Most people know Penny Marshall as the director of Big and A League of Their Own. What they don’t know is her trailblazing career was a happy accident. In this funny and intimate memoir, Penny takes us from the stage of The Jackie Gleason Show in 1955 to Hollywood’s star-studded sets, offering up some hilarious detours along the way.
My Mother Was Nuts is an intimate backstage pass to Penny’s … intimate backstage pass to Penny’s personal life, her breakout role on The Odd Couple, her exploits with Cindy Williams and John Belushi, and her travels across Europe with Art Garfunkel on the back of a motorcycle. We see Penny get married. And divorced. And married again (the second time to Rob Reiner). We meet a young Carrie Fisher, whose close friendship with Penny has spanned decades. And we see Penny at work with Tom Hanks, Mark Wahlberg, Whoopi Goldberg, Robert De Niro, and Whitney Houston.
Throughout it all, from her childhood spent tap dancing in the Bronx, to her rise as the star of Laverne & Shirley, Penny lived by simple rules: “try hard, help your friends, don’t get too crazy, and have fun.” With humor and heart, My Mother Was Nuts reveals there’s no one else quite like Penny Marshall.
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Laughed all the way through!
What a funny lady! Completely name dropping kinda book because she knew everyone! And it was interesting reading how the shows and movies got made. All the while laughing at her style. Loved this book!
My Mother Was Nuts is Penny Marshall’s life story. It starts with early family memories. She talks about her mom, dad and brothers. Her mom owned a pretty famous dance studio and they performed all over including some famous tv shows. She talks about summer camps growing up and hanging out. Penny is very honest with her mistakes, drug usage and …
Probably one of the best memoirs I have ever read.
I really heard her voice while I was reading. I learned so much about her too. Man, what a life!
Shortly after she passed away I bought this book. It took some time to read it, but I’m so glad I finally did.
This book is literally a timeline. She starts right from birth. You go through her …
Great insight into the life of an amazing women.
If you like autobiographies, this is easy reading and entertaining. Many of the people she writes about are well known. Hard to tell how candid she actually was as there is nothing really earth shaking or secret sharing. Having worked in the motion picture Industry for many years I knew most of the names and some back stories. Yes, her mother …
The beginning and the end told about Penny’s life. The middle was cudos to everyone she has known. I don’t recommend.
Story starts out well, she’s a great story teller. Then becomes a list of places, names and drugs used.
How terrific this was! I listened on audible and her wonderful, familiar voice was part of the charm. Highly recommend.
A wonderfully written story of her life! I could hear her voice in every word! Her family, especially her mother in early years, influenced rise fame. Full of information and tidbits of so many, many famous people from childhood on. I didn’t know she was in so many shows, movies, or that she directed so many!
A memoir, of sorts, but not the kind that reels you in with interest.
I really enjoyed this book.
It’s hard to imagine reading a biography of someone you thought talented and funny and end up thinking “what a bitch!”
I’ve always enjoyed Penny Marshall and loved the movies she played in. Reading about her life was an interesting glimpse into the life of someone on the A LIST. It wasn’t always very nice, but certainly was informative and interesting. I recommend it to anyone who enjoys movies and is not a prude.
It’s fun to take a look at Penny Marshall’s life and career.
The book is like someone at a party constantly name-dropping. I did not find it particular interesting. Didnt finish it.
Penny Marshal really had a bit of an unhappy childhood. It was great to see her overcome her upbringing and to succeed as she obviously has.
well done and interesting.
Reminded me of a lot of things i love about her. Kinda bogs down into name dropping in the middle.
My second time trying to get through this book. It was really just not very interesting.
Who knew Penny has lead such an exciting life! Loved reading this book & getting to know her!