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Red Carpets and Other Banana Skins: The Autobiography
Revealing himself to be a consummate storyteller, stage and screen star Everett ("My Best Friend's Wedding") pens a delightfully witty memoir in which he reveals his life experiences as an up-and-coming actor, detailing everything from the eccentricities of the British upper class to the madness of Hollywood.
Hardcover
,
416 pages
Published
August 1st 2009
by Warner Books
(first published September 18th 2006)
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Community Reviews
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I wouldn't have pegged myself to read an autobiography by Rupert Everett, but I had heard that this was an unexpectedly great read. Everett has really been through a lot in life, from a surprisingly posh upbringing to the awakening of London's gay culture in the 70s, to the south of France in the 80s and Miami (chez Versace to be exact) and Hollywood in the 90s. He's had run-ins with Warhol and other illustrious names, and although some of friendship mentions come close to eye-roll inducing name
...more
Jul 31, 2007
Louise Brown
rated it
3 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
30something fagnets
An honestish account of an out gay man's lot in Hollywood with odd juicy tidbits about the likes of Julia Roberts, Madonna, and Catherine Deneuve and some fading Hollywood stars and locations. Although patchily written both in style and narrative it is pretty entertaining both in language and stories revealed.
Some of the stories smack of Chinese whispered Hollywood fables, but most are revealing of real Hollywood (I imagine) and his honesty about his talent (and at times, lack thereof), love lif ...more
Some of the stories smack of Chinese whispered Hollywood fables, but most are revealing of real Hollywood (I imagine) and his honesty about his talent (and at times, lack thereof), love lif ...more
Rupert Everett's international film career was launched with Another Country, back in 1984, when he was both young and beautiful. Although never able to make the grade as a romantic lead – Hollywood was notoriously conservative back then and couldn't risk the wrath of a potential right wing backlash if they cast an openly gay actor. Nevertheless he went on to have his fifteen minutes of fame in Hollywood, where he briefly held court in Camelot.
Red Carpets and Other Banana Skins describes in de ...more
I loved this. I really did. Met the man too and he’s a lovely bloke. But before I end up sucking Rupert’s dick too much, I should add that my grasp and initial impression of this book is not without its foibles and issues. I still have my fair share of points to raise.
One thing in particular strikes me about Red Carpets and Banana Skins and it seems like a vital point that many of the platitudes from the press that cover the inside, outside and even ‘sub-cover’ of this paperback. The point is th ...more
One thing in particular strikes me about Red Carpets and Banana Skins and it seems like a vital point that many of the platitudes from the press that cover the inside, outside and even ‘sub-cover’ of this paperback. The point is th ...more
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Very enjoyable. A recommend from my mum. For a man with such keen self-awareness you'd think Rupert would display rather more self-analysis. He's a bit light on there. I'm as in the dark about some of his dumber career decisions as he is. Rupe's great analysing others though. Best writing I've ever encountered on Paula Yates. Never heard her described in quite the same heartbreaking way that Rupert describes her. Brought a tear to my eye and stayed with me afterwards. His take on Madonna left me
...more
I had been meaning to read this book when it first came out but somehow I never got around to it and then recently my husband announced he was planning to read it so we have a copy at home so finally I have read it. I remember it receiving good reviews about the Hollywood lifestyle and all the people Rupert Everett has encountered. My feeling after finishing it is that Rupert Everett has been in more plays and films than perhaps I would have given him credit for and he has mixed with a very dive
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The surprising thing about this book is that it inverts one's expectations.
The traditionally boring bit - the pre-fame bit - is wonderfully enjoyable and witty - all things Poppins especially.
The fame bit, dusted in coke, and trailing on the coat-tails of Madonna, is suprisingly unengaging. Perhaps that's as it should be. Vainity, in a mad self-indulgent dance with itself, has never truly been a satisfying spectator sport.
Not even the cruel sythe of aids, nor the horror of the Twin Towers, succe ...more
The traditionally boring bit - the pre-fame bit - is wonderfully enjoyable and witty - all things Poppins especially.
