Laurence Olivier

In 1979, my husband and I were in New York staying at the Wyndham, a small hotel catering to people in “show business.”

At lunch I glanced at another couple in the almost empty dining room, then turned to my husband and said, incredulously, “Is that Laurence Olivier?” I was not prepared to accept that time and illness had aged the “Maxim de Winter” I had fallen in love with when I was 20.

As we were leaving, I timidly approached the actor. “All these years later, I have to tell you how I loved you in ‘Rebecca,’ ” I said. He looked at me and replied softly, “Thank you, thank you, thank you.” Then, reaching up he took both my hands in his and quietly continued, “Forgive me for not leaping to my feet, but I’m a little frail these days.”

I was literally transfixed by the graciousness and gentleness, not to mention the very presence, of this giant thespian. Need I say the moment is etched in my heart?

CHARLOTTE BAKER

Sherman Oaks

Olivier died in London on July 11 at 82 .