Product Description

Did you ever wonder what it was like to be a part of showbiz history? Marilyn Monroe babysitting your brothers. Ethel Merman teaching you how to make martinis. Paul Newman giving you acting tips in your parents' living room. Fielding calls from reporters the night your mom won the Oscar.

Welcome to the world of Luke Yankee, son of Broadway and Hollywood actress, Eileen Heckart. In JUST OUTSIDE THE SPOTLIGHT, this masterful storyteller pulls the curtain aside to reveal a world you've only dreamed about--full of showbiz gossip and behind-the-scenes tales of all your favorite celebrities. It includes never-before seen photos of stars like Marilyn Monroe, Sophia Loren, Lucille Ball, and Clark Gable, plus scores of humorous and touching, heartfelt stories.

Luke Yankee wrote JUST OUTSIDE THE SPOTLIGHT after his mother, Oscar, Emmy, Golden Globe and Tony winner (and Theatre Hall of Famer) Eileen Heckart passed away. "I realized I was the only one who knew all of her stories," says Yankee. "I have this incredibly rich legacy, and now I get to share it with the world."
JUST OUTSIDE THE SPOTLIGHT is like a party with the biggest names from Broadway to Hollywood…and you're invited!

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #77064 in Books
• Published on: 2006-04-15
• Released on: 2006-05-01
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 314 pages

About the Author
Luke Yankee (yes, it's his real name), the son of Eileen Heckart, has directed, produced, taught, lectured, and acted throughout the country. Currently he is touring in Diva Dish, a one-man multimedia show featuring show-biz anecdotes, rare stills, and video footage that was the inspiration for this book, He lives in Long Beach, CA.

Customer Reviews

enjoyable read ------
I found this to be a very cozy and interesting book. I had not seen Eileen Heckart in many movies, but it didn't matter....the book is a good one, tells what it was like growing up with her as his mother, shows her looking more glamorous than I knew she could, and I felt like I'd been on a visit with his family and friends.

Great Book
If you love Eileen Heckart, as I do, then you must read this book. Lots of in-depth info about her life and career. You really feel that you know the woman, after you read this. Plus you get some interesting info about her gay son.
Heckart was a great actress. I knew almost nothing about her life before I read this. It's a very enjoyable read, to boot.

You'll laugh and cry...
I know Luke personally which made reading this book a very enjoyable experience as I was able to learn things about his childhood and growing up with a famous mother. I enjoyed the book so much I actually purchased a copy to send to my mother as a Mother's Day gift. She loved it as she was familiar with Ms. Heckart's body of work. She told me that it made her remember great times from the past when certain references were made.