Milton Berle: An Autobiography

by Milton Berle, Haskel Frankel

Vintage biography paperback

Genres: Nonfiction, Biography, History, Autobiography, Humor, Memoir

337 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1974

About the author

Mendel "Milton Berle" Berlinger was an Emmy-winning American comedian and actor. As the manic host of NBC's Texaco Star Theater from 1948–1955, he was the first major star of television and as such became known as Uncle Miltie or Mr. Television to millions during TV's golden age.

Reviews

[Lee Miller]

Any book that begins by thanking Toots Shor and Jacqueline Susann is a book for me. This wonderful show business memoir is a classic. First published in 1974, this version was reprinted after Berle’s death in 2002 with a new introduction by Sid Caesar. I literally couldn’t put it down: every page had fascinating stories, some funny, some sad, some shocking (including a “command performance” for Al Capone) but all were informative, fresh, honest, revealing, and very entertaining. Berle is effusive in praise of persons he admired (Beatrice Lillie, Danny Thomas, Frank Sinatra, Lucille Ball) but, thankfully for us, doesn’t let pass an opportunity to settle old scores (Bert Lahr, Ethel Barrymore). If you’re interested in show business history, I highly recommend it.

[Tom Walsh]

still one good comic. the book cites his earliest scripts, which he had to memorize. astounding!

[Janis]

Interesting read. Amazing what these stage mothers did.

[Tollula]

This book is filled with stories. Are they true? Most likely not. Milton is a performer and storyteller. He starts the book with a very salacious and very detailed affair with an unnamed movie star. It’s too detailed to be true and gives off the feel of just trying to sell books. His life reads like any vaudevillian memoir. Grew up poor in NY, performed to survive and made family proud. Nothing too surprising.

[Bob Box]

Read in 1975. As a fan of Berle's I enjoyed his interesting and entertaining life.

[Robert Skilnik]

I heard Berle was hung like a horse. Seriously.

[Janet Wilcox]

I didn't particularly like him on TV, and this book shows why and how a dirty old man got to be that way. Interesting to see development of his show, and other personalities.

[Mary Ranaudo]

One of the best celebrity bios I have ever read...who knew that "Uncle Miltie" was hung like a horse????

[Jeff Olson]

Milton set the stage for all comedians, all with the help of his mum!