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All in All: An Actor's Life On and Off the Stage
by
Stacy Keach is known for movie roles like Fat City and American History X and the television series Titus, and of course Mike Hammer, but he's also revered in the industry as a serious actor who's passionate about his craft. In his long, impressive career, he has been hailed as America's finest classical stage actor, earning acclaim for his portrayals of Hamlet, Macbeth, R
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Hardcover, 272 pages
Published
October 15th 2013
by Lyons Press
(first published January 1st 2013)
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I am familiar with Stacy Keach from his role as Mike Hammer on TV, narrating the audio books of the same character and a few movies. When I saw this book I thought it might be interesting and being a slim volume, worth my time. Little did I know how interesting this book actually was.
First off, Mr Keach is a VERY accomplished and respected stage actor. He started out at the University of Berkeley, attended and taught at Yale Drama school and was also a Fullbright scholar at the London School of ...more
First off, Mr Keach is a VERY accomplished and respected stage actor. He started out at the University of Berkeley, attended and taught at Yale Drama school and was also a Fullbright scholar at the London School of ...more
Anyone who truly knows me or has been following my blog knows that I have mad respect for writers and authors. This is the first time I have had the opportunity to work with a person who has written a book about the very industry we are employed in simultaneously. Stacy Keach’s ALL IN ALL was a gift from him to me while working together on the new NBC show Crowded. As much as I would like to be selfish, it is actually a gift to the world, especially for actors at every level.
This book is filled ...more
This book is filled ...more
Interesting story written in a conversational style making this one of the most interesting autobiographies I have read in a long time. He does not dodge going to prison, his cocaine addiction or the less than gentlemanly way he treated some people. Honest, warts and all but with good humor and genuine feeling.
Sep 11, 2017
Dolly
rated it
really liked it
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review of another edition
Recommends it for:
fans of nonfiction
This audiobook offers an in-depth look at the life of Stacy Keach, written and narrated by the author.
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Goodreads giveaway.
The story hooked me from the beginning because I can be captured easily by recovery narratives. Happily, the arc of the book is not a typical recovery memoir, of which there are so many that the genre has become beset with triteness. Many people apparently know Mr. Keach foremost for his imprisonment on cocaine charges in the U.K. I kept reading because the story is really about the life and career of an actor, not a lurid and gossip ridden tale of Hollywood, although the deta ...more
The story hooked me from the beginning because I can be captured easily by recovery narratives. Happily, the arc of the book is not a typical recovery memoir, of which there are so many that the genre has become beset with triteness. Many people apparently know Mr. Keach foremost for his imprisonment on cocaine charges in the U.K. I kept reading because the story is really about the life and career of an actor, not a lurid and gossip ridden tale of Hollywood, although the deta ...more
This book introduced me to a new side of Stacy Keach, since I always tended to associate him with C-grade schlock. He first caught my attention through strong supporting roles in ESCAPE FROM L.A. and AMERICAN HISTORY X, but it wasn't long before I discovered his penchant for churning out direct-to-video crap. Still, no matter how bad the project, Keach always comes across as a gifted performer, a true master of the craft.
ALL IN ALL spends as much time on Keach's stage work as it does his films. ...more
ALL IN ALL spends as much time on Keach's stage work as it does his films. ...more
An easy going read,I never thought of stacy as an Shakespearean actor it is so easy to pidgeon hole people.he has by his own admission done glut of films for money and or travel,but show me which actors don't once in a while.it financed his love of theatre.he tends not to take himself to seriously except for his art which he enjoys with a passion which has cost three marriages.
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Actors biographies are always interesting!
I won an advanced reader copy of this book in a Goodreads Firstreads giveaway. (thank you!) So, here is my impartial review..
When I entered to win this book, I knew who Stacy Keach was; but didn't know anything about his life (boy, has it been a busy & interesting one so far!). This was a very easy to read book that kept my interest. It's very candid, and he didn't hold back on admitting his mistakes and regrets, as well as accomplishments.
I found myself laughing out loud at some of the stories ...more
When I entered to win this book, I knew who Stacy Keach was; but didn't know anything about his life (boy, has it been a busy & interesting one so far!). This was a very easy to read book that kept my interest. It's very candid, and he didn't hold back on admitting his mistakes and regrets, as well as accomplishments.
I found myself laughing out loud at some of the stories ...more
Sometimes you might see an actor in a movie and think, "What possessed them to do this piece of crap?" Stacy Keach answers that question in his memoir.
One answer is that for Keach, every job he is offered is an acting job. He is an actor. Ergo, he must act. Sometimes the resulting project is great; often, it is not. So one reason we see good actors in bad films is that they have to work, not because they need the money, necessarily, but because they are actors who have to be doing what they lov ...more
One answer is that for Keach, every job he is offered is an acting job. He is an actor. Ergo, he must act. Sometimes the resulting project is great; often, it is not. So one reason we see good actors in bad films is that they have to work, not because they need the money, necessarily, but because they are actors who have to be doing what they lov ...more
I received this as part of a Firstreads drawing from goodreads.
A nice autobiography of the Mike Hammer star. He writes a lot about his career on stage, in movies and television, and even his voice over work.
Of course, like in all these biographies, I have my quibbles in some of his writing choices. He glosses over his relationship with Judy Collins a bit. I lament the omission of the movie Road Games, a cult film he made with Jaimie Lee Curtis, as well as some of his Hallmark movies from the boo ...more
A nice autobiography of the Mike Hammer star. He writes a lot about his career on stage, in movies and television, and even his voice over work.
