What do you think?
Rate this book
So That Happened: A Memoir
If it can happen in show business, it’s happened to Jon Cryer. Now he’s opening up for the first time and sharing his behind-the-scenes stories in a warmly endearing, sharply observed, and frankly funny look at life in Hollywood.
In 1986, Jon Cryer won over America as Molly Ringwald’s loyal and lovable best friend, Duckie, in the cult classic Pretty in Pink in a role that set the tone for his three-decade-long career in Hollywood. He went on to establish himself as one of the most talented comedic actors in the business, ultimately culminating in his current turn as Alan Harper on the massively popular sitcom Two and a Half Men .
With the instincts of a natural storyteller, Cryer charts his extraordinary journey in show business, illuminating his many triumphs and some missteps along the way. Filled with exclusive behind-the-scenes anecdotes, Cryer offers his own endearing perspective on Hollywood, the business at large, and the art of acting.
Cryer has worked with some of the biggest and most provocative names in the business, and here, for the first time, he details his experiences with Charlie Sheen, John Hughes, Robert Altman, Molly Ringwald, Demi Moore, Judd Nelson, and Christopher Reeve, among many others. He shares the intimate details of his friendships and relationships, pays tribute to his mentors, and explores the peculiar combination of heart, talent, and wisdom it takes to survive not just the bad times in a notoriously fickle industry but even the good times.
In this revealing, humorous, and introspective memoir, Cryer offers readers a front-row seat as he reminisces about his life and experiences in showbiz over the past thirty years.
In 1986, Jon Cryer won over America as Molly Ringwald’s loyal and lovable best friend, Duckie, in the cult classic Pretty in Pink in a role that set the tone for his three-decade-long career in Hollywood. He went on to establish himself as one of the most talented comedic actors in the business, ultimately culminating in his current turn as Alan Harper on the massively popular sitcom Two and a Half Men .
With the instincts of a natural storyteller, Cryer charts his extraordinary journey in show business, illuminating his many triumphs and some missteps along the way. Filled with exclusive behind-the-scenes anecdotes, Cryer offers his own endearing perspective on Hollywood, the business at large, and the art of acting.
Cryer has worked with some of the biggest and most provocative names in the business, and here, for the first time, he details his experiences with Charlie Sheen, John Hughes, Robert Altman, Molly Ringwald, Demi Moore, Judd Nelson, and Christopher Reeve, among many others. He shares the intimate details of his friendships and relationships, pays tribute to his mentors, and explores the peculiar combination of heart, talent, and wisdom it takes to survive not just the bad times in a notoriously fickle industry but even the good times.
In this revealing, humorous, and introspective memoir, Cryer offers readers a front-row seat as he reminisces about his life and experiences in showbiz over the past thirty years.
337 pages, Hardcover
First published April 7, 2015
224 people are currently reading
3033 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 488 reviews
August 21, 2024
I thought this book was really good. Jon Cryer is one of my favorite celebrities and I enjoyed reading about his career.
December 16, 2015
I had trouble putting this book down; in fact I read a lot of it twice. I originally picked it up because I am wild about Jon's portrayal of Alan Harper on Two and a Half Men. Now, I am wild about Jon himself. His comedic style and timing has always amazed me. He certainly was able to translate that style to the written page. I am also impressed with his humbleness and honesty.
If you like Alan Harper's persona or if you like Jon Cryer, you will like this book. Did you know that he dated Demi Moore? I didn't. His discomfort trying to talk about it to his new co-star was palpable....
Jon's interaction with Sheen is commendable and never mean. He is a very nice man and anyone would be lucky to have him as a friend.
If you like Alan Harper's persona or if you like Jon Cryer, you will like this book. Did you know that he dated Demi Moore? I didn't. His discomfort trying to talk about it to his new co-star was palpable....
Jon's interaction with Sheen is commendable and never mean. He is a very nice man and anyone would be lucky to have him as a friend.
June 16, 2024
Cryer comes off as self-centered, clueless, insecure, petty, and as never having outgrown the high school persona of the dork who doesn't get invited to the cool kids' table, decades after the John Hughes, brat-pack 80s.
The stuff with Two and a Half-Men I couldn't even go through because it felt so exploitative and unethical. With a complete lack of irony, Cryer basically betrays for what I assume was a large sum of money the co-star and so-called friend who helped him overcome his reputation as sitcom poison, while at the same time, whining about the paparazzi harassing him and his family.
This is exactly the kind of memoirs I don't need.
The stuff with Two and a Half-Men I couldn't even go through because it felt so exploitative and unethical. With a complete lack of irony, Cryer basically betrays for what I assume was a large sum of money the co-star and so-called friend who helped him overcome his reputation as sitcom poison, while at the same time, whining about the paparazzi harassing him and his family.
This is exactly the kind of memoirs I don't need.
