This was Audrey Hepburn's final film before her death on January 20, 1993 at the age of 63. She accepted the role of Hap because she wanted to work with Steven Spielberg.
Audrey Hepburn had to be carried on a stretcher by crew members when shooting her scenes in the burned-out forest so that the dirt and ashes wouldn't smudge her white costume. The sweater and slacks Hepburn wears were from her own personal wardrobe.
The incident where Dorinda mistakes Ted's John Wayne imitation for Henry Fonda actually occurred between Holly Hunter and Brad Johnson during filming. Steven Spielberg found the incident so comical that he reproduced it in the film.
Steven Spielberg originally wanted Sean Connery for the role of Hap. Because Connery was unavailable, Spielberg decided to cast Hap as a woman instead and went with Audrey Hepburn.