Milton Berle: An Autobiography

by Milton Berle

(Applause Books). When Milton Berle died in the Spring of 2002, THE NEW YORK TIMES declared that the legendary comic "may have had a more profound influence on our way of life than some presidents or Nobel Prize winners." This landmark memoir, as startling today as it was when it was first published, reveals the life and times of the man known affectionately to millions as Uncle Miltie. Told with unflinching candor, here is one of the most fabled and influential show business careers of all time: from performing as a child in Vaudeville and making silent movies with Charlie Chaplin and Mary Pickford, to nightclub performances for Al Capone, working on radio during World War II, performing in Broadway musicals, and, finally, superstardom on television. Perhaps even more fascinating is Berle's scandal-ridden private life: his star-crossed love affair with a 1930's movie queen and the child they had out of wedlock, his numerous affairs with women ranging from evangelist Aimee Semple McPherson to Marilyn Monroe, and his stormy relationship with beautiful showgirl Joyce Mathews, whom Berle married twice. It is Berle's unsparing account of his life and his determination to show the world his real face that led Frank Sinatra, at the time, to call this "the gutsiest book I've read in years." Told with equal amounts of comedy and pathos, and featuring colorful appearancesby all the major stars of his day, MILTON BERLE is simply one of the best show business memoirs ever written.

Genres: Nonfiction, Biography, History, Autobiography, Humor, Memoir

384 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1974

About the author

Mendel "Milton Berle" Berlinger was an Emmy-winning American comedian and actor. As the manic host of NBC's Texaco Star Theater from 1948–1955, he was the first major star of television and as such became known as Uncle Miltie or Mr. Television to millions during TV's golden age.

Reviews

[Lee Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

Any book that begins by thanking Toots Shor and Jacqueline Susann is a book for me. This wonderful show business memoir is a classic. First published in 1974, this version was reprinted after Berle’s death in 2002 with a new introduction by Sid Caesar. I literally couldn’t put it down: every page had fascinating stories, some funny, some sad, some shocking (including a “command performance” for Al Capone) but all were informative, fresh, honest, revealing, and very entertaining. Berle is effusive in praise of persons he admired (Beatrice Lillie, Danny Thomas, Frank Sinatra, Lucille Ball) but, thankfully for us, doesn’t let pass an opportunity to settle old scores (Bert Lahr, Ethel Barrymore). If you’re interested in show business history, I highly recommend it.

[Tom Walsh]

still one good comic. the book cites his earliest scripts, which he had to memorize. astounding!

[Janis · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting read. Amazing what these stage mothers did.

[Tollula · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book is filled with stories. Are they true? Most likely not. Milton is a performer and storyteller. He starts the book with a very salacious and very detailed affair with an unnamed movie star. It’s too detailed to be true and gives off the feel of just trying to sell books. His life reads like any vaudevillian memoir. Grew up poor in NY, performed to survive and made family proud. Nothing too surprising.

[Bob Box · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read in 1975. As a fan of Berle's I enjoyed his interesting and entertaining life.

[Robert Skilnik]

I heard Berle was hung like a horse. Seriously.

[Janet Wilcox · Rating 1 out of 5]

I didn't particularly like him on TV, and this book shows why and how a dirty old man got to be that way. Interesting to see development of his show, and other personalities.

[Mary Ranaudo · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best celebrity bios I have ever read...who knew that "Uncle Miltie" was hung like a horse????

[Jeff Olson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Milton set the stage for all comedians, all with the help of his mum!