Nancy Sinatra Reveals What It Was Really Like To Work With Elvis Presley

Nancy Sinatra, daughter of legendary crooner Frank Sinatra, was given the once in a lifetime experience of starring alongside Elvis Presley in the 1968 classic Speedway. In the movie, Elvis played a racecar driver while Nancy portrayed his love interest, and she’s opening up about the experience in a new interview this week. 

Nancy Sinatra Recalls Working With Elvis Presley On Speedway

“I know he was the funniest man and probably the most serious man I knew, both people in one” Nancy, 81, told People Magazine.

“He made me laugh so hard,” she added. “And at the same time, he would call me late at night to discuss things like the ghetto and his concern for people in the ghetto. I don’t know if that’s surprising. People who follow his life probably are aware of his sensitivity.”

Related: Why A Young Dolly Parton Stood Up To Elvis Presley

Check out a trailer for the 1968 American musical action film Speedway starring Elvis and Nancy Sinatra below.

Nancy Sinatra’s Other Elvis Memories 

While Elvis and Nancy never got the chance to collaborate on a project again before his passing in 1977 at the age of 42, their relationship spanned beyond costarring.

In another interview earlier this year, Nancy elaborated further on what it was like to work with Elvis. 

“We were like brother and sister,” she told Rolling Stone . “Priscilla was pregnant when we were making the movie, and I gave her a baby shower. He called me the night Lisa Marie was born. And he said he felt that she was so blessed, but that he felt bad that the babies born in the ghetto were not as blessed. He was a very thoughtful, sensitive person.”

Nancy would go on to launch a successful career in entertainment, releasing 17 albums and appearing in several more films. 

“[My dad] was very supportive,” she said. “There was a time when he went on stage and he’d say, ‘Hello, I’m Nancy’s father,’ because he was so proud of what was happening to me.”

Sadly, the world lost Frank Sinatra in 1998 at the age of 82. 

Related: What Elvis Presley Predicted Days Before His Death Is Chilling

Talking Politics 

Nancy has also been outspoken about politics throughout her life, and some will undoubtedly be disappointed to learn that she is quite the radical liberal. 

“… I just get so mad,” she explained. “In the ‘60s, the Vietnam War was gearing up, and it affected everybody in my life. You had to take a side. I think people are as passionate now as they were in the ‘60s.”

“The Black Lives Matter movement is fabulous,” Nancy added. “And it’s cleansing, because people have to have their voices heard, or you go nuts. If you can’t express your feelings and if you can’t be heard, how awful is that?”

Love or hate her politics, Nancy Sinatra was a gem onscreen and we can certainly agree that getting to work with Elvis Presley must have been an unforgettably special experience. We’re so glad that she shared her stories!