Little House in the Hollywood Hills

A Bad Girl's Guide to Becoming Miss Beadle, Mary X, and Me

By: Charlotte Stewart, Andy Demsky

Narrated by: Charlotte Stewart, Andy Demsky

Length: 10 hrs and 17 mins

Publisher's summary

Charlotte Stewart is known by millions of fans worldwide for her role as the beloved schoolteacher, Miss Beadle, on the iconic TV show, Little House on the Prairie, currently broadcast in syndication in more than 100 countries around the world. Here for the first time an adult cast member writes about the experience of making the show - the challenges, the joys, and the sometimes-turbulent behind-the-scenes relationships.

Charlotte, with Andy Demsky, reveals 50 years in film and television offering a backstage pass to Hollywood's cocaine-fueled 1960s, '70s and '80s, including Charlotte's celebrated work as Mary X in David Lynch's cult classic film, Eraserhead, as well as her later work as Betty Briggs in the highly-rated television series, Twin Peaks. Charlotte recounts stories of working with leading men from Jimmy Stewart and Elvis Presley to Kevin Bacon and Kyle MacLachlan. She details off-stage friendships with Neil Young and Joni Mitchell, as well as relationships and flings with some of TV, film, and music's biggest names, including Jon Voight, Richard Dreyfuss, Tim Considine, Bill Murray, Jim Morrison, and more.

Ultimately, Charlotte's story is that of a survivor. Six years after her career-making role on Little House on the Prairie, she lost everything. Yet through the darkest periods of her life - divorce, drug-use, cancer, financial ruin, the death of a spouse, and alcoholism - she never lost her humanity or sense of humor.

Charlotte's story is far from over. She is set to reprise her role of Betty Briggs in the new Twin Peaks series to be seen on Showtime in 2017. Throughout the year, she is a featured celebrity in fan events and festivals for Little House on the Prairie and Twin Peaks both in the US and abroad.

Co-author Andy Demsky is a writer and journalist, whose work has been published in the San Francisco Chronicle, Los Angeles Times magazine and Better Homes & Gardens, and he co-wrote Doug Shafer's critically acclaimed memoir, A Vineyard in Napa.

©2016 Charlotte Stewart and Andy Demsky (P)2016 Audible, Inc.

a must read

I enjoyed this so much that I could not stop listening. Wow, what an interesting life!!
Miss beetle lesson on the good the bad, the Innocence and the raw of Hollywood.
God bless you.. forever Fan!!!

Wonderful

I listened to this book as a LHOTP fan. I had no idea about the rest of Charlotte's work. Her life is fascinating, and she seems pretty transparent. If you are sensitive to sound changes, several places in the narration sound different. Like she had to re-record a section and had to do so in a different environment. It was distracting, but it is still worth listening to her story.

Fascinating and well performed

Some actors can’t manage to record their own book in a warm and storytelling manner. Not Charlotte. Feels like she’s talking to me when I listen. There is so much insight conveyed in each story she tells, and recoding is so intimately spoken. I couldn’t love this woman more after hearing her read her book. As a performer myself struggling in NYC I connect with her on so many more levels than I expected, and found insight into my own life in some ways. Thank you Charlotte.

Love!

This book is full of surprises and so well read. I loved it. I wish Charlotte the best and thank her for sharing her story with us.

Wonderful Memoir

As a huge LHOTP fan my entire life, I couldn’t wait to read about my favorite teacher, Charlotte Stewart aka Miss Beadle’s, life! It’s an amazing recount of a life filled with incredible opportunities and thrills and joy and pain….what all humans experience in one form or an other. She perseveres remarkably and we are all better for it! Her portrayal of Miss Beadle changed how I looked at all of my teachers and my kids teachers for my entire life. She is the best! Thank you Charlotte for sharing your journey and for creating a character that will live on forever! Incredible narration too!

What A Life!

Being a Doors and David Lynch fan I figured I would give this bio a chance. I’m really glad I did. Not only were the stories enjoyable (even the “Little House…” stories) but her reading of the book made it feel like you were listening to a friend talk about her adventures. Highly recommended if you’re a fan of Charlotte Stewart in any of her many roles!

I fell in love with Charlotte

As a Little House Fan I was interested to hear about Charlotte and her life and career. I must say I was deeply touched many times during this adventure into the life of this incredible woman. Her performance was deeply moving( especially during the final chapter). Charlotte gives inspiration and strength to a wide audience. Her bravery and honesty about all parts of her life the good and the not so good was so relatable. The parts about her work on Little House were both amusing and refreshing. I’ve also read Alison Arngrim’s ( Nellie Oleson’s) book which I also loved very much. I would say thank you to both of these ladies for giving us such a heartfelt glimpse onto the set of a much beloved program; as well as their private lives. However I must say that Charlotte’s book brought me to tears in a couple places due to subject matter and vocal performance. Once a great actress; always a great actress! Charlotte you are loved, admired and I thank you from the bottom of my heart for sharing you and your story with us all! I’m now looking forward to looking up more of her work to enjoy. As a fellow actor I was so inspired to never give up on yourself and to carry and cherish your memories always. I highly recommend this to any actor who takes their craft and career seriously. Somehow I’m braver now! Many kudos to everyone involved in this project! Now I need to find a Beadle Bag! ❤️

Great Read!

This is such a good book!!! I totally recommend this book for its authentic and entertaining storytelling.

Little House fan

I have had this in my library a long while and didn't listen to due to poor reviews. Little house is only one part of her life and shouldn't be expected to be her entire book. She is a great storyteller. There are some juicy behind the scenes into spilled. I recommend when you need something different to read.

I couldn't resist the title!

Enjoyed Charlotte 's expressive voice telling her own story. My German Shepherd did as well!