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Peter Lawford: The Man Who Kept the Secrets
This New York Times best seller tells the glamorous, scandalous, and tragic story of a handsome, sophisticated Englishman who became a bobby-sox idol, a lover of Ava Gardner and Lana Turner, a Kennedy in-law, a member of Sinatra’s Rat Pack, and an intimate confidante of Marilyn Monroe and Elizabeth Taylor.
512 pages, Hardcover
First published June 1, 1991
About the author
James Spada
41 books28 followersAs a thirteen-year-old kid in Staten Island, James Spada started the first Marilyn Monroe Memorial Fan Club. He produced four bulletins and one yearbook a year for four years, when he had to disband the club due to lack of money.
In college he founded EMK: The Edward M. Kennedy Quarterly, and worked as an intern in Senator Kennedy’s Boston office in 1970.
At 23 his first book, Barbra: The First Decade (The Films and Career of Barbra Streisand), was published. He followed that up with the authorized book The Films of Robert Redford. He went on to write illustrated coffee-table books about Streisand, Marilyn Monroe, Judy Garland and Liza Minnelli, Katharine Hepburn, Bette Midler, Shirley MacLaine and Warren Beatty, and Jane Fonda.
In 1987 his first non-pictorial biography, Grace: The Secret Lives of a Princess, became a major international bestseller. He followed that up with intimate biographies of Peter Lawford, Bette Davis, Barbra Streisand, and Julia Roberts.
His writing has appeared in Vanity Fair, People, Ladies Home Journal, Cosmopolitan, The New York Times Book Review, McCall’s, the Los Angeles Times, the London Sunday Express, and many other publications.
In 2010 his first work of fiction, Days When My Heart was Volcanic—A Novel of Edgar Allan Poe, was published.
In recent years he has become equally renowned as a photographer of the male nude. His first collection, Black & White Men, was nominated for a Lambda Literary Award as the Best Visual Arts Book of 2000.
-----------------------------
From "Black & White Men" published in 2000:
Over the past several years, Jim has also become known for his evocative black-and-white studies of the male nude. He has had three one-man exhibitions, most recently in January 2000 at the prestigious Gallery One at the New England School of Photography in Boston. "I've been taking pictures since I was a teenager," Jim says, "but it took a back seat to my celebrity books. Now I d like to be known as a hyphenate, a writer-photographer. Photographing people is very much like writing about them, except that I'm creating the portrait with light rather than words. Light is as much a subject for me as the model."
In college he founded EMK: The Edward M. Kennedy Quarterly, and worked as an intern in Senator Kennedy’s Boston office in 1970.
At 23 his first book, Barbra: The First Decade (The Films and Career of Barbra Streisand), was published. He followed that up with the authorized book The Films of Robert Redford. He went on to write illustrated coffee-table books about Streisand, Marilyn Monroe, Judy Garland and Liza Minnelli, Katharine Hepburn, Bette Midler, Shirley MacLaine and Warren Beatty, and Jane Fonda.
In 1987 his first non-pictorial biography, Grace: The Secret Lives of a Princess, became a major international bestseller. He followed that up with intimate biographies of Peter Lawford, Bette Davis, Barbra Streisand, and Julia Roberts.
His writing has appeared in Vanity Fair, People, Ladies Home Journal, Cosmopolitan, The New York Times Book Review, McCall’s, the Los Angeles Times, the London Sunday Express, and many other publications.
In 2010 his first work of fiction, Days When My Heart was Volcanic—A Novel of Edgar Allan Poe, was published.
In recent years he has become equally renowned as a photographer of the male nude. His first collection, Black & White Men, was nominated for a Lambda Literary Award as the Best Visual Arts Book of 2000.
-----------------------------
From "Black & White Men" published in 2000:
Over the past several years, Jim has also become known for his evocative black-and-white studies of the male nude. He has had three one-man exhibitions, most recently in January 2000 at the prestigious Gallery One at the New England School of Photography in Boston. "I've been taking pictures since I was a teenager," Jim says, "but it took a back seat to my celebrity books. Now I d like to be known as a hyphenate, a writer-photographer. Photographing people is very much like writing about them, except that I'm creating the portrait with light rather than words. Light is as much a subject for me as the model."
