Hollywood Divas: The Good, the Bad, and the Fabulous

by James Robert Parish

A tantalizing peek behind Hollywood's most hard-tohandle leading ladies From the birth of the silver screen, "It Girls" laid down a sequined trail of self-indulgence and scandalous bad behavior. The stars in this exclusive sorority are both loved and loathed by the press, the fans, and even by each other. Bette Davis once said of Joan Crawford, "I wouldn't sit on her toilet!" Crawford and Davis raised the bar for the women who followed them into Diva-dom. Hollywood Divas traces that glittering path­­from legendary icons to today's most high-maintenance celebrities of film and TV. Includes such stars

Genres: Biography, Nonfiction, History

288 pages, Paperback

Published November 1, 2002

About the author

James Robert Parish, a former entertainment reporter, publicist, and book series editor, is the author of many published major biographies and reference books on the entertainment industry including Whitney Houston: We Will Always Love You; The Hollywood Book of Extravagance; It’s Good to Be the King: The Seriously Funny Life of Mel Brooks; The Hollywood Book of Breakups; Fiascos: Hollywood’s Iconic Flops; The Hollywood Book of Love; Jet Li; The Encyclopedia of Ethnic Groups in Hollywood; The Hollywood Book of Death; Gus Van Sant; Whoopi Goldberg; Rosie O’Donnell’s Story; The Unofficial “Murder, She Wrote” Casebook; Today’s Black Hollywood; Let’s Talk! America’s Favorite TV Talk Show Hosts; Prison Pictures from Hollywood; Prostitution in Hollywood Films; The Great Cop Pictures; Ghosts and Angels in Hollywood Films; Pirates and Seafaring Swashbucklers on the Hollywood Screen; Gays and Lesbians in Mainstream Cinema; Hollywood’s Great Love Teams; and The Fox Girls. Mr. Parish is a frequent oncamera interviewee on cable and network TV for documentaries on the performing arts. The author resides in Studio City, California.

Reviews

[Sherida-jayne Glover · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Popcorn Book

A quick, fascinating look into Hollywood's popular ladies. The author uses Diva in the original meaning, so thankfully it's not just Star-bashing.

[James Crawford · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of the first things the author does is define the term diva which is a good thing to do., He notes that they are demanding and self-centered. For established performers ne notes Joan Crawford, Bette Davis, Jeanette McDonald and Lana Turner fall into the character of diva.

They he uses the terms 'wildly self-indulgent' in which he includes Judy Garland, Jean Harlow, Mae West and Lupe Velez. Pop singers that are divas, according to the author, include Madonna, Briteney Spears and others. He is explaining, why these people fall into these categories.

He does not that in some cases the diva personality results from problems due to mental illness and/or bad experiences when young.

He then lists others including Lucille Ball, Drew Barrymore, Clara Bow, Mariah Carey, Cher, Jane Fonda, Greta Garbo, and Judy Garland.

Then he goes into common characteristics among divas which include things like failed marriages, drinking and drug problems, an abusive husband and various other traits. There's also a bibliography included.

It seems to me that a number of these divas result from problems that they, themselves, did not originate. Some are from bad life choices. Some are from bosses and managers who did not treat these women decently. I think some may result from the tremendous pressure these people were under to succeed at acting, singing, etc.

[Rebecca · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is just Hollywood gossip, and since it was written 22 years ago, it is historical Hollywood gossip. Thankfully, I love Hollywood gossip. Even though modern divas, even in this book, are more likely to be pop stars than movie stars.

All kinds of divas are collected in this book, even abused victims and drug addicts, who I don’t like reading about as much as strong women, control freaks, or bisexual divas. It is quite jarring to read about a teenage diva marrying or losing her virginity to an adult man like it was the same as any other scandalous affair. This book definitely has a different definition of diva than me.

2003 was deep within the tabloid era, when anything could be a scandal. So, much of this book’s tone was off putting to me. I dealt with it by exulting in stars’ lesbian affairs or director-wagging. Even as I was upset by how this book’s publishing date means I don’t get to read about Britney Spears shaving her head or Janet Jackson’s infamous Super Bowl exposure.

There will never be an update of “Hollywood Divas.” However, if there was, there will be many more pop stars. Beyoncé, Miley Cyrus, Lady Gaga, and Taylor Swift of course. I don’t think I know any actual modern actress Hollywood divas. I don’t know if I trust the seemingly increased professionalism of Hollywood. They must be burying their divas’ scandals! I want to know!

[pamela moore · Rating 2 out of 5]

Mediocre

Just a rehash of other books. You don't learn any real details just that no coworkers liked them and they all had rough childhoods.

[Connie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Juicy

I can't wait to read future scripts from this author. I love biographies and these are cliffnotes to one's I'd be interested in.

[Studvet · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting to dip in and out of tho the biographies became a bit repetitive with the subjects invariably developing megalomania and stuffing it up. Even so, it was interesting. Two major complaints : most biographies finish about 2002 or thereabouts so not up - to-date. Also, there are mistakes : be writes that Vera Ralston won a silver medal in the 1936 Olympic Games but she did not - she finished 17th. So query his general standard of facts.

[Les · Rating 3 out of 5]

"this is a reprint of the original text to Hollywood Divas by James Robert Parish." So some of the people covered in the book have passed on since the original printing.

Some of the older actresses are utterly obscure to me and some of the modern 'Diva' have faded.

It is one of those books that is easy to read / skim but for me really didn't present much new info.

[Karen C.Mastrangelo · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading this book, it was a quick read. All the divas were recognized. Sometimes they are stars you never heard of.

I gave five stars because it held my interest , sometimes I just skip through a book because it is boring.

[Karen J. Goranson · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ho hum

I expected a funny, juicy, shocking, page turner but I didn't get it. The writing wasn't fun, it was tepid . More lively enjoyment by the writer would make it a really good book.

[Ann · Rating 2 out of 5]

Interesting book.......roughly 2 page biographies of (maybe) 100 actresses starting from silent films to 2000 (when book was written).

[ritadelpozzo · Rating 2 out of 5]

Very old info and actors and not very enlightening

I thought this book to be very mediocre and I would not recommend it. It is informative in a very light manner

[Vickie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mostly gossip. Very light details. Mostly just skims the surface. Kinda disappointing but overall not bad.