Apparently There Were Complaints
A Memoir
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4.2 • 49 Ratings
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- $11.99
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- $11.99
Publisher Description
Emmy Award–winning actress Sharon Gless tells all in this laugh-out-loud, juicy, “unforgettably memorable” (Lily Tomlin) memoir about her five decades in Hollywood, where she took on some of the most groundbreaking roles of her time.
Anyone who has seen Sharon Gless act in Cagney & Lacey, Queer as Folk, Burn Notice, and countless other shows and movies, knows that she’s someone who gives every role her all. She holds nothing back in Apparently There Were Complaints, a hilarious, deeply personal memoir that spills all about Gless’s five decades in Hollywood.
A fifth-generation Californian, Sharon Gless knew from a young age that she wanted to be an actress. After some rocky teenage years that included Sharon’s parents’ divorce and some minor (and not-so-minor) rebellion, Gless landed a coveted spot as an exclusive contract player for Universal Studios. In 1982, she stepped into the role of New York Police Detective Christine Cagney for the series Cagney & Lacey, which eventually reached an audience of 30 million weekly viewers and garnered Gless with two Emmy Awards. The show made history as the first hour-long drama to feature two women in the leading roles.
Gless continued to make history long after Cagney & Lacey was over. In 2000, she took on the role of outrageous Debbie Novotny in Queer as Folk. Her portrayal of a devoted mother to a gay son and confidant to his gay friends touched countless hearts and changed the definition of family for millions of viewers.
Apparently There Were Complaints delves into Gless’s remarkable career and explores Gless’s complicated family, her struggles with alcoholism, and her fear of romantic commitment as well as her encounters with some of Hollywood’s biggest names. Brutally honest and incredibly relatable, Gless puts it all out on the page in the same way she has lived—never with moderation.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Emmy Award–winning actor Gless debuts with a no-holds-barred look at her long and storied career. One of Universal's last contract players, signed in 1972, Gless made guest appearances on TV dramas including Emergency and Ironside before catapulting to international fame as NYPD Det. Christine Cagney on the popular '80s series Cagney and Lacey (a role she was offered three times and declined twice). She followed that up with star turns as diverse as the brash Debbie Novotny on 2000's Queer as Folk and Burn Notice's fiery Madeline Westen. As she reflects on her ascendance through Hollywood, her signature wit and bold personality take the stage in entertaining stories such as going on a date with Steven Spielberg ("I had no idea who was"), sharing a flight with Betty White, and most poignantly, being one of the first female actors to address alcoholism on prime-time TV—a reality Gless was wrestling with off camera, and about which she is bluntly candid. Written by a masterful storyteller, this smart account boldly reveals both the grit and the glamour of Gless's life, candidly contending with her substance abuse, various affairs, and the fact that writing her memoir took almost seven years. Fans will be delighted.
Customer Reviews
I never knew…
I first saw Sharon Gless in a supporting role, I think in the Robert Wagner show Switch. I saw one only or two episodes and thought she was intriguing. Then she was in Cagney and Lacey. I think I saw just a couple episodes of that. Then I finally saw her in Queer as Folk and thought, “Oh, that’s that actress I like”.
I had no idea until reading this funny and touching book that she was a big deal with multiple Emmy nominations and wins. Or that she had such a renowned career in both tv and theater. I just read the book because I had, in the few times I’d seen her, thought she was enormously talented and charismatic. I’m glad I read this.
Apparently There Were Complaints
No complaints here. The stories are enjoyable, well done.