As the last surviving principal cast member of the 1950 classic Sunset Boulevard, Nancy Olson offers an unmatched perspective on one of Hollywood’s most biting commentaries. The film, celebrating its 75th anniversary, still resonates in its portrayal of how the industry casts aside people when their fame fades. Olson, now 97, vividly remembers the personalities who shaped the film and the truths she discovered on set.
At just 21, Nancy Olson was a college student with a few acting credits when director Billy Wilder cast her as Betty Schaefer, an eager writer who gives a struggling screenwriter a shot at redemption. Wilder surprised her by insisting she play herself rather than mold into a fictional persona. He even had her wear her own clothes for the role. “I thought, ‘Okay, I’m going to be Nancy.’ And there I was,” she says.
Nancy Olson’s memories of her legendary co-stars
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Working with Gloria Swanson gave Nancy Olson insight into the resilience of a silent-era icon. Swanson, 51 at the time, was nothing like her character Norma Desmond. She greeted everyone warmly and celebrated the chance to take on a major role again. “She knew this movie would never be forgotten,” Olson says.
According to People, Olson also worked closely with William Holden, who channeled his personal struggles into his portrayal of Joe Gillis. His career had stalled after military service, and he faced mounting personal issues. Those hardships fueled a performance Olson calls “brilliant” and deeply authentic.
A career shaped by one unforgettable role
Sunset Boulevard earned Nancy Olson an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress and solidified her place in film history. But the experience also exposed the darker side of Hollywood. Olson realized she wanted a life centered on family rather than the endless demands of stardom.
She married lyricist Alan J. Lerner and later Capitol Records executive Alan W. Livingston and stepped back from acting. Her choice mirrored Betty Schaefer’s decision to walk away from a toxic path. Today, as the restored film returns in 4K, Olson reflects with pride—and gratitude for the lessons that shaped her life.