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
April 2, 2016
I must say while this was long winded at some parts, it was never truly boring. What it was - heartbreaking, poignant, powerful and eye opening. I learnt lots about Lawford and I don't think I shall see him the same after this in his movies. Still adore him though. :P
July 2, 2023
Did the author interview people for this book? Or were his
quotes from existing sources (books, magazines, news-
papers, archives?) The author claimed Pres. Kennedy met
personally w/ Mob bosses to obtain their cooperation to
depose or eliminate Fidel Castro. True? In other books I've
read JFK's sire Joe reportedly had go-betweens commun-
icated w/ the Mob Re W.Va. votes. But a President talking
directly to the Mob would make him vulnerable to blackmail.
May was married to her 2nd spouse when she had an affair
with his wealthy commanding officer, Lt. General Sir Sydney
Lawford. They begot Peter and Lawford became her 3rd
spouse. May acted overbearing. snobbish & reminded all to
call her "Lady Lawford."
Nannies mostly raised Peter. Peter was subjected to oral sex
abuse at age 10 by one of his nannies! To whom could he
report this child abuse? How did his mind process this? Why
not tell his dad? This may explain Peter's nearly lifelong
struggle with depression? Hereafter, per author, he avoided
strong, aggressive women.
The author explored Peter's education, sexuality, drug abuse,
love affairs & associations. Bright Peter never attended
school. He had a tutor, then no further formal education as
he circled the world with his parents x3 . Peter admitted to
his 3rd wife his bi-sexuality. He told her "I like anybody
who's beautiful." (88% mark). Peter abused alcohol, speed
& street drugs cocaine & heroin, but mostly denied his
dependence. He had affairs with stars IE Lana Turner, Ava
Gardner (abused alcohol), Kim Novak, Judy Holiday, Dorothy
Dandridge, etc. He had a friend relationship with lost souls
Judy Garland & Marilyn Monroe. And a mutually beneficial
relationship w/ his wife Pat's bros. President Kennedy
& Bobby. He felt intimidated by the Kennedys. FBI phone
records confirmed Peter was the last person to speak
w/ Marilyn, alive. The "Rat Pack" w/ Peter, Frank, Sammy,
Dean & Joey was not as easygoing as advertised. The author
made Frank sound like a man with the patience of a gnat.
Peter's dad lost his wealth after the Great Depression and
Peter supported the family with odd jobs, including his 1st
minor film role at age 8. Much later Peter was offered the
James Bond role in a 5movie deal, but he declined. So Sean
got the role and the rest is history.
Pat took their 4 kids and moved to NYC, after Pat and Peter
divorced. Peter disliked being alone. He asked a friend or
paid companion to run errands, and stay in the house with
him.
Per the author, Peter fell in love easily/ used /then discarded
his women. And was described as Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde b/c
of his drinking + drugging. Peter was arrears on bills, mgr
Milt Ebbins got him pd in cash & Milt pd as many creditors
as possible. Peter borrowed from friends. He stiffed friends
for bills when they ate out or went to clubs. He owed the
'drug boys.'
Peter stayed at the Betty Ford Clinic, but did not take it
seriously. He had drugs delivered in the field behind the
clinic. Despite the glamour & travel Peter enjoyed, he had
a sad life.
quotes from existing sources (books, magazines, news-
papers, archives?) The author claimed Pres. Kennedy met
personally w/ Mob bosses to obtain their cooperation to
depose or eliminate Fidel Castro. True? In other books I've
read JFK's sire Joe reportedly had go-betweens commun-
icated w/ the Mob Re W.Va. votes. But a President talking
directly to the Mob would make him vulnerable to blackmail.
May was married to her 2nd spouse when she had an affair
with his wealthy commanding officer, Lt. General Sir Sydney
Lawford. They begot Peter and Lawford became her 3rd
spouse. May acted overbearing. snobbish & reminded all to
call her "Lady Lawford."
Nannies mostly raised Peter. Peter was subjected to oral sex
abuse at age 10 by one of his nannies! To whom could he
report this child abuse? How did his mind process this? Why
not tell his dad? This may explain Peter's nearly lifelong
struggle with depression? Hereafter, per author, he avoided
strong, aggressive women.
The author explored Peter's education, sexuality, drug abuse,
love affairs & associations. Bright Peter never attended
school. He had a tutor, then no further formal education as
he circled the world with his parents x3 . Peter admitted to
his 3rd wife his bi-sexuality. He told her "I like anybody
who's beautiful." (88% mark). Peter abused alcohol, speed
& street drugs cocaine & heroin, but mostly denied his
dependence. He had affairs with stars IE Lana Turner, Ava
Gardner (abused alcohol), Kim Novak, Judy Holiday, Dorothy
Dandridge, etc. He had a friend relationship with lost souls
Judy Garland & Marilyn Monroe. And a mutually beneficial
relationship w/ his wife Pat's bros. President Kennedy
& Bobby. He felt intimidated by the Kennedys. FBI phone
records confirmed Peter was the last person to speak
w/ Marilyn, alive. The "Rat Pack" w/ Peter, Frank, Sammy,
Dean & Joey was not as easygoing as advertised. The author
made Frank sound like a man with the patience of a gnat.