The fame bit, dusted in coke, and trailing on the coat-tails of Madonna, is suprisingly unengaging. Perhaps that's as it should be. Vainity, in a mad self-indulgent dance with itself, has never truly been a satisfying spectator sport.
Not even the cruel sythe of aids, nor the horror of the Twin Towers, succe ...more
I expected Rupert Everett's autobiography to simply be about being a gay and fabulous movie star. Of course, there's a lot of that -- but also lots of sex, drugs and drama. After over twenty years on the silver screen and a good number of years on the stage, he has worked with almost everyone worth mentioning in America and Europe. There's a metric ton of name-dropping in this book and I enjoyed all of it (especially after his arrival in Hollywood).
Three things I liked in particular: (1) His ch ...more
Three things I liked in particular: (1) His ch ...more
Sep 08, 2007
Magid
rated it
5 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
Bitchy queens
I never really considered Rupert Everett (or 'Rupi', as I now insist on calling him) as much more than a floppy-haired C-list Hollywood layabout, but I was wrong. So WRONG. I found this book absolutley fascinating, charmingly written, genuinely funny, honest and, at times, really quite touching. I never realised that Everett had been around for quite such a long time, and that he'd really been a witness to the celebrity twilight zone that was the 80's and 90's. It's the range of his human experi
...more
I know very little about Rupert Everett and have not seen anything he has acted in (although had he accepted the role opposite Roddy McDowell in 'Fright Night' I definitely would have known who he was earlier on!) but this was given to me as a gift by a friend who recommended it. It is well written - capturing my attention from the start reading about his upbringing in Essex and progression through his career in the early years, Rupert certainly met some interesting characters and visited some a
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The best word to describe Rupert Everett's biography is....whiny, but that's part of why this autobiography is entertaining...it's so very dramatic! It's not wonderful and I wouldn't run out to buy it (I got mine for $3 off the Bargain Books shelf and I would recommend paying more than that!) but it was a "not terrible" way to pass the day. The story of Rupert Everett's mostly posh life. Sort of funny, sort of sad, sort of....?
Oct 22, 2014
☆ Ｃａｒｏｌ ☆
rated it
3 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
biography-memoirs
,
non-fiction
Three & a half stars.
I read this book while away on holiday, so unfortunately I don't have it right next to me while I review.
Excellent opening chapters with very evocative writing about life as upper class school boy.
Rupert appears to be really honest about his own character failings - he doesn't seem quite so self aware that some of these foibles(light fingered, bitchy) may have cost him as many roles as his homosexuality.
Celebrities & movies pictured (heaps of great photos) often are ...more
I read this book while away on holiday, so unfortunately I don't have it right next to me while I review.
Excellent opening chapters with very evocative writing about life as upper class school boy.
Rupert appears to be really honest about his own character failings - he doesn't seem quite so self aware that some of these foibles(light fingered, bitchy) may have cost him as many roles as his homosexuality.
Celebrities & movies pictured (heaps of great photos) often are ...more
Getting your hands on an autobiography that is honest, warts and all, is not common – in fact, it is almost non-existent. Therefore, when a well written and rather scathing bio comes out it counts as a must read. This is certainly the case for Rupert Everett’s ‘Red Carpets and Other Banana Skins’. This is a guide to the life of an actor who admits never quite making it to the heights he wished and he is not afraid to tell you that he thinks he is better than most.
The arrogance of Everett may put ...more
The arrogance of Everett may put ...more
Rup is a talented writer, telling a story with all the descriptive beauty of a seasoned writer and throwing in lots of humor. Rupert writes with amazing honesty about the seedier side of gay culture in a very matter of fact could care less and non judgmental way .
