The Third Gilmore Girl by Kelly Bishop

 

Summary (from the publisher): “Come for the Gilmore Girls anecdotes, stay for the revealing truths about what it takes to build a lifelong career in and out of Hollywood” (The A.V. Club) in this candid and captivating memoir from award-winning and beloved actress Kelly Bishop, spanning her six decades in show business from A Chorus Line, Dirty Dancing, Gilmore Girls, and much more.

Kelly Bishop’s long, storied career has been defined by landmark achievements, from winning a Tony Award for her turn in the original Broadway cast of A Chorus Line to her memorable performance as Jennifer Grey’s mother in Dirty Dancing. But it is probably her iconic role as matriarch Emily in the modern classic Gilmore Girls that cemented her legacy.

Now, Bishop reflects on her remarkable life and looks towards the future with The Third Gilmore Girl. She shares some of her greatest stories and the life lessons she’s learned on her journey. From her early transition from dance to drama, to marrying young to a compulsive gambler, to the losses and achievements she experienced—among them marching for women’s rights and losing her second husband to cancer—Bishop offers a rich, genuine celebration of her life.

Full of witty insights, The Third Gilmore Girl is a warm, unapologetic, and spirited memoir from a woman who has left indelible impressions on her audiences for decades and has no plans on slowing down.

Review: This was so good!! I loved hearing iconic actress Kelly Bishop tell her life story in her own words and in her own voice. From her alcoholic father to her failed first marriage to the many jobs she has held down, Kelly tells it all. 

I truly think this would be appealing to a large swath of readers, and not just Gilmore Girl fans. I myself just started watching Gilmore Girls last year and did not come to the book as one of the many girls raised loving the show. There is so much more to Kelly Bishop than just that one show! She has a fascinating life story, having been involved in ballet, show business, and more. She is also very famous for playing Baby's mom in the iconic movie Dirty Dancing, a role she describes in this memoir. 

I listened to the audio for this book, which was a fantastic choice as it is ready by the author Kelly Bishop herself, with her signature, distinctive, unforgettable voice. It truly felt like we were just having a conversation where she was telling me all about her life and history. In this way, it reminded me greatly of listening to Ina Garten's memoir Be Ready When the Luck Happens - another childless woman born in the 1940s who passionately devoted their life to their career and known from television. 

Just some fun and/or interesting tidbits from Kelly's life: 

• I never would have guessed she was such a pet lover! At many points, she describes the different rescue dogs she has had over the years, and it is so clear how much she adores them. 
• I love that she openly discusses the abortion she had in the 1970s, why she never wanted children, and why she is passionately pro-choice. It can't always have been easy to be this vocal about her thoughts on the matter, but I admire her conviction and honesty. 
• After a somewhat tumultuous dating life and a disastrous first marriage, I loved hearing about her loving and successful long-time marriage to Lee Leonard. 
• It was heartbreaking reading about the over two decades that Lee battled over five types of cancer. It's wild to think Kelly got the most famous while she was constantly traveling back and forth to help care for her ailing husband. 
• Kelly is not even her real name! Her birth name was Carol, but she switched it professionally since another actress had already taken Carol Bishop on the official rolls. 

Stars: 4.5

Related Title: 

• Be Ready When the Luck Happens by Ina Garten