Dudley Moore: An Intimate Portrait

by Rena Fruchter

The public persona of Dudley Moore was the short, anxious member of the comic duo Pete and Dud; the hard-drinking millionaire in the phenomenally successful Arthur; the gifted concert pianist and composer; the working-class kid who won a scholarship to Oxford. His life spanned an era of brilliant British comedy and an extraordinary decade of success—and excess—in Hollywood. After a debilitating illness forced him off the stage into real life, he struggled to survive; paradoxically, he also found inner peace. Looking back on the final 15 years of his life, Rena Fruchter gives us a loving and unflinching portrait of her friend Dudley Moore.

Genres: Biography

407 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 2005

Reviews

[Mary Lou · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am absolutely obsessed with Dudley Moore. I have always found him to be an amazing multi-talented man. I could not put this book down once I started reading it.

I had no idea his marriages were all disasters especially his final one. What in the world could he possibly have been thinking to marry that woman? His self esteem must have really, REALLY been at an all time low.

I find it fascinating that Rena and her husband welcomed him in their lives and it their home. What a glorious and beautiful friendship they must have had with him. I remember seeing the 20/20 interview and crying.

This book tells the personal story, sometimes funny sometimes painful but always honest of a cherished friendship. It also tells the story of a multi-talented star who enjoyed his life in HIS terms and in the end found true peace

[Chet Wallace · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful account of Dudley Moore's last years. The book doesn't focus much on his early life and career but the point of this book is an "intimate portrait" of a very talented actor, musician and comedian who, through fighting the horrible disease of Progressive Supranuclear Palsy, was able to be at peace with himself. This account will make you cry and wish that victims of this disease will never have to ever go through it's debilitating effects.

[Jan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have admired Dudley’s talent for years & years. I had no idea that the end of his life was so tortured or that his marriages were so tumultuous. A sad end for a genius performer. All new information.
Thanks, Ang! Love your picks!

[Nancy Moore · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful

Sensitively written, there are no punches pulled except those I felt in my gut. Dudley Moore was (is) a treasure unlike any other. Ms. Fruchter has put her unabashed love and admiration for him on every page. Highly recommended.

[Pam Keevil · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reveals so much of his incredible musical ability and the poignant decline as his illness took hold. A great and revealing read about one of the world's funniest men.

[Tammy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dudley Moore always made me laugh. Arthur was my favorite movie. Any time I have had sickness or sadness I pull out movie and watch. The book was wonderful. His life story not so wonderful. He endured many hardships in life. How he could still make us laugh. And what an amazing piano player. His caregiver who wrote the book is an amazing lady.If you like Dudley will love book