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Read Thread: Best celebrity autobiographies?

Best celebrity autobiographies?
Board: Reading Room
Nov 5, 2010 4:28pm
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I was watching just Ellen from yesterday, with Portia de Rossi talking about her new autobiography, which I am now interested in reading. That got me to wondering if there are any other celebrity autobiographies that are worth reading. I have read American on Purpose: The Improbable Adventures of an Unlikely Patriot by Craig Ferguson and I loved it (and him). Anyone have another recommendation for me?

TG
Re: Best celebrity autobiographies?
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Reply to: #561636 by Trekkie Gal
Nov 5, 2010 4:45pm
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I really liked the biography of Jerry Garcia:

http://www.amazon.com/Captain-Trips-Biography-Jerry-Garcia/dp/1560250909

Enjoy! :)
Re: Best celebrity autobiographies?
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Reply to: #561643 by Turtlegirl 19
Nov 5, 2010 4:49pm
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I really liked the biography of Jerry Garcia

But that's a biography. I'm looking for autobiographies - actually written by the celebrities themselves. I find that much more interesting than someone else's interpretation of the celebrity's life.

TG
Re: Best celebrity autobiographies?
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Reply to: #561645 by Trekkie Gal
Nov 5, 2010 4:50pm
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I know - I just thought I would put it out there since i enjoyed reading it so much
Re: Best celebrity autobiographies?
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Reply to: #561636 by Trekkie Gal
Nov 5, 2010 4:56pm
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I've enjoyed In the Frame Helen Mirren: My Life in Words and Pictures, My Booky Wook by Russell Brand, and Here's the Deal, Don't Touch Me by Howie Mandel.
Re: Best celebrity autobiographies?
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Reply to: #561647 by koalacat
Nov 5, 2010 5:08pm
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Here's the Deal, Don't Touch Me by Howie Mandel

Ahh, that's one that I want to read also but forgot about. :)

TG
Re: Best celebrity autobiographies?
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Reply to: #561636 by Trekkie Gal
Nov 5, 2010 5:32pm
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I don't know if you would call it a biography, but the book is called "Angels that walk the earth." Have you seen/ heard of Ghost Whisperer on TV? The main character of that sitcom is actually playing the role of the lady that wrote the book. She is a person that sees people that decide not to cross over after passing away and helps them cross over (just like the TV show). The show is based on her life and she wrote a book about it. It is an excellent book. I highly recommend it.
Re: Best celebrity autobiographies?
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Reply to: #561650 by Trekkie Gal
Nov 5, 2010 6:02pm
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Some of those stories are really hilarious, but then you kind of feel bad for some of his friends and family.
Re: Best celebrity autobiographies?
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Reply to: #561645 by Trekkie Gal
Nov 5, 2010 10:49pm
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I'm looking for autobiographies - actually written by the celebrities themselves.

Or probably, more often than not, written by ghost writers. =)

-- Ryan
Re: Best celebrity autobiographies?
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Reply to: #561636 by Trekkie Gal
Nov 6, 2010 12:54am
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If you're interested in something older- Call Me Anna by Patty Duke.
Re: Best celebrity autobiographies?
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Reply to: #561764 by SpyCat
Nov 6, 2010 1:10am
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I picked up Rue McClanahan's autobiography a few months ago and would not recommend it. It seemed trite and poorly written--she could have used a good ghost writer!!
Re: Best celebrity autobiographies?
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Reply to: #561766 by Mama Stork
Nov 6, 2010 5:46am
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Ok, a different take on who qualifies as a celebrity, but Andre Agassi's is pretty good. But you have to like/know tennis. I don't read many biographies/autobiographies, so I'm not much help:)
Re: Best celebrity autobiographies?
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Reply to: #561758 by Green Tortuga
Nov 6, 2010 6:11am
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Or probably, more often than not, written by ghost writers. =)

As long as the celebrity was involved, that's what I'm looking for. :)

