I Said Yes to Everything (2014)

A book by legendary actor Lee Grant, I Said Yes to Everything, is absolutely worth your time. That is, if you want to get the inside scoop on 50s Hollywood. Grant delivers a fast-paced read with a fun mix of personal and career storytelling. Grant earned her Oscar (best supporting actress) for Shampoo, and her prime-time Emmy for Peyton Place. I believe her most important role came in mid-life, that of documentarian. She directed 45 episodes of Lifetime’s Intimate Portrait (video biographies) series. Late Baby Boomers and Gen x learned a lot about famous women from Intimate Portrait. Grant also directed acclaimed documentaries The Willmar 8, Down and Out in America and many more.

The Real True Hollywood Story of Jackie Gold (2021)

Lee Grant’s daughter, Dinah Manoff created a fairly realistic tale with The Real True Hollywood Story of Jackie Gold. Yes, it’s fiction, but there seems to be some biographical bend to it! Once I finished Lee Grant’s memoir, rounded out my knowledge of the family by reading Manoff’s first effort. You may recognize actor Manoff as one of the Pink Ladies from the film Grease (1978). She was Elaine Lefkowitz on from the barrier-breaking sitcom, Soap.  Manoff is somewhat retired show business, but used many life  experiences to craft this clever and well-written story. Smart Hollywood women. Five stars,  baby!