Unscripted

by Cheryl Hines

A  highly anticipated memoir by the Emmy-nominated actress, director, and comedian Cheryl Hines.

Best known for her 24-year portrayal of Cheryl on HBO’s Curb Your Enthusiasm, Cheryl’s story begins in small-town Florida and unfolds across the glittering stages of Hollywood—and right into the heart of the Kennedy family and a presidential campaign.

With her signature wit, Cheryl shares hilarious and heartwarming stories from her career in comedy, acting alongside legends like Robin Williams and Richard Gere, and surviving in Hollywood’s unpredictable landscape. From bartending in L.A. while hustling for auditions to working with comedy icons at The Groundlings, Cheryl provides a candid look at her rise from modest beginnings to stardom.

But Cheryl’s story goes far beyond the spotlight. In her memoir, she delves into her personal life, revealing the challenges and joys of raising seven children in a blended family with her husband, activist lawyer and 2024 presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. She also opens up about her lifelong passion for advocacy, including her dedication to United Cerebral Palsy, inspired by her nephew Michael.

With humor, wisdom, and unflinching honesty, Cheryl navigates the highs and lows of fame, family, and an unexpected foray into politics—complete with twists no one saw coming. Whether reflecting on her role in Curb, her time on Suburgatory, or her whirlwind introduction to the Kennedy legacy, Cheryl’s memoir is a testament to resilience, love, and finding humor in even the most chaotic moments.

Cheryl  is an inspiring, laugh-out-loud, and deeply moving memoir that showcases Cheryl’s ability to find grace and humor in every chapter of her life.

Genres: Nonfiction, Memoir

280 pages, Hardcover

Published November 11, 2025

About the author

As an actress, director, producer, and comedian, Cheryl Hines is best known for her twenty-four-year portrayal of Larry David’s wife, Cheryl, on HBO’s Curb Your Enthusiasm, for which she received two Emmy Award nominations. She also played leading roles on the ABC sitcom Suburgatory and the FOX comedy Son of Zorn, and is recognized for her work in the films RV, Waitress, and A Bad Moms Christmas. In 2014, she was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Cheryl is married to Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr.


source: Amazon

Reviews

[Stephanie Mills · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was a page turner. I was never bored. There were many moments where I laughed out loud. A few moments that left me with tears stained pages. One thing is for sure, I fell in love with Cheryl. I am so glad she wrote this book. Thank you for sharing your story with us.

[Rob Forsythe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book if you love Curb your Enthusiasm or Seinfeld. Lots of behind the scenes Larry David moments told by Cheryl.

The discussion of politics in her life was handled with class and tact.

Audiobook 4/5 ⭐️ as it was clear at times she was reading off the page and it felt unprepared. Definitely read print instead.

[erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love her energy. I never really watched the show she was in. But I became interested in her since she was married to RFK jr. She’s a great story and her own amazing resume. You’ll just love her because she’s fun and honest and extremely persistent.
You will also find some current semi political stuff. Nothing really doctrine wise, but just how family and friends can treat you when you don’t agree with their political views.
So

[Lauren · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cheryl Hines is an example of what makes human beings fascinating and inspirational. From her childhood, family, to her passion for improv, her big break in Curb and meeting RFK Jr, and the 2024 election, she handles life with grace, humility and humor. Loved reading about all these topics from her perspective, I couldn't put this book down!

[Nicole Marie Story · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read Cheryl's book in less than one day!! A total page turner. And now I'm even more in love with RFK Jr!! Time to watch Curb (funniest show of all time) all over again!! 😍 MAHA!!

[Donna Hart · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautifully Done

What a great story. I learned a lot about the process in Hollywood. What a love story of Cheryl and Bobby!

[Sherrie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book. It is really a must read. I couldn’t put the book down. I loved reading about her life and then viewing the pictures at the end.

I went blinded 6 months ago from a retina detachment. I have had in 7 surgeries. 5 on the right I and and two on my left eye. This was the first book I got to read after all the surgeries were done. Even though my vision is distorted in my right eye( its like looking in a fun house or mirrors), I have never enjoyed reading more after going blind then given the opportunity to read again. I count my blessings every day. And this book was the most enjoyable experience I have had to read. Going from pitch black sight then seeing light again.

I will forever view the ability to read as a precious gift. Not everyone has the ability to read books! I once was blind and now I see!

[J · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty good read. She’s very well spoken and thoughtful. Never watched Curb Your Enthusiasm, but think I’m going to binge watch. Not heavy on politics, which I can understand. But I think she’s a tiger if you were to piss her off.

[Tyler Wright · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book so much. Cheryl is such a force of nature! Someone said that if you love her you’ll love her book & it’s true. She’s so honest, positive, & doesn’t speak poorly of those who have wronged her & her family. I’m so glad I read this!

[Bett Correa-Bollhoefer · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you love improv you need to read this book! Cheryl shares a hysterical story of how she got onto and then her experiences on Curb. She’s so funny and down to earth.

I loved every chapter.

[Randee · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this. Cheryl Hines is a very likable person.

[Heather Murphy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I didn’t know much about Cheryl Hines except that she was an actress and married to RFK Jr. I saw something on socials about the book that intrigued me and that she voiced the audible so I downloaded it and I’m so glad that I did. Cheryl’s story is so interesting and listening to her tell it had me laughing out loud and, at times, crying. This is a must listen…now I’m off to watch Curb Your Enthusiasm (yep, I’m one of the few who has never seen it).

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I only know of Cheryl Hines from her work on Curb Your Enthusiasm as Larry David's wife. Other than that, I didn't know much about her or her life, including her marriage to RFK Jr. She definitely got a late start in her acting career with CYE being her first major role, catapulting her to stardom. I found her life interesting - family, friends, relationships. It was also interesting to hear about RFK Jr's presidential run and the things she saw from the sidelines. Thankfully it wasn't overly political.

[Jenny M Webster · Rating 5 out of 5]

Imagine giving a book a one star rating because you don’t like the author’s husband or the guy that gave the author’s husband a job. 🙄

I found the book delightful, insightful, funny, and sad. It was a great read, Cheryl.

[Gistock · Rating 4 out of 5]

It’s a great book.

She focuses mostly on her acting career but she also has a few chapters about her child and both of her husbands.

If you hear it as you read it, it helps to hear her tone.

[Marie Kruse · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'll be honest, I read this book because I wanted to see what drew her to and marry, RJK Jr. Until recently, I have been an admirer of the Kennedy's and their stories. That being said, the first half of the book was her history. It was not until the second half of the book that it delved into their relationship and communication regardless of their political affiliation. What it did affirm is that life has more to offer than just politics.

[Mark Lieberman · Rating 4 out of 5]

I only knew of Cheryl Hines from the tv show Curb Your Enthusiasm (even though I have never watched it). I didn’t know she was part of The Groundlings. Her teacher was Lisa Kudrow before she got Friends. How cool is that?

If you are a fan of Curb, she provides a lot of great insight to the show as well as Larry’s mind. She talked highly of her family, her first marriage, her current marriage to RFK, Jr, and her kids.

Being a part of the Kennedy clan, she did discuss that. She and Bobby Kennedy, Jr had a lot of fun travel adventures all over the world. Yes, she also wrote quite a bit about his 2024 Presidential run and his current role. I kind of skimmed through all that quickly.

[Mediaman · Rating 3 out of 5]

Have you ever gone to an improv show and found it entertaining but when leaving the club you realized that it wasn't as good as it could have been? That's what I concluded after finishing this memoir of a trained improv actress--what she shares is somewhat intriguing, but it doesn't have enough content to make it a satisfying full story.

Oh, the highlights are there but Hines lacks depth and raises more questions than providing answers. In almost every situation she voices a bland outline and fails to provide a fully-formed story with solid conclusions.

For example, she somehow gets hired for Curb Your Enthusiasm with little acting experience, then in the middle of its run her role is reduced. Why? How did she emotionally feel? What was it like going years in between seasons? What were the challenges working alongside notorious Larry David? We don't know because she doesn't say anything beyond the surface. I was surprised how little there was about her most famous role or coworkers.

Then when she gets to meeting Bobby Kennedy, their relationship is poorly described and explained. She implies that after they married they separated for a time, but presents it as he was just on the campaign trail and she stayed home to take care of family. The conversations about him joining the Trump campaign are equally muted with her becoming overly cautious to print something about what Trump is like behind the scenes.

