Customer Reviews

Are You Anybody?: An Actor's Life

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

When I discovered that Bradford Dillman had written a biography, and that its title was "Are You Somebody?" I ordered it immediately. Growing up in the 60s and 70s, Dillman was always a favorite of mine and it was such a pleasure to read his self-deprecating, funny and very wise observations and bits of gossip about making movies and TV series. He has great memories to share about the likes of Fredric March, Orson Welles and William Shatner, and so many others. I only wish the book had included some photos of his wonderful career. I recommend this book highly. It'll make you laugh and it'll warm your heart.

I was thrilled to discover that Mr. Dillman wrote his autobiography! While others were waiting for the next 'Star Wars', I was searching the TV Guide to see when or where Bradford's movies or tv appearances would be playing! While waiting for my copy of the book to come, I started to worry that it might read like the Bible's Book of Job ... poor me ... I should've been James Bond, not that so and so Roger Moore ...boo-hoo ... waaaaaaah! I worried for nothing !! It's not your typical autobiography. More than anything, "Are You Anybody?" is a collection of wonderfully personal memories and Hollywood stories that shows a little of what it takes to survive in the world of acting(patience, thick skin & a sense of humor).This book is fast-paced and a real page-turner! It would be a great gift for anyone who has any sort of interest in the world of entertaiment.It leaves you smiling!

Please, Mr. Dillman, MORE !!!

Bradford Dillman has seen it all, done it all and portrayed them all. Now he shares it with us. Although the Hollywood genre is not what I typically read, this book was delightful. I laughed out loud repeatedly, and couldn't put it down. Do yourself a favor and read it.

Although he won a Palme D'or at Cannes, you'll most likely remember him from Dirty Harry, on the sailboat with Robert Redford in The Way We Were, or Murder She Wrote. But this self-effacing Yale graduate has wonderfully funny stories to tell about Hollywood and his costars as well as giving some down-to-earth advice to anyone interested in "the business". Way worth the read, way worth the price

Did you ever stop to think about what gave screen legends their unique qualities? ... fine supporting actors like Bradford Dillman. His book is an easy and entertaining read, and humorously encapsulates his Hollywood life as a man who saw success, but never managed to get both feet under the spotlight. Having won the love of the beautiful model/actress Suzy Parker, Bradford is also a man of distinctive taste, because I've been smitten with his wife ever since I saw her performance in 1958's "Ten North Frederick" over 25 years ago. This is a couple I would really like to sit and chat with, and Dillman's book is as close as a die-hard fan like me is likely to get in this lifetime.

This book is delightful. Literally, it's full of delight. The actor/author provides insight for would be actors into the ups, downs and sideways of a life on the stage, screen and tube. Along the way you are treated to many hillarious tales featuring hollywood's brightest stars. The self-deprecating Mr. Dillman is willing to tell the truth about his own missteps, and provides candid appraisals (not all flattering) of his fellow actors. It's just enormously entertaining stuff. I for one am running straight out to rent a Brad Dillman movie right now

I make my living, such as it is, as a writer. So it was a little disconcerting to read a book by an actor who can write circles around me.

Maybe Bradford Dillman should have chucked that Hollywood career and been a writer, instead. My stomach muscles are sore from laughing. His ability to set the scene, tell a story, and recreate dialogue may come, now that I think about it, from all those years on the set.

This is a wonderfully entertaining and engaging book.

I remember one night when my wife and I watched A Circle of Deception, made I think in the early 60's. Dillman was matched with model-actress Suzy Parker. My wife mentioned, "You know they got married after this movie, don't you?"

I was astounded. I looked at Suzy Parker, who at the time was offically The Most Beautiful Woman in the World. Then I looked at Bradford Dillman. Then I looked back at Suzy Parker. Then I told my wife she must have been mistaken.

But, after reading this charming book, I can see why the super model fell for him. He's got a great sense of humor, mainly self efacing, but he can also make you feel and appreciate the great comedy of Life.

By my reckoning, he's 80 years of age. Not too late to write another book. I hope he does!

Dan Carrison

Recently, I re-read this brilliantly funny book. Too bad it is out of print. It stands the test of time, especially for old movie buffs, who still long for the Hollywood actors of long ago. I believe it could be re-released as a hardcover,updated with photos and more of these priceless stories and have a bestseller. Mr. Dillman is not only a talented actor, but this book proves he is a talented writer. Find it. Buy it!

I bought this book for purely sentimental reasons: I had an enormous crush on Bradford Dillman when I was a teenager. It's a quick, easy read, and I admit I laughed out loud at some of the stories, but overall it left a bad taste in my mouth. There is a constant undercurrent of disdain (and sometimes outright contempt) for all "civilians," i.e., non-actors, even those of us who were once young and foolish enough to consider ourselves Dillman fans. The general mood of regret over the path his career has taken severely undercut the wry humor of some of the anecdotes. Mr. Dillman's personal life has clearly been much more fulfilling and I'm glad for him, but frankly, I wish I hadn't read his book and gotten to know him better as the rather disappointed person he seems to be. (Also, anyone who teases his wife about being unable to spell should have proofread his galleys more carefully; there are a lot of typos in the book.)