Angie Dickinson famously walked off the television program "This Is Your Life" rather than participating in the show, surprising both the host Ralph Edwards and the assembled guests, including her friends and family.
The Incident on "This Is Your Life"
- Angie Dickinson was invited to "This Is Your Life" under the pretense of participating in an interview with director Brian De Palma, whom she had worked with on "Dressed to Kill."
- When she realized she was the subject of the surprise tribute, Dickinson refused to go along, reportedly saying, "I'm not doing this F**king show!" and exited the set, leaving the production stranded.
- This event became notable in television history for her candid reaction and refusal to participate, which was rare for the format that typically relied on celebrity cooperation.
Angie Dickinson’s Response
- Dickinson has explained in various interviews that she did not wish to participate because she felt ambushed and did not appreciate the way her participation had been orchestrated under false pretenses.
- She expressed discomfort with the spotlight and did not want a televised retrospective of her life at that time.
Career and Legacy
- Angie Dickinson is an acclaimed American actress best known for her star roles in films like "Rio Bravo," "Dressed to Kill," and "Ocean’s Eleven," and on TV’s "Police Woman".
- Her career spans several decades, marked by a series of leading and supporting roles in both film and television.
This "This Is Your Life" episode is remembered as a rare and unscripted moment of defiance, highlighting Dickinson’s strong-willed personality and comfort in asserting her boundaries in public.
