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Driving Marilyn
Driving Marilyn: The Life and Times of Legendary Hollywood Agent Norman Brokaw | Joel Brokaw
1 post | 1 read
Norman Brokaw was CEO and Chairman of the William Morris Agency from 1989 to 1997, but his legacy may lie in his ascent from mail room clerk to Marilyn Monroe’s personal driver to agent for some of Hollywood’s most iconic figures of the late 20th Century: Marilyn Monroe, Kim Novak, Elvis (and Colonel Parker), Natalie Wood, Loretta Young, Clint Eastwood, Danny Thomas, Dick Van Dyke, Berry Gordy, Bill Cosby, Donna Summer, Brooke Shields plus many more. Under his guidance, the agency created a television department in the early 1950s, where he persuaded many skeptical Hollywood stars to make the move to the new medium. This book is a star-studded biography of Brokaw’s remarkable life and influence on Hollywood, of which legendary record producer David Geffen writes in his foreword: “Norman was the last of a dying breed, but his way of free thinking, loyalty and care for others has value. With his story we have one more chance to learn from a pioneer.”
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Biography of Norman Brokaw who worked his way up from mail room clerk to CEO & Chairman of the William Morris Agency. Along the way, Norman worked with a host of stars from Marilyn Monroe & Elvis to Donna Summer & Dick Van Dyke. Known as a man who would do his utmost for his clients, keep their confidences, & never say a bad word about anyone, Norman was a popular & well-respected man. His private life wasn't quite so settled though.

OutsmartYourShelf I'd never heard of Norman Brokaw before seeing this book for review but it turned out to be a really interesting read. One of the 'old school' members of Hollywood, Norman Brokaw was notoriously closed-lipped about his experiences & unfortunately many of them were not recorded before he began to show signs of developing dementia. 2mo
OutsmartYourShelf Of those that appear in the book though, I will say that although the book is titled 'Driving Marilyn', Marilyn herself appears very briefly. I was almost disappointed. It's a very readable biography though written with humour by his son, & with a great deal of affection. 4.5🌟

My thanks to #NetGalley & publishers, Globe Pequot/Lyons Press, for the opportunity to read an ARC.

2mo
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