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In My Own Time
Not yet published
Expected 27 Oct 26In the vein of Patrick Stewart’s MAKING IT SO and Henry Winkler’s BEING HENRY, a larger than life memoir from Christopher Lloyd, the beloved star of Back to the Future and Taxi, that follows him through his lonely childhood in an exorbitantly wealthy family, experiences breaking into acting, time recovering from addiction, and his path to figuring out his creative identity, which would influence his roles in the many films of his illustrious, wide-ranging career.
Christopher Lloyd grew up largely in isolation on the sprawling estate of Waveny in Connecticut, the scion of the wealthy Lapham family that founded Texaco. His early life wandering those vast grounds, being raised by governesses, seeing his mother institutionalized, and attending an upper crust boarding school all combined into a shy, lonely childhood, and for a long time he felt more comfortable on his own than with others. It wasn't until he fled that life of privilege and found his voice on stage that he found the connections he'd missed out on - connections that would eventually include journeymen actors and Hollywood greats like Jack Nicholson, Charlie Kaufman, and Meryl Streep, as Christopher made his way in the worlds of film, TV, and Broadway.
TIME WILL TELL is the intimate memoir of a singular actor. In his own elegant prose, Christopher brings readers along on his unique journey to fame, sharing never before told stories from his unusual upbringing to his famed roles in some of the biggest films of the 21st Taber in One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, the loveable, eccentric Jim Ignatowski onTaxi, and the iconic Doc Brown in Back to the Future franchise. He delves deeply into his training as a stage actor at the Neighborhood Playhouse in New York, his early career on Broadway, the loves of his life, his hard-fought journey to sobriety, and, of course, his time on the sets of now-classic films. With charm and honesty, Christopher's memoir reveals the thoughtful soul behind some of the most beloved larger than life characters to ever grace the silver screen.
Christopher Lloyd grew up largely in isolation on the sprawling estate of Waveny in Connecticut, the scion of the wealthy Lapham family that founded Texaco. His early life wandering those vast grounds, being raised by governesses, seeing his mother institutionalized, and attending an upper crust boarding school all combined into a shy, lonely childhood, and for a long time he felt more comfortable on his own than with others. It wasn't until he fled that life of privilege and found his voice on stage that he found the connections he'd missed out on - connections that would eventually include journeymen actors and Hollywood greats like Jack Nicholson, Charlie Kaufman, and Meryl Streep, as Christopher made his way in the worlds of film, TV, and Broadway.
TIME WILL TELL is the intimate memoir of a singular actor. In his own elegant prose, Christopher brings readers along on his unique journey to fame, sharing never before told stories from his unusual upbringing to his famed roles in some of the biggest films of the 21st Taber in One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, the loveable, eccentric Jim Ignatowski onTaxi, and the iconic Doc Brown in Back to the Future franchise. He delves deeply into his training as a stage actor at the Neighborhood Playhouse in New York, his early career on Broadway, the loves of his life, his hard-fought journey to sobriety, and, of course, his time on the sets of now-classic films. With charm and honesty, Christopher's memoir reveals the thoughtful soul behind some of the most beloved larger than life characters to ever grace the silver screen.
- GenresNonfictionMemoir
256 pages, Hardcover
Expected publication October 27, 2026
About the author
Christopher Lloyd
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I like to thank the publisher and NetGalley for being allowed a read.
I'm going to be the first to say: this book is short. Not only that, 50% is spent talk about his life not in show-business. I was bummed because well, who doesn't love when an actor recalls memories from filming, moments spent with other actors, etc. The more I read, the more I feel like this is a book written for Christopher to explain himself in some aspects. I'm not saying that Christopher Lloyd is a private person, or he makes himself private. He is just... who he is?
The book mainly covers that he grew up wealthy. And I mean wealthy wealthy. His father was the bread-winner of the family, and the time with him was little to none. His mother was in her own world and or cold with him so he was raised more or less by the servants in the family. His estate is now a place where people can go and have events at and or celebrate things on the lawn. He had little to no friends, and he got into theatre in his college years, which then had him going into film.
When he does mention film, he recalls brief moments with certain films. While his resume is a bit long (mainly in the 90's and Y2k era), he doesn't cover those. The films he does focus on are One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, Back to the Future, Who Framed Roger Rabbit, and Addams Family. He obviously spends the most time on Back to the Future, but he doesn't really talk much about the films so to speak. He kind of just gives glossy views of the films and his experience and leaves it there.