Peter's dad lost his wealth after the Great Depression and
Peter supported the family with odd jobs, including his 1st
minor film role at age 8. Much later Peter was offered the
James Bond role in a 5movie deal, but he declined. So Sean
got the role and the rest is history.
Pat took their 4 kids and moved to NYC, after Pat and Peter
divorced. Peter disliked being alone. He asked a friend or
paid companion to run errands, and stay in the house with
him.
Per the author, Peter fell in love easily/ used /then discarded
his women. And was described as Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde b/c
of his drinking + drugging. Peter was arrears on bills, mgr
Milt Ebbins got him pd in cash & Milt pd as many creditors
as possible. Peter borrowed from friends. He stiffed friends
for bills when they ate out or went to clubs. He owed the
'drug boys.'
Peter stayed at the Betty Ford Clinic, but did not take it
seriously. He had drugs delivered in the field behind the
clinic. Despite the glamour & travel Peter enjoyed, he had
a sad life.
June 19, 2021
Peter Lawford was an indecisive man with limited talent. By marrying Patricia Kennedy (the sister of the then Senator John F Kennedy), he enjoyed a long moment of Gump-like association with the very famous, most notably Marilyn Monroe, and the very powerful and famous: the Kennedys and Frank Sinatra, then watched it disintegrate. He descended into drugs and suspended adolescence, dissociated from his children. He once gave his son cocaine as a Christmas present.
James Spada is objective and sympathetic as he asks whether Lawford squandered his life or just took what he could get. He certainly kept the secrets: especially the Kennedy indiscretions, and Sinatra's grubbier associations.
But for me, Peter Lawford will live forever in my memory for one of his earliest film roles, in Ernst Lubitsch's Cluny Brown as a naïve, but enthusiastic young man of privilege, who aids suave Czech patriot Charles Boyer who has fled to England in the dark days just before World War Two. Lawford is charming, fresh and energetic, a nice foil to Boyer's exasperated smoulder as Boyer simultaneously tries to wake up the complacent English to the dangers across the channel and to court plumber's niece Jennifer Jones: 'You will notice, she is not dressed for plumbing,' he says as he observes her unblocking a sink. Cluny Brown, previously very hard to find, is on YouTube.
James Spada is objective and sympathetic as he asks whether Lawford squandered his life or just took what he could get. He certainly kept the secrets: especially the Kennedy indiscretions, and Sinatra's grubbier associations.
But for me, Peter Lawford will live forever in my memory for one of his earliest film roles, in Ernst Lubitsch's Cluny Brown as a naïve, but enthusiastic young man of privilege, who aids suave Czech patriot Charles Boyer who has fled to England in the dark days just before World War Two. Lawford is charming, fresh and energetic, a nice foil to Boyer's exasperated smoulder as Boyer simultaneously tries to wake up the complacent English to the dangers across the channel and to court plumber's niece Jennifer Jones: 'You will notice, she is not dressed for plumbing,' he says as he observes her unblocking a sink. Cluny Brown, previously very hard to find, is on YouTube.
August 16, 2011
The most brutal of the books about Sinatra's Rat Pack is this biography of Peter Lawford. Brother-in-law to JFK, MGM contract player and, for awhile, a member of Frank Sinatra's own personal roundtable, Lawford was privy to some of the major points in mid-fifties pop culture history. This is also one of the books that Shawn Levy's "Rat Pack Confidential: Frank, Dean, Sammy, Peter, Joey and the Last Great Show Biz Party" lifted so freely from. If you've read that one, trust me, pick up the Lawford book and the following-
Dino- Living High in The Dirty Business of Dreams by Nick Tosches
Yes I Can: The Story of Sammy Davis, Jr. by Sammy Davis Jr., Burt Boyar, Jane Boyar
His Way: An Unauthorized Biography Of Frank Sinatra by Kitty Kelley
My Lucky Stars: A Hollywood Memoir by Shirley Maclaine
and even Levy's own, superior-
King of Comedy: The Life and Art of Jerry Lewis by Shawn Levy
This is where Levy got most of his material for the Rat Pack book.
