Synopses & Reviews
The story of a dog, and the extraordinary difference she made in every life she touched.and#160;After sixty years in show business, Betty White has earned her reputation as an American icon. She may be a bona fide television pioneer, but throughout Bettyandrsquo;s life, her heart has always been with the animals. But one of the most enriching episodes in her career as an animal-rights advocate arrived with actor Tom Sullivan. Blind since birth, Tom was one of Bettyandrsquo;s closest friends and professional partners. Their dearest collaboration was a mutual devotion to a golden retriever named Dinah.and#160;This first-class guide dog was more than Tom's best friend, she was a source of unqualified loyalty and love. Most important, she enabled Tom to be truly independent for the first time in his life. However as Dinah got older, as her faculties weakened and her confidence faltered, Tom had little choice but to get a new dog. The effect of losing her purpose was devastating to the once-gallant Dinah.and#160;Then Betty gladly stepped in to give this great Lady a new lease on life.and#160;What would transpire is a heartening and inspiring story of a dog who made a difference and who, in Betty Whiteandrsquo;s words, andldquo;helped Tom grow up as she has helped me grow older.andrdquo; It is for all animal lovers, for all Betty White lovers, and everyone who can relate to the unconditional devotion of dogs and the people who love them.and#160;and#160;INCLUDES PHOTOS
Review
"A breezy patchwork of musings on aging, acting, poker (she plays a monthly game) and pet ownership."
-The New York Times
"Readers will enjoy White's gentle tone and cheery stories...[a]pleasant read from an author whose writing voice is surprisingly reminiscent of her speaking voice."
-Kirkus Reviews
"Reads like a chat with the beloved star."
-The Denver Post
Review
"Reads like a chat with the beloved star."
Review
andldquo;Here, in alternating chapters written by White and Sullivan, are stories about Dinah's early and later yearsandmdash;her extensive and demanding travels with Sullivan for TV appearances, golf tournaments, and concerts, and her move into White's pet-filled householdandhellip;there's honest talk on family dynamics, on how a blind person overcomes fears and manages to lead a fulfilling life, on guide-dog training, and on how one graceful, devoted, hard-working canine affects positively the lives of those around her. Appealing for its autobiographical content, its insight into the lives of the blind, and its message of human-animal bonding.andrdquo;andmdash;Kirkus Reviews
Review
“Theres as much practical, hard-won advice here as there is Hollywood gossip, and Marshall's boundless energy and no-nonsense attitude make for a fun read.” -
Publishers Weekly“Bold and irrepressibly sassy.” - Kirkus Reviews
“Marshalls matter-of-fact memoir is a must-read for one reason - its hilarious.” - Marie Claire
“According to her revealing new memoir, budding actress Penny Marshall braved the cruelties of a business obsessed with perky, girl-next-door pretty. Of course, that was before Marshall starred in the juggernaut sitcom Laverne & Shirley, then directed movies like A League of Their Own and Big - the first Hollywood film with a woman at the helm to gross over $100 million, vaulting her into the elite ranks of Hollywood power players. Beautiful.” - O Magazine
“Penny Marshall charmed America in Laverne & Shirley and gave her comedic and directors touch to films such as Big and A League of Their Own. Now she tells all with memoir My Mother Was Nuts. The brutally honest, heartbreaking tale includes her recent struggle with (and victory over) cancer. Above all, the book is funny.” - USA Weekend
“This breezy and charming memoir also has many serious things to say about motherhood, the Hollywood pecking order, taking advantage when luck comes ones way, growing up with distant and weird parents, and marrying too young.” - Publishers Marketplace
“Penny Marshalls My Mother Was Nuts is absolutely hilarious and dead serious… its Pennys raspy, punchline packed voice all the way through. You cannot put My Mother Was Nuts down. Just try.” -ShowBiz411.com
“Hollywood aficionados will get a kick out of Marshalls anecdotes about her circle of friends, including Albert Brooks, John Belushi, and Carrie Fisher, all told in a funny, down-to-earth manner.” - Booklist
“Penny Marshall is a fascinating woman who has lived a life few of us could survive. Did you know she gave me two of the best jobs Ive ever had? Of course not, because when she talks she is barely comprehensible. Read her memoir and youll come to love her as much as I do.” - Tom Hanks
“If I hadnt known Penny for the past 35 years, reading this book would make me want to. Also, I'm so glad she wrote it because it helps me remember things I forgot, which is a lot.” - Carrie Fisher
“My sister Penny is one of the funniest people I know. Im not saying that because shes my sister, although I am partial to nepotism. She made everyone laugh at our family dinner table, and she made everyone laugh on the set of Laverne and Shirley. The fact that she went on to become the first woman director in the history of film, to make not one, but two movies that made over $100 million is no surprise to me. Read this book and you will know why.” - Garry Marshall
“A very funny book by a very funny lady. I wouldn't have a career without her!” - Mark Wahlberg
Synopsis
It-girl Betty White delivers a hilarious, slyly profound take on love, life, celebrity, and everything in between.
