biography & autobiography / entertainment & performing arts

"Widely regarded as the greatest filmmaker of the twentieth century, Alfred Hitchcock had a gift for creating suspense and a shrewd knowledge of human psychology. His film career, spanning more than half a century, is studded with classics from The 39 Steps to Psycho, North by Northwest to Vertigo (which in 2012 unseated Citizen Kane as the best movie of all time according to Sight and Sound). A master of intricate storytelling, Hitchcock was one of the first directors whose films belonged to both popular culture and high art. By the end of his life, he had gone from being the overweight son of a greengrocer in a London suburb to Hollywood's reigning director, whose cameo roles in his own films were one of their most anticipated features, and whose profile was recognized by millions"--Amazon.com.

Lena Dunham shares personal experiences about the struggles of growing up, illuminating falling in love, feeling alone, being ten pounds overweight, being a woman trying to prove herself to a room full of men twice her age, how sex did not live up to expectations, and exploring her lifelong obsession with death and dying.

Rita Moreno describes her journey from impoverished Puerto Rican girl to Hollywood legend--and one of the few performers, and the only Hispanic, to win an Oscar, Grammy, Tony and two Emmys.

"Billy Crystal is turning 65, and he's not happy about it. With his trademark wit and heart, he outlines the absurdities and challenges that come with growing old, from insomnia to memory loss to leaving dinners with half your meal on your shirt. In humorous chapters like "Buying the Plot" and "Nodding Off," Crystal not only catalogues his physical gripes, but offers a road map to his 77 million fellow baby boomers who are arriving at this milestone age with him. He also looks back at the most powerful and memorable moments of his long and storied life, from entertaining his relatives as a kid in Long Beach, Long Island, his years doing stand-up in the Village, up through his legendary stint at Saturday Night Live, When Harry Met Sally, and his long run as host of the Academy Awards. Readers get a front-row seat to his one-day career with the New York Yankees (he was the first player to ever "test positive for Maalox"), his love affair with Sophia Loren, and his enduring friendships with several of his idols, including Mickey Mantle and Muhammad Ali. He lends a light touch to more serious topics like religion ("the aging friends I know have turned to the Holy Trinity: Advil, bourbon, and Prozac"), grandparenting, and, of course, dentistry. As wise and poignant as they are funny, Crystal's reflections are an unforgettable look at an extraordinary life well lived"--.

Jim Henson, creator of the Muppets, was a master craftsman who revolutionized the presentation of puppets on television, a savvy businessman, and a creative team leader with a gift for collaboration with colleagues. He also had a Christian Science upbringing, a love of fast cars and expensive art. His untimely death deprived the world of his future creative genius.

A biography of Bob Fosse, the American actor, dancer, musical theatre choreographer, director, screenwriter, film editor and film director.

Actor John Lithgow reflects on his life and career before he was famous, sharing details about his family, childhood, schooling, early acting performances, collaborations, and more.