Mr. and Mrs. Hollywood: Edie and Lew Wasserman and Their Entertainment Empire

By Kathleen Sharp

Book Overview

From Hollywood back lots to the Oval Office, here is the authoritative story of super-agent Lew Wasserman and his politically savvy wife Edie. Lew joined the Chicago band-booking agency, MCA, during the peak of cinema's Golden Age, and while he wooed top talent into MCA's stable, Edie socialized with such stars as Jimmy Stewart, Errol Flynn, Olivia de Havilland, and Jane Wyman. Lew became a master producer of television and film, shepherding such blockbusters as Jaws, Animal House, E. T., and Jurassic Park. Edie showed her own genius by cultivating political stars like Bobby and Ted Kennedy, Lyndon and Lady Bird Johnson, the Carters, the Reagans and the Clintons. This first dual biography of the Wassermans is essential reading for everyone interested in movies and television and how power is wielded in America. 16 pages of black and white photographs are included in this enthralling book on the famous couple.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0786714190
• ISBN13: 9780786714193
• Release Date: October 2004
• Publisher: Da Capo Press
• Length: 576 Pages
• Weight: 2.00 lbs.
• Dimensions: 9.3" x 1.8" x 6.3"

Customer Reviews

Hollywood, behind the scenes

This is a "can't put it down" read. It is very powerful and thoroughly researched book that pulls no punches. Anyone interested in the founding of Hollywood and Universal Studios, the "dirt" on many Hollywood stars, writers, the agents and the social life of the times will love this book. It has very interesting information about Ronald Reagan and his beginnings in politics including his willingness to appease his backers and friends, even at the expense of others. The Wasserman's controlled the film industry and the social life of all involved for many years. I gave my book to a fried and intend to buy another one for my granddaughter. It is a significant History book that will grab everyone's interest.

The Real Inside Scoop at Last - Brilliant!

This is an important book. I've been waiting a long time for someone to report the insider details about how the Wassermans impacted U.S. politics as early as John Kennedy's election, how their mafia ties helped them control and skyrocket their entertainment empire, how Lew himself wheeled and dealed alternately like a king and a common criminal. This man had more federal investigations into his business than Enron, but he came out smelling like a rose every single time. Wonder why? The answers are here. Today, all of us - people around the world - have been shaped by the Hollywood-based entertainment media. How did this happen, and what does it mean to you and the future? For answers large and small, this is the one book to read.