Dino- Living High in The Dirty Business of Dreams by Nick Tosches
Yes I Can: The Story of Sammy Davis, Jr. by Sammy Davis Jr., Burt Boyar, Jane Boyar
His Way: An Unauthorized Biography Of Frank Sinatra by Kitty Kelley
My Lucky Stars: A Hollywood Memoir by Shirley Maclaine
and even Levy's own, superior-
King of Comedy: The Life and Art of Jerry Lewis by Shawn Levy
This is where Levy got most of his material for the Rat Pack book.
July 17, 2023
Begitulah.
Dalam 7 bagian, plus prolog dan epilog, membaca menemukan hal-hal yang tak terduga.
Judul buku ini, membawa mata dan jari saya bekerja sama memasukkan dalam daftar belanja. Padahal saya belum melakukan pengecakan di GR. Untunglah sedang promo sehingga harganya sangat terjangkau.Eh... sekarang malah menemukan dibanting obralan di lapak sebelah.
Foto-foto yang menarik untuk dilihat.
Dalam 7 bagian, plus prolog dan epilog, membaca menemukan hal-hal yang tak terduga.
Judul buku ini, membawa mata dan jari saya bekerja sama memasukkan dalam daftar belanja. Padahal saya belum melakukan pengecakan di GR. Untunglah sedang promo sehingga harganya sangat terjangkau.Eh... sekarang malah menemukan dibanting obralan di lapak sebelah.
Foto-foto yang menarik untuk dilihat.
June 18, 2010
Peter Lawford was handsome and world-famous. He had money, celebritiy friends and married into the Kennedy family but, by the end of the book, I felt such sadness for him.
His mother was indifferent and/or cruel to him... his friendships ended with tragedy - he felt tremendous guilt over the death of Marilyn Monroe and was devastated when JFK was assassinated. Frank Sinatra treated him terribly and may have even had him blackballed in the entertainment industry.
By the end of the 1960s, Lawford was nearly broke and suffered from the effects of alcoholism and heavy drug usage. Most of his friends had left him and his "new" friends - other druggies and/or dealers - took advantage of him.
The book itself was well-written and sources were included.
His mother was indifferent and/or cruel to him... his friendships ended with tragedy - he felt tremendous guilt over the death of Marilyn Monroe and was devastated when JFK was assassinated. Frank Sinatra treated him terribly and may have even had him blackballed in the entertainment industry.
By the end of the 1960s, Lawford was nearly broke and suffered from the effects of alcoholism and heavy drug usage. Most of his friends had left him and his "new" friends - other druggies and/or dealers - took advantage of him.
The book itself was well-written and sources were included.
April 15, 2018
This book was very interesting not only with the story of Lawford's life, but the surrounding social scene. Starting from his birth, when it was acceptable for the upper class of England to have
affairs and mistresses it was a scandal for someone to divorce. Lawford's parents left England
and traveled throughout the world to avoid being ostracized. Mrs Lawford was extremely
class conscious and reportedly got pregnant with Peter in order to compel Sir Sydney Lawford to
marry her and make her Lady Lawford. Peter became a cosmopolitan at an early age. He grew
up to be a classy debonair man.
The Lawfords settled in South Florida and when Sir Sydney lost his fortune, Peter had to go to
work as the sole support of the family. He worked as a parking valet and got in trouble for eating lunch with his black co-workers.
When the US joined World War II, Peter was 4F due to a horrible accident when he was younger and almost lost his right arm. This gave him the opportunity to fulfill his dream to be an actor since many of Hollywood's male stars had gone into the service. He moved to California and began his acting career. There's lots of juicy gossip about the Hollywood scene during this era.
He doesn't have a reputation as a great actor but he was young, handsome, and had that
worldly sophistication about him. He became a popular movie idol.
Peter seemed very down to earth during his early career. He enjoyed exercising and hanging out with the surfing community at the beach. He was a good friend to his everyday crowd as well as
to the acting community. Many people comment on what a good friend Peter Lawford could be.
Peter had some sexual hang-ups and always liked to drink. When he became a member of
Frank Sinatra's Rat Pack he became more popular and more hedonistic.
Lawford's marriage to Pat Kennedy did not seem to be a good move. They were not very
compatible. Peter relished the status of being a brother-in-law of the president. He gladly
pimped Hollywood beauties including his friend, Marilyn Monroe for the president.
