How I Lost 10 Pounds in 53 Years: A Memoir [Hardcover]

Kaye Ballard (Author), Jim Hesselman (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 1, 2006

An unforgettable memoir from a legendary trouper. From burlesque to vaudeville to big bands and nightclubs, from movies to television to Broadway, Kaye Ballard has seen it all and done it all. Now she tells it all, in a gossipy, upbeat memoir filled with great anecdotes about hanging out at the Actor’s Studio with Marlon Brando...playing Greenwich Village cabarets in the 1950s...performing with Lenny Bruce at the Hungry I...doing live television in the 1950s and The Mothers-in-Law in the 1960s. Meet Lucille Ball, Carol Burnett, Bette Davis, Barbra Streisand, Doris Day, Judy Garland, Rogers and Hammerstein, Paul Lynde, Jimmy Durante, Bert Lahr, and practically everyone else in showbiz in the last sixty years, through the eyes and distinctive voice of the inimitable Kaye Ballard. Affectionate, amazing, and impossible to put down, How I Lost 10 Pounds in 53 Years is a wonderful tribute to a legendary trouper and her times.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"I learned more about comedy, timing, how to get laughs, speaking in public and appreciating the values of good humor and great fun from Kaye Ballard than anyone else. She is one of the great talents of show business who has lived it all, seen it all, and remained all heart through it all." -- Liz Smith

From the Publisher

PRAISE FOR KAYE BALLARD’S MEMOIR:

"It’s a thriller book! We’ve all read a biography or two but I don’t know one that contains a more interesting past or more poignant stories. Kaye, the photography collection is a thriller as well—wonderful to get to see old friends like Virginia Graham, Jimmy Durante and all the others......WOW!" —Helen Gurley Brown

"A fun read inside inside show biz through the eyes of Kaye in a sincere and honest story." —Phyllis Diller

"It’s not surprising that Kaye Ballard on paper is exactly like Kaye Ballard in person—warm, witty, and wonderful. What a great pleasure. I loved it and I love her. I’m sure you will too." —Fred Ebb, Lyricist

"There are few people anywhere on this planet with the talents, timing and performance skills of Kaye Ballard. She reigns supreme!"

—Bob Lees, Writer

"I learned more about comedy, timing, how to get laughs, speaking in public and appreciating the values of good humor and great fun while working for Kaye Ballard than I ever experienced elsewhere. Her native wit and intelligence shine through all my own personal successes. She is one of the great talents of show business who has lived it all, seen it all, and remained all heart through it all. Here is the story of a second generation immigrant’s rise to the top with laughter and amazement all the way." —Liz Smith, Syndicated Columnist for 70 Newspapers

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 272 pages
• Publisher: Back Stage Books (November 1, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0823084787
• ISBN-13: 978-0823084784
• Product Dimensions: 6.4 x 0.8 x 9.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #405,551 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars KAYE'S LOSS, OUR GAIN, November 3, 2006

By 

Robert Marshall (New York, NY United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: How I Lost 10 Pounds in 53 Years: A Memoir (Hardcover)

If you're one of those people that think only of Kaye Ballard as one of the "Mothers-In-Law" from TV, or that funny album with the balloons on it, treat yourself to her wonderful autobiography, "How I Lost 10 Pounds in 53 Years.!" Not only a fascinating story of the lady herself, but a warm-hearted look at practically the history of show business (Vaudeville, Broadway, Night Clubs, movies, radio & television). She's done it all, and you'll meet your favorites (and a few not-so) as only someone who's been there and done it can tell. Best of all, Kaye is her honest and humble self (What? A star with humility?) Yup, throughout her illustrious career, she's still the star-struck kid in Cleveland's RKO Palace worshiping the idols on the silver screen, and dreaming of Hollywood. Haven't we all been there? Starting as a teenager, performing in a Chinese restaurant (it's funny already!), through to today's still very active cancer-surviving octogenarian, here's Kaye at her funny, loveable best, sharing her successes and disappointments in one of the best autobiographies in a long, long time! Read it, you'' love it!

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars How I laughed in 10 days while reading this book . . ., September 2, 2007

By 

Marc Harshbarger (Chic-a-go-go) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: How I Lost 10 Pounds in 53 Years: A Memoir (Hardcover)

I recently read Ms. Ballard's memoir in 10 days while I was staying with my parents as my mother recovered from knee replacement surgery. It was the perfect book to read during this time--very funny and light--but also an honest, heartfelt tale. If you don't know who Kaye Ballard is, well, you should. She's a wonderful comic actress who's starred in films (The Ritz), on TV (Cinderella, The Doris Day Show, The Mothers-in-Law) and on stage (The Golden Apple, Carnival, The Pirates of Penzance, Follies). I saw her perform back in the '90s in a small cabaret called Toulouse in Chicago (now sadly closed). It was a horrible snowy night--and my friends and I were the only ones who braved the elements to see her show. And so Ms. Ballard--being the classy, talented dame that she is--performed for us. We all LOVED her--and you will LOVE her book. The lady knows how to write an honest, entertaining account of her fascinating life. So sit back, relax and let Kaye tell you all about her legendary 60-year career. You'll have a wonderful time--I know I did.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Kaye Ballard still funny, entertaining and lovable., January 20, 2007

By 

Bonnie DeNagel - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: How I Lost 10 Pounds in 53 Years: A Memoir (Hardcover)

I enjoyed reading this book very much - it gave real insight into the life of a single woman in show business. Kaye is a fantastic personality and very honest in this book about her career and friendshiips. She is a real lady with a great sense of humor. Nice photos too of some old favorites when they were younger. I would definitely buy this book again. A+