Colleen Dewhurst: Her Autobiography

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.

From the great New York stage actress (a.k.a. Murphy Brown's mother), a memoir as unconventional and captivating as she was. When Dewhurst died in 1991, she had roughed out about two-thirds of her autobiography with the assistance of Viola, who typed, edited, and organized her spoken recollections. He completed the book by interviewing friends, coworkers, and family, weaving their memories into Dewhurst's account to create a vivid portrait of her powerful personality and the warm response she prompted in others. Despite her famous sociability--her country home was virtually a commune for kids, animals, and anyone in trouble- -Dewhurst was in many ways very private; it is primarily from the comments of others that we glean details of her two stormy marriages to George C. Scott and her mother's Christian Science faith, which influenced her decision not to seek medical treatment for the cervical cancer that killed her. Her narrative focuses on her career, paying generous tribute to mentors like Harold Clurman, colleagues like Joe Papp (she acted in many of the New York Shakespeare Festival's early productions), and collaborators like director Jose Quintero and costar Jason Robards, with whom she created the magical 1974 revival of Eugene O'Neill's A Moon for the Misbegotten that made her a star at age 49. Dewhurst was the premier interpreter of O'Neill's female characters--she appeared in Desire Under the Elms, Long Day's Journey into Night, and Ah, Wilderness!--and she also worked frequently with Edward Albee; her thoughts on these two important American playwrights are illuminating, though she does not discuss her performances in much detail. She speaks appreciatively on occasion of the professionalism she found working on television shows like Murphy Brown, but the entire text glows with her love for the theater as an art and an occupation--concern for the latter made her active in the Actors' Fund and a two-term president of Actors' Equity. A moving human document as well as a fine theater autobiography. -- Copyright ©1997, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.

Many know Colleen Dewhurst as Murphy Brown's mother, Avery, in the popular sitcom, but of course there was much more to her wonderful career, as many theater and film buffs know. Sadly, Dewhurst died from cancer before she could finish her autobiography, but fortunately longtime friend Viola was brought in to complete the work. In addition to the material that Dewhurst herself wrote, Viola incorporates anecdotes from family, friends, and co-workers, most of whom were involved with Dewhurst in her theatrical and movie career. The interplay of these multiple perspectives makes for an unusual and interesting biography, but Dewhurst was interesting enough that her own material holds its own quite nicely. Also of interest is Dewhurst's strong commitment to the principles of Christian Science. Even after she knew she had cancer, she refused the medical therapies that might have lengthened or saved her life. Essential reading for anyone interested in theater or film.
-?Susan L. Peters, Emory Univ. Lib., Atlanta
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc.