Anjelica Huston found herself at a turning point in her life back in March 1973, when she bid farewell to Bob Richardson, a daring fashion photographer much older than her, at the LAX customs hall.
At 21 years old, she had been entangled in a tumultuous romance with Richardson for four years, sharing an apartment in New York with him.
It was the presence of her father and his wife, Cici, during a Mexico trip that gave her the courage to finally end the relationship.
Soon after, Anjelica temporarily relocated to Cici's ranch house in Pacific Palisades, which held sentimental value as it housed treasures from St. Clerans, her childhood home in Ireland.
Returning to California felt like a homecoming for Anjelica, who was born in Los Angeles.
The clear blue skies and the familiar scents of the desert evoked a sense of belonging despite the strangeness of living with her father again, albeit briefly.
Cruising down Sunset Boulevard under the pale sunlight, Anjelica observed the mix of bare warehouses and gaudy facades, lined with tall palm trees and vibrant jacarandas.
The glamour of Rodeo Drive, with its upscale boutiques and indulgent patrons, painted a picture of a small but glamorous town that Los Angeles was back then.
It exuded both allure and a touch of provincial charm.
An unexpected invitation to a birthday party at Jack Nicholson's residence opened the door to a new chapter for Anjelica.
Clad in a stunning black evening dress borrowed from Cici, she arrived at Nicholson's modest yet inviting ranch-style house perched on Mulholland Drive.
Nicholson's charismatic smile, later dubbed by Diana Vreeland as “the Killer Smile,” left a lasting impression on Anjelica.
An encounter with Nicholson at the party brought back memories of watching him in “Easy Rider” while she was in London in 1969.
His charisma and energy on screen had already captivated her, and meeting him in person only deepened her admiration.
Nicholson's warm welcome and southern drawl set the stage for a memorable evening filled with dancing and laughter, culminating in an unexpected invitation to stay the night—a decision that led Anjelica to seek Cici's opinion on the matter.
