Colleen Dewhurst

by Colleen Dewhurst

Before dying of cancer in 1991, the acclaimed actress had already written most of her autobiography, which here shines with anecdotes about other great names in entertainment, as well as with stories surrounding her social and art activism. 15,000 first printing.

Genres: Biography, Memoir, Autobiography

400 pages, Hardcover

First published July 11, 1997

Reviews

[Lori · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have been a fan of Colleen Dewhurst for years. This memoir is unique. Colleen Dewhurst died in 1991. She was working on her memoir. She was about two thirds finished when cancer took her like. This memoir was published in 1997 after many friends, and relatives and people she knew got together and also wrote about Ms. Dewhurst. As most memoirs it goes from her birth in Canada to her death in 1991. She writes a pretty good memoir talking of life the many plays she appeared in adding on tv shows and a few movies. She starts right off saying that this is NOT a tell all memoir but just some shares of her life. I liked this for the most part. my only beef is the copy I have had very small print.

[Graceann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Colleen Dewhurst, the actress who made even the most banal scripts into masterpieces, died in August 1991, leaving the manuscript for her memoir only half completed. Thanks to her editor and her assistant, what grew out of the tragedy of losing Miss Dewhurst is an even more well-rounded portrait of this marvelous woman. I believe that if it had been left only to her own memory, there would have been a number of omissions - because her friends and family were asked to share their reminiscences, we have a much fuller view of what living in her world must have been like.

Colleen was endlessly generous, astoundingly profane, loving, supportive, continually strapped for cash, and outspoken. When she took on causes, tasks got completed, even as her own personal business fell to others because she was simply too disorganized to manage it. Her haven, The Farm, was a place of rest for numerous "strays," both human and animal, and often she went to sleep at night not quite sure who else was down the hall or in her living room.

For a look at what goes on back stage and in the mind of an actor preparing for a role, this is a priceless resource. For a hilarious take on the overblown egos of some directors and co-stars, this is a laugh-out-loud read. For a moving story of what it's like to lose someone who left an indelible mark on theatre and cultural life, as well as on the hearts of countless loved ones, friends and fans, this is a beautiful memorial.

[Janice · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful way to get to know this woman better. Well done. "But something is always to be gained from what is lost. There is always an exchange of circumstances that can turn grief into strength and sadness into joy."

[Debi Emerson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved Colleen Dewhurst in "Murphy Brown" and the 1985 "Anne of Green Gables". I had no idea she was such a great live theater personality! Or that she was twice married to George C Scott. This is a great book, told mostly in her own words & completed, with love, after she died.

[Linda Yelton · Rating 3 out of 5]

One of my favorite actresses but am a bit disappointed. I wanted more about Anne of Green Gables and her relationship with GC Scott. If you’re looking for info on her younger years or all her roles she played, thus us for you.

[Lenny · Rating 3 out of 5]

Got bored half way thru. Couldn't struggle to the very end. Just recollections of multitudes of people that had known her.

[Diane · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a candid look into the world of theater as seen and lived by Colleen Dewhurst, interspersed with commentary by many of the people who were in her theater and personal life. I picked it up for two reasons: she played Marilla in "Anne of Green Gables," and apparently she was married to another actor I greatly admire, George C. Scott. I wanted to read about those two pieces in her life, and was abundantly rewarded with so much more. She begins the book by chronicling how very difficult it was to start writing it. Refreshing! and entirely fascinating from beginning to end. She was a slapdash kind of gal in her organizational skills, with a heart of gold, who tried always to keep her word and honor her professional commitment to the theater. She was not without faults and yet her life as a whole touched scores and scores of people, and mine as well. Thank you, Colleen.

[Em · Rating 5 out of 5]

Of all the great actresses I've seen the one I most admired and striven to measure up to was Colleen Dewhurst. I never was privileged to have seen her on a stage, more's the pity, and she didn't do a great deal of cinematic work, but she was unforgettable no matter what she did. Her voice, her eyes, her presence were electrifying. "The Woman's Room" and "Anne of Green Gables" so far apart in terms of style and characterizations and yet these performances are seared into my mind. I so wish they had filmed her great performances in the O'Neil plays. I'd give so much to see her Josie Hogan. I didn't realize until reading this book that Campbell Scott is her son, though I new she was married to George C. Scott. This memoir/biography, like the woman was, is unusual, warm, frank, and truly passionate, a rare soul....now sadly gone.

[Jono · Rating 4 out of 5]

the pretty great-in-the-telling story of a helluva lady & a fantastic actress, w/ some of the brightest theater stars from the 50s-80s. The story of Joan Crawford's reaction to the opening night of "Moon for the Misbegotten," the tumultuous love affair w/ George C. Scott, the beginnings of the Public Theater, all of it's great. Her unique & fantastic whiskey-voice shines thru. Truly a grande dame, too bad more folks don't know about her.

[Terri · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best Hollywood Bios from one of the best actresses that ever graced the stage or screen. The late Dewhurst, had an opinion about many things and in this book shared them. Many will rember her from TV and Movies but she was also married to George C. Scott (twice) and is the mother of Cambell Scott. Her tales about the theater bring the book to life and make it a book you can read again and again.

[Tanya · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderful biography of a great actress! Colleen's voice and philosophy of life comes through so clearly in this memoir. As she passed before it was completed, the added sections of her friends and colleagues comments and reminiscences of her fill out the narrative and give a first-hand, insightful outside perspective of this woman's life that one rarely finds in biographies.

When I had finished, I felt like I had been sitting for a chat with an old friend.

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very interesting and it pointed out the dearth of my knowledge of plays.

[Diana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book tells her life story with her friends telling stories about her life as well.

[Robyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I always liked her and picked up this book from the library and found her book and her life to be quite interesting.

[Lynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting insights into the life of one of my favorite actresses. I really enjoyed this book.