Autobiography

Apparently There Were Complaints: A Memoir

Apparently There Were Complaints: A Memoir

  • Downloads：1770
  • Type：Epub+TxT+PDF+Mobi
  • Create Date：2021-12-28 18:21:25
  • Update Date：2025-09-06
  • Status：finish
  • Author：Sharon Gless
  • ISBN：B08VJMFY3X
  • Environment：PC/Android/iPhone/iPad/Kindle

Reviews

John Yingling ，

I've thought a lot as to whether I should write a review。 I have decided not to， since I would probably regret down the road what I would say here。 But I think the one-star rating speaks for itself， so I will let it go at that。 I've thought a lot as to whether I should write a review。 I have decided not to， since I would probably regret down the road what I would say here。 But I think the one-star rating speaks for itself， so I will let it go at that。 。。。more

Karen ，

A good audio book， spoken by the author。 Enjoyable。

Stephanie ，

I’ve always loved Sharon Gless so I l enjoyed hearing her stories of her life and she narrates the audio version。 She doesn’t sugar coat her life or the choices she made。 Really enjoyed the audio。

Ramble ，

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers。 To view it， click here。 I had admired Sharon’s work for a long time and especially enjoyed her in QAF。 She brought such an amazing character to life。 Listening to her childhood and how her family was at the time I can see how she became who she is but this book had moments I wanted to stop this book due to not getting her way。 We can all relate to that to some degree but she goes on and on and doesn’t accept faults of others but expects everyone else to accept hers with no hesitation。 There are some stories I wish she I had admired Sharon’s work for a long time and especially enjoyed her in QAF。 She brought such an amazing character to life。 Listening to her childhood and how her family was at the time I can see how she became who she is but this book had moments I wanted to stop this book due to not getting her way。 We can all relate to that to some degree but she goes on and on and doesn’t accept faults of others but expects everyone else to accept hers with no hesitation。 There are some stories I wish she had edited down with others I wish she had expanded。 I found it hard to believe doing a show for five years and she only had a few sentences to tell about but spent page after page about her drugs and drinking habits。 。。。more

Carmen ，

I only knew of Sharon Gless from Cagney and Lacey but that was enough to get me interested in reading this book。I’m struck between the similarities between “Grimmy”， Yvonne， （her father's mistress） and myself。Sharon Gless grew up into a life of privilege that neither of her parents had earned。Dad spent all his money on his hobbies。。 like some silly sports teams， and mommy kept getting pregnant。 She wasn’t built for it so most of her babies died。There was a lot of resentment on Sharon’s part abou I only knew of Sharon Gless from Cagney and Lacey but that was enough to get me interested in reading this book。I’m struck between the similarities between “Grimmy”， Yvonne， （her father's mistress） and myself。Sharon Gless grew up into a life of privilege that neither of her parents had earned。Dad spent all his money on his hobbies。。 like some silly sports teams， and mommy kept getting pregnant。 She wasn’t built for it so most of her babies died。There was a lot of resentment on Sharon’s part about Grimmy （her mother’s mother） controlling the purse strings。 Attitudes most likely fed to Sharon by both her parents。Sharon spent her early years “depressed” and devouring every bit of food she could find。 I wish I could tell every “depressed” person to pull themselves out by first making a “gratitude list”。 Figure out what you have to be grateful for: for example， good health， a roof over your head， enough food， someone who cares about you even if it’s your dad’s mistress who tries to make you feel loved， etc。Then figure out what’s wrong。 Most of the time it’s a lack of control over your own life。 The remedy: take control。 Rather than whine and moan to people about “you don’t know how much mental anguish I’m in”。。 Do something about it， such as get a job and learn to pull your own weight in this world。Grimmy had her hands full trying to help Sharon develop some character。 She had failed with Sharon’s mom。 One thing Grimmy did early in Sharon’s life was to make her get a job， so she could understand how people really live。 I think it helped Sharon to overcome “depression”， but she still had a long way to go to achieve maturity。When Grimmy helped Sharon diet， rather than be grateful for the help， Sharon “sneaked” candy bars until Grimmy caught her。She did fit into her beautiful debutante one of a kind designer gown， but had learned nothing， gorging herself until all the fat was back for the next coming out party。Yes， boys and girls: weight control and making good food choices must come from within。All along the way， Grimmy helped her。 After Grimmy passed， her grandfather gave her the money for acting classes。Grimmy let Sharon use her apartment and also the use of her car but only for trips to and from classes。 Sharon again betrayed her trust by deciding to take the car to Tijuana with a group of friends。 Rather than take away the use of the car， Grimmy demanded payment for the car。She didn’t take away her means of transportation: again， she had her hands full teaching Sharon to pay her way。Sharon will tell us she got “no help”， to break into acting: she had to do the work。 I wonder how many struggling people wanting to be actors would love the level of “no help” she received。 Introductions to Hollywood’s power brokers， help getting a job， etc etcWhen Sharon got herself engaged to a drunk， who claimed he’d stop drinking then continued to drink right in front of her: she defied expectations that she should marry and dumped the ass。 A funny scene when he ordered a full carafe of red wine （which was not her drink） told her it was for them both， she stood up and downed the whole thing spilling a lot down her chin and neck and ruined her suede jacket （They decided to use that in an episode of Cagney and Lacey ruining 5 jackets till they got the shot right）Later in life Sharon fell in love with Barney Rosenzweig。 It wasn't fun。。 he was married and the complications of the affair took their toll but eventually they married。 I get the sense that Barney became a father figure helping Sharon own her shit and develop some maturity。Some interesting facts about actors she worked with:David Janssen had a photographic memory so never studied lines （but drank like a fish and died at the age of 49）Wayne Rogers had Lynn Redgrave fired from "Switch" because he didn't want to share the limelight， and Sharon was hired to replace her （he didn't like sharing with her either）。 After his shenanigans got production shut down for a while， CBS cancelled the next season。A lot of other stuff she was in I had never heard of （Happy to never have seen "Misery"）Sharon did try to learn from people she worked with and has had a wonderful career。All in all an interesting book though a slog at times。 。。。more