Drawing from a lifetime of lessons learned, seven-time Emmy winner Betty White's wit and wisdom take center stage as she tackles topics like friendship, romantic love, aging, television, fans, love for animals, and the brave new world of celebrity. If You Ask Me mixes her thoughtful observations with humorous stories from a seven- decade career in Hollywood. Longtime fans and new fans alike will relish Betty's candid take on everything from her rumored crush on Robert Redford (true) to her beauty regimen (I have no idea what color my hair is and I never intend to find out) to the Facebook campaign that helped persuade her to host Saturday Night Live despite her having declined the hosting job three times already.
Featuring all-new material, with a focus on the past fifteen years of her life, If You Ask Me is funny, sweet, and to the point-just like Betty White.
Synopsis
The New York Times bestseller from the beloved actress and Hollywood icon who's made us laugh on shows from The Mary Tyler Moore Show to Golden Girls to Saturday Night Live
In this candid take on everything from the unglamorous reality behind red-carpet affairs to her beauty regimen ("I have no idea what color my hair is, and I never intend to find out"), Betty White shares her observations about life, celebrity, and love (for humans and animals). Filled with photos, If You Ask Me is funny, sweet, and straight to the point--just like Betty.
Synopsis
The New York Times bestseller from the beloved actress who's made us laugh on shows from The Mary Tyler Moore Show to Saturday Night Live! In this candid take on everything from the unglamorous reality behind red-carpet affairs to her beauty regimen ("I have no idea what color my hair is, and I never intend to find out"), Betty White shares her observations about life, celebrity, and love (for humans and animals). Filled with photos, If You Ask Me is funny, sweet, and straight to the point-just like Betty.
Synopsis
America's sweetheart, impassioned lifelong animal welfare advocate, and New York Times-bestselling author Betty White offers intimate and funny stories about her animal friends at the zoo, enhanced by gorgeous four-color photographs.
Synopsis
From her humble roots in the Bronx to Laverne and Shirley and her unlikely ascent in Hollywood, the beloved actor and director tells the story of her incredible life.
Synopsis
At the age of twenty-six, Penny Marshall was a divorced mother of one living in the Bronx. One year later she starred in a Head & Shoulders commercial (she was the one with the dandruff) with Farah Fawcett. So began the unlikely career of one of Hollywoods most accomplished directors.
My Mother Was Nuts tells the story of Marshalls incredible life, from her starring role on the classic sitcom Laverne and Shirley to her trailblazing moment as the first woman to direct a movie grossing more than $100 million at the box office.
The book is a behind-the-scenes look at Hollywood life, exploring her friendships with John Belushi, Lorne Michaels, Art Garfunkel, and Carrie Fisher, her marriage and eventual divorce from Rob Reiner, and her experiences working with Tom Hanks, Robert De Niro, Robin Williams, Geena Davis, Denzel Washington, and Drew Barrymore.
This is a book about Hollywood, womanhood, and the power of Spanx.
About the Author
Betty White is an award-winning actress who has appeared in such iconic television classics as
The Mary Tyler Moore Show and
The Golden Girls.and#160; Her most recent appearance, as Elka in
Hot in Cleveland, has garnered her two consecutive Emmy Awards and a Life Achievement Award from the Screen Actors Guild.and#160; She also just won her first Grammy Award.and#160; She celebrated her 90th birthday in January 2012 and lives in Los Angeles, California with her dog, Pontiac.and#160;
Tom Sullivan is both a performer and a bestselling author.and#160; Blind since birth, he wrote the national bestseller If You Could See What Iand#160;Hear (which was made into a movie), has appeared over 60 times on the Tonight Show, served for over five years as special correspondent for Good Morning America,and#160;sung the National Anthem at the Super Bowl, and received the Books for a Better Life Award for Seeing Lessons.and#160; He's also appeared as a guest star in many television hits, including Designing Women, Highway to Heaven, Fame, M.A.S.H, Mork and Mindy, and WKRP in Cincinnati, and has been twice nominated for an Emmy Award.and#160;He also competes in golf tournaments, marathons, and triathlons.and#160; He lives in Los Angeles, California.
Table of Contents
Introduction xiFive More Minutes 1
What Were You Expecting—Hedy Lemarr? 8
The Grand Concourse 14
Dinnertime 20
Strictly Ballroom 24
Dear Mom & Dad 32
The Marshall Plan 39
Mucho Grath-e-ath 46
The Facts of Life 52
Mrs. Henry 57
Forget the Gas, I Want the Jell-O 64
Take Everything 70
A Work in Progress 75
Thank God My Brother Had a Job 81
The Manson Murders 87
I Made Him Sick 92
All in the Family 98
Funny Business 106
Out with a Laugh 111
Live from New York 114
Ready for Prime Time 118
Chick Fight 125
From Suds to Stardom 131
Live from New Orleans 135
Wheres Mom? 141
The Remodel 146
Tripping 154
Dirty Laundry 162
Taking Direction 170
Old Friends 176
Good-bye Shirl 182
In the Event of My Death 188
Peggy Sue Blues 193
Jumpin Jack Flash 202
Keeping Things in Perspective 209
Getting Street Cred 213
Heart and Soul 219
A Medical Mystery Tour 231
Batter Up 247
Adding Wood 259
The Gospel 269
The Last Bull Run 280
Riding in Cars 290
Make It Funny, Honey 301
Get Me Some White Castles 306
Five More Minutes 317
Acknowledgments 323