April 7, 2015
Funny and entertaining with lots of behind-the-scenes stories of his 30 years in movies, theater, and television, this was an enjoyable read. Jon Cryer is best known for his Emmy-winning role as Alan Harper on Two and a Half Men and, to the 80s generation, as Duckie in Pretty in Pink. Those are the characters I was familiar with and what prompted me to read his memoir.
We get to see a personal side to the actor and learn about his early years in theater, his near misses at stardom before Men (he was one of the actors considered for the part of Chandler on Friends), and about his years on Men, about his relationship with Charlie Sheen—the good, the bad, and the meltdown on social media, and the re-booting of the show with the hiring of Ashton Kutcher to name just a few. (There were other actors considered to replace Charlie Sheen, and did anyone know Jon Cryer dated Demi Moore? I didn’t. He describes discussing it with Ashton as “awkward!”. No more spoilers, read the book).
Audio production
The author narrates the book adding authenticity and realism to his stories. Who better to tell the tales than the actor himself! And it feels like he is talking directly to us, the listener. This was an easy book to listen to while multi-tasking around the house. Even those who don’t usually listen to audio should find it easy to follow along.
We get to see a personal side to the actor and learn about his early years in theater, his near misses at stardom before Men (he was one of the actors considered for the part of Chandler on Friends), and about his years on Men, about his relationship with Charlie Sheen—the good, the bad, and the meltdown on social media, and the re-booting of the show with the hiring of Ashton Kutcher to name just a few. (There were other actors considered to replace Charlie Sheen, and did anyone know Jon Cryer dated Demi Moore? I didn’t. He describes discussing it with Ashton as “awkward!”. No more spoilers, read the book).
Audio production
The author narrates the book adding authenticity and realism to his stories. Who better to tell the tales than the actor himself! And it feels like he is talking directly to us, the listener. This was an easy book to listen to while multi-tasking around the house. Even those who don’t usually listen to audio should find it easy to follow along.
September 4, 2015
When I saw this at the library, my main draw was Jon Cryer played Duckie Dale. And who doesn't love that character? There are three chapters devoted to "Pretty in Pink." Three. That should be enough reason for you to pick it up if you love Hughes' films.
But the rest of the book has some nice nuggets of Cryer's life also. He comes from a showbiz family. I didn't know that and I found it interesting to read about his life backstage at his mom's plays.
This is a quick read and one that I am glad I picked up.
Duckie.
But the rest of the book has some nice nuggets of Cryer's life also. He comes from a showbiz family. I didn't know that and I found it interesting to read about his life backstage at his mom's plays.
This is a quick read and one that I am glad I picked up.
Duckie.
July 18, 2015
I didn't go into this book with any clear expectations of what I was hoping to read about Jon Cryer's life. I wasn't a huge Jon Cryer fan in the 80's, and now I know why--he wasn't in much. I never watched Pretty in Pink when it was first released. Oddly enough, I loved him in Hiding Out, which according to him was not a well received movie.
I just thought it would be an interesting to see his take on what life was like in the 80's Brat Pack scene. And he wasn't in the Brat Pack group. Jon makes it clear in this book that he has disdain for the Brat Pack. I'm not sure if that's because he was included in that group or because he tried desperately to not be labeled that way. It was a bit uncomfortable. He is a self-proclaimed insecure, socially awkward person, but then he embraces it. I think that sets a tone for the entire book though. He gives us vignettes into aspects of his life and events that happened. but never really dives deep or explores greatly any aspect. For instance--his first marriage he barely gives a page to it. The only time it is mentioned is as he is as he is beginning to go through the divorce process. For me it was "whoa, when did he get married and have a kid" He explains a bit of that in the acknowledgements about wanting to keep his kids lives private, and I completely respect that. However, I believe the emotions of falling in love, getting married, having a kid, getting divorced would have given greater insight into his what was going on in his life professionally.
I always wondered why I never saw more of Jon Cryer in the movies, and he explains here how he tried to distance him self from "being Duckie" and reflects a little bit on this, and whether it was good or bad career move. Mostly I felt that Jon held himself to a higher standard of acting that he thought he was being offered. As much as that might have been a detriment to his career, good to him for sticking to his beliefs. But this book makes him seem so pompous about it. I really am torn. Well he did have some flops, it was because he cared to extend him self out there. I do feel that some of his script choices might have been made on more of "wow, i'm totally geeked about this as a kid, i want to do it" versus what was better for him as an actor.
Several reviews of this book talk about how they were excited for the Charlie Sheen bits, some saying that they wanted more-its the only reason they picked up the book, some feeling that too much time was devoted on it. For me, it was more about Charlie than Jon and I didn't like that tone. It didn't match the rest of the book where Jon offered more on what he thought then the actions of others.