This is the second autobiography I have recently read written by an actor/actress with brutal honesty about the cut throat life, stealing money from friends while living for a year or more between jobs, but somehow making it through to ...more
This is the second autobiography I have recently read written by an actor/actress with brutal honesty about the cut throat life, stealing money from friends while living for a year or more between jobs, but somehow making it through to ...more
Wow, this really was a fascinating read. I had no idea how he's struggled to be the recognised name he doesn't seem to think he is! It's very educational to see just how haphazard some star's rises actually are whereas us mere mortals sit here dreaming that they're all sunshine, roses and gold paved roads to the paradise of wealth and fame ... this seems not to be altogether true for the most part.
I'd highly recommend this autobiography if you've enjoyed him as an actor at all. I personally thin ...more
I'd highly recommend this autobiography if you've enjoyed him as an actor at all. I personally thin ...more
"Okay, so I'm not having an affair with Rudolf Nureyev, but I am shagging Ian McKellen, I swear" That gives you a pretty good idea of our hero's tale.
What Rupert lacks in film success he makes up for with a hedonistic glamorous lifestyle and tells us all about it with a queeny relish. It's told chronologically and take us through the early success of Another Country into the lean times when he was unemployable for years through the disastrous Hearts of Fire with Bob Dylan and the return with My ...more
What Rupert lacks in film success he makes up for with a hedonistic glamorous lifestyle and tells us all about it with a queeny relish. It's told chronologically and take us through the early success of Another Country into the lean times when he was unemployable for years through the disastrous Hearts of Fire with Bob Dylan and the return with My ...more
Exhausting - pace, haphazard time line and name dropping. But, an engaging writer, especially describing scenes and background eg looking up at the Twin Towers on 9/11 - Eerily reminiscent of a real movie! His memory is amazing, and he has crammed his life with travels and people - being the same age, I felt completely unworldly by comparison! Also, he opens the lid completely on the Hollywood merry-go-round which is fascinatingly horrific.
But i found the name dropping tiring, as so many unknow ...more
But i found the name dropping tiring, as so many unknow ...more
Rupert is a fantastic writer, really descriptive and he carries you into the scene perfectly. His way with words is stunning and it reads more like a novel than an autobiography. This chap has really lived – sometimes you do wonder if some of the occurrences are second hand rather than actual accounts – really only because you think can he really have had such an eventful life? He seems to be there at all the most extreme and shocking occasions. Well it makes for good reading anyway.
Red Carpets ...more
Red Carpets ...more
Rupert Everett is such a brilliant actor. Adorable, funny and very charming, I was desperate for his biography to be the same. Those three it certainly was but it was slightly more than that. At times it was sad, shocking and but above all incredibly honest.
Everett’s life could almost have been made up; the places he’s lived in and the things he’s seen (Collapse of Communism, 9/11, Hollywood in the 90s). It makes for such an exciting read, particularly as he often puts himself down and seems sur ...more
Everett’s life could almost have been made up; the places he’s lived in and the things he’s seen (Collapse of Communism, 9/11, Hollywood in the 90s). It makes for such an exciting read, particularly as he often puts himself down and seems sur ...more
God knows.. the reason why I bought this book was because Rupert was one of Madonna's close friend (before he released this book) and God knows I only read the part where he talked about how it feel working with Madonna on the set of movie 'The Next Best Thing'.. the rest is.. hmmmm.. I skipped them.. I only survived after 3 chapters.. I did not really understand what was the 'punch-lines' of his story.. I used this book only for my research of Madonna.. nothing more..
This was entertaining and quite light for an Autobiography, I'm not disappointed I read it. It is however highly anecdotal and doesn't flow very well - it jumps around alot (in great leaps - he'll be talking about 1987 on one page and 1998 on the next), gets a bit confusing here and there and some parts are a great deal more interesting than others. It was disappointing that he doesn't mention Dellamorte Dellamore or A Midsummer Nights Dream - two of my favourite Rupert Everett films, but perhap
...more
I’ve always enjoyed Rupert Everett’s comic style in movies like
An Ideal Husband
and
The Importance of Being Earnest
so I thought his biography would be an amusing venture into the world of a dashing British sex symbol. It wasn’t. This heavy-handed and abysmal tale attempted to put a humorous twist on vulgarity and perversion but I just couldn’t bring myself to laugh. The first chapter (and I didn’t bother reading any further but opted to selectively skim) pretty much destroyed my image of him a
...more
I enjoyed reading this book, but I had expected more somehow. Whilst providing some juicy insights into Hollywood and theatre life, and also managing to give some eye-witness accounts of important historical events, Everett's autobiography still manages to stay pretty superficial - in more than one sense of the word. Not only do the tales of hedonistic pursuits become a little wearing, but also there's a lack of depth to the storytelling that left me feeling unsatisfied as a reader. There are a
...more
Melodramatic and funny throughout, if a bit turgid.
