The Presley Family’s Inner Circle: Austin Butler and More

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The Presley family’s inner circle: Sarah Ferguson, Austin Butler and other famous friends

Their closest confidants. The Presley family leaned on their famous friends — in public and in private — while dealing with difficult times. When Lisa Marie Presley died at age 54 in January 2023 after suffering cardiac arrest, countless fans and celebrities paid tribute to Elvis and Priscilla Presleythe daughter of. Among the poignant messages was one from Austin Butlerwho portrayed the late “Hound Dog” crooner in Baz Luhrmannit is Elvis biopic. “I am forever grateful for the time I had the chance to be near her bright light and will forever cherish the quiet moments we shared,” the actor said in a statement to E! News, noting that he was “completely devastated” by Lisa Marie’s “unexpected” death. “His warmth, love and authenticity will be forever remembered.” Days before his passing, Lisa Marie attended the 2023 Golden Globes with her mother to support Butler, who won Best Actor in a Motion Picture Drama for his starring role as the King of Rock ‘n Roll. “Thank you for opening your hearts, your memories [and] your home to me,” the California native said in his acceptance speech at the 80th annual awards ceremony. “Lisa Marie, Priscilla, I love you forever.”
[jwplayer 4cfmQBZ9-zhNYySv2]On the January 2023 red carpet, Lisa Marie was escorted by her late father’s longtime friend and manager Jerry Schilling, holding his arm during interviews. Schilling was a member of Elvis’ notorious “Memphis Mafia,” the nickname of his entourage in the Tennessee town he called home. In the 2022 biopic, Schilling was portrayed by Luc Bracey. Another star in the family’s orbit is Sarah Ferguson, who shared a close bond with Lisa Marie. Following the death of the “Idiot” singer, the UK native sent her condolences to her pal’s children in a sweet post on social media. (Lisa Marie shared her daughter Riley Keough and her son Benjamin Keough with her ex-husband Danny Keoughas well as twin daughters Harper and Finley with ex-husband Michael Lockwood. Benjamin died by suicide in 2020 at age 27.) “I say hello to you everyday and I love you sissy and will continue to say hello to you everyday,” the Duchess of York wrote via Instagram in January 2023 next to a photo of Lise Marie. “You were my wimp, an amazing mother to Ben, Riley, Harper and Finley and a superbly loving daughter to Priscilla. You have been my devoted friend for many years and I am here for your family to support and love them. I am deeply saddened sissy, you are in my heart. Keep scrolling to learn more about the Presley family’s closest friends:

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Austin Butler

The Once upon a time… in Hollywood The actor was particularly close with Lisa Marie and Priscilla, giving them a special shoutout at the 2023 Golden Globes after winning for his role as Elvis.

Lisa Marie, for her part, couldn’t help but rave about the Carrie’s Diary alum’s performance as his late father. “It’s almost like he channeled it,” she said in the June 2022 special.l Exclusively Elvis. “He put everything he had, his heart, his soul, everything he had into research, reading, observing, learning. He honored it in every way he could.

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Sarah Ferguson

The Finding Sarah the author and Lisa Marie shared a deep friendship after meeting in 2009, according to the Daily mail. “I say hello to you everyday and I love you my sissy and I will continue to say hello to you everyday,” Ferguson, who was married to Prince Andrew from 1986 to 1996, wrote via Instagram in January 2023. “You were my wimp, an amazing mother to Ben, Riley, Harper and Finley and a superbly loving daughter to Priscilla. You have been my devoted friend for many years and I am here for your family to support and love them. I am deeply saddened my sissy, you are in my heart.

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Lea Remini

Remini, who has been an outspoken critic of the Church of Scientology since leaving the religious institution in 2013, shared her devastation at the death of Lisa Marie. (Lisa Marie left the church in 2014.)

“I am heartbroken by the passing of Lisa Marie Presley,” said the king of queens alum tweeted in January 2023. “Lisa hasn’t had it easy as some might think. May she be at peace, resting with her son and father now. Her mother Priscilla and her three daughters , Riley, Finley and Harper are in my prayers.”

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Corey Feldman

The Goonies The star revealed his close relationship with Lisa Marie while mourning her passing via Twitter. Feldman noted that he “spent hours on the phone” with the Tennessee native as she divorced her friend Michael Jackson and later became close with her son Benjamin.

“ANOTHER PERSON WITH WHOM I SHARED DEEP THRILLS HAS PASSED! THIS IS SO SAD AND SHOCKING!” Feldman wrote in January 2023. “LISA AND I SPENT HOURS ON THE PHONE WHILE SHE DIVORCED MJ, HER SON BEN WAS LIKE A LITTLE BROTHER 2 ME, SO MUCH LOSS, SO MUCH TRAGEDY IN THEIR FAMILY, MY ❤️EST WITH THE PRELEYS! ”

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Linda Thompson

Thompson dated Elvis from 1972 to 1976 and was a stepmother figure to Lisa Marie. The songwriter – who was married to Caitlyn Jenner from 1981 to 1986 – shared a series of photos of herself with Elvis and Lisa Marie after learning that the Elvis by the Presleys co-author was rushed to hospital in January 2023.

“Praying fervently for someone I’ve always held so close and dear to my heart @lisampresley 💜🙏🏻,” Thompson wrote at the time. “Please join me in sending your best thoughts, love, prayers and best wishes for a full and speedy recovery for her. Thank you…💜🙏🏻🙏🏻.

Following Lisa Marie’s death, Thompson shared a photo via Instagram of Lisa with her children and mother. “As fans and friends around the world mourn the tragic loss of Lisa Marie, I am deeply aware of the unimaginable pain shared by her loved ones. I keep Lisa’s devoted mother, Priscilla, and Lisa’s three beautiful daughters in my daily prayers,” the lyricist captioned the image. “As a mother, it is unfathomable to imagine the grief of losing a child…and as a daughter, of losing her mother at such a young age. My heart, love and prayers go out to all those most affected by this tragedy. And… As a reminder… Social media can be a very positive force, and especially at a time like this, it should be harnessed as a source of healing and support. May kindness guide us… 💜 🙏🏻.”

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Jerry Schilling

Schilling was a member of Elvis’ “Memphis Mafia” and served as the rock n’ roll legend’s manager. He remained close to the Presleys for decades after the “Blue Suede Shoes” singer’s death in 1977, even accompanying Lisa Marie on the Golden Globes red carpet in January 2023.