If anything I came away from this book realizing: Christopher is really a person who can talk to people, but as he expresses in the book, he doesn't really know what to say or is used to small talk. He will talk to you, of course, and doesn't mind it, but it's hard for him. He enjoys listening to interesting people talk about things. He cares deeply for his fans, but is also a little concerned when people tell him that he made their childhoods (because, as he puts it, to make someone's childhood means that their childhood was poor). He loves going to fan conventions and really enjoys questions that people ask him on films or things he has done that HAVEN'T BEEN discussed as often as the above films.
He also REALLY loves Shakespeare. He is obsessed with it, and he loves Hamlet. He can recite Hamlet's 'To Be Or Not to Be' speech by memory and uses it as a motivational tool. If I was ever to meet him, I wouldn't really want to talk to him about his films, I'd have a million Shakespeare questions to ask him. I'm sure he'd open up more and talk your head off with all his feelings and his nerd feelings for something I never knew he loved as dear.
The point being: If you come into this book expecting a huge reminiscence, you will be disappointed. But, if you stick around and get through it, you will find a side of someone you never knew because he's just a shy kind of guy.
I'm going to be the first to say: this book is short. Not only that, 50% is spent talk about his life not in show-business. I was bummed because well, who doesn't love when an actor recalls memories from filming, moments spent with other actors, etc. The more I read, the more I feel like this is a book written for Christopher to explain himself in some aspects. I'm not saying that Christopher Lloyd is a private person, or he makes himself private. He is just... who he is?
The book mainly covers that he grew up wealthy. And I mean wealthy wealthy. His father was the bread-winner of the family, and the time with him was little to none. His mother was in her own world and or cold with him so he was raised more or less by the servants in the family. His estate is now a place where people can go and have events at and or celebrate things on the lawn. He had little to no friends, and he got into theatre in his college years, which then had him going into film.
When he does mention film, he recalls brief moments with certain films. While his resume is a bit long (mainly in the 90's and Y2k era), he doesn't cover those. The films he does focus on are One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, Back to the Future, Who Framed Roger Rabbit, and Addams Family. He obviously spends the most time on Back to the Future, but he doesn't really talk much about the films so to speak. He kind of just gives glossy views of the films and his experience and leaves it there.
If anything I came away from this book realizing: Christopher is really a person who can talk to people, but as he expresses in the book, he doesn't really know what to say or is used to small talk. He will talk to you, of course, and doesn't mind it, but it's hard for him. He enjoys listening to interesting people talk about things. He cares deeply for his fans, but is also a little concerned when people tell him that he made their childhoods (because, as he puts it, to make someone's childhood means that their childhood was poor). He loves going to fan conventions and really enjoys questions that people ask him on films or things he has done that HAVEN'T BEEN discussed as often as the above films.
He also REALLY loves Shakespeare. He is obsessed with it, and he loves Hamlet. He can recite Hamlet's 'To Be Or Not to Be' speech by memory and uses it as a motivational tool. If I was ever to meet him, I wouldn't really want to talk to him about his films, I'd have a million Shakespeare questions to ask him. I'm sure he'd open up more and talk your head off with all his feelings and his nerd feelings for something I never knew he loved as dear.
The point being: If you come into this book expecting a huge reminiscence, you will be disappointed. But, if you stick around and get through it, you will find a side of someone you never knew because he's just a shy kind of guy.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Is there anyone who doesn't love Christopher Lloyd?
Yeah, I didn't think so.
Lloyd is simply one of those beloved actors, complex yet hilarious while also constantly coming off as approachable and real.
"In My Own Time" is the actor's autobiography from his childhood years raised by his creative mother and stern father in the massive Connecticut estate called Waveny through his early stage work, struggles with addiction, television years, and Hollywood success.
A three-time Emmy Award winner, Lloyd is perhaps best known for his roles as Rev. Jim in the television series "Taxi" and, of course, as Doc Brown in the "Back to the Future" trilogy.
With "In My Own Time," one can practically hear Lloyd talking to us as he shares intimate stories, personal memories, and the obviously desired accounts of some of our favorite memories of his work over the years.
A good 1/3 of "In My Own Time" finds us taking a journey through Lloyd's childhood. As a direct descendant of one of the Texaco founders, Lloyd's childhood was seemingly privileged yet isolated and one in which it's obvious the friction between his parents, who would eventually divorce, undoubtedly influenced him.