She does thankfully point out the many "liberal" friends and family who condemn her for simply standing by her husband. The Democrats stopped talking with her, posted nasty messages, threatened her family's safety, and stereotyped her without a conversation. These people are disgusting and she should have sued nutcase Bradley Whitford. If you ever need proof that left-wingers are intolerant hypocrites and downright evil, then there is some of it in this book. No wonder Bobby Kennedy joined a Republican administration--his family history is filled with sick women-chasing abusers of the public trust and he refused to follow their legacy of getting into political office just for the power, influence and personal benefit.

I came away from this admiring Bobby and not understanding Cheryl.

Hines seems super nice and doesn't want to hurt anyone's feelings. She skips over significant specifics and summarizes too often. Just as her sister was diagnosed as "dangerously optimistic," the actress is dangerously polite while lacking critical thinking skills. She might be good when unscripted on stage, but a memoir needs to be fully elucidated.

[Claire C · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had no prior expectations of this book, and ended up loving it from first to last. Cheryl's rise from modest beginnings through struggling for long years in Hollywood to getting her lucky break, all the way to her star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and marriage into the storied Kennedy political clan is the stuff of fairy tales, and, as recounted, is a fascinating, humorous, insightful account that is a total page turner. It's ultimately a "Follow Your Dream" narrative: Cheryl's childhood passion for comedy that she never gave up on, persevering until a fateful encounter led her to the Groundlings Comedy Theater in LA, which she instinctively KNEW was her ticket to success. Still broke and struggling, she worked endlessly to get recognized within that system, which ultimately led to her lucky break as Larry David's Curb Your Enthusiasm onscreen wife for a 24 year run, and many other TV and film projects. Had Cheryl not had the dogged determination, dedication to her Dream, and faith in herself, she might be one more Hollywood casualty, but the Fairytale DID materialize--yay!! Not that she did not endure ups and downs, heartbreak and loss over the years. All this is recounted with a light touch, insight, and a fabulous dose of humor (you can tell this gal is a born comedian). So many moral values are tested throughout Cheryl's journey: loss of beloved friends and family members, loss of support by members of the Kennedy clan opposed to husband Bobby's politics; criticism and harassment by social media trolls, loss of stability with each new chapter of her life she must adjust to. I am a huge fan of Bobby Kennedy Jr since he founded the non-profit Children's Health Defense, his books The Real Anthony Fauci, The Wuhan Cover-Up, American Values, and now with his work as HHS Secretary with the MAHA (Make America Healthy Again) initiatives. Cheryl's recounting of their courtship and marriage is often hilarious, and always moving and inspiring. I wish them both the best to persevere through the challenges of political life as a modern (albeit controversial) Power Couple! All in all, Cheryl Hines is one classy, talented lady with a heart of gold, and it was a pleasure and a privilege to read this memoir.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

First off, I know little to nothing about Cheryl. I don’t follow movies, TV shows, or Hollywood. I did know that she is married to Robert Kennedy Junior. I have a habit of reading memoirs, even from people that I don’t necessarily like or agree with just to get a story of their life, to see how other people think and live. I don’t give out five stars on books very often, because I read a lot, and my own personal standards are pretty high by now. But this book had me interested in the whole way through. Usually, when someone talks about the growing up years, their family, the early years is not very interesting and that’s the part you wanna skip through to get to the good part. Even with this person that I knew nothing about, my interest was held the entire way through this book until I put it down. It was so well written and so well told, mixing humor with life lessons and wisdom. I grew to admire this person and relate to her in many ways when previously, I knew nothing about her. There were so many emotional and difficult circumstances in her life to read through. I am not a crying person, but I found myself many times on the verge of tears when reading these stories.

The part about his family, I was not surprised. It seems like the Kennedy family can only follow the party line and have lost the ability to think for themselves. The funny thing is the line they’re following died out 50 something years ago. The world is not the same, the politics are not the same as it was when the original founders were alive. For his own family to come against him for his political and personal opinions is a disgrace to his father, to their father. The original Kennedys would never have dished their own family in public. Agree with him or not, just look at the differences in their reactions: family members ripping him apart in public versus Kennedy‘s response of silence and that he still loves them anyway.