All in all, I'm left with the wonderment of why Jon Cryer chose to write this book. As I didn't feel like he gave us much to understand Jon Cryer as a person, and more of a story telling of this stuff that happened in his life.
I just thought it would be an interesting to see his take on what life was like in the 80's Brat Pack scene. And he wasn't in the Brat Pack group. Jon makes it clear in this book that he has disdain for the Brat Pack. I'm not sure if that's because he was included in that group or because he tried desperately to not be labeled that way. It was a bit uncomfortable. He is a self-proclaimed insecure, socially awkward person, but then he embraces it. I think that sets a tone for the entire book though. He gives us vignettes into aspects of his life and events that happened. but never really dives deep or explores greatly any aspect. For instance--his first marriage he barely gives a page to it. The only time it is mentioned is as he is as he is beginning to go through the divorce process. For me it was "whoa, when did he get married and have a kid" He explains a bit of that in the acknowledgements about wanting to keep his kids lives private, and I completely respect that. However, I believe the emotions of falling in love, getting married, having a kid, getting divorced would have given greater insight into his what was going on in his life professionally.
I always wondered why I never saw more of Jon Cryer in the movies, and he explains here how he tried to distance him self from "being Duckie" and reflects a little bit on this, and whether it was good or bad career move. Mostly I felt that Jon held himself to a higher standard of acting that he thought he was being offered. As much as that might have been a detriment to his career, good to him for sticking to his beliefs. But this book makes him seem so pompous about it. I really am torn. Well he did have some flops, it was because he cared to extend him self out there. I do feel that some of his script choices might have been made on more of "wow, i'm totally geeked about this as a kid, i want to do it" versus what was better for him as an actor.
Several reviews of this book talk about how they were excited for the Charlie Sheen bits, some saying that they wanted more-its the only reason they picked up the book, some feeling that too much time was devoted on it. For me, it was more about Charlie than Jon and I didn't like that tone. It didn't match the rest of the book where Jon offered more on what he thought then the actions of others.
All in all, I'm left with the wonderment of why Jon Cryer chose to write this book. As I didn't feel like he gave us much to understand Jon Cryer as a person, and more of a story telling of this stuff that happened in his life.
January 22, 2019
I really enjoyed this audiobook. To be honest, I didn't know much about Jon Cryer before listening to this book. I knew he was in Pretty in Pink and Two and a Half Men. That's about it. So I was surprised that he's been in quite a bit. He seems like a pretty down to earth, normal guy. I didn't know he had such a stage career and acting background. He's lead a pretty interesting life and seems genuine. It was a good book.
November 17, 2016
So That Happened (to Duckie)
I don't care how many years Jon Cryer portrayed Alan Harper on Two and a Half Men: He'll always be Duckie (from Pretty in Pink) to me! In the chapter where he discusses having worked with Charlie Sheen on the movie Hot Shots (years and years before 2.5 Men), he had an aside along the lines of "I know you've been waiting to hear me talk about Charlie Sheen. Naw, man--I was all ears about Pretty in Pink!"
I had to laugh about his being mistaken for Matthew Broderick, starting in 1983. At the time Cryer was working as a theater usher, and audience members kept praising him for his work on-stage. They thought he was Matthew Broderick, who was starring in Torch Song Trilogy. Soon after, Cryer was Broderick's understudy on Broadway. Here's a fun fact: My brother has a nearly separated-at-birth resemblance to Jon Cryer. At around the same time Cryer was being mistaken for Broderick, my brother started being told "you look just like Matthew Broderick!" Then, once Pretty in Pink had come out, he started getting "You look like Jon Cryer!" (My brother, by the way, is one year older than Jon Cryer is. I'm two years younger than Cryer. Yeah, he's "our generation.") Anyway, I'm not quite done with this. Several years ago, my brother was at a wedding where Broderick was also a guest (groom was one of Sarah Jessica Parker's brothers). My brother couldn't stop himself from telling Broderick, "People are always telling me I look like you!" I don't recall the details of Broderick's reaction, but I think it was politely dismissive. I've now suggested to my brother that all he needs to do now is be a guest at a wedding where Cryer is a guest, so they can compare notes!
So, I did enjoy this. Cryer is a likeable narrator who doesn't take himself overly seriously. I guess I was less curious about the "Charlie Sheen" stuff than his ideal reader might be, though I was mildly interested in knowing about the crazy behind the scenes. He didn't tell me what I did want to know: Why did the original ending of Pretty in Pink, where Andie and Duckie end up together at the prom, not appear as an extra on the "Everything's Duckie" 25th-anniversary edition of the DVD? Did it get destroyed? And why did James Spader not do interviews for it? Sheesh, this was Pretty in Pink!!!
September 11, 2015
I've always liked Jon Cryer especially with the John Hughes movies. This was a really interesting book. It's nice to read about someone who tries to stay normal in a crazy industry. Lots of behind-the-scenes information. Jon read the audiobook himself. Drops the F-bomb a ton.