I'm suspicious of this book as a work of nonfiction. Unless he has a phenomenal memory or was an rabid journal-keeper, there's no way he could've remembered events with the amount of detail that he does. There are even stretches of dialogue. Particularly bothersome in the early chapters about his childhood.
Not as much celebrity gossip as I would have liked although the following were wonderful: the chapter on the filming of My Best Friend's Wedd ...more
I'm suspicious of this book as a work of nonfiction. Unless he has a phenomenal memory or was an rabid journal-keeper, there's no way he could've remembered events with the amount of detail that he does. There are even stretches of dialogue. Particularly bothersome in the early chapters about his childhood.
Not as much celebrity gossip as I would have liked although the following were wonderful: the chapter on the filming of My Best Friend's Wedd ...more
Outrageous. The openly gay Hollywood star has written a completely frank and honest biography about his wild youth in England in the vicious world of gay sex and drugs during which he admits he was a male prostitute or gigolo. How this lead on to fame and fortune on the silver screen. Before too many chapters have been read you start asking yourself who he hasn't slept with from the film, pop music, fashion and noble ranks of the aristocracy. For most of the book he seems to have thoroughly enjo
...more
Surprisingly perspicacious (not sure if that's a word or what it means, but I think it's perfect for Rupi)
Nice mixture of titillating sleaze, bitchy one-liners and extremely sharp and sensitive observation of certain female stars. I never knew he had an affair with Beatrice Dalle. One of my favourite bits is from his little prologue, apologising to those who have complained about inaccuracies in the book. One of the complainees apparently protested that he would never have licked his fingers bef ...more
Nice mixture of titillating sleaze, bitchy one-liners and extremely sharp and sensitive observation of certain female stars. I never knew he had an affair with Beatrice Dalle. One of my favourite bits is from his little prologue, apologising to those who have complained about inaccuracies in the book. One of the complainees apparently protested that he would never have licked his fingers bef ...more
It was slim pickings at the library this week, and carpool was starting, so I grabbed this. If you are thinking of reading this book, I suggest that you do NOT get the abridged audio version, as it was a mess. Whomever edited it should be fired. People came and went without introduction or explanation as to where they went. One minute he is poverty stricken in LA and the next he is talking about selling a second home in Paris and buying something else. I did appreciate his honesty about being a
...more
Superbly funny and incredibly touching in places. Everett is a brilliant raconteur and wittily self-deprecating. He is just as happy turning his acid tongue on himself as on his co-stars. This is very much a account of a life in film and my only criticism is that you don't really get that close to him. But for all that, there are moments of real power here and Everett has a beautiful writing style. Very enjoyable.
Entertaining, but not just in a sensationalist way...Rupert Everett talks engagingly about Hollywood and it's stars against a backdrop of London, Paris, Miami, New York, Russia and the South of France. As much a travelogue as a celebrity gossip-fest.
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Rupert James Hector Everett is a two-time Golden Globe-nominated English film actor, author and former singer.
He first came into public attention in the early 1980s when he was cast in Julian Mitchell's play and subsequent film Another Country for playing an openly homosexual student at an English public school, set in the 1930s. Since then he has appeared in many other films with mostly major rol ...more
More about Rupert Everett...
He first came into public attention in the early 1980s when he was cast in Julian Mitchell's play and subsequent film Another Country for playing an openly homosexual student at an English public school, set in the 1930s. Since then he has appeared in many other films with mostly major rol ...more