But this book was not just about Kennedy. It was about life about loss and about not being afraid to carve your own path, no matter what people say even your own family. If that’s not a profile in courage I don’t know what is.

[Jessica Doss · Rating 4 out of 5]

I picked this up because I genuinely liked her acting. Then I was curious how she could have hooked up with her abominable husband. The writing kept me engaged, and I finished in a day. I enjoyed the behind the scenes stuff with Curb Your Enthusiasm. I laughed a few times. I felt for her with the deaths she experienced, which were written about tenderly. I could feel a shift in her politics (despite repeatedly saying that she is not a political person) after her marriage. She has blinders on. I get her becoming smitten by a Kennedy (despite repeatedly saying that she knew very little about the family). She is in a position where she could curb her husband's craziness, but chooses not to.

[Sue · Rating 4 out of 5]

As I was reading this book, I wavered between 2 stars and 3 stars but as I got further into Cheryl's life story, I moved that up to 4 stars. It is her voice and it is honest and heartfelt and respectful. I am a big fan of Cheryl Hines after watching every episode of Curb Your Enthusiasm, but I had no idea of the breadth of her work. But the truly fascinating part of the story was her honest retelling of life as part of the Kennedy family and the heartbreaking turn it took as Bobby advanced his political career as a candidate for President and later became part of the Trump Administration. I enjoyed this book very much!

[Monica · Rating 5 out of 5]

I never watched Curb Your Enthusiasm but that didn't take anything away from my enjoyment of this book. Honest, thoughtful, funny, sad, story of Cheryl's life, family, work, relationships, more. There was a bit of repetition that took me out of the story as I thought I was on the wrong pages a couple of times, but mostly a page turner where I never knew what to expect next. I felt like I was right there on the journey of her life. This is not heavy in politics but a lovely well-rounded story of Cheryl's life.

[Amber · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was not aware that Cheryl was Roberts wife until I watched the Confirmation Hearings. After his confirmation, I heard an interview with Cheryl talking about her book and immediately requested it from my library. I thoroughly enjoyed the book, except for the story about the dog and the peanut butter. She could have kept that one to herself.

That being said, I have a lot of respect for Cheryl. I did not know her story, and honestly haven’t seen much of her work. She has had a lot of trials yet she has chosen to be positive and full of light.

[Stacy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this book Free from a Goodreads giveaway.
This isn’t my normal reading material. I went back and forward with 3-4 stars. In all honestly I can’t believe how fast I read this book. It was like sitting down with a new friend learning about their life. It was filled with fun times, sadness and loss. Ultimately I gave it 4 stars as an easy read, easily followed - regardless if it bounced back and forward a bit about Mrs Hines life.

[Bridget Bailey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed it and thought she narrated the story well. Learned a lot about her and RFK, Jr. I gave it 4 stars instead of 5 for the following reasons: 1. On the audio version she said Bobby was sworn in as the “Secretary of Health and Human Resources.” 2. She glossed over his inappropriate relationship with Olivia Nuzzi. She didn’t hold him accountable. He made a fool of her and yet she stayed with him.

[Ron Thomas · Rating 2 out of 5]

Never hearing of Hines, this was an ok read until I got to her marriage to Robert Kennedy Jr. Some of the chapters were pretty superficial, but some were pretty heavy. I will never understand why she got a star in the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Isn't that supposed to be for film legends?

There are photos at the end of the book, no acknowledgements and it was an easy read. I would not read it again however.

[Gillian Katz · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is an interesting look at her life. She is an open hearted woman who takes her life seriously despite being an improv comic actress. She writes of coming up in the world of entertainment and her years on Curb Your Enthusiasm. She defends her husband Robert Kennedy Jr. and shows his good sides despite all the public vitriol he has received.

[Liz Sergent · Rating 5 out of 5]

I listened to this book on audible and enjoyed the authors account. I literally know nothing about Cheryl Hines, I saw her on the View (only watched it to see her as I am a fan of her husband) and I was impressed how she held her own. Really enjoyed this book and totally recommend.

[Sherrie · Rating 1 out of 5]

If it was written all over the place, the thoughts were everywhere