While "In My Own Time" doesn't quite possess the magic one might expect from Lloyd, it's still a fascinating endeavor sure to please Lloyd's many fans. From an early encounter with Meryl Streep during his college days through his fearless stagework and cinematic debut in the Academy Award-winning "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest," Lloyd comes off here as a rather matter-of-fact fellow somewhat detached from the world around him yet never less than fiercely likable and immensely talented.
"In My Own Time" doesn't quite do the cinematic deep dive we might hope, though the obvious titles are here along with an early career story about his only time abandoning a project after determining it to be an unpleasant atmosphere.
Lloyd comes off as deeply thoughtful and appreciative of his fans, though he comes off as almost saddened by the fact that a performance of his might "make" someone's childhood.
I sometimes question it when we get the latest autobiography from one of Hollywood's stars, but there's little denying that at 87-years-old Lloyd has given us a lifetime of entertainment and this surprisingly quick read gives us a glimpse into the life that made Lloyd a star and gives us an even deeper appreciation for his amazing career.
Yeah, I didn't think so.
Lloyd is simply one of those beloved actors, complex yet hilarious while also constantly coming off as approachable and real.
"In My Own Time" is the actor's autobiography from his childhood years raised by his creative mother and stern father in the massive Connecticut estate called Waveny through his early stage work, struggles with addiction, television years, and Hollywood success.
A three-time Emmy Award winner, Lloyd is perhaps best known for his roles as Rev. Jim in the television series "Taxi" and, of course, as Doc Brown in the "Back to the Future" trilogy.
With "In My Own Time," one can practically hear Lloyd talking to us as he shares intimate stories, personal memories, and the obviously desired accounts of some of our favorite memories of his work over the years.
A good 1/3 of "In My Own Time" finds us taking a journey through Lloyd's childhood. As a direct descendant of one of the Texaco founders, Lloyd's childhood was seemingly privileged yet isolated and one in which it's obvious the friction between his parents, who would eventually divorce, undoubtedly influenced him.
While "In My Own Time" doesn't quite possess the magic one might expect from Lloyd, it's still a fascinating endeavor sure to please Lloyd's many fans. From an early encounter with Meryl Streep during his college days through his fearless stagework and cinematic debut in the Academy Award-winning "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest," Lloyd comes off here as a rather matter-of-fact fellow somewhat detached from the world around him yet never less than fiercely likable and immensely talented.
"In My Own Time" doesn't quite do the cinematic deep dive we might hope, though the obvious titles are here along with an early career story about his only time abandoning a project after determining it to be an unpleasant atmosphere.
Lloyd comes off as deeply thoughtful and appreciative of his fans, though he comes off as almost saddened by the fact that a performance of his might "make" someone's childhood.
I sometimes question it when we get the latest autobiography from one of Hollywood's stars, but there's little denying that at 87-years-old Lloyd has given us a lifetime of entertainment and this surprisingly quick read gives us a glimpse into the life that made Lloyd a star and gives us an even deeper appreciation for his amazing career.
Review of advance copy received from Edelweiss+
Actor Christopher Lloyd had a rarified upbringing, living in Waveny House, a mansion sitting on over 400 acres in New Canaan, CT. A family SUMMER HOUUE. His maternal grandfather cofounded an oil company that became better known as Texaco. I include this info in this review because it's in stark contract to who Lloyd is; a man you'd feel comfortable having a conversation with and who doesn't have an air of superiority over others. He found his own place in the acting world and surprisingly had a lot of self doubt along the way. This memoir is not a Hollywood tell-all, which is refreshing, but just might be a disappointment to those who think it might be. It's more than a tell-all.
This memoir feels like an old friend is writing to you.
* I read an advance copy and was not compensated.
This memoir feels like an old friend is writing to you.
* I read an advance copy and was not compensated.
June 18, 2026
Christopher Lloyd has long been a favorite actor of mine and I was so eager to obtain an advance copy of his memoir. I wanted it to be so much more than JUST his time on Back to the Future and it surely was. The way this book is structured genuinely felt as if I was listening to Christopher Lloyd read it. There were diversions, tangents, and roundabouts in the mentors laid out here that make it feel like a conversation. It is amazing to hear of what he has gone through in his life, what he has overcome, and what he sees when looking back on his life as an almost 88 year old.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews