Walker was also a close friend of actor Montgomery Clift. His biographer Patricia Bosworth stated the two first met in 1948, but did not become good friends until 10 years later, after Clift's disfiguring car accident. Bosworth adds that Walker would sustain him as his dearest friend for the rest of his life; their relationship was one of mutual support – whereas most of Clift's friends assumed he needed to be looked after, or else left alone, Walker stated, "he needed to be needed". She also said, "I liked his face better after the accident; his strength "shone" through." Clift nicknamed friends for whom he felt particular affection, and he called Walker "Nanny".