Amy Irving Reflects on Her Romantic Journey and Affinity for Directors
Amy Irving, known for her memorable performances in classics such as Carrie (1976), Yentl (1983), and Crossing Delancey (1988), recently shared insights into her romantic life, revealing her inclination towards directors. During an appearance on The Hollywood Reporter’s podcast, It Happened in Hollywood, she mentioned, “I grew up with a father who was a director,” referring to her late father, Jules Irving, co-founder of the San Francisco Actor’s Workshop. This paternal influence has led her to form connections primarily with directors throughout her life, noting, “I’m kind of in awe because I can’t do that.”
Her Marital History
Irvine is currently married to acclaimed documentary filmmaker Kenneth Bowser. Before Bowser, she was wed to Brazilian filmmaker Bruno Barreto and famously to Steven Spielberg.
Reflecting on her marriage to Spielberg, Irving stated, “I don’t know how long I was married to [Steven], but we were together for 14 years — with three years off for good behavior.” Their relationship was marked by a brief separation during which they reunited, demonstrating the complexities of their bond.
The Star Wars Connection
Their love story began around 1976 when Irving was auditioning for the role of Princess Leia in Star Wars. Both George Lucas and Brian De Palma were conducting joint casting calls in Hollywood at that time. De Palma subsequently cast her in Carrie, where she played Sue Snell, while Lucas requested a screen test for the role of Leia. The iconic screen test still exists on YouTube today:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GrUDyQmlp8Q
Recalling the daunting moment, Irving noted, “Can you imagine being handed that script? It was like having to read a script in Greek,” as she was tasked with delivering lines for characters like C-3PO and R2-D2. Ultimately, the role went to her friend Carrie Fisher, who invited Irving to an industry screening, where Irving recounts, “She nearly broke my hand holding my hand,” showcasing the tension of the moment.
The Role That Got Away
Though Leia was not meant for her, another significant role, Marion Ravenwood in Raiders of the Lost Ark, came into view. However, due to her decision to leave Spielberg, the part eventually went to Karen Allen. “I guess real life meant more to me than my career,” Irving said, reflecting on her choices.
Rekindling Flame in India
Their story didn’t end there, as three years later, while Irving was filming a miniseries in India, fate reunited them. She recalls, “I was on a palanquin being taken to marry [Italian star] Rossano Brazzi. As I got off the palanquin, there was Steven, and it just kind of sparked up again.” She mentioned their son, “I think we were meant to make Max,” who is now 39.
A Partnership Beyond Marriage
Spielberg played a pivotal role in making Crossing Delancey a reality, a film that has garnered appreciation over the years and recently joined the Criterion Collection. Irving, who visited the set of Spielberg’s Empire of the Sun with their baby, Max, described how Delancey‘s director, Joan Micken Silver, reached out to her, leading to a collaboration that overcame initial funding obstacles due to its Jewish-themed narrative.
Despite their divorce in 1989, Irving and Spielberg have maintained a respectful relationship, co-parenting Max and even enjoying shared outings with their spouses. “We’ve always communicated and been close,” Irving acknowledges, highlighting their ongoing connection.
Future Endeavors
Looking ahead, Irving is set to release an album of Willie Nelson covers titled Always Will Be, drawing on her earlier collaboration with the music legend in Honeysuckle Rose (1980), which also included an off-screen romantic relationship, thus proving her interests may extend beyond directors.