Customer Reviews

A Fortunate Life

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4 star:		(9)
3 star:		(6)
2 star:		(1)
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Actors of a certain age seem to have rushed into print in the last year. Moore, Borgnine, Plummer, Wagner, Curtis...on and on the list goes. A Fortunate Life, by Robert Vaughn (with no "co-writer") is by far and away one of the most interesting and best-written of the bunch. Although the focus is on Vaughn's life as an actor (of course) there is much on his commitment to politics, and a brief sidetrack into philosophy, which, because of the way it's done, isn't tiresome in the least. Stories of the stars abound, of course -that's what sells, but there's much more besides. I'd always assumed that the author came from affluent, or at least comfortable stock. This isn't the case at all, he came from a more-or-less itinerant theatrical background. He rose through the ranks in Hollywood until becoming the hottest property in the world sometime around the mid-sixties. That his star has inevitably waned somewhat since then hasn't affected his love of work and dedication to his craft. A charming journey with a charming man. And there's an index - take note, Christopher Plummer!

Robert Vaughn made television history with David McCallum in THE MAN FROM U.N.C.L.E, created by James Bond novelist Ian Fleming during a brief New York visit in the early 60s. Vaughn's million dollar success is something he treats naturally. gracefully, in this new memoir, explaining it as a fluke that could have happened to anyone. I like hearing about Leo G Carroll, a former neighbor of mine; Vaughn provides several new anecdotes I had never heard about LGC, the man whom Hitchcock prized above all other actors. He was such a gentleman and played the part of Mr. Waverly to a T.

The show turned into a camp spectacle once William Dozier's "BATMAN" series became a hit, and U.N.C.L.E producers thought they could freshen up flagging ratings with silly stunts for Solo and Kuriyakin to perform. Vaughn was a serious actor trained at Los Angeles City College and he could see the writing on the wall. When the show was cancelled he jumped right into political activism and minor parts in hit movies like BULLITT and THE TOWERING INFERNO. Along the way he tried to be a good son to an actress mother who sounds like a very dear charmer, but it does seem weird that he had to live in the same one bedroom with his mother from the ages of 17 through 23. What was that like?

Couldn't have been stranger than making a film in France with Maria Schneider and halfway through, she committed herself into an insane asylum and demanded that Vaughn direct her from there, like Marat/Sade! The best parts of Vaughn's book are his relationship with his mom, his observations on the now forgotten Joyce Jameson and Joan O'Brien, his sex romp with Steve McQueen and a flotilla of seven hired Mexican hookers to celebrate the completion of The Magnificent Seven, and meeting Lady Bird Johnson. In addition, he has a cute story about befriending William Frawley, seeing him weekly for months and then years later, finding out that Frawley (famous for his role as Fred Mertz in I LOVE LUCY) had been drunk every time they met and had no recollection of ever meeting him.

Vaughn's romance with the young beautiful Natalie Wood is the most tender part of the book, and the worst part is the endless series of shaggy dog anecdotes that come late in the book because, Vaughn confesses, he couldn't find any other place for them. His story about Gary Merrill gives new meaning to the word pointless. And yet I'm glad to have made the acquaintance of Robert Vaughn in this book.

Perhaps because he seems so intense and humorless onscreen, it's surprising how enormously appealing Robert Vaughn's memoir is. It's a very entertaining read, which offers studied ruminations on acting, Hamlet, politics and philosophy but is still unpretentious fun.

What other 60's TV star was getting a PhD at the height of their fame while still delighting in the randy exploits TV stardom allowed? He doesn't have any illusions about his own talents and we don't get any griping about TV fame short-changing other opportunities, probably because he cares about things other than show business. His unheralded early opposition to the Vietnam War at the height of his fame was pretty remarkable. He was so well versed on the topic that he would debate William F. Buckley on TV for hours. All told, he comes off as a thoroughly admirable person.

There are some problems with the editing here, though. Both Nancy Reagan and Zev Buffman are introduced twice. Also, John Sturges didn't direct Somebody Up There Likes Me (Robert Wise did) and the actor Simon Russell Beale is referred to as George Russell Meade (?!?)

I thoroughly enjoyed this memoir from The Man From Uncle.

I never had any idea how political he was. I found his connections in the political arena to be facinating. Much of what he spoke of has sparked interest in my purchasing other books to follow the trail he has lead me down.

