The Importance of Being Ernie:
The Importance of Being Ernie
From
My Three Sons
to
Mad Men
, a Hollywood Survivor Tells All
My Three Sons
to
Mad Men
, a Hollywood Survivor Tells All
BARRY LIVINGSTON
CITADEL PRESS
Kensington Publishing Corp.
WWW.KENSINGTONBOOKS.COM
Kensington Publishing Corp.
WWW.KENSINGTONBOOKS.COM
All copyrighted material within is Attributor Protected.
There are so many people—family, friends, and colleagues—who I owe a debt of gratitude, for enriching my career and my life. To them I offer my heartfelt thanks. One person deserves so much more, my wife, Karen. She has been my touchstone for over three decades. Her patience, wisdom, humor, counsel, and love elevate me in every way. To her I dedicate this book.
Table of Contents
Title Page
Foreword
PROLOGUECHAPTER 1
-
Birth of a NerdCHAPTER 2
-
Wild on WilcoxCHAPTER 3
-
Swim School and the Big BreakCHAPTER 4
-
A Well-Rounded PerformerCHAPTER 5
-
Working with LegendsCHAPTER 6
-
Memories Are MagicCHAPTER 7
-
The Top Secret TV SeriesCHAPTER 8
-
Moving Up in the WorldCHAPTER 9
-
My Six LovesCHAPTER 10
-
The Amazing TVCHAPTER 11
-
My Three SonsCHAPTER 12
-
Ernie Becomes FamousCHAPTER 13
-
My Pal, Lucille BallCHAPTER 14
-
Bub and Uncle CharleyCHAPTER 15
-
Ernie to the RescueCHAPTER 16
-
The CBS Years and Fred De CordovaCHAPTER 17
-
Making a Best Friend, Losing a Best FriendCHAPTER 18
-
The Times They Are A-Changin’CHAPTER 19
-
My First GirlfriendCHAPTER 20
-
A Kindred Spirit and Partner in CrimeCHAPTER 21
-
The End Is Here, Now What?CHAPTER 22
-
Free to Be MeCHAPTER 23
-
The Well-Rounded Performer Sings and DancesCHAPTER 24
-
Moving to the BunkerCHAPTER 25
-
Work After
My Three SonsCHAPTER 26
-
MyrnaCHAPTER 27
-
Meanwhile, Back Home at the RanchCHAPTER 28
-
Life Beyond the CameraCHAPTER 29
-
My First MentorCHAPTER 30
-
Starring in a New TV SeriesCHAPTER 31
-
The Skin of Our TeethCHAPTER 32
-
Back to Los Angeles, YawnCHAPTER 33
-
The Slow Slide into OblivionCHAPTER 34
-
Love at Long LastCHAPTER 35
-
Big Changes for One and AllCHAPTER 36
-
The Poison DonutCHAPTER 37
-
The Darkest HoursCHAPTER 38
-
Staying Sober with John CassavetesCHAPTER 39
-
Finding My Soul Mate During CPRCHAPTER 40
-
The Worst and the BestCHAPTER 41
-
Wanted, AgainCHAPTER 42
-
Unwanted, AgainCHAPTER 43
-
Back to the Dinner TheaterCHAPTER 44
-
New RolesCHAPTER 45
-
A Brave New NerdCHAPTER 46
-
My DadCHAPTER 47
-
Nerd in the New MillenniumCHAPTER 48
-
A
My Three Sons
Movie?CHAPTER 49
-
Embracing ErnieCHAPTER 50
-
More Top Secret ProjectsCHAPTER 51
-
Working with Future LegendsCHAPTER 52
-
Big LoveCHAPTER 53
-
The Social Network
EPILOGUE
-
Back to the Autograph Show
Acknowledgments
Copyright Page
Foreword
by Stanley Livingston
My brother Barry and I have shared a lifetime together. We shared a bedroom growing up. We broke into show business together. We shared a ride to work together. We shared a dressing room. We shared credit, appearing in some of television’s most memorable shows together. We share a legacy in showbiz together.
Although there exists a little thing called nepotism in show business, I have to set the record straight. My brother has always been his own man (even as a child). Each and every television and movie part he landed—in an extraordinary fifty-plus-year career—he fought for and won because of his determination as a person and his undeniable talents as an actor.
I watched my brother wisely re-invent himself as an actor after
My Three Sons
ended in 1972. Most actors would have packed it in and started selling insurance or used cars. Not Barry. He headed off to work on the stages of Broadway and Off-Broadway, and began his career and life anew.
My Three Sons
ended in 1972. Most actors would have packed it in and started selling insurance or used cars. Not Barry. He headed off to work on the stages of Broadway and Off-Broadway, and began his career and life anew.
I watched my brother go through some challenging moments as well as some high points as an actor—and as a human being. I never heard him complain about the hardships or brag about his good fortune. My brother is stoic and relentless. He always stays the course.
Along the way, my brother found love and marriage, and became the quintessential family man. As a busy working actor, he has never put his career in front of his family. Sometimes I think my brother is “Steve Douglas” or “Ozzie Nelson” reincarnate. He has more than a picture-perfect home life. He has the “real deal”—a wife, a son, and a daughter who are truly loving and not afraid to express it.
This book is a new venture for my brother and will show another side of his many talents—his amazing gift as a writer. Of course, I already knew that. But you are about to find out. My brother can spin a yarn and has a dazzling way with words.
The Importance of Being Ernie
proves that.
The Importance of Being Ernie
proves that.
For my reel- (and real-) life brother I have only love, admiration, and respect. I’m not sure we ever had a real fight. We have never been rivals—only supporters of each other’s endeavors and dreams. The truth is if Barry weren’t my brother, he’d be my best friend. Can a brother be a best friend? I’m sure of it!
With Love ...
Stanley Livingston
Los Angeles
March 2011
Stanley Livingston
Los Angeles
March 2011
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