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Cloris: My Autobiography
Film and television darling Leachman tells her life story through the challenges of her stellar career all while raising five children. She also discusses her many famous friends in the entertainment industry as well as in the political arena.
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As auto-biographies go, this one is alright. Leachman does not write in a progession of a time-line as most do,and had trouble staying on a topic. She did touch on the death of her son Bryan to an overdose, and did it very well.
Despite the fact that Cloris seemed to be completely nonlinear in the telling of her life-story, so that you jumped around from time to place "Oh, I'm seven"/"Oh, my granddaughter is seven", it wasn't hard to follow. She "spoke" in a conversational style, rather like your grandmother remembering stories, and then one memory giving tangent to another...
George Englund, who co-authored the book with her, was not just her ex-husband, but the true love of her life, and she of his. Despite separation ...more
George Englund, who co-authored the book with her, was not just her ex-husband, but the true love of her life, and she of his. Despite separation ...more
I can't say I've ever read a biography like this. Cloris is some sort of magically impervious and permanently cheerful force of nature. La la la ... Daddy just beat me ... La la la ... I kinda got raped ...
But somehow it comes off as insane only in a perfectly charming and decent way. It gives you perspective in a way unlike anything I've ever read.
But somehow it comes off as insane only in a perfectly charming and decent way. It gives you perspective in a way unlike anything I've ever read.
I love celebrity biographies, but I don't like to waste my time on a book that the author has "phoned" or taped in. I feel like the author (who co-wrote this book with her ex-husband, George Englund) spent about a couple of hours taping her stories and her ex-husband filled in the blank spaces and organized the chapters. Most of the stories can be found in Marlon Brando's autobiography, Songs My Mother Taught Me, or in other books. By the way, her ex-husband was very close friends with Marlon Br
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Cloris is a character, and she's certainly had an interesting life. But the book? Meh!
She alternates between anecdotes and advice to young actors. At times she seems to be aiming for the deliberately outrageous. The advice, however, seems pedantic; and the anecdotes aren't quite outrageous enough. I WANTED to like this book much more than I did. I mean the woman has won Oscars, Emmys, been featured in some of the funniest Mel Brooks films, starred on the Mary Tyler Moore Show, Phyllis, The Facts ...more
She alternates between anecdotes and advice to young actors. At times she seems to be aiming for the deliberately outrageous. The advice, however, seems pedantic; and the anecdotes aren't quite outrageous enough. I WANTED to like this book much more than I did. I mean the woman has won Oscars, Emmys, been featured in some of the funniest Mel Brooks films, starred on the Mary Tyler Moore Show, Phyllis, The Facts ...more
Ms. Leachman has long been a favorite actress, most notably for her amazing work in "Young Frankenstein", as well as her Oscar winning role as Ruth Popper in "The Last Picture Show".
Her autobiography is exactly as I imagined having a conversation with her; breezy, fun, loving, generous, and witty. She speaks to all aspects of her life, leaving nothing to chance. The amazing part of being let into her world, is realising the great variety of people she has known; the Kennedys, Brando, the Chapli ...more
Her autobiography is exactly as I imagined having a conversation with her; breezy, fun, loving, generous, and witty. She speaks to all aspects of her life, leaving nothing to chance. The amazing part of being let into her world, is realising the great variety of people she has known; the Kennedys, Brando, the Chapli ...more
I read this one in between several "heavy" books because I thought it would be light-hearted and entertaining, and for the most part it was, but I was struck by the brief mention of one of Cloris' children, a young man who died from his drug addiction. Once again I was taken back to Beautiful Boy, and fearing for Nic's ongoing safety. A parent never gets over that loss. This book was another reminder of that. Besides that, it was full of random antecdotes, and Cloris has an engaging way of fritt
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Absolutely appalling. What horrible quality of writing. You know you're in deep mud the minute a title of a chapter almost quite literally begins: Here's a chapter listing all the famous men I slept with. Ms. Leachman may be a great actress and a woman of some piss and juice, but this book turns her into nothing more than another bragging psychopathic, Hollywoodian. As in, Here! Have more drek for your greed for the sensational shelf! And what's worst, the bio here commits the ultimate crime of
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The book comes across much the same way that Cloris Leachman comes across--fun, scattered, wacky, enjoyable to spend some time with. I think she is an amazing actress but I was surprised at what a rich career she has had--Shakespeare on Broadway with Katharine Hepburn, more Emmys than any other actor in history, an Oscar. And her Hollywood status is equally impressive--neighbors with Judy Garland, friends with the Kennedys and Marlon Brando. The book is never less than interesting.
