I've always admired actress Shirley MacLaine, not only for her professional talent but also for her strong convictions to share exactly what she's thinking and feeling.

Lately, now at age 74 (an April birthday she annually shares with and celebrates with friend Barbra Streisand) she's been stepping into the shoes of some very strong women with fascinating real life stories of success.

In 2002, she was "tickled pink" to play cosmetics queen Mary Kay in a CBS made-for-television film about her business empire.

And last month, she gave a stellar performance as designer Coco Chanel for a made-for-cable film.

But I often think some of MacLaine's' best moments are the ones unscripted when she's a talk show guest.

I've never had the pleasure of interviewing this great lady, but I know she's a great source for some favorite quotes I keep posted at my desk at work.

For example:

* "You think you have a handle on God, the Universe and 'the Great White Light' until you go home for Thanksgiving and the holidays with your family."

* There's a definite arc to my career. I mean, I used to get married in my films. Now I die in them."

* "What do I think about when I watch my old films? I think about who I was having an affair with at the time and how much I weighed."

Her bestselling books on spirituality, reincarnation and the powers of crystals have generated much discussion since the first one, "Out on a Limb" was published in 1986.

And, there have been a few rocky moments, such as her unhappy guest appearance on David Letterman's late night talk show exactly 20 years ago this week on Oct. 4, 1988 when he began to jab and joke at her about her book and her beliefs and she called him an *BLEEP* on the air for being rude. (Cher had called him the same thing during an angry on-air moment two years earlier.)

The awkward episode resulted in Letterman making MacLaine a regular focus of his jokes.

"Listen to this, this will make you feel old," Letterman once said.

"Corn Flakes is 100 years old today. I was thinking about this. The only other 100-year-old flake I know is Shirley MacLaine."

But as usual, MacLaine always gets the last word. She's an Oscar winning actress while Letterman's only footnote in the history of the Academy Awards is his ill-fated attempt as the televised ceremony host in 1995.

A wonderful opportunity

On the subject of Shirley MacLaine, spirituality, wellness and crystals, The Ruby Room, a wonderful and very elegant and relaxing spa billed as "for the mind, spirit, body and soul" has two terrific free nights out this month at its beautiful space in the West Loop at 1743-45 W. Division St. in Chicago.

Spiritual guide Fredda is offering a series called "In Your Own Image Seminars."

From 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday and again on Oct. 16, the sessions are completely free as a chance to sample everything there is to experience at The Ruby Room.

I guarantee you'll feel much better leaving than when you arrived, once the stress has melted away.

For more information, call (773) 235-2323 or visit rubyroom.com.

The opinions expressed are solely those of the writer. He can be reached at ppotempa@nwitimes.com or 219.852.4327.

celebBirthdays

Actor James Whitmore is 87. Pianist Roger Williams and President Jimmy Carter are 84. Actor Tom Bosley is 81. Actress-singer Julie Andrews is 73. Saxophonist Jerry Martini of Sly and the Family Stone is 65. Baseball star Rod Carew is 63. Actor Stephen Collins ("Seventh Heaven") is 61. Actor Randy Quaid is 58. Singer Youssou N'Dour is 49. Actor Esai Morales ("NYPD Blue") is 46. Baseball star Mark McGwire is 45. Actor Christopher Titus ("Titus") is 44. Model-actress Cindy Margolis is 43. Singer-guitarist Kevin Griffin of Better Than Ezra and actor Jay Underwood ("The Boy Who Couldn't Fly") are 40.