My Mother Was Nuts

A Memoir

By: Penny Marshall

Narrated by: Penny Marshall

Length: 8 hrs and 30 mins

Publisher's summary

Most people know Penny Marshall as the director of Big and A League of Their Own. What they don’t know is her trailblazing career was a happy accident. In this funny and intimate memoir, Penny takes us from the stage of The Jackie Gleason Show in 1955 to Hollywood’s star-studded sets, offering up some hilarious detours along the way.

My Mother Was Nuts is an intimate backstage pass to Penny’s personal life, her breakout role on The Odd Couple, her exploits with Cindy Williams and John Belushi, and her travels across Europe with Art Garfunkel on the back of a motorcycle. We see Penny get married. And divorced. And married again (the second time to Rob Reiner). We meet a young Carrie Fisher, whose close friendship with Penny has spanned decades. And we see Penny at work with Tom Hanks, Mark Wahlberg, Whoopi Goldberg, Robert De Niro, and Whitney Houston.

Throughout it all, from her childhood spent tap dancing in the Bronx, to her rise as the star of Laverne & Shirley, Penny lived by simple rules: “try hard, help your friends, don’t get too crazy, and have fun.” With humor and heart, My Mother Was Nuts reveals there’s no one else quite like Penny Marshall.

©2012 Penny Marshall (P)2012 Brilliance Audio, Inc.

Critic reviews

“There's as much practical, hard-won advice here as there is Hollywood gossip, and Marshall's boundless energy and no-nonsense attitude make for a fun read.” (Publishers Weekly)

“Hollywood aficionados will get a kick out of Marshall’s anecdotes about her circle of friends, including Albert Brooks, John Belushi, and Carrie Fisher, all told in a funny, down-to-earth manner.” (Booklist)

“Penny Marshall is a fascinating woman who has lived a life few of us could survive. Did you know she gave me two of the best jobs I’ve ever had? Of course not, because when she talks she is barely comprehensible. Read her memoir and you’ll come to love her as much as I do.” (Tom Hanks)

entertaining, inspiring, touching

I loved hearing Penny's story told by her. I downloaded this after I heard she passed away. I am glad I did.

honest, funny, and you'll love her

I enjoyed hearing Penny read her story. get choked up, laugh at memories, laugh at herself. she's honest to her story. doesn't gloss over her indiscretions and isn't too technical with her job that you get bored. it made me like her. and sad the story is over. no regrets.

It was good, but a little too self-aggrandizing.

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Depends if the friend grew up in the Bronx. I bought this book since Penny Marshall grew up very close to where I grew up - about 15 years before me. It was great to see a local kid make it big. I dont know if I would have enjoyed it as a non-Bronx native...

What was your reaction to the ending? (No spoilers please!)

Its an autobiography, so it didn't really tell me anything I didn't already know about Penny Marshall. She's still alive and kicking, so nothing surprising :)

Which character – as performed by Penny Marshall – was your favorite?

Herself - its an autobiography - she did it exactly as if you were having a conversation with her. I did appreciate the moments of emotion she let slip when she was talking about important losses in her life..

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

Local kid makes it big and drops a lot of names while telling the story.

Any additional comments?

I liked this book - I especially loved that Penny Marshall narrated it... Her words coming out of someone else's mouth would not have been nearly as powerful... That being said, she does have a tendency to let her ego take over and drop big names left and right... She has every right to do so since she worked for and deserves the credit, but it does get old after a while

great

I drive truck and Penny was an awesome friend who's stories kept me going! Her stories and voice were pleasant

L

I thoroughly enjoyed this memoir. I learned so much about Penny Marshall, she knew everyone and was a friend to so many people. I thought the narration was a little different but authentic. I got used to the accent and the pace immediately. I recommend it to anyone who grew up in the 70's and 80's.

I love Laverne!

I learned so much about Penny Marshall from this autobiography, I love her even more! her own narration really added to the stories, especially the very emotional times. highly recommend!

Laverne and a whole lot more

This memoir touched on a lot of the pop culture that I grew up watching. Penny has had an interesting life and this book tells it with honesty and entertainingly. I grew up watching Laverne and Shirley but had no idea of the goings on around Penny and all of the people she knows. From her family and marriages, to all the TV people, movie people, musicians, sports figures, drugs and wild times, Penny gets her story out. Usually I prefer that authors don't read their own material, but listening to Penny's story, it was clear that this time it was the right thing to do. I enjoyed the listen

Makes loosing a parent funny

Wonderful anyone who has lost a parent will laugh!!! Made loosing my mother and having her cremated funny!

I wish she was still around.......

I always enjoyed Penny Marshall, but after this, she's one of my favorites! Amazing! Very open & honest about everything. I laughed so much throughout the book. Penny lived a phenomenal life!

It Penney Marshall how can it be less than five stars

Listening to this was like she was in the room. From the Bronx myself it was nice to be reminded of home. Amazing life Penney had.