Gilbert and Frank welcome “Mrs. C” herself, Emmy-nominated actress Marion Ross, who recalls her early days as a studio contract player, her struggles to find her footing in Hollywood, her curious methods of getting into character and her working relationships with Claudette Colbert, Noel Coward, Kirk Douglas and Charlton Heston. Also, Marion crushes on Clark Gable, confides in Cary Grant, sets sail with Tony Curtis and pays a call on Bogie and Bacall. PLUS: Marlene Dietrich eats lunch! Jose Ferrer makes his move! Ginger Rogers robs the cradle! And Marion remembers colleagues Tom Bosley, Pat Morita and Garry Marshall!
This episode is brought to you by Leesa (www.leesa.com/GILBERT).
Foreword By Ron Howard
For eleven seasons, Marion Ross was head of one of America’s favorite television households. Now meet the lovable real-life woman behind the Happy Days mom . . .
Before she was affectionately known to millions as “Mrs. C.,” Marion Ross began her career as a Paramount starlet who went on to appear in nearly every major TV series of the 1950s and 1960s—including Love, American Style, in which she donned an apron that would cinch her career. Soon after came the fateful phone call from producer Garry Marshall that made her an “overnight” success, and changed her life . . .
In this warm and candid memoir, filled with loving recollections from the award-winning Happy Days team—from break-out star Henry Winkler to Cunningham “wild child” Erin Moran—Ross shares what it was like to be a starry-eyed young girl with dreams in poor, rural Minnesota, and the resilience, sacrifices, and determination it took to make them come true. She recalls her early years in the business, being in the company of such luminaries as Humphrey Bogart, Lauren Bacall, and Noel Coward, yet always feeling the Hollywood outsider—a painful invisibility that mirrored her own childhood. She reveals the absolute joys of playing a wife and mother on TV, and the struggles of maintaining those roles in real life. But among Ross’s most heart-rending recollections are those of finally finding a soulmate—another secret hope of hers made true well beyond her expectations.
Funny, poignant, and revealing—and featuring Garry Marshall’s final illuminating interview—as well as a touching foreword from her “TV son” Ron Howard, and a conversation with her real-life son and daughter, Marion Ross’s story is one of inspiration, persistence, and gratitude. It’s also a glowing tribute to all those who fulfilled her dreams—and in turn, gave us some of the happiest days of our own lives.
EVENTS
March 27 at 3pm
B&N The Grove
189 The Grove Drive
Los Angeles, CA 90036
March 28 at 7pm
Vroman’s Bookstore
695 E. Colorado Blvd.
Pasadena, CA 91101
Tuesday, April 3 at 5-7pm
Pat Boyer
Bookends
211 E. Ridgewood Avenue
Ridgewood, NJ 07450
April 7 at 1pm
Just Fabulous
515 N Palm Canyon Drive
Palm Springs, CA 92262
April 10 at 7pm
Glendale Public Library
222 E Harvard Street
Glendale, CA 91205
Vroman’s will sell books
April 14 at 3pm
Santa Monica Library
601 Santa Monica Blvd
Santa Monica, CA 90401
B&N The Grove will sell books
April 16 at 6pm
The Globe Theatre
Balboa Park
1363 Old Globe Way
San Diego, CA 92101
B&N #1822 will sell books
April 21-22
Los Angeles Times Book Festival
Marion will appear on a panel (confirmation to come).
April 26
Cherry Blossom Festival
Marion Ross is the Grand Marshall
Marshfield, MO
April 28
45th Daytime Emmys
Marion will be presenting an award at the Emmys.
She’ll be walking the red carpet with a copy of her memoir.
May 5
Barnes & Noble
731 North San Fernando Blvd
Burbank, CA 91502
Uncover the Truth With These New Mystery Series