Legendary Director Francis Ford Coppola recently turned 85, and is still making movies and is considered “one of the greatest directors of all time.” I met him once at his daughter Sofia’s birthday party, at her brother’s house in Laurel Canyon. I went with my brother, an artist, and one of his collectors, Andre Balazs, the handsome hotelier who owns all those amazeballs iconic hotels, including The Chateau Marmont in Hollywood. It was a 1970’s themed costume party, and Jackass & Being John Malkovich director and Spike Jonze, Sofia’s first husband, showed up in a blue vintage “leisure suit” with a hilarious wig and pornstache. It was a beautiful night in Hollywood with the cool kids.
But the highlight of the night was meeting Francis Ford Coppola. He invited me to sit with him and try his wines. He was very GodFatherly. Very Italian, in a life is short, let’s enjoy it kind of way. We talked about wine and Napa Valley, where his kids grew up—and screenwriting, which was a thrill for me.
He poured me a Pinot Grigio and asked "So do you have a boyfriend?"
Me: "You know, I'm really not sure yet."
Coppola: "Does he cook for you?"
Me: "Never."
Coppola: "Does he sing for you?"
Me: "Never."
Coppola: "Then he's not your boyfriend.”
Cheers to a long life Francis Ford Coppola.
photo: Wikimedia commons