Hollywood hermit WHY MICHELLE DISAPPEARED

Shunning the limelight at the height of her popularity was a no-brainer for the reluctant star

As one of Hollywood’s most revered A-listers, fans could be forgiven for thinking Michelle Pfeiffer lives a glittering existence, crammed with celebrity-studded parties and exclusive soirées.

But at 63, the Dangerous Liaisons actress is finally ready to confess something about herself that few would guess – she can’t wait to leave a party. Any party. Particularly her own!

Take for, example, her 40th birthday. “Somebody threw a party for me,” tells Michelle. “And it was just the worst evening. I have an eclectic group of friends and they don’t necessarily gel, so I felt responsible – why aren’t they talking? Are they not having a good time? I think that was the last party I ever had.”

Feeling awkward at social engagements is an unusual affliction for someone who has reached her level of fame. But born in Orange County, California, in 1958, Michelle – whose latest movie is the dark comedy French Exit – grew up far from the hurly-burly of Hollywood.

“I couldn’t have been more removed from the entertainment business,” she explains. “In fact, I didn’t really even go to the movies much. I was a surfer chick.”

After high school, she started training as a stenographer “because I didn’t know what else to do”, but didn’t like it, so she threw it in and went to work on the checkout at her local supermarket.