Dear Hollywood, devoted fans, and the ever-passionate entertainment community,
As I sit down to think on a journey spanning decades, stages, and screens, I am overwhelmed with appreciation. This letter is more than just an acknowledgment; it is a passionate dedication to the people, places, and experiences that have influenced my life, craft, and mission. You’ve been there for me through every screenplay, scene, and silent pause between lines, encouraging, believing, and growing with me. And for that, I am eternally grateful.
To Hollywood, thank you for welcoming a young woman from Midway City, California and providing her with a space to dream. You assigned me roles that challenged, altered, and taught me more than I ever anticipated. You recognized in me what I hadn’t yet discovered about myself. From the early auditions to the bright lights of premiere nights, you let me develop, stumble, ascend, and evolve gracefully.
There were times when I was hesitant about the next step, my worth, and if I actually belonged, but the community surrounding me never let me fall too far. Directors, writers, producers, and fellow actors, you have greatly enhanced my life. Every project becomes a classroom. Each coworker is a teacher. Each character represents a realization. We worked together to create art that might challenge, entertain, and sometimes even heal.
To my faithful admirers, you have been my greatest gift. You accepted me not only as an actress, but as a human being. You looked through the screen and saw my soul. Your emails, encouragement, and presence—whether in theaters, on social media, or in passing—have often reminded me of why I do what I do. You have encouraged me throughout the quieter seasons and celebrated with me during the brighter ones. When I took a step back, you created room for my return and reminded me that time does not degrade artwork; rather, it refines it.
To the whole entertainment business, thank you for establishing a space where art and truth may coexist. The allure of this world lies not just in the glamour, but also in the storytelling—the ability to reach across boundaries, hold up mirrors, build empathy where it was absent, and inspire when hope seems ephemeral. You’ve made room for different perspectives, new generations, and developing narratives. And I am pleased to have stood on stages and sets as those shifts began to take shape.
As I look ahead, with curiosity, courage, and a heart still filled with fire, I carry the memories and lessons of this remarkable adventure. I will always be grateful for the opportunity to live so many lives through characters and create a legacy that may outlast myself.
Michelle Pfeiffer, forever an artist, deserves our heartfelt admiration and affection. I am forever grateful.