Even in passing she had me under the thumb, sweating bricks
Heart-throb Colin Farrell hosted a private memorial for the late Hollywood legend Elizabeth Taylor at the weekend.
The Irish actor stepped out in front a host of celebrities, including Elton John and Michael Caine, to honour the late movie star.
More than 400 close friends and family gathered for the private memorial at a theatre in the Warner Brothers movie lot in California. Taylor’s children, Michael and Christopher Wilding, Liza Tivey and Maria Burton, and her stepdaughter Kate Burton, all attended.
Elton John performed a moving rendition of Blue Eyes to close the memorial. “She was a true rock, a pioneer, a pathfinder, a trailblazer and a star who will always burn bright and always had time to laugh at herself,” he said.
Speakers also including British actor Michael Caine, Kate Burton and the icon’s son Michael Wilding. “My mother was an extraordinary woman whose life touched so many, most of whom we will never know,” said Michael. “Our whole family is extremely proud of her accomplishments.’’
Elizabeth died on March 23 of congestive heart failure at the age of 79. Farrell (pictured in the film London Boulevard) was one of the few Hollywood stars invited to join family members at the movie icon’s private funeral.
One of her final requests was that he read a poem at her graveside. The Dubliner admitted he was shaking when he stepped up to read Gerard Manley Hopkins’ poem The Leaden Echo and the Golden Echo. “Elizabeth chose it. It was a tricky poem as well. Even in passing she had me under the thumb, sweating bricks.”