May 15, 2021
I honestly don't know Jon Cryer in much, except in Pretty in Pink (Duckie should have gotten the girl...just saying). Of course, he's well known as Alan in Two and Half Men, although I've barely seen the show. But I love a good memoir and I thought this one was well done. I went back and forth between the ebook and audiobook. The audio was a great listen. I think it gives more character to the book and makes it easier to tell when sarcasm comes through (which isn't always as easy in written form - as you know if you've ever tried to post sarcasm on social media). I thoroughly enjoyed his stories.
October 26, 2015
I didn't know much about Jon until a few years ago when I watched a few episodes of 2.5 Men and despite the somewhat misogynist content, got a little hooked. And despite Alan being a little over the top, annoying-wise, he still managed to convey an endearing and sweet quality.
The book was entertaining and Jon comes across as a fairly nice guy dedicated to being an actor in a cutthroat world. His early childhood, and show-biz training and experiences turned out to be more entertaining that I expected but the book fell apart a wee bit in the middle where he left out huge chunks of his life, mainly relationships and marriage, but it picked up when he got the TV series role of a lifetime. He did shell out a few tidbits unknown to most of us, mainly his mother was a successful Broadway show writer, he finally figured out what Steve Miller's "Pompatus of Love" meant (or at least where it originated), and he is really a pretty good singer (as is Stephen Colbert) which I discovered when I found the YouTube video of him and Stephen crooning in "Company."
I gave this 4 stars for his sense of humor and breezy style of narration, and 3 stars for lack of content, but I guess that's pretty much the norm for many show-biz memoirs these days.
Read--or better yet, listen to the audio format (he narrates), if you are a fan and watched 2.5 Men, or if you liked him in "Pretty in Pink" and are curious about the rest of his life. Don't bother if he's never crossed your radar.
The book was entertaining and Jon comes across as a fairly nice guy dedicated to being an actor in a cutthroat world. His early childhood, and show-biz training and experiences turned out to be more entertaining that I expected but the book fell apart a wee bit in the middle where he left out huge chunks of his life, mainly relationships and marriage, but it picked up when he got the TV series role of a lifetime. He did shell out a few tidbits unknown to most of us, mainly his mother was a successful Broadway show writer, he finally figured out what Steve Miller's "Pompatus of Love" meant (or at least where it originated), and he is really a pretty good singer (as is Stephen Colbert) which I discovered when I found the YouTube video of him and Stephen crooning in "Company."
I gave this 4 stars for his sense of humor and breezy style of narration, and 3 stars for lack of content, but I guess that's pretty much the norm for many show-biz memoirs these days.
Read--or better yet, listen to the audio format (he narrates), if you are a fan and watched 2.5 Men, or if you liked him in "Pretty in Pink" and are curious about the rest of his life. Don't bother if he's never crossed your radar.
May 27, 2015
SO funny! I had this on my ipod, listening while cleaning house. I totally freaked my kids out a few times with my roaring laughter - they ran to find me to make sure I was "okay"! So Jon Cryer in No Small Affair and Pretty In Pink came out in my impressionable teen years. As I was pretty touched by Pretty In Pink back then, I guess the mention of Jon Cryer makes me think of those days soooo very long ago. Plus, I do LOVE him in "Men" so I had to read his book.
Read the audiobook if you have the opportunity. Jon Cryer is really just so humble, charming and quietly funny! Really liked this!
Read the audiobook if you have the opportunity. Jon Cryer is really just so humble, charming and quietly funny! Really liked this!
August 10, 2024
Rating: I liked it 😊
Format: audio
2024's ATY in 52 books: 48. A second book that fits your favorite prompt (memoir)
I liked it, it gives you an insight not only into the actor but into the industry.
Format: audio
2024's ATY in 52 books: 48. A second book that fits your favorite prompt (memoir)
I liked it, it gives you an insight not only into the actor but into the industry.
June 28, 2017
i loved his work in Two and a Half Men and i was curious about this.
it isn`t so dense like i was expecting, but a good read about his professional career, mostly.
There are some chapters about the adventures with Charlie Sheen, but in reality i wanted to find out more about the production of the serial, than about this peculiar aspect.
But, overall, an ok read, with it`s pluses and minuses.
it isn`t so dense like i was expecting, but a good read about his professional career, mostly.
There are some chapters about the adventures with Charlie Sheen, but in reality i wanted to find out more about the production of the serial, than about this peculiar aspect.
But, overall, an ok read, with it`s pluses and minuses.
April 8, 2021
I liked this book way more than I thought I would. I'm not a Jon Cryer fan, or a nonfan or however you might say it. He is just an actor I am familiar with, no judgments here nor there. I picked up this audio at the library because I needed a filler audio until the one I ordered came in and I liked Jon in Pretty in Pink so what the heck, why not.
