National Mentoring Month: 10 life-changing stories from celebrities

In the new book "The Person Who Changed My Life," 10 celebrities share stories of their mentors.

4. Marcia Gay Harden

When Harden made the 1996 movie "The Spitfire Grill" with actress Ellen Burstyn, Burstyn offered her some important life lessons – and an acting tip that she will never forget. They were shooting a sad scene together one day and Harden didn't cry until it was time for her own close-up. "Ellen said, 'Don't ever do that again,' " Harden writes. " 'Had I seen that performance ... my own would have differed vastly.' 'But... but... what if I didn't have any tears left for my close-up?' I asked, mortified. 'How would I get there?' She answered firmly, 'I would be there for you. I would help you get there.'... Ellen doesn't believe that energy or strength is stolen but that it is shared, borrowed, expanded, until there is enough for everyone to grow."

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