The Actor Within: Intimate Conversations with Great Actors

Acknowledgments

227 i Acknowledgments I am most grateful to all the actors profiled in this work for so generously giving of their time, sharing intimate details of their lives, and revealing insights into the actor’s craft. Special thanks to Elliott Gould and Ed Asner, who early on recognized the worthiness of this endeavor. Had they not made personal introductions to fellow actors on my behalf, this work may not have been possible. I am deeply grateful to my brother Aron. Like a scene partner in a stage drama, he helped me with my lines and saw me through the rough spots using Stanislavski’s technique of ‘‘talking and listening.’’ His guidance and masterful editing of this work was invaluable. Suzanna Tamminen at Wesleyan University Press is a dream editor— patient, trusting, and encouraging. When I approached her with the idea for The Actor Within, I didn’t know any actors or how I would meet them. Yet, she green lighted the project and gave me her blessing. Her belief in my abilities gave me the confidence and courage to overcome all the obstacles standing in my path. Thank you, Suzanna! Finally, I want to thank a number of people who opened doors and loved ones who supported and encouraged me during the making of this book: my mother Adela Manheimer and husband Bitzy; the Eichenbaum and Hirt-Manheimer families; Leslie Carothers of the Colburn School in Los Angeles; Kim and Jack Ka√rey; Lawrence Grobel; Bonnie and Russ Tamblyn; Larry Billman; Carolee Campbell; Susan Stroman; Paula Kelly; Kim Blank; Marica Canazio; Arthur Zeno and Lisa Zeno-Churgin; Jack Jason; Lynne Taylor-Corbett; and all the publicists, managers, assistants, and agents who delivered my interview requests . . . and got back to me. ...