This book is a really good book to detail the workings of Hollywood by a working man's actor. While I thought he is a famous name, he still has to audition like every other person and his career is still at the whim of whoever the leading man or woman is on the projects he does. Coming from that perspective his story is a very interesting one. He details his time on Pretty in Pink, which I loved him in. He also spends a lot of time on the Charlie Sheen scandal. I never saw Two and a half Men but I did obviously hear about all the turmoil surrounding Charlie Sheen and that show.
I would recommend this to anyone who likes to hear about the inner workings of Hollywood and what it is like to be in the middle of a huge Hollywood story by no fault of your own. Jon narrates the audio and does a really good job of it.
This book is a really good book to detail the workings of Hollywood by a working man's actor. While I thought he is a famous name, he still has to audition like every other person and his career is still at the whim of whoever the leading man or woman is on the projects he does. Coming from that perspective his story is a very interesting one. He details his time on Pretty in Pink, which I loved him in. He also spends a lot of time on the Charlie Sheen scandal. I never saw Two and a half Men but I did obviously hear about all the turmoil surrounding Charlie Sheen and that show.
I would recommend this to anyone who likes to hear about the inner workings of Hollywood and what it is like to be in the middle of a huge Hollywood story by no fault of your own. Jon narrates the audio and does a really good job of it.
September 8, 2023
This is a rarity--a great memoir written by a TV star. It goes into real depth on the major roles that the author is known for, and pulls no punches in bluntly letting the reader know the struggles he encountered when dealing with others. What makes it even more surprising is that I'm not personally a fan of the actor's performing style, but he answered most of my questions about him in this book in an entertaining way. He's self-deprecating and admits to being nervous or insecure even when he's rich and famous. It's great insight into the fact that even those with great success can remain very insecure. Cryer is still that fumbling high school nerd even with his Emmy awards and loads of money.
There are many great, detailed stories included. Few books by stars get into this kind of depth about the productions they are involved with. And if you're looking for his perspective on the Charlie Sheen meltdown it's here--in almost too much detail. At one point the book gets hijacked by Sheen and we lose track of what's going on in Cryer's life.
There are large chunks of his life that Cryer doesn't discuss. His first wife? Two sentences. His kids? Barely alluded to (which he admits he did intentionally). His second wife who was a TV entertainment reporter? Well, he thinks she smart and pretty but we don't know why because he doesn't talk about her much.
Did he ever have a drug problem? We don't know. He mentions others struggling with addiction but it sounds like he never took an illegal drug. Did he sleep around? We don't know. He does tell us how he lost his virginity and that he & his future second wife dated six weeks before he even tried to kiss her but beyond that there's nothing sexual. Is he gay? He says no, and repeatedly in the book makes fun of the fact that people think he is (even calling himself effeminate) but he seems to go out of his way to over and over underline his desire for women.
What's worst is that the book seems to end in 2011 but was published in 2015. He skips 3 years ahead and mentions that Charlie Sheen may or may not be back for the end of Two and a Half Men, and then that's it. Very weird. His book deadline was due before the end of the series, and he says nothing about his years with Kutcher beyond the first episode. What exactly was Cryer doing for 3 years??? We'll never know.
What is here is great, and other famous people should emulate Cryer's open writing style. But greatness leaves the reader wanting more. Read in 2015 and 2o23.
There are many great, detailed stories included. Few books by stars get into this kind of depth about the productions they are involved with. And if you're looking for his perspective on the Charlie Sheen meltdown it's here--in almost too much detail. At one point the book gets hijacked by Sheen and we lose track of what's going on in Cryer's life.
There are large chunks of his life that Cryer doesn't discuss. His first wife? Two sentences. His kids? Barely alluded to (which he admits he did intentionally). His second wife who was a TV entertainment reporter? Well, he thinks she smart and pretty but we don't know why because he doesn't talk about her much.
Did he ever have a drug problem? We don't know. He mentions others struggling with addiction but it sounds like he never took an illegal drug. Did he sleep around? We don't know. He does tell us how he lost his virginity and that he & his future second wife dated six weeks before he even tried to kiss her but beyond that there's nothing sexual. Is he gay? He says no, and repeatedly in the book makes fun of the fact that people think he is (even calling himself effeminate) but he seems to go out of his way to over and over underline his desire for women.
What's worst is that the book seems to end in 2011 but was published in 2015. He skips 3 years ahead and mentions that Charlie Sheen may or may not be back for the end of Two and a Half Men, and then that's it. Very weird. His book deadline was due before the end of the series, and he says nothing about his years with Kutcher beyond the first episode. What exactly was Cryer doing for 3 years??? We'll never know.
What is here is great, and other famous people should emulate Cryer's open writing style. But greatness leaves the reader wanting more. Read in 2015 and 2o23.
