For many people under the age of 50, Elizabeth Taylor was something of a punch line, known more for her multiple marriages, her perfume line and her friendship with Michael Jackson. But for me and others of my generation, the death of Ms. Taylor took away one of the last movie stars who really affected us in our youth. I have no doubt that Meryl Streep is a better actress, but Ms. Streep is younger, and I've met her, and besides, she's just another human being, you know? She can take consolation in the fact that millions of younger moviegoers grew up on her movies, and for them she will forever be a goddess.

I met Ms. Taylor only twice. In 1969 I was interviewing Richard Burton in London, and he asked me into his enormous dressing room on the set of "Anne of the Thousand Days." Ms. Taylor was there with the couple's daughter, Maria, Mr. Burton's sister Katherine, her son, and her father-in-law, who as it happened was the undertaker in their village in Wales. Drinking was happening. I sat in a corner and sensed it was not the right time for interview questions. I had been forgotten. What I saw was Ms. Taylor completely relaxed in this family gathering, joking, showing off an enormous new sapphire Mr. Burton had given her, leaning over so he could tease her about flashing her bum, laughing, happy.

That image of Ms. Taylor fits with what I've heard about her over the years. That she was human, present and had a sense of humor. That she was ready to poke fun at herself, and slow to care about the limitless gossip that appeared about her. That she was a good mother and a loyal friend. When she married Larry Fortensky in 1991 after meeting him at the Betty Ford Clinic, I thought, yes, she's the kind of woman who doesn't give a damn what people think.