The later portion of the book was very depressing. After his divorce from Pat, Marilyn Monroe's death and his fallout with Frank Sinatra he seemed to lose his identity. He got into the hippy drug scene and along with his drinking he became less and less able to find work. He still wanted to live the lavish life style and that along with the cost of drugs kept him constantly in debt. He dated women half his age and married several of them. His kinky sexual request ran off some of them . When one looks
back at the early Peter Lawford , one has to think "what a terrible waste".
affairs and mistresses it was a scandal for someone to divorce. Lawford's parents left England
and traveled throughout the world to avoid being ostracized. Mrs Lawford was extremely
class conscious and reportedly got pregnant with Peter in order to compel Sir Sydney Lawford to
marry her and make her Lady Lawford. Peter became a cosmopolitan at an early age. He grew
up to be a classy debonair man.
The Lawfords settled in South Florida and when Sir Sydney lost his fortune, Peter had to go to
work as the sole support of the family. He worked as a parking valet and got in trouble for eating lunch with his black co-workers.
When the US joined World War II, Peter was 4F due to a horrible accident when he was younger and almost lost his right arm. This gave him the opportunity to fulfill his dream to be an actor since many of Hollywood's male stars had gone into the service. He moved to California and began his acting career. There's lots of juicy gossip about the Hollywood scene during this era.
He doesn't have a reputation as a great actor but he was young, handsome, and had that
worldly sophistication about him. He became a popular movie idol.
Peter seemed very down to earth during his early career. He enjoyed exercising and hanging out with the surfing community at the beach. He was a good friend to his everyday crowd as well as
to the acting community. Many people comment on what a good friend Peter Lawford could be.
Peter had some sexual hang-ups and always liked to drink. When he became a member of
Frank Sinatra's Rat Pack he became more popular and more hedonistic.
Lawford's marriage to Pat Kennedy did not seem to be a good move. They were not very
compatible. Peter relished the status of being a brother-in-law of the president. He gladly
pimped Hollywood beauties including his friend, Marilyn Monroe for the president.
The later portion of the book was very depressing. After his divorce from Pat, Marilyn Monroe's death and his fallout with Frank Sinatra he seemed to lose his identity. He got into the hippy drug scene and along with his drinking he became less and less able to find work. He still wanted to live the lavish life style and that along with the cost of drugs kept him constantly in debt. He dated women half his age and married several of them. His kinky sexual request ran off some of them . When one looks
back at the early Peter Lawford , one has to think "what a terrible waste".
June 25, 2019
This book while supposed to be a biography on Lawford was really informative on the plays of power in the 50s and 60s. People were double dealing and double dipping everywhere. Everyone was suspicious of communism, the mob was engrained in politics, alcohol and drug use was becoming a glamorous infection among celebrity.
Lawfords mother was awful. The social climbing generation of her time were so very cold to their children, that was very damaging. The elder Kennedys were the same. Lawford found himself surrounded by rich but cold people. Not alot of warm love between any of those people. The only real love he had was during the time period where he began hosting and cooking dinners at his beach house, the kids were still around and JFK was still alive. That was the high time. Then Judy died, Marilyn died, JFK died and everything came down. I always felt from biographies that Pat Kennedy was a little cold too. Smart women but not overtly effectionate with men.
Peter needed Pat for her brains and they were similar social standing but if only they could have provided more effection for each other. The Kennedy political wheel was probably very stressfull to be in though as someone who hadnt attended Ivy school political classes.
I liked Lawford throughout this book. I cringed when he got to the last few wives though. He was really out of it and looking for a life preserver. He needed someome to force him clean. Wish the Kennedys because of the ties with the children had forced that matter and not cut off contact.
Frank Sinatra totally black balled this guy in Hollywood. Once over Ava and second over JFK not coming to stay. Instantly felt something was said and so Lawford had an x through his name somehwere. And unfairly.
Good read.
Lawfords mother was awful. The social climbing generation of her time were so very cold to their children, that was very damaging. The elder Kennedys were the same. Lawford found himself surrounded by rich but cold people. Not alot of warm love between any of those people. The only real love he had was during the time period where he began hosting and cooking dinners at his beach house, the kids were still around and JFK was still alive. That was the high time. Then Judy died, Marilyn died, JFK died and everything came down. I always felt from biographies that Pat Kennedy was a little cold too. Smart women but not overtly effectionate with men.
Peter needed Pat for her brains and they were similar social standing but if only they could have provided more effection for each other. The Kennedy political wheel was probably very stressfull to be in though as someone who hadnt attended Ivy school political classes.
I liked Lawford throughout this book. I cringed when he got to the last few wives though. He was really out of it and looking for a life preserver. He needed someome to force him clean. Wish the Kennedys because of the ties with the children had forced that matter and not cut off contact.