August 26, 2015
Emmy Award winning Actor, Screenwriter Jon Cryer will always be best remembered for his role of Duckie
in the John Hughes movie Pretty in Pink. He, James Spader and Annie Potts were always my favorites. Cryer confirms their professional, inviting behavior and yet other actors who didn't have the same demeanor. As far as the CBS show Two and a Half Men goes I watched it once or twice. Holland Taylor was always great but never understood why someone of her caliber was on it. While I love Martin Sheen I am not a fan of his son Charlie. It does feel as though Cryer could have waited to write this book because some of it feels redundant; it is complete with color photos and acknowledgments. The most important quality about Cryer during the Sheen outbursts was he never complained and never explained. It's a characteristic we can all aspire to.
in the John Hughes movie Pretty in Pink. He, James Spader and Annie Potts were always my favorites. Cryer confirms their professional, inviting behavior and yet other actors who didn't have the same demeanor. As far as the CBS show Two and a Half Men goes I watched it once or twice. Holland Taylor was always great but never understood why someone of her caliber was on it. While I love Martin Sheen I am not a fan of his son Charlie. It does feel as though Cryer could have waited to write this book because some of it feels redundant; it is complete with color photos and acknowledgments. The most important quality about Cryer during the Sheen outbursts was he never complained and never explained. It's a characteristic we can all aspire to.
March 4, 2022
I wish I hadn’t “read” this (listened to the audiobook). I had a soft spot for Jon Cryer since he was Duckie, but this autobiography has left me with a much lower opinion of him, unfortunately. He comes across as a bit creepy, somewhat porn and sex obsessed (making it very clear he slept with the uber hot Demi Moore, talking unashamedly about using prostitutes and consuming porn, visiting the Playboy mansion, labeling his current wife as good in bed …). It’s not endearing. And he doesn’t come out of the whole Charlie Sheen debacle in any favorable light, either, although I suspect he thinks he does? His response (to go on a talk show and poke fun at it?) just makes him look petty and unsympathetic. There were parts of his life story that were genuinely interesting, but the overall impression was of a slightly bitter man trying to prove to the world that he’s really a cool guy.
August 1, 2015
Extremely disappointing and hard to get through. Jon Cryer comes across like any other rich, spoiled Hollywood star and whines incessantly (to the very last line of the book) about Robert Downey Jr. stealing his thunder. I've gone from super fan to simply annoyed former fan.
September 12, 2022
I have always loved Jon Cryer. I had no idea he wrote a memoir until I came across this at my library. I was 14 years old when "Pretty In Pink" came out in theaters. I had to know the "behind the scenes" of that movie and there is 3 chapters on it. God bless him! Ducky Forever!
Jon is very honest in this book. He even goes as far as telling some of his first experience in sex. LOL I listened to the audio version and he is so funny just talking about himself in the life of trying to live in Hollywood. Cryer is the kinda man I would love to date! And he is NOT gay just because he likes to cross his legs!
He talks about his life in theater too. I thought it very interesting that he said in theater it feels more like a family, you help each other become successful. But working in the movies, not so much, kinda cold between co-workers really. I don't remember if he had any opinions on working in television though.
A GIANT mistake was the movie "Karate Kid". His agent gave him the script to read for the part of Daniel. Jon declined it, he thought it was kind of corny. LOL
Jon Cryer has won two Emmys and in 2011 he got a star on The Hollywood Walk Of Fame! He said it was placed right in front of Hooters!
I absolutely loved this audio book, it was so funny and interesting. I highly recommend!
Jon is very honest in this book. He even goes as far as telling some of his first experience in sex. LOL I listened to the audio version and he is so funny just talking about himself in the life of trying to live in Hollywood. Cryer is the kinda man I would love to date! And he is NOT gay just because he likes to cross his legs!
He talks about his life in theater too. I thought it very interesting that he said in theater it feels more like a family, you help each other become successful. But working in the movies, not so much, kinda cold between co-workers really. I don't remember if he had any opinions on working in television though.
A GIANT mistake was the movie "Karate Kid". His agent gave him the script to read for the part of Daniel. Jon declined it, he thought it was kind of corny. LOL
Jon Cryer has won two Emmys and in 2011 he got a star on The Hollywood Walk Of Fame! He said it was placed right in front of Hooters!
I absolutely loved this audio book, it was so funny and interesting. I highly recommend!
August 22, 2019
Ducky grew up! The first third was great as I loved learning about Jon's early life through Pretty in Pink. I lost interest in the next 3rd as I felt like the stories were forced filler. The last third caught my attention again as he shared about his time in 2 and Half Men. (one of my favorite shows). The last third did feel a bit like he shared too much of Charlie Sheen's antics to extend the book. I listened to this book and Jon read it. It was entertaining to listen to him tell his own stories.