TG
Re: Best celebrity autobiographies?
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Reply to: #561636 by Trekkie Gal
Nov 8, 2010 6:58am
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Mick Foley has written 2 autobiographies! For those not familiar, he is a professional wrestler. Whatever you may think about pro wrestling aside, its a well written pair of books in my opinion. While it may not fit some people's mold for a celebrity, it is autobiographical. The first book is 'mankind' and the second is 'Foley is Good'
On that note I believe Jesse Ventura has an autobiography as well. Not sure if there is a ghost writter though, I haven't read it. I argree with you about autobiographies. I would prefer a first person account if at all possible. Thanks for the improbable recommendation btw it sounds interesting.
Re: Best celebrity autobiographies?
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Reply to: #561636 by Trekkie Gal
Nov 8, 2010 7:04am
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I'm not sure if this is technically an autobiography due to lack of details, but I really enjoyed If Chins Could Kill: Confessions of a B Movie Actor by Bruce Campbell. The second one, Make Love the Bruce Campbell Way is clearly not an autobiography but also pretty funny.
Re: Best celebrity autobiographies?
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Reply to: #561636 by Trekkie Gal
Nov 19, 2010 9:23am
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I've gotten more into memoirs too, but only if it's a person who really interests me.

My cousin just interviewed Loretta Lynn for CBS Sunday Morning, and I never knew much about her life, but now I'd love to read her book, Coal Miner's Daughter.

The new edition of Mark Twain's autobiography is coming out in three volumes... the first volume is out this month. :) I can't wait to start it but I know someone got it for me for Christmas so now I'm waiting. ;)

Here are some of the ones I've read:

Behind the Bell by Dustin Diamond (Screech)
It's not going to win any literary prizes, especially since the editor seemed to give up about 2/3 of the way through, but if you want dirt on behind-the-scenes stuff on the set of SBTB, that's pretty much what you're going to get here. Dustin Diamond comes off more likeable here than on any other appearance I've seen of him on TV. Since I LOVED SBTB as a kid, I really enjoyed this book.

I am the Central Park Jogger by Trisha Meili
Strength, courage, coming back from a horrific attack. If you're a runner, you'll probably especially be interested in her journey. This incident was the first time I'd ever heard the word "rape," since it happened when I was in 6th grade and I was living in northern NJ.

Lucky Man and Always Looking Up by Michael J. Fox
Yes, read these. You'll learn about his life and then his life with Parkinson's. Michael J. Fox just seems like the nicest guy in the world, based on these books, and he wrote them himself, sans ghost writer. He's a talented man, driven, smart, a real family man who doesn't let his disease get him down. If you want to read celebrity memoirs, start with these. :)

Offical Book Club Selection by Kathy Griffin
If you're a fan of Ms. Griffin, you'll love this one. I laughed out loud many times, but of course it's the story of her real life, so it's not all funny. But you'll see how she had to struggle to make it in Hollywood the way that she has. She's a determined lady. I would not want to get in her way!

The Day I Shot Cupid by Jennifer Love Hewitt
Well, there are some memoir parts to it but it's also female self-empowerment. I liked it, but it's not her life story, if that's what you're looking for. I'm just a JLH fan.

Losing It by Valerie Bertinelli
Her childhood, her celebrity, her marriage, her weight gain and weight loss. I liked it, but I have an interest in weight loss stories. She's very cute.

Believe It, Be It by Alli Vincent
The first female winner of The Biggest Loser gives you her life story and a behind-the-scenes look at the Biggest Loser Ranch. You want to read about determination? Read about Alli Vincent. It's a short book, so you're not investing lots of time in it, but it was inspiring.

Here's the Story by Maureen McCormick
I read this on my cruise to Alaska. It was in the ship's library. I like the Brady Bunch... Her career clearly peaked during that show. Then you read about her coke addiction and recovery. It was OK. Not a must-read.

I'm a Believer by Micky Dolenz
Well, I'm a Monkees fan. :) So I LOVED this.

They Mad a Monkee out of Me by Davy Jones
Ditto... and Davy is my favorite Monkee. :)

Enter Whining by Fran Drescher
I read this one a long time ago. I can't really tell you, honestly, if I really liked it or not. I think I was in high school. I remember that it was good, but I don't think it was fantastic.

After All by Mary Tyler Moore
I LOVE MTM. This was great. Just a very honest, thorough memoir. Lots of discussion about her struggles with alcohol and smoking and her career in showbiz. Loved it.