A great book.

Thoroughly good read from Mr Vaughn. Not just a lot of fascinating actors anecdotes, always a plus with me, as an ex agent, but his interest in politics,and particularly the conspiracy theory about Robert Kennedys' death was an eye opener for me .Mr Vaughn details his early acting career in the theatre, a must for any serious thespian who wants to maintain longevity in a difficult profession, with great affection, and for his mother who inspired him. The possessor of an excellent voice, another vital component for a serious actor, you can here his meliflous tone on every page. Most enjoyable . Garry Stewart. Melbourne Australia

If Louis Malle ever wanted to reshoot "My Dinner With Andre," his cinematic conversation in which one world-weary friend recounts numerous exploits while the other listens with rapt attention, he would have to look no further than Robert Vaughn.

In that hushed, almost conspiratorial voice used to such great effect in "Bullitt" and "The Man From U.N.C.L.E.," one can almost hear actor-author Vaughn take us into his confidence as he ushers us along the winding highway of his life.

In an odd, parallel universe to his on-camera role as Napoleon Solo, Vaughn actually became witness to, or embroiled in, a series of offscreen global intrigues including: an extortion demand below a decaying drive-in in Venezuela; the sudden disappearance of a freedom fighter as Soviet tanks rolled into Prague; bodyguards in the Andes; and the disclosure by a New York socialite of a purported confession by one of the world's richest men that he bankrolled the assassination of one of America's most charismatic politicians.

If that's not enough drama, Vaughn - one of the first actors in Hollywood to publicly oppose the Vietnam War - chronicles his academic absorption of that country's tribulations, culminating in a very respectable in-studio debate with William F. Buckley, Jr. He also recounts his glamorous and not-so-glamorous work on behalf of JFK, RFK and the late Allard Lowenstein, one of the gurus of mid-century liberal activism. Vaughn is an extremely literate and thoughtful individual who wore his anti-war passions on his sleeve, and his fervor for politics as an instrument for social good is on abundant display here.

There are also the predictable - and welcome - bon mots related to the Hollywood social scene, including several laugh-out-loud reminiscences featuring Ben Gazarra, Oliver Reed and others. Drink, and women, clearly were not in short supply within Vaughn's constellation.

Our actor-turned-author leaves several matters hanging at the end of this compelling read; for one, Vaughn's unexpected neurological experience with "reefer madness" and whether it may have served as a departure point for his Oscar-nominated performance in "The Young Philadelphians". However, despite a few small omissions, Vaughn's look back is a genuine page-turner.

Being of 'an age,' I remember Robert Vaughn in the 'Man From U.N.C.L.E. Home most of the time with small children, the night his TV show was on was one of the highlights of the day.
I often wondered what happened to him after the show went off the air. The book was easy and interesting to read and details his life from boyhood to the present. A little slow when recounting conspiracy theories but otherwise a really good read with just the right amount of 'dish' from the old Hollywood scene. He is a gifted story-teller!

So many people have ghost writers do this kind of thing for them but not Robert Vaughn. He is a Liberal Democrat and I am a life long Conservative Republican but I found this to be one wonderful read. When I was ten THE MAN FROM U.N.C.L.E. was on the air and I was a fan of it and Mr. Vaughn. This is a wonderful telling of a life well spent. Though he and I may have different views on things, I have nothing but respect for Robert Vaughn and this is one incredible telling of a talented actor making his way through life. I read it in a single setting and it was both entertaining, and touching. Though Robert Vaughn and I are very different in political views -- though I do agree the war in Vietnam was a horrible waste of life ( including a cousin of mine who died there) and should never have never have been waged -- Bob, in the battlefield of ideas you were right and we were wrong. I will always be a big fan of his and will always have a deep and abiding respect for him.

I love Robert Vaughn and all that is Man From U.N.C.L.E. RV has given the reader a introspective look into life beyond the one series that changed American Television. It is strung together vinettes that entertain and enought U.N.C.l.E to keep the die-hard pleased.

I expected more than one chapter specifically devoted this part of his acting career; however, he weeves the experience throughout the book. A Fortunate LifeA Fortunate LifeHighly recommended and a solid part of a growing library.

Good book - very interesting insight into the movie business and the beginning life of Robert Vaughn.
Worth reading.