March 14, 2018
I enjoyed the peek into Jon Cryer's life. No over the top name dropping or bashing. Cryer gives you a look into the behind scenes on the movies and TV shows he was in, he talked a little bit about growing up plus his up and downs in his personal life. Pretty and Pink was my first Movie to watch Jon Cryer bring to life a wonderful Character, loved him as Duckie.
April 23, 2021
Smart and so funny I laughed out loud several times.
September 4, 2024
Perfectly fine. But ever the side-kick, what is meant to be Jon Cryer’s memoir somehow becomes a story of bearing witness to Charlie Sheen unravelling a decade ago.
August 16, 2021
3 1/2 stars ... very funny and insightful ... really enjoyed the pics. My only complaint is Cryer's overuse of the f#@! word ... really so unnecessary.
April 25, 2015
Focusing on his life in show business, Jon Cryer's memoir is a breezy, easy to enjoy collection of tales from his 30 years in Hollywood. It's charming, a touch rambling, and gives the sense that Cryer is trying to gently entertain his audience rather than dish thirty years worth of secrets. Revelations are few, anecdotes plentiful, and--for those wanting to know--the last sections of the book are dedicated to Two and a Half Men and the infamous Charlie Sheen meltdown.
Some of the Sheen stories are amusing glimpses behind the scenes, others factual retellings of well publicised events. Cryer paints himself as very much the bystander in the entire debacle, with patches of minor intervention here and there, and is careful about labeling Sheen a friend, often referring to him as a colleague he enjoyed working with. The word friendship does slip in there though, and so Cryer betrays himself ever-so-slightly ... the question might be asked as to why Cryer didn't step up to do more to help his co-star and friend. Interestingly, the section on Two and a Half Men dedicates almost no time to young Angus T. Jones, who has been controversial in his own manner, disowning the show and all involved. Jones is mentioned as a fine performer earlier in the tome, and ... that's about it. Cryer is clearly not trying to create controversy with this book, which is admirable, though it makes for incomplete storytelling.
All in all, So That Happened is an interesting glimpse into the success of a fairly unlikely guy, and is an easy read for those looking to get a glimpse behind Hollywood's velvet curtain, and gain some additional insight into one of Hollywood's most famous meltdowns.
Some of the Sheen stories are amusing glimpses behind the scenes, others factual retellings of well publicised events. Cryer paints himself as very much the bystander in the entire debacle, with patches of minor intervention here and there, and is careful about labeling Sheen a friend, often referring to him as a colleague he enjoyed working with. The word friendship does slip in there though, and so Cryer betrays himself ever-so-slightly ... the question might be asked as to why Cryer didn't step up to do more to help his co-star and friend. Interestingly, the section on Two and a Half Men dedicates almost no time to young Angus T. Jones, who has been controversial in his own manner, disowning the show and all involved. Jones is mentioned as a fine performer earlier in the tome, and ... that's about it. Cryer is clearly not trying to create controversy with this book, which is admirable, though it makes for incomplete storytelling.
All in all, So That Happened is an interesting glimpse into the success of a fairly unlikely guy, and is an easy read for those looking to get a glimpse behind Hollywood's velvet curtain, and gain some additional insight into one of Hollywood's most famous meltdowns.
October 19, 2015
Enjoyable listen on audio, read by Jon himself (thank you). Jon covers his life in show business, including how he got his start. Born in a trunk to show biz parents, it came naturally to him. He spends a lot of time on “Pretty in Pink” and the formation of Duckie, which was fun. Jon talks about other roles, the process of TV shows and film making, and the back-end of the business. He comes off as a nice guy who has a great appreciation and respect for his business, but also possesses a common sense pragmatism. He talks about some roles he lost (Chandler on Friends, for example) but gave great props to the actors who got the roles and acknowledged that he was not right for the parts over them. He could not avoid the Charlie Sheen sh*t-storm, but did not really trash Charlie. Jon had compassion for Charlie’s demons and worried about him, but Jon did not appreciate what Charlie’s meltdown did to all the people around him. Jon also mentioned the adoration and offers that followed Charlie with the same puzzlement that many of us feel when watching the news. The more some public figures act like idiots, the more the “fans” love them. In showbiz, they say there is no bad publicity. Jon does not spend much time on his adult family life. He mentions marriages and talks briefly about his kids, but generally leaves them in the background and concentrates on his life on camera. I suspect he is a celebrity who would be nice in person.
Below is a link to a fun clip where Jon takes a temp job after "Two and a Half Men" shuts down when Charlie Sheen is fired. Jon is a good sport.
https://youtu.be/AzTuOeX37_w
Below is a link to a fun clip where Jon takes a temp job after "Two and a Half Men" shuts down when Charlie Sheen is fired. Jon is a good sport.
https://youtu.be/AzTuOeX37_w
March 18, 2016
As I listen to a fair amount of audio books narrated by actors, I know I enjoy hearing the stories behind the shows, the acting, the co-stars, funny happenings…. What I don’t like is whining about missed parts, what is believed to be unfair casting, and well whining in general.