Of course, like in all these biographies, I have my quibbles in some of his writing choices. He glosses over his relationship with Judy Collins a bit. I lament the omission of the movie Road Games, a cult film he made with Jaimie Lee Curtis, as well as some of his Hallmark movies from the boo ...more
Going into this book, I was not overly familiar with the actor or the era of Hollywood during the bulk of his career, although I have a chronic interest in film and movies in general. I admit my age is a factor in this fallacy. So I learned a lot by the time I closed the book for the last time. Keach has a wonderful writing voice, something that I think any reader can appreciate. Being able to fall into the book and experience the words beyond the page is a gauge of a writing's efficacy. And boy
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I enjoyed reading he ARC copy of All in All I received through Goodreads giveaway.
I didn't know much about Stacy Keach's acting career, and was surprised at all of the familiar people with whom he'd worked. It was an interesting look at the machination that go on behind the stage and screen. It seemed like an honest, open and heart-felt view of his life in retrospect. The writing style was easy to read. (I read it in four days while on vacation.) I was mentally able to navigate where I was in m ...more
I didn't know much about Stacy Keach's acting career, and was surprised at all of the familiar people with whom he'd worked. It was an interesting look at the machination that go on behind the stage and screen. It seemed like an honest, open and heart-felt view of his life in retrospect. The writing style was easy to read. (I read it in four days while on vacation.) I was mentally able to navigate where I was in m ...more
Keach's childhood struggles and Broadway tales alone make this earnest and entertaining memoir worthy of one's time, never mind the stories including Gregory Peck, Orson Welles, John Huston, Rod Steiger and Laurence Olivier, among other legends! And, regarding the origins of the pencil test...I'm speechless. Highly recommended to anybody who enjoys reading about acting, movies, the arts, Hollywood lore, etc. The best part is when you have this stage star offer his insight on playing Hamlet, King
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I received this book in a Goodreads giveaway.
I really enjoyed reading All in All. Not only is Stacy Keach a great actor, but his writing is powerful as well.
His anecdotes about his early years as an actor are interesting to read and keep the reader wanting to read more. He overcame the obstacles of being born with a cleft palate and then a drug addiction to cocaine as a rising star .
If you are a film or television buff you'll enjoy reading about some of the many talented people he worked with ov ...more
I really enjoyed reading All in All. Not only is Stacy Keach a great actor, but his writing is powerful as well.
His anecdotes about his early years as an actor are interesting to read and keep the reader wanting to read more. He overcame the obstacles of being born with a cleft palate and then a drug addiction to cocaine as a rising star .
If you are a film or television buff you'll enjoy reading about some of the many talented people he worked with ov ...more
3.5. I'm not sure why the publisher bothered to gather so many blurbs and an introduction about how great an actor Stacy Keach is when he's more than happy to do that himself. I do think he has given some notable performances, and he discusses all of them from the relatively unknown, but much praised John Huston film, Fat City, to his frighteningly real performance in American History X. In truth, I enjoyed a good deal of the book, and I have to support my fellow hairlips, but it's also grandly
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There's no evidence or mention of a ghost writer, and with that said, the book is remarkably well written. The voice seems honest and mistakes are owned. I had forgotten how extensive his work in the theatre is, and at the end of the book there are short bits of advice on playing specific roles which I thought were very insightful...wish there was a book of just this. I had forgotten about his affair with Judy Collins. He recalls a magical night with her, Joni Mitchell and Joan Baez singing, aft
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I received a copy of this book in the goodreads giveaway. I enjoyed learning all about Stacy Keach and his journey to success. He really had lots of struggles along his way and his passion for acting is admirable. I think he could be an example for many of us to follow our passion to find our own success. I think this is truly an expression of who he is and I must say I enjoyed getting to know him in this book.
I received this book as a Firstreads Giveaway.
Stacy Keach presents an entertaining account of his work as one of the best living Shakespearean actors and a prominent Hollywood character actor. He regales with stories of Hollywood and Broadway friendships, but also provides insight into his career and his acting method. A fun, quick read.
Stacy Keach presents an entertaining account of his work as one of the best living Shakespearean actors and a prominent Hollywood character actor. He regales with stories of Hollywood and Broadway friendships, but also provides insight into his career and his acting method. A fun, quick read.
I enjoyed reading this book and appreciated winning it in the Goodreads Giveaways. I have always enjoyed Stacy Keach's work and found this biography to be straightforward and honest. His interactions with other famous actors were interesting and I appreciated that he admitted his flaws as well as his accomplishments. This book was written in an easy to read style and I would highly recommend it.
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Quite an interesting biography and extremely entertaining. The author goes into depth of his life and keeps you interested by sharing all of the details! Overall, a great read.
Darcee Kraus
Mckinleyville, CA
http://www.etsy.com/shop/BlassGlass ...more
Darcee Kraus
Mckinleyville, CA
http://www.etsy.com/shop/BlassGlass ...more
Stacy Keach is a talented writer. I found the book interesting and learned that he is quite an accomplished Shakespearean actor. He has preformed all over the world with some legendary directors, yet it seemed to lack the kind of interesting stories that usually accompany an actors memior.
Stacy gives an insight as to what it takes to be an actor. The dedication to the craft to make a successful actor a great actor gave me an appreciation of those in the arts. What a life.
I recieved a copy from Goodreads.
I recieved a copy from Goodreads.
A routine autobiography by and actor about acting is suddenly transformed, at the end, by a serious acting lesson which lifts the book above its kin.
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