Frank Sinatra totally black balled this guy in Hollywood. Once over Ava and second over JFK not coming to stay. Instantly felt something was said and so Lawford had an x through his name somehwere. And unfairly.
Good read.
July 4, 2020
Great and very interesting book from the realm of golden era of Hollywood cinematography. I love to read books about famous actors such for example Judy Garland. Yet on the other hand it is also a book about great personal tragedy and unfulfilled ambitions, missed chances, wasted life use and abuse of drugs ………. Oh didn't I forget to mention The Kennedys and M. M
The book is written very good with great sense for detail. Honestly sometimes even too much of details. The author is trying to follow three different life stories. The biography of British / Hollywood actor Peter Lawford - The acting career and downfall of actrice Marlyn Monroe and the fate of the brothers Kennedy and the rest of the family, because the main " hero" of the book actor Peter Lawford was through his wife Patricia / Pat Kennedy connected with this mighty clan.
I loved the book and I loved to read about the fames actors of the silver screen. I also enjoyed to read about the backstage politics of Kennedy brothers and their connections with the MOB. But I really didn't like to read about the very last years of Peter Lawfords life and how he was wetting his bed daily.
Sometimes read this book like biography of an infamous Hollywood actor. Sometimes as a spy / crime novel. other times as a Smuth gossip paper. I belive that the author have had so much of different kind of sources that he lost his way in the story and that is why it is kind of inconsequent sometimes.
However is was and interesting read after all.
The book is written very good with great sense for detail. Honestly sometimes even too much of details. The author is trying to follow three different life stories. The biography of British / Hollywood actor Peter Lawford - The acting career and downfall of actrice Marlyn Monroe and the fate of the brothers Kennedy and the rest of the family, because the main " hero" of the book actor Peter Lawford was through his wife Patricia / Pat Kennedy connected with this mighty clan.
I loved the book and I loved to read about the fames actors of the silver screen. I also enjoyed to read about the backstage politics of Kennedy brothers and their connections with the MOB. But I really didn't like to read about the very last years of Peter Lawfords life and how he was wetting his bed daily.
Sometimes read this book like biography of an infamous Hollywood actor. Sometimes as a spy / crime novel. other times as a Smuth gossip paper. I belive that the author have had so much of different kind of sources that he lost his way in the story and that is why it is kind of inconsequent sometimes.
However is was and interesting read after all.
September 8, 2017
Peter Lawford was a man who certainly had secrets. Poor Peter! Abused as a child, drug and alcohol addled towards the end of his life, he tried his hardest to please the Kennedys, Frank Sinatra and ended up pleasing no one. He ultimately ended up being rejected by both. Regardless of all his attempts to make things better, he ended up being ostracized by those he cared about.
This is a well written and thorough page turner filled with gossipy details from Marilyn Monroe(why didn't Peter go to her house that fateful night when she didn't answer the phone?) to his relations with Jack Kennedy, providing women for the President.
It seemed he carried guilt during his life and buried it over with kinky sex, drugs and alcohol. Toward the end of his life, he married women young enough to be his daughter. It was amazing his four children still thought so highly of him since he was an absentee father, only around if he needed money for drugs.
Peter Lawford was a talented actor that had too much thrust on him too soon. Perhaps being a child actor contributed to the damage. His mother, Lady Lawson was a controlling nut case.
James Spada does a phenomenal job bring the story of Peter Lawford to life! The addition of Milt Ebbons's comments, Peter's life long manager added much authenticity and texture to the book! I loved it!
This is a well written and thorough page turner filled with gossipy details from Marilyn Monroe(why didn't Peter go to her house that fateful night when she didn't answer the phone?) to his relations with Jack Kennedy, providing women for the President.
It seemed he carried guilt during his life and buried it over with kinky sex, drugs and alcohol. Toward the end of his life, he married women young enough to be his daughter. It was amazing his four children still thought so highly of him since he was an absentee father, only around if he needed money for drugs.
Peter Lawford was a talented actor that had too much thrust on him too soon. Perhaps being a child actor contributed to the damage. His mother, Lady Lawson was a controlling nut case.
James Spada does a phenomenal job bring the story of Peter Lawford to life! The addition of Milt Ebbons's comments, Peter's life long manager added much authenticity and texture to the book! I loved it!