I loved this book! I've always loved Cloris Leachman as Phyllis on the "Mary Tyler Moore" show, but it was amazing to read about all that she has been involved with over her long career. She's incredibly talented, not to mention hilarious. More than that, though, was that I felt uplifted by her positive and engaging approach to life. When I finished reading the book, I was smiling, and I feel encouraged to be more willing to take chances in life and be more fearless.
This was a light and frothy story of the rise of Cloris Leachman. Who is she? She's the little girl vieing for her father's attention. She is a woman who never had any doubts. She went to Northwestern and ran the theater dept, went to New York and immediately got a starring role. I had the opportunity to see her recently to speak and promote her book. At 81 she was a handful for the poor man trying unsuccessfully to conduct an interview.
If you are looking for a linear, chronologically organized book, this is no it. If you are looking for something that is fun and zany, this IS definitely it. From one of the funniest ladies of stage, film, and TV, Cloris Leachman takes her readers from her childhood in Des Moines, Iowa, to her work with Katherine Hepburn, and from her immortal Frau Blucher to her time on Dancing with the Stars. A great book by a funny and fascinating lady.
This was a mixed up little book but there were a few interesting parts I ponder. She feels that hope might be a worse addiction than drugs. Her method of acting emotional on queue for the camera...instead of forcing, she thinks it much more effective to try NOT to cry or NOT to laugh. Her husband was best friends with Marlon Brando - he wrote a book about it - I might have to take a look.
Thought it was good and didn't realize how much she has done.
Yet another autobiography that made me dislike someone that I had previously enjoyed. Bottom line is the actress appears to have not acted per say on the MTM show or The FOL. In both shows her character was self-centered, narcotic, wacky, and annoying and that is precisely how the actress comes off in her own book. Big bummer all around.
Not particularly well written. Still, a worthwhile glimpse into the life and career of a quite remarkable creative artist. People who only know her as "that funny old lady on Dancing With The Stars" should have a whole new appreciation and respect for someone who has had a really blessed, wonderful career.
This book was alright. It was interesting to read about her life, and much of her success I didn't know about. The organization of information left much to be desired, though she warned the reader about that. I lost interest 1/2 way through but finished because I hate leaving anything undone.
This book was such a disappointment. Cloris Leachman is one of the funniest ladies in showbiz to me and this book was just not funny. It seemed more about her bragging about her life and telling random stories with no connection or storyline at all. It was a huge letdown.
Jul 29, 2011
Kaalomai
added it
not horrendously written like so many autobios, though my mom thinks it was. breezy casual approach i liked. its always fun reading the inside scoop on hollywood and celebrity lifestyles and cloris really got around. :)
Shat an eye opener. Cloris is very articulate and has a career which has spanded a great many years. I enjoyed her renditions of other actors and her sage advise to those choosing to pursue a career.
A few interesting stories--I loved her as Phyllis and Frau Blucher. I hadn't realized what a good and experienced actress she is. This book is a quick read, but is almost ADD in nature. Only for fans.
good and engaging,interesting and endearing. ms. leachman seems like someone one would enjoy having in one's life. all about pissing off authority and flouting convention, yet a very conventional mother.
I've always loved Cloris Leachman, She's incredibly talented, not to mention hilarious,I felt uplifted by her positive and engaging approach to life. I hope you will enjoy this book to.
I love Cloris Leachman, and actually met her once at a local restaurant. She is charming and down to earth, and that came through in her book. Fascinating reading-she has led quite a life!
Cloris is a hoot. I wanted to give the book 3.5 stars, but I don't think it is possible. She is earthy, kooky and real. Loved her story telling!
I have always enjoyed and admired this actress but after skimming this book, I rather just watch her in the movies. The photos were good.
A very funny memoir. I couldn't put it down. cloris is very upfront, personal and very very humourous at the same time.
It really wasnt much different than any other celebrity biography but I enjoyed reading it just the same.
Just what I should have expected...The incoherent ramblings of an eighty-two-year-old woman.
Entertaining bio from a funny lady ~ she's had a very interesting life. Enjoyed it!
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Cloris Leachman is an American actress of stage, film and television. She has won eight Primetime Emmy Awards—more than any other female performer—and one Daytime Emmy Award. She won an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress in the 1971 film
The Last Picture Show
. She is best known for playing the nosy, self-centered and manipulative landlady Phyllis Lindstrom on the 1970s TV series
Mary Tyler
...more
More about Cloris Leachman...
