5 Classic Film Star Autobiographies to Read
Five of my favorite classic star biographies - Ava Gardner, Lana Turner, Esther Williams, Gene Tierney, Gloria Swanson plus Mae Murray
Film star autobiographies can be tricky - you’re contending with ego, faulty memories, events/people they don’t want to address, the fuzzy facts…
But, for my money, the best way to learn about the true personality of a star is to read their autobiography (if one is available). In a book that bears not only the star’s stamp of approval, but their signature, you’re getting amazing insight into how that person saw themselves and how they want to be remembered.
Here are some of my favorite classic film star autobiographies:
Ava: My Story - Ava Gardner
You can almost hear her sultry voice speaking through the pages as Ava recounts her childhood in the South, her one-in-a-million discovery story and entry into the world of movies, her love/hate relationship with Hollywood, and famous love affairs. As the lady herself said, she “had a hell of a good time” and it’s a hell of a story.
Lana: The Lady, the Legend, the Truth - Lana Turner
This page-turner (pun intended) is Lana’s take on her exciting, glamorous, and sometimes notorious life. One of her main reasons for writing this book was “so that all the lies could be answered by the truth.” From her correction on the location of her fairy tale discovery at a soda fountain (the Top Hat Malt Shop, NOT Schwab’s) to her recollection of the events around the murder of gangster Johnny Stompanato, Lana is telling her own story, her way.
The Million Dollar Mermaid - Esther Williams
Cary Grant introducing Esther Williams to LSD, and a description of her first trip, all in the first chapter? Yes, please! Esther really opens up in this book describing the grind of water-musical-making, the price of stardom, and surviving abusive husbands who gambled away her fortune, and a comeback as, of course, a swimwear designer.
Self-Portrait - Gene Tierney
Gene Tierney’s tale of a beautiful, fragile soul shattered by life, against the backdrop of the golden age of Hollywood is tragic and riveting. She describes in detail her betrayal by her father who stole her earnings, the pain of having a special needs child in the 1950s, her struggles with mental illness and the crude early treatments for it, repeated heartbreak at the hands of wealthy and famous men, and finding peace away from the spotlight.
Swanson on Swanson - Gloria Swanson
This book was featured in the recent Hollywood issue of Vanity Fair - who REALLY wrote the book, aside from Swanson? For decades it was nearly the only source for fans wanting to know more about the woman behind Norma Desmond, and from a fan standpoint, it delivers in Gloria’s grand style. Gloria put her own stamp on everything she did in her life and career, so OF COURSE she could not leave this earth without putting out her own version of the facts. It’s a must-read on my list. For the Cliff’s Notes of this book, join us this Saturday, March 25th at 10:30 AM PT via Zoom for “Spotlight on Swanson” - click here for tickets.
Bonus:
The Self-Enchanted - Mae Murray: The Image of an Era - by Jane Ardmore
Although this is technically a biography, it was a joint effort between the author and Mae Murray herself. It’s a view of a tragic life through the rose-colored glasses through which Mae viewed her life, and that combination is absolutely heart wrenching.
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