Read
October 2, 2022The drunken coke fiend Lawford was one of Jay Sebring's best friends, a fellow sadomasochist, one of Virginia Graham's Johns, and he served as the middle man bringing drugs from Jay to JFK and Monroe when they'd meet at Lawford's beach house. This creep knew many of the 20th century's ugliest secrets. Sinatra mocked him as "The Brother In Lawford" for his opportunistic marrying into the Kennedy family. Frankie baby also called Lawford "freak, weak and creep." He was also close friend of Polanski, Peter Sellers, Jim Markham and drug dealer to the stars Sid Keiser/Kaiser. Lawford gave the eulogy at Sid’s funeral. Sid of course supplied Phil Kaufman and helped to provide the magic oil that kept the wheels of creativity turning (or so they say) for The Rolling Stones and Gram Parsons. He was a wretch of a man. He had some kind of public face of Englishness, decency and fair play.. He was quite the opposite,a sweaty,grubby man ,up to no good most of the time.
December 24, 2020
Peter Lawford led a very interesting life, but unfortunately, it appears that the lows outweighed the highs. James Spada gives us an inside look at Lawford's rise to fame as an actor, his marriage into the Kennedy family and his place in Sinatra's Rat Pack. The book is very well-researched and well-written and it presents a complete picture of Lawford's rise and fall, the deaths of so many people he was close to (including Marilyn Monroe, President Kennedy, Judy Garland and Bobby Kennedy), the womanizing, the alcoholism and drug use, the multiple marriages and estrangement from his four children; not a pretty picture. His story proves that old saw "money can't buy happiness."
January 22, 2024
I really enjoyed this read.... having been born in '61., we grew up hearing about "the Kennedy's" and the show biz people that JFK and Bobby Kennedy were connected with. This was quite an eye opener and I do believe a factually written summary of Peter Lawford's life, from his early days in England through to his marriage with Pat Kennedy, and later. I think James Spada is a great author, had done a lot of research to create this, and its certainly given readers a better understanding of Peter Lawford - the actor and the son in law of America's 'royals' of that era.
March 18, 2018
Solid biography of a pathetic figure. Lawford spent his entire life surrounded by sharks (his mother, Louis B. Mayer, the Kennedys, Frank Sinatra) who wanted him to be more than he was or could ever be. As the disappointments and failures mounted, he turned to alcohol, drugs, and squalid sex to ease the pain. A journey through the darkest side of show business and politics, culminating in a sad death that could easily be seen as suicide committed over a period of years.
June 23, 2020
I have a hangover.
Pretty candid book, gossipy BUT enthralling and tragic. I wish Peter had lived in a time when celebrities were applauded for getting necessary help for addiction and mental issues. His mother was a terrible person. Mr. Spada wrote a difficult book about a very sad, wasted life. It's worth reading.
Pretty candid book, gossipy BUT enthralling and tragic. I wish Peter had lived in a time when celebrities were applauded for getting necessary help for addiction and mental issues. His mother was a terrible person. Mr. Spada wrote a difficult book about a very sad, wasted life. It's worth reading.
October 22, 2017
I never knew much about Peter Lawford but still decided to read this book. A truly well researched book with tons of insight to the Hollywood scene. Side stories about Frank Sinatra, Marilyn Monroe and the Kennedys really added to the story !!
April 25, 2020
Very entertaining
This is a thoroughly enjoyable book. Even if you have no idea who Peter Lawford was, you will be entertained by this book. Even though Lawford had a troubled life and often did reprehensible things, he still comes across as a likeable guy.
This is a thoroughly enjoyable book. Even if you have no idea who Peter Lawford was, you will be entertained by this book. Even though Lawford had a troubled life and often did reprehensible things, he still comes across as a likeable guy.
May 15, 2020
Nearly 5/5...infact it now is!....such an engrossing read! Not my kind of book normally, but so well written and backed up with first hand accounts from within the Kennedy/Hollywood circles of the time. Lawford was there, right at the heart of it and in the end paid the price.
February 10, 2021
Lawford was a cash poor junked living is his own filth towards the den. Very sad self destruction
Left the good life for his drugged out lifestyle. He was a good actor usually despite an Awful mother but was weak and attractive. Very confusing man.
Left the good life for his drugged out lifestyle. He was a good actor usually despite an Awful mother but was weak and attractive. Very confusing man.
May 18, 2017
I found this as fascinating as any work of fiction. What a life!
July 1, 2017
Well researched and written.
April 20, 2022
#38 of 120 books pledged to read during 2022
December 24, 2023
Excellent
November 17, 2020
Very thorough, detailed yet distressing biography of a man who self distracted through self indulgence.
August 9, 2016
Spada has pieced this all together for us. It's a mamoth effort. Its lack of footnotes can be mostly excused because the narrative holds together and has power.
In summary: an inconvenient but necessary child to his mother becomes a necessary and inconvenient inlaw.
