In the glittering, gossip-fueled world of 1980s Hollywood, where star-studded dinners and impromptu parties blurred the lines between reality and legend, stories often take on a life of their own. One such tale—recounted in actress Melissa Gilbert’s 2010 memoir—alleges that actor Andrew McCarthy shared a passionate kiss with Liza Minnelli after a wild night out at the famed Spago restaurant. Decades later, McCarthy is setting the record straight: it never happened.
A Night to Remember—Or Misremember?
The story originates in Gilbert’s memoir, Prairie Tale, where she vividly recounts a surreal evening in the 1980s. At the time, Gilbert was dating actor Rob Lowe, and the couple, along with Lowe’s agent Michael Black and McCarthy, dined at Spago, Wolfgang Puck’s iconic Beverly Hills hotspot. The dinner was already unusual, but it took a surreal turn when Liza Minnelli suddenly appeared at their table.
According to Gilbert, the energy shifted even more when pop legend Michael Jackson joined them—though he reportedly didn’t speak a word the entire evening. As dessert wound down, Jackson finally broke his silence with a bizarre invitation: “You can come to my house—I got a llama.” The group declined, and Jackson reportedly left alone.
The night continued at Black’s apartment, where, Gilbert claims, the unexpected happened: “Suddenly, Andrew and Liza started making out.” The image of McCarthy, then a rising heartthrob best known for St. Elmo’s Fire and Pretty in Pink, locking lips with the legendary Minnelli—a Broadway icon and daughter of Judy Garland—was too juicy not to linger in pop culture lore.
McCarthy Sets the Record Straight
When Page Six recently caught up with McCarthy at the press day for the off-Broadway revival of Are You or Have You Ever Been, they couldn’t resist asking about the long-standing rumor. Now 63 and more reflective than ever, McCarthy responded with a mix of charm and firm denial.
“I would love to have made out with Liza Minnelli,” he admitted with a smile. “But we did not.”
McCarthy confirmed that he was indeed at the Spago dinner with Gilbert, Lowe, and Black. He also verified that Minnelli joined the group, lending credibility to parts of Gilbert’s account. However, he firmly denies any romantic or physical interaction with the Chicago star.
What’s more, McCarthy doesn’t recall Michael Jackson being present at all—a key discrepancy. In Gilbert’s version, Jackson’s single line about the llama is one of the night’s most memorable moments. Yet McCarthy, who was reportedly seated at the same table, says he has no memory of the King of Pop ever showing up.
This raises an intriguing question: how can two people remember the same event so differently? Memory, especially from decades past and potentially influenced by alcohol and the surreal nature of celebrity culture, is notoriously unreliable. Psychologists often point to the “misinformation effect,” where details can be distorted over time, especially when retold or influenced by others’ accounts.
Clashing Memories in Hollywood Lore
The McCarthy-Minnelli incident isn’t the first time Hollywood figures have offered conflicting versions of the same night. In fact, such contradictions are common in memoirs, where personal perspective often outweighs objective truth.
Consider these well-known examples of celebrity memory gaps:
- Tom Cruise and Paula Abdul: Abdul claimed in a 2013 interview that she dated Cruise in the late 1980s, only for Cruise’s camp to deny it outright.
- Madonna and Warren Beatty: Rumors of a brief affair in the 1990s were confirmed by some insiders but never officially acknowledged by either party.
- Charlie Sheen and Corey Haim: Haim alleged in his memoir that Sheen introduced him to drugs, a claim Sheen has repeatedly denied.
These cases highlight how personal narratives, even when heartfelt, can diverge significantly from reality—or at least from another person’s version of it.
In the case of McCarthy and Gilbert, both were young, navigating the highs and pressures of fame in the 1980s. Alcohol, excitement, and the fast pace of their social circles could easily have contributed to hazy recollections. Gilbert has never accused McCarthy of lying—she simply remembers it differently. McCarthy, for his part, doesn’t question her sincerity, only the accuracy of the memory.
Interestingly, Liza Minnelli herself has not publicly commented on the alleged kiss, leaving the story in a kind of celebrity limbo—neither confirmed nor denied by the other party involved.
Why This Story Still Matters
On the surface, the idea of a fleeting kiss between two stars might seem trivial. But stories like this tap into a larger fascination with Hollywood’s golden eras—especially the 1980s, a decade defined by excess, glamour, and the rise of the celebrity-as-lifestyle.
McCarthy, as a central figure in the Brat Pack era, symbolizes a certain kind of youthful rebellion and romantic idealism. Minnelli, with her legacy in film and theater, represents old Hollywood royalty. The idea that these two worlds collided—even briefly—feels cinematic. It’s the kind of moment that belongs in a movie montage, underscored by a synth-heavy soundtrack.
Yet McCarthy’s denial reminds us that behind the myths are real people with real memories—some clearer than others. His response is neither defensive nor dismissive. Instead, it’s grounded in honesty and a touch of humor. “I would have remembered that,” he said, half-joking. “That’s not something you forget.”
As for the rest of the night—Minnelli’s energy, the group’s dynamic, the mystery of Jackson’s absence from McCarthy’s memory—it may remain forever unresolved. But that’s part of what makes Hollywood history so compelling: the blend of fact, fiction, and the stories we choose to believe.
Frequently Asked Questions
Did Andrew McCarthy and Melissa Gilbert remain friends after the 1980s?
While they haven’t collaborated publicly in recent years, both have spoken respectfully of each other in interviews. There’s no indication of a feud, and their differing memories appear to be a matter of perspective rather than personal conflict.
Has Liza Minnelli ever commented on the alleged kiss?
No, Minnelli has not publicly addressed the claim made in Gilbert’s memoir or McCarthy’s denial.
Is Michael Jackson’s “llama” comment real?
The anecdote comes solely from Gilbert’s memoir. No other known sources confirm Jackson made the statement, and McCarthy doesn’t recall Jackson being at the dinner at all.
What is Andrew McCarthy doing now?
McCarthy has transitioned into writing and directing. He’s authored several travel memoirs and continues to act, recently appearing in the off-Broadway play Are You or Have You Ever Been.
Can memories from decades ago be trusted?
Not always. Memory is reconstructive, not reproductive. Over time, details can shift, merge, or be influenced by emotions, stories, or external input—especially in high-pressure or hedonistic environments like 1980s Hollywood.
In the end, whether or not Andrew McCarthy kissed Liza Minnelli may never be fully resolved. But the story endures—not as a scandal, but as a window into the hazy, dazzling world of fame, memory, and the stories we tell about ourselves.
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