C'Mon Get Happy by David Cassidy
Meh. David Cassidy is a jerk. That's all I got from this one. I was disappointed, but he is who he is, I guess.

Father Does Know Best by Lauren Chapin
From a former child actress on Father Knows Best. Again, I read this one a long time ago. If you're a fan of the show you'll probably like it. But she was abused a lot as a child, so it's one of those "I overcame all this" stories.

I'm the One that I Want by Margaret Cho
Her story of overcoming self-esteem issues and body-image issues. She's an awesome person. You will laugh and cry with her.

I've read other memoirs too but these are the celebrity ones. I didn't realize I'd read so many. Wow...

If you want a funny take on this, go to You Tube and look up "celebrity autobiography." There is an off-Broadway production of comedians doing dramatic readings of celebrity autobiographies. Hysterical!
Re: Best celebrity autobiographies?
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Reply to: #561636 by Trekkie Gal
Nov 19, 2010 3:33pm
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I picked up Apolo Ohno's "Zero Regrets" the day it came out, Olympics geek and twitterphile that I am. It was well written, had lotsa fussy skating details, but after reading it I could not believe the life that he has lived to exceed in his sport. Wow. No mention of his personal life at all at all, but I sincerely hope someone was around to rub his head and feed him a cookie on the sly now and again.
Re: Best celebrity autobiographies?
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Reply to: #565325 by 4 Ch
Nov 19, 2010 5:41pm
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Apolo Ohno's "Zero Regrets"

My friend Bruce says he's in the book, but I haven't read it myself. Bruce makes Apolo's skis!
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Reply to: #565358 by Amyrica
Nov 19, 2010 9:11pm
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Apolo Ohno's "Zero Regrets"

My friend Bruce says he's in the book, but I haven't read it myself. Bruce makes Apolo's skis!

No mention of skiing. If Bruce makes skates, that is a super impressive skill. I can't even polish shoes correctly, much less make anything as technical as skate boots.
Re: Best celebrity autobiographies?
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Reply to: #565414 by 4 Ch
Nov 20, 2010 5:57am
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No mention of skiing. If Bruce makes skates, that is a super impressive skill.

Oh my gosh! I'm on some cold meds and I totally typed Skis instead of Skates! Hahahaha!

Yes, Bruce makes the SKATES!
Re: Best celebrity autobiographies?
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Reply to: #565443 by Amyrica
Nov 20, 2010 6:02am
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--replying to my own post.....

I have to say I am feeling better now that I figured out why I typed skis. I know Bruce from summer camp where he was the water ski instructor years ago and I think I just slipped out with the skis because of my association with Bruce. We used to affectionately call him Brewski. But, yeah, Bruce is a cool and interesting guy.
Re: Best celebrity autobiographies?
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Reply to: #565251 by Brandy
Jul 17, 2018 5:18am
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American on Purpose - Craig Ferguson

Honest talk about addiction, and LOL funny.
Re: Best celebrity autobiographies?
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Reply to: #561636 by Trekkie Gal
Jul 17, 2018 9:31am
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Trevor Noah's Born a Crime. Do yourself a favor and listen to the audiobook. He narrates.

(Editing to say that I just noticed that this thread is from 2010.)
Re: Best celebrity autobiographies?
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Reply to: #962560 by Tempus Fugit
Jul 17, 2018 12:52pm
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i just listened to that audiobook. very impressive.
smile
Re: Best celebrity autobiographies?
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Reply to: #561636 by Trekkie Gal
Jul 17, 2018 7:15pm
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'They Call Me Baba Booey' by Gary Dell'abate. He reads the audio book himself, too.
Re: Best celebrity autobiographies?
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Reply to: #561636 by Trekkie Gal
Jul 18, 2018 10:15am
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Dolly Parton's book is pretty amazing.
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Reply to: #561636 by Trekkie Gal
Jul 29, 2018 7:38am
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I just finished Bruce Springsteen's autobiography, Born to Run on audio book. It's very beautifully written. He narrates the audio book and does a wonderful job. If you are old enough to appreciate him, I highly recommend it!