Lawford's childhood and family stories are astounding. This history includes sexual abuse, an inherited tendancy to addiction and emotional highs and lows. Your heart goes out to Peter as a little boy. The cards are stacked against him, but there surely must have been a hand he could play to win.
Sir Sydney is sympathetic for his bravery. "Lady" Lawford has nothing going for her but the title she connived. These Victorian relics lived high and fell far. The Lady and the Sir have no marketable skills nor any disposition to acquire them. They need their 16 year old son to park cars... and succeed in a once disdained acting (working) career. The Lawfords save face and receive largess from others of their class by claiming their assets were frozen in war time Britain.
Peter saves them from the abyss. Polish, persistence, war and good looks bring him movie roles and connections. He marries American royalty, but the family is IRISH and "Lady" is no lady in this regard. This re-elevation is no bed of roses for Peter. He is useful (and may have been critical) for the Kennedys. Through the Kennedys he becomes useful to his former friend Sinatra. Through Sinatra and Monroe he became inconvenient to everyone, and the divorce makes him totally unnecessary to anyone.
The rest is history, in which Lawford, who has so many starring roles, may not even get a credit.
He doesn't keep all secrets, he sells Elizabeth Taylor's for $15K. Does he really know who killed JFK and MM, or does he just think he knows?
I came to this book because I read the bio of his son, "Symptoms of Withdrawal". Peter sees Chris very little, and his sisters even less. Spada makes us ache for Peter, but he did not break the cycle.
This is a compelling and thought provoking book. It hits you on many levels. When you finish it, you feel you need a few days to absorb all you've read.
In summary: an inconvenient but necessary child to his mother becomes a necessary and inconvenient inlaw.
Lawford's childhood and family stories are astounding. This history includes sexual abuse, an inherited tendancy to addiction and emotional highs and lows. Your heart goes out to Peter as a little boy. The cards are stacked against him, but there surely must have been a hand he could play to win.
Sir Sydney is sympathetic for his bravery. "Lady" Lawford has nothing going for her but the title she connived. These Victorian relics lived high and fell far. The Lady and the Sir have no marketable skills nor any disposition to acquire them. They need their 16 year old son to park cars... and succeed in a once disdained acting (working) career. The Lawfords save face and receive largess from others of their class by claiming their assets were frozen in war time Britain.
Peter saves them from the abyss. Polish, persistence, war and good looks bring him movie roles and connections. He marries American royalty, but the family is IRISH and "Lady" is no lady in this regard. This re-elevation is no bed of roses for Peter. He is useful (and may have been critical) for the Kennedys. Through the Kennedys he becomes useful to his former friend Sinatra. Through Sinatra and Monroe he became inconvenient to everyone, and the divorce makes him totally unnecessary to anyone.
The rest is history, in which Lawford, who has so many starring roles, may not even get a credit.
He doesn't keep all secrets, he sells Elizabeth Taylor's for $15K. Does he really know who killed JFK and MM, or does he just think he knows?
I came to this book because I read the bio of his son, "Symptoms of Withdrawal". Peter sees Chris very little, and his sisters even less. Spada makes us ache for Peter, but he did not break the cycle.
This is a compelling and thought provoking book. It hits you on many levels. When you finish it, you feel you need a few days to absorb all you've read.
January 16, 2008
This was an interesting biography of a man who was at the center of the Hollywood tempest in the 1960s. Not only was Lawford a member of the Rat Pack, but he also married into the Kennedy family and was close friends with Marilyn Monroe. The subtitle of this book is The Man Who Kept The Secrets because he never talked much about what he knew, (and the evidence shows he knew quite a bit). Even though this isn't a tell-all biography, it still proves quite interesting.
November 5, 2007
Interesting account of Peter Lawford's life. I'd gotten some glimpses from another biography on The Rat Pack, but this book goes even deeper and reveals more. I haven't yet gotten to the part of his life where he pals up with Sinatra and marries into the Kennedy clan...I'm sure it will get even more interesting.
Want to read
July 5, 2009I am beginning this book today
I have had it for a very long time-but just now have the time to read
I have had it for a very long time-but just now have the time to read
March 14, 2013
I haven't been this immersed in a Hollywood biography like this in a long time (Gerold Frank's JUDY). Meticulously researched with tons of new information on JFK, RFK and Marilyn Monroe.
November 22, 2013
More dirt on what really was going on in the Kennedy era. Not Camelot, but a dark and evil web of money, sex and deceit. For more, see Nemesis by Peter Evans.
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