This audio has a mix of both.
I of course wanted to hear about John’s role in Pretty in Pink and of course his many years of being on Two and a Half Men and working with the unpredictable, eventually fired Charlie Sheen. For the record, the later does not get mentioned until disc 6. The first 3 to 4 cd’s of this audio book are interesting however Jon has a lot of strong opinions of fellow actors as well as about others taking credit for something that was his doing. To me… that felt a bit whiny. At the same time I imagined an editor saying “Jon, be vulnerable, be angry… niceties do not get the book sales!” So, that said… perhaps Jon was coerced.
I did enjoy the later half of the audio where the real meat of the book seemed to be. When Jon talked about Two and a Half Men and what was happening there it seemed a bit more real.
Looking at the rating of this one on-line, I am in the minority. For the most part people have found this memoir to be hilarious and well done. This can very well be a case of “it is not John, it is me”.
For my full review: http://bookjourney.net/2015/06/13/so-...
This audio has a mix of both.
I of course wanted to hear about John’s role in Pretty in Pink and of course his many years of being on Two and a Half Men and working with the unpredictable, eventually fired Charlie Sheen. For the record, the later does not get mentioned until disc 6. The first 3 to 4 cd’s of this audio book are interesting however Jon has a lot of strong opinions of fellow actors as well as about others taking credit for something that was his doing. To me… that felt a bit whiny. At the same time I imagined an editor saying “Jon, be vulnerable, be angry… niceties do not get the book sales!” So, that said… perhaps Jon was coerced.
I did enjoy the later half of the audio where the real meat of the book seemed to be. When Jon talked about Two and a Half Men and what was happening there it seemed a bit more real.
Looking at the rating of this one on-line, I am in the minority. For the most part people have found this memoir to be hilarious and well done. This can very well be a case of “it is not John, it is me”.
For my full review: http://bookjourney.net/2015/06/13/so-...
May 3, 2015
I won't say that I wasted my time when I read this book because I did learn some interesting facts about the city of New York, Broadway, dry cleaners, and it further deepened my desire to have attended theatre camp as a teen (this is a time long gone now) but this book was not fabulous. Jon Cryer is not a cheerful writer and quite logically not a cheerful person to spend time with - he was the Duckster and for that one brief shining moment will always have a space in my heart - but this book was not a fun book to read. I'm glad it is finished.
If a library patron asked me whether or not I suggest they read this book I'd have to give them a negative answer. Can't really think of any reason I'd have them take it away with them. There are at least 20 different books within reach that I'd rather they take home and it doesn't matter which shelf I am standing close to when we have this hypothetical conversation.
The book was reasonably well written, pleasantly edited and he did not include embarrassing stories about his kids. That's all I've got.
If a library patron asked me whether or not I suggest they read this book I'd have to give them a negative answer. Can't really think of any reason I'd have them take it away with them. There are at least 20 different books within reach that I'd rather they take home and it doesn't matter which shelf I am standing close to when we have this hypothetical conversation.
The book was reasonably well written, pleasantly edited and he did not include embarrassing stories about his kids. That's all I've got.
June 13, 2015
Jon Cryer, the star of the sitcom “Two and A Half Men” gets his chance at telling us his life story. He starts at the beginning – growing up in a celebrity home. I had no idea he had a background with parents in the business. Or at least I don’t think I knew that.
He takes us through his career as a child in commercials to a young adult in Broadway to the 1980 movies he has done to his television career. He even gets his chance to respond to Charlie Sheen’s attacks against him during the fiasco that went on a few years back. He does it in a very gentlemanly way. He’s not vicious or accusatory, he simply states the facts.
I listened to the audio version which he narrates himself. He does a great job telling us about his life…he’s a great storyteller. His humor is spread throughout this story. I can easily visualize him sitting in a room talking to a group of people about the behind-the- scenes happenings on all his projects. I would have liked to hear more. It’s very easy listening and a great audio for my commute.
He takes us through his career as a child in commercials to a young adult in Broadway to the 1980 movies he has done to his television career. He even gets his chance to respond to Charlie Sheen’s attacks against him during the fiasco that went on a few years back. He does it in a very gentlemanly way. He’s not vicious or accusatory, he simply states the facts.
I listened to the audio version which he narrates himself. He does a great job telling us about his life…he’s a great storyteller. His humor is spread throughout this story. I can easily visualize him sitting in a room talking to a group of people about the behind-the- scenes happenings on all his projects. I would have liked to hear more. It’s very easy listening and a great audio for my commute.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 488 reviews