President Abraham Lincoln in both installments of “North and South.” To prepare for the role, legendary makeup artist Dick Smith transformed Holbrook into Lincoln using detailed prosthetics and makeup. Smith had previously earned recognition for turning Holbrook into Mark Twain and later recreating Lincoln for the miniseries.
Fairchild described the arrival in vivid detail:
“Flying in on the private jet with everybody, and getting off in Charleston, and coming down in full drag with all the corsets and the thing. And coming down on the street, and they put dirt down on the street, and I mean it looked perfect. And then Hal comes down as Lincoln, and it was just … you just felt like you were transported back in time.”
The carefully designed streets, period costumes, and Holbrook’s convincing appearance combined to create an atmosphere that closely resembled the Civil War era.
Earlier Memories of Elizabeth Taylor
Although Fairchild and Taylor did not share scenes in “North and South,” Fairchild had spoken positively about Taylor in earlier interviews.
Following Taylor’s death, Fairchild appeared on CNN and recalled another shared flight that highlighted the extraordinary attention surrounding the Hollywood legend.
According to Fairchild:
“I was used to having a lot of the paparazzi, a lot of media attention, but I mean, we opened the door to the plane, and it was madness, absolute madness. And she took it all with great equanimity, and she was lovely to be around on the set.”
The memory reflected Taylor’s calm approach despite overwhelming public attention.
Fairchild also remembered seeing Taylor for the first time years before they worked together. The occasion took place during Richard Burton’s Broadway performance of “Equus.”
As audience members whispered that Taylor had arrived, Fairchild noticed the actress wearing one of her signature turbans.
Fairchild later recalled:
“ Burton was doing ‘Equus’ on Broadway, and I’d gone to see it, and that murmur went through that Elizabeth was in the audience. Finally I saw this turban — she was wearing turbans a lot back in the ’70s — and she turned, and that face. I have to say, she was the most gorgeous woman I have ever seen in person. The screen did not do her justice. Just gorgeous. Gorgeous coloring, the profile, everything about her was just drop dead gorgeous.”
Despite describing Taylor as “distant” in the recent interview, Fairchild consistently praised her striking appearance and composed personality.
Shared Commitment During HIV Crisis
Beyond acting, Morgan Fairchild and Elizabeth Taylor became closely connected through their public support for HIV/AIDS awareness during the 1980s and 1990s.
Elizabeth Taylor helped establish the American Foundation for AIDS Research (amfAR) before launching the Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation. At a time when misinformation surrounded the disease, she became one of Hollywood’s strongest advocates for research, treatment, and compassion.
Morgan Fairchild also became one of the entertainment industry’s earliest public supporters of HIV/AIDS education. She actively supported both amfAR and the Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation while speaking publicly about the importance of awareness.
Both actresses were personally affected by the illness and death of Rock Hudson in 1985, making their advocacy especially meaningful.
Speaking with Entertainment Weekly during the Lead With Love telethon for Project Angel Food, Fairchild explained why she recognized Hudson’s illness before much of the public.
She said:
“I heard Rock wasn’t looking well on ‘Dynasty,’ so I knew immediately what it was. America didn’t know Rock was gay, but everybody in Hollywood knew Rock was gay. And I knew how great he looked when I’d seen him just a few months before, so I knew immediately what it was.”
Fairchild also explained that an interest in emerging viruses and epidemiology helped shape her understanding of HIV/AIDS. Although she believed speaking publicly might damage her acting career, she considered public education more important.
According to Fairchild:
“I knew it would hurt my career, which it did, to speak out … but I also knew I was the only famous face they were going to have that could go on ‘Nightline’ and explain what a retrovirus is and how it works and how you do and don’t get it.”
Taylor’s Lasting Voice for Equality
Elizabeth Taylor consistently used her influence to encourage compassion and support for people living with HIV/AIDS.
During the first major AIDS Project Los Angeles gala in 1985, Taylor emphasized the importance of community support, saying:
“All we can do at this point is help our friends who have AIDS and the only way can do that is by doing what you’re doing by giving — giving by support, money and love.”
Taylor also became an outspoken advocate for LGBTQ+ equality. During a 1992 interview with Whoopi Goldberg, she challenged widespread homophobia while recognizing the significant contributions of gay artists to the entertainment industry.
Taylor stated:
“You what really cheesed me off was, that homophobia, because without homosexuals, there wouldn’t be this town. The creativeness of homosexuals — this town, the arts, are built on that. You take homosexual input out, and there is no Hollywood.”
Morgan Fairchild’s recent remarks renewed interest in her connection with Elizabeth Taylor, but Taylor’s influence reaches well beyond their time on “North and South.” Along with an iconic film career that included “Cleopatra” and “Giant,” Taylor became a leading voice for HIV/AIDS awareness and LGBTQ+ equality.
Her commitment to advocacy remains an important part of her enduring legacy in Hollywood.
