Dear Dudley: Life and Laughter - A celebration of the much-loved comedy legend

by Barbara Paskin

Barbra Paskin was the late Dudley Moore's official biographer, having known him well for many years. In this latest book, she provides an affectionate celebration of this extraordinary comic and musical talent, perhaps the best-loved major star of his or any generation. Although it rehearses his extraordinary life and career from Beyond the Fringe with the Cambridge Footlights, followed by his long association with Peter Cook that produced such immortal programmes as Not Only . . . But Also, to Hollywood stardom with films like 10 and Arthur, it is more than a mere biography. Uniquely, Dear Dudley also publishes for the first time the many kind, comforting, supportive, and often extremely funny letters that the author obtained from leading celebrities to mark Dudley's sixty-fourth birthday, from the Rolling Stones to Michael Caine, Billy Joel to Alan Bennett, Goldie Hawn to Woody Allen, all of whom have given permission for them to be reproduced in the book.

438 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 15, 2018

Reviews

[Mick Meyers · Rating 4 out of 5]

An exceptional talent that couldn't channel his talents into one direction if he had have done he would have excelled.brilliant musician,barring a couple of films the rest were mediocre.started the comedy revolution with Peter cook.in his personal life always wanting to be married but wanting solitude,a mercurial man.throughout his life he needed better guidance,tried to find it through therapy,when a really good friend would have sufficed.a good read topped off with letters from the famous stage and screen.

[Richard Luck · Rating 3 out of 5]

A decent if unspectacular biography. However, the letters written by the great and good in an attempt to cheer up Dud during his illness are utterly joyous.

[Michèle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good book. It's Dudley Moore's account of his life to the end. Funny and sad, this book shows the man behind the comedy.