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Motherhood and Hollywood: How to Get a Job Like Mine
“The really important things in life are your family and friends. And what will people say about you at your funeral—that you won an Emmy once, or that you were a good person, kind and generous? Well, as for me, I hope it's the latter. And the fact that I recently commissioned an Emmy-shaped coffin just eliminates the need for anyone to bring it up.”
Everybody knows that Patricia Heaton plays the hilarious, wise, and tempestuous married-with-kids everywoman on Everybody Loves Raymon d. What they might not know is that in real life she is married, has four boys under eight years old, and is just as funny offscreen as on.
Motherhood and Hollywood is Patricia Heaton’s humorous and poignant collection of essays on life, love, marriage, child-rearing, show business, having parents, being a parent, spousal rage, surviving fame, success, and the shame of underarm flab. She is warm, witty, and refreshingly irreverent.
Heaton grew up in suburban Cleveland, one of five children of devout Roman Catholic parents. Her father was a noted sportswriter for The Plain Dealer ; her mother died suddenly and unexpectedly when Heaton was twelve. Love, fast food, and an unflagging sense of humor held the clan together and propelled Patricia on a showbiz career that began with hilariously nightmarish struggles in New York, eventually leading to a triumphant move to Los Angeles.
In Motherhood and Hollywood , Patricia Heaton pours out her heart and minces no words. She’s taking all prisoners for cookies and a glass of Jack Daniel’s and diet ginger ale. Laughter ensues.
Everybody knows that Patricia Heaton plays the hilarious, wise, and tempestuous married-with-kids everywoman on Everybody Loves Raymon d. What they might not know is that in real life she is married, has four boys under eight years old, and is just as funny offscreen as on.
Motherhood and Hollywood is Patricia Heaton’s humorous and poignant collection of essays on life, love, marriage, child-rearing, show business, having parents, being a parent, spousal rage, surviving fame, success, and the shame of underarm flab. She is warm, witty, and refreshingly irreverent.
Heaton grew up in suburban Cleveland, one of five children of devout Roman Catholic parents. Her father was a noted sportswriter for The Plain Dealer ; her mother died suddenly and unexpectedly when Heaton was twelve. Love, fast food, and an unflagging sense of humor held the clan together and propelled Patricia on a showbiz career that began with hilariously nightmarish struggles in New York, eventually leading to a triumphant move to Los Angeles.
In Motherhood and Hollywood , Patricia Heaton pours out her heart and minces no words. She’s taking all prisoners for cookies and a glass of Jack Daniel’s and diet ginger ale. Laughter ensues.
207 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2002
29 people are currently reading
203 people want to read
About the author
Patricia Heaton
9 books37 followersPatricia Helen Heaton (born March 4, 1958) is an American actress best known for playing Ray Barone's wife Debra Barone on the CBS television sitcom Everybody Loves Raymond. Heaton has been married to British actor David Hunt since 1990, they have four sons.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 62 reviews
June 3, 2018
I enjoyed this quite a bit and laughed out loud several times. I have liked her work in Everybody Loves Raymond and The Middle, but I watched her cooking/entertaining show that was on for 2 seasons at the Food Network and loved her real personality. She has that breezy, can do, good sense of humor that makes for good television and it was obvious her friends adore her. Even though there is not a lot of information or gossip about the TV shows she has been on, I enjoyed her memories of growing up in Ohio and her early days of trying to establish a foothold as an actress. I have read and copied recipes from her book on entertaining and enjoyed that as well. Call me a fan...a big fan....big applause for sharing herself with us all. I dare hope she writes another book....she seems like she would be one of those kind of friends that make your life better for having them in it!
December 4, 2013
This book has little to do with Motherhood and Hollywood--it's a bunch of really boring stories about Patricia Heaton as a child or Patricia Heaton skipping from job to job as a nobody in New York. For "motherhood" she does nothing but demean her kids and husband, and for "Hollywood" there is almost nothing said about her career there. A few asides here or there about her sitcom or the Emmys, but if you're reading this book for any insight into Everybody Loves Raymond you won't find it.
It's also poorly written, where she jumps back and forth to different time periods--within a single paragraph! She'll start a story and then skip ahead or jump back, then never finish the original story. It's also incredibly repetitive--she mentions the same things over and over again, yet skips the big things. I thought she was a paragon of conservatism and even Catholicism but now I'm not so sure...she was raised Democrat and seems to still uphold mostly liberal values (as she praises her mother for supporting liberal social causes). Meanwhile she left the Catholic church long ago and we're not sure how she ended up Presbyterian because she starts a chapter on her spiritual journey but never ends it!
What a frustrating book. If it's meant to be a memoir it's one of the worst written by a TV star. If it's meant to be a humorous book on mothering (like Erma Bombeck), then it's just a failure. A big disappointment and there's nothing in it worth reading.
It's also poorly written, where she jumps back and forth to different time periods--within a single paragraph! She'll start a story and then skip ahead or jump back, then never finish the original story. It's also incredibly repetitive--she mentions the same things over and over again, yet skips the big things. I thought she was a paragon of conservatism and even Catholicism but now I'm not so sure...she was raised Democrat and seems to still uphold mostly liberal values (as she praises her mother for supporting liberal social causes). Meanwhile she left the Catholic church long ago and we're not sure how she ended up Presbyterian because she starts a chapter on her spiritual journey but never ends it!
What a frustrating book. If it's meant to be a memoir it's one of the worst written by a TV star. If it's meant to be a humorous book on mothering (like Erma Bombeck), then it's just a failure. A big disappointment and there's nothing in it worth reading.
October 30, 2013
Patricia Heaton's (Everybody Loves Raymond) topical memoir gives a lighthearted glimpse into the simple joys of her childhood, the struggles to make it in her chosen field (and fun along the way), the perks & problems of celebrity, and the joys and jolts of being married and raising four boys. Refreshing in her down-to-earth tongue-in-cheek style, Heaton beckons us as a friend into her world. After this read, I do indeed see her as a kindred spirit.
October 25, 2013
I laughed out loud so many times. I wish I never gave the book away. I'd read it again. I still remember her stories about the foreign exchange student staring at them from across the table and also when she took a flashlight to check for worms in her son's rump. I'm not sure if the latter is true, but it was funny.
December 10, 2013
I thought it was light and funny, and I loved that she spoke about the importance of family and making time for what's truly important. I also loved that she expressed respect for stay at home mom's and the important contribution they make to society. It's not often you hear that from someone in Hollywood. It was a fun, enjoyable read!
August 19, 2011
The work that Patricia Heaton did on the CBS hit sitcom "Everybody Loves Raymond" is truly remarkable. In her role of feisty, put-upon suburban housewife Debra Barone, she brought depth and dimension to her character with great grace, cutting humor and a wide emotional range. She was, for me, the single best thing about this terrific show. Indeed, her work in one standout episode (I believe the title is "Bad Moon Rising"), in which Debra deals with a nasty case of PMS, is some of the very best I've ever seen a sitcom actress give us...and I'm not forgetting the likes of Lucille Ball, Loretta Swit and Shelley Long when I make that statement. I hope that it was for this episode that Ms. Heaton won one of her back-to-back Emmys, in 2000 and 2001. Ms. Heaton is also, inexplicably, one of the small screen's least ballyhooed beauties, with one of the nicest smiles on TV, and her continued great work on the hit ABC show "The Middle" continues to impress. For these and other reasons, I was very interested to read what she had to say in her 2002 autobiography, "Motherhood and Hollywood: How to Get a Job Like Mine." Well, the not-so-new news is that not only does the book let us learn where Patty Heaton came from, and how she got to the high place she is at today, but that it does so with much self-deprecating humor as well. Ms. Heaton writes as if she were telling us her story and views of life over a few drinks in the backyard of her Los Angeles home. The book is chatty without being gossipy; indeed, many readers may be disappointed that more "dirt" is not dished regarding the "Raymond" show's cast and crew.
Rather, the book is organized into three sections. In the first, we learn of Heaton's youth, growing up in a staunch Catholic family in a Cleveland suburb that sounds like Hooterville or Mayberry, from the author's descriptions. In part two, Patty comes to the Big Apple, and we learn of the many so-called "survival jobs"--eight years' worth of them--that Ms. Heaton endured. Finally, in part three, Heaton lands in L.A., and eventually, after her second marriage, some minor film parts and assorted TV work, nabs the role on "Raymond" for which she is best known. During the course of the book, Heaton gives us her views on modern-day education, child rearing, religion, acting awards, and stay-at-home moms. So yes, we DO get to know Ms. Heaton to a certain degree. Such topics as her first marriage and her brief drug dalliances are given the barest of mentions, and not mentioned at all are her other relationships, her production company, and her pro-life stance, which latter has set her apart in the Hollywood community. She doesn't even mention how she landed the plum role of Debra Barone! Still, it IS Patty's book, and I suppose it's her right to choose to include or exclude whatever she likes. This is hardly an in-depth autobiography (at 207 pages, how could it hope to be?); more like cherry-picked snapshots of what makes Ms. Heaton tick. To her credit, the book was written with no assistance from a ghost writer, and so Ms. Heaton should feel proud to have written a fun, lighthearted but telling book all by herself. Many of the lines in it are laff-out-loud funny. I never thought that I, a nonpracticing Jewish man who is ardently pro-choice, would ever have much to say to the proudly religious and openly pro-life Patricia Heaton if I were ever fortunate enough to meet her, but she comes across as such a fun and decent person in this book that I now think there'd be no problem. And really, how can any woman who's into "Jonny Quest" and John Carpenter's "The Thing" NOT be a fun person?
That said, I must add that a close reading of the book reveals some minor problems. Ms. Heaton refers to Moses Cleveland, the founder of her hometown; that should be Moses Cleaveland. The word "shearing" is used instead of "shirring," and "phased" instead of "fazed." Officer "Tootie" of the classic "Car 54..." TV show is referenced; that should be "Toody." And for some reason, Patricia insists on peppering her book with dozens and dozens of urinary, fecal, menstrual and throw-up references. Was Patty trying to be funny with these, or to show that she could be as coarse as the best of them, or what? In any case, these minor quibbles hardly detract from what should be essential reading for all fans of this wonderful actress. So do we really learn how to get a job like hers, as the title promises? Well, I suppose that if we read between the lines, the answer is to be born with God-given good looks and considerable talent, to keep trying and struggling, and maybe, just maybe, you'll catch a break. Fortunately for all of us, Ms. Heaton got the breaks that she so well deserved. And now, perhaps we can coerce another book out of her...
Rather, the book is organized into three sections. In the first, we learn of Heaton's youth, growing up in a staunch Catholic family in a Cleveland suburb that sounds like Hooterville or Mayberry, from the author's descriptions. In part two, Patty comes to the Big Apple, and we learn of the many so-called "survival jobs"--eight years' worth of them--that Ms. Heaton endured. Finally, in part three, Heaton lands in L.A., and eventually, after her second marriage, some minor film parts and assorted TV work, nabs the role on "Raymond" for which she is best known. During the course of the book, Heaton gives us her views on modern-day education, child rearing, religion, acting awards, and stay-at-home moms. So yes, we DO get to know Ms. Heaton to a certain degree. Such topics as her first marriage and her brief drug dalliances are given the barest of mentions, and not mentioned at all are her other relationships, her production company, and her pro-life stance, which latter has set her apart in the Hollywood community. She doesn't even mention how she landed the plum role of Debra Barone! Still, it IS Patty's book, and I suppose it's her right to choose to include or exclude whatever she likes. This is hardly an in-depth autobiography (at 207 pages, how could it hope to be?); more like cherry-picked snapshots of what makes Ms. Heaton tick. To her credit, the book was written with no assistance from a ghost writer, and so Ms. Heaton should feel proud to have written a fun, lighthearted but telling book all by herself. Many of the lines in it are laff-out-loud funny. I never thought that I, a nonpracticing Jewish man who is ardently pro-choice, would ever have much to say to the proudly religious and openly pro-life Patricia Heaton if I were ever fortunate enough to meet her, but she comes across as such a fun and decent person in this book that I now think there'd be no problem. And really, how can any woman who's into "Jonny Quest" and John Carpenter's "The Thing" NOT be a fun person?
That said, I must add that a close reading of the book reveals some minor problems. Ms. Heaton refers to Moses Cleveland, the founder of her hometown; that should be Moses Cleaveland. The word "shearing" is used instead of "shirring," and "phased" instead of "fazed." Officer "Tootie" of the classic "Car 54..." TV show is referenced; that should be "Toody." And for some reason, Patricia insists on peppering her book with dozens and dozens of urinary, fecal, menstrual and throw-up references. Was Patty trying to be funny with these, or to show that she could be as coarse as the best of them, or what? In any case, these minor quibbles hardly detract from what should be essential reading for all fans of this wonderful actress. So do we really learn how to get a job like hers, as the title promises? Well, I suppose that if we read between the lines, the answer is to be born with God-given good looks and considerable talent, to keep trying and struggling, and maybe, just maybe, you'll catch a break. Fortunately for all of us, Ms. Heaton got the breaks that she so well deserved. And now, perhaps we can coerce another book out of her...
February 14, 2018
I really enjoyed this book! Though I live in Alaska now, I spent my first 18 years in the Midwest (Indiana not Ohio) and can totally relate to many of her stories of growing up there. She actually made me laugh out loud at times - something few books actually make me do.
I loved the story of the neighbors' blue carpet! =) I had to crack up at Cleveland's motto - At Least We're Not Akron. =) I grew up in a small town and ours was very similar - At Least We're Not Williamsport. We weren't too fond of the little town across the river. Like Heaton, I do miss the great Fall colors of the Midwest. We don't get much of a Fall here, sometimes only a few days worth and not even close to the fantastic color range. Our small town didn't have much diversity either - we had one Hispanic family and that was it.
Her survival job stories were entertaining. I've had a few crap, just-to-pay-the-bills jobs myself and am looking forward to finishing school and being able to get a real job with a real paycheck again! =)
I really like that Heaton is just so honest. There's no pretense. She doesn't expect her marriage to be a fairy tale or her children to be geniuses. She's realistic about life's ups and downs. I often avoid books by celebrities because they usually come off so contrived, but this one was refreshing. I'm glad I gave it a chance.
I loved the story of the neighbors' blue carpet! =) I had to crack up at Cleveland's motto - At Least We're Not Akron. =) I grew up in a small town and ours was very similar - At Least We're Not Williamsport. We weren't too fond of the little town across the river. Like Heaton, I do miss the great Fall colors of the Midwest. We don't get much of a Fall here, sometimes only a few days worth and not even close to the fantastic color range. Our small town didn't have much diversity either - we had one Hispanic family and that was it.
Her survival job stories were entertaining. I've had a few crap, just-to-pay-the-bills jobs myself and am looking forward to finishing school and being able to get a real job with a real paycheck again! =)
I really like that Heaton is just so honest. There's no pretense. She doesn't expect her marriage to be a fairy tale or her children to be geniuses. She's realistic about life's ups and downs. I often avoid books by celebrities because they usually come off so contrived, but this one was refreshing. I'm glad I gave it a chance.
April 22, 2012
A fun, breezy read about a normal girl who made it big
Motherhood and Hollywood: How to Get a Job Like Mine is not out to change anyone's life, but it is a funny, light look at one woman's meandering quest to be an actress. Also, it is quite reassuring to find out that there are people in Hollywood who are quite normal.
Patricia Heaton's book is irreverant, sometimes serious, frank, cute, and her tales of a time when kids could run the neighborhood in surburban Cleveland without fear reminded me of my own fun in small town Indiana. She pokes fun at her own silliness and naivete and reminded me of my own way back when.
This is a weekend read (it also has great potential as a read-out-loud-to-your-spouse-in-the-car book), but it will be one that you'll pass on to friends so they can have a fun weekend as well.
http://dwdsreviews.blogspot.com/2011/...
Motherhood and Hollywood: How to Get a Job Like Mine is not out to change anyone's life, but it is a funny, light look at one woman's meandering quest to be an actress. Also, it is quite reassuring to find out that there are people in Hollywood who are quite normal.
Patricia Heaton's book is irreverant, sometimes serious, frank, cute, and her tales of a time when kids could run the neighborhood in surburban Cleveland without fear reminded me of my own fun in small town Indiana. She pokes fun at her own silliness and naivete and reminded me of my own way back when.
This is a weekend read (it also has great potential as a read-out-loud-to-your-spouse-in-the-car book), but it will be one that you'll pass on to friends so they can have a fun weekend as well.
http://dwdsreviews.blogspot.com/2011/...
October 21, 2019
This was a book sale find....it was 3 for $1...I wanted one particular book and was convinced to take 2 more.....
This was more about normal every day life with a tiny dash of Hollywood life. She talked more about "normal" growing up life and then all the jobs she had while she went on auditions and how tough it was just to pay the bills. I did enjoy that....not everyone writes about things you can actually identify with. Most of the bios talk about something sensational.
She did reveal some Hollywood tidbits in there...I won't reveal them. They may not mean something to everyone but I nodded in agreement and raised an eyebrow.
I would have liked a chapter about "Raymond". At least how the audition came about. And I would have been happier if she left out all the religion. For awhile I thought she was trying to recruit!
This was more about normal every day life with a tiny dash of Hollywood life. She talked more about "normal" growing up life and then all the jobs she had while she went on auditions and how tough it was just to pay the bills. I did enjoy that....not everyone writes about things you can actually identify with. Most of the bios talk about something sensational.
She did reveal some Hollywood tidbits in there...I won't reveal them. They may not mean something to everyone but I nodded in agreement and raised an eyebrow.
I would have liked a chapter about "Raymond". At least how the audition came about. And I would have been happier if she left out all the religion. For awhile I thought she was trying to recruit!
October 8, 2017
A wonderfully blunt memoir of the author's life from growing up in Cleveland to honing her craft and paying her dues in New York and finally coming into her own in Los Angeles. She unabashedly shares her opinions on everything from motherhood and religion to the Hollywood lifestyle and the sometimes-unusual nature of the business she is in.
The book details the author's refreshingly normal upbringing, as well as her rather routine rise to stardom by a combination of perseverance, as well as breaks and kindnesses she received along the way. Through the text, the writing stays humble and tends to have perspective that balances the doubts and disappointments prior. And while the book is filled with entertaining anecdotes and witty depictions of those closest to her, there are no major scandals addressed or potshots towards those who wronged her way back when.
The book details the author's refreshingly normal upbringing, as well as her rather routine rise to stardom by a combination of perseverance, as well as breaks and kindnesses she received along the way. Through the text, the writing stays humble and tends to have perspective that balances the doubts and disappointments prior. And while the book is filled with entertaining anecdotes and witty depictions of those closest to her, there are no major scandals addressed or potshots towards those who wronged her way back when.
July 29, 2018
This was the first book I've read in one day since the Karen mini-series of The Babysitter's Club. I enjoy The Middle and had heard a little about Patricia Heaton's political views, so that coupled with being exhausted from finishing my teacher's certification, lead me to take on this light read. Nonetheless it was disappointing, more like a sitcom in written form and Heaton's over the top sarcasm makes you think that her comedy really does cover up some of the more serious issues in her life. I disagree with her view of having contempt for your partner. She seems to consider religion seriously which is refreshing for Hollywood. I found it hard to relate to her 60's upbringing and much of the name-dropping. I know I'm a little out of the target audience though. Maybe I just need to lighten up.
August 26, 2011
This is a perfect "car ride" book. A funny, quick read, that I read up and back from VT this Spring. Patricia Heaton is really funny, and spends lots of time recalling her happy big Irish Catholic up-bringing in the suburbs of Cleavland, OH. I liked her comparisons on how families used to do things, as compared to now. She uses a lot of blunt and humor about life with children and marriage, which I always appreciate. Her personal history about "making it" was not that intriguing to me, probably because I am not into Hollywood or acting at all.
Like I said, a funny easy-read memoir.
Like I said, a funny easy-read memoir.
July 15, 2024
This isn't an in depth autobiography. It is more a collection of stories about Heaton's childhood, her struggle to become an actress and her life as a celebrity and mother. Maybe its because I really like both of her sitcoms. Or maybe its because she is a local girl and included a lot of Cleveland references, but I really enjoyed this book. Patty seems very down to earth and I appreciated her views on motherhood and stay at home moms. I also enjoyed her sense of humor. The down side to this book is that it was written in 2002. I hope she writes another one.
March 3, 2018
Every parent currently saying they want to give their child the best should read this book and then reevaluate what they might think is best. This is the best "self help" book I have ever read ! I am a mother,grandmother and greatgrandmother.
Wonderfully written. Five stars. Young parents need to read this book. Make lots of time for you children was day.
Wonderfully written. Five stars. Young parents need to read this book. Make lots of time for you children was day.
November 18, 2010
A very interesting look at motherhood and the struggle to make it as an actor. The book is divided into three sections by city: Cleveland, New York and Los Angelos. Some neat stuff in here for native Clevelanders.
December 3, 2014
I enjoyed reading this book, it was a quick read. Had a quick dash of humor and an honest truth about growing up in Ohio and transitioning to NYC. I would certainly recommend it to another reader, friend, person.
July 19, 2007
I just wanted a quick easy fun read and it was! I read it in a day with 2 kids and chuckled my way through!
April 9, 2008
I got this book, because she was at Anderson's Bookstore in Naperville doing a book signing. I came away after reading the book thinking, what a pretentious $%@#&!
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April 9, 2008this is a great book and i recommend it to everyone
May 15, 2017
This was an entertaining book written by Patricia Heaton from Everybody Loves Raymond. She tells of her experiences trying to be a mom in Hollywood and made for a fairly entertaining, light read.
August 13, 2008
she's very funny - most moms can relate....
January 7, 2009
Patricia Heaton was very funny on Everybody Loves Raymond. Her biography is an entertaining read.
May 14, 2010
Quick, breezy, funny, enjoyable read!
June 2, 2009
Celebrity fluff...but of the fun, intelligent sort
November 30, 2009
I don't remember why I read this book. I don't like "Everybody Loves Raymond" and I've never seen her in anything else. I think I liked the cover. The book itself is alright. Sort of funny.
January 14, 2010
A fun and quick read. She is charming and I enjoyed reading about her rise to fame. She seems (or is trying) to be very down to earth.
May 12, 2010
Fairly dull.
October 26, 2011
learned the childhood of an actress is often interesting to me. glad i read it.
April 16, 2012
0 stars. Literally could not read this.
May 10, 2012
I didn't get to finish reading this book because I had to take it back to the library but anyway I got through most of it and I enjoyed it very much I didn't realize how funny she really is!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 62 reviews