Kayo ，

Love her， loved the book。Thanks to author， publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book。 While I got the book for free， it had no bearing on the rating I gave it。

Sharon Birzer ，

Don't know Sharon Gless， hang out with her and she will tell you everything。 Bonus if it's the audio version it is her telling you everything。 I love her。 Don't know Sharon Gless， hang out with her and she will tell you everything。 Bonus if it's the audio version it is her telling you everything。 I love her。 。。。more

Linda Smatzny ，

Very enjoyable memoir covering both her private and public lives。 At times funny and always candid。 The book contains photos。 It was an easy read。

Gunhild Hoogensen gjørv ，

I wanted something to read - or more specifically a book to listen to （I had the audio version） just to have "something else" other than politics or deep analysis。 I watched little of the tv show for which Sharon Gless was famous as I was still a kid at the time and not so captivated by it。 I think I have seen a few episodes but not enough to say I had an opinion。 But her book about her life （so far） was rather interesting， illustrating both the advantages and connections she had in the entertai I wanted something to read - or more specifically a book to listen to （I had the audio version） just to have "something else" other than politics or deep analysis。 I watched little of the tv show for which Sharon Gless was famous as I was still a kid at the time and not so captivated by it。 I think I have seen a few episodes but not enough to say I had an opinion。 But her book about her life （so far） was rather interesting， illustrating both the advantages and connections she had in the entertainment industry as well as how hard she had to work to hold down a regular job。 Contrary to the image one sometimes gets （or I get） from the whole entertainment world， Gless shows how this is， at the end， a job。 Definitely a job with some perks as a person gets famous （and apparently a lot of money） but still - a job。 What I liked is her honesty about the job， her own issues along the way， and just reading about a woman who did what she could to get ahead and fight for the things she wanted to fight for （or just leave other stuff behind）。 I had no expectations， so instead， was pleasantly surprised。 。。。more

brian hargett ，

No complaints from meNot a boring read by any means You wonder what she might have left out and you're afraid of what it might have been Hoping that there more exciting chapters for her coming in life No complaints from meNot a boring read by any means You wonder what she might have left out and you're afraid of what it might have been Hoping that there more exciting chapters for her coming in life 。。。more

Aura Erickson ，

A wonderful memoir about her life of finding her way to a career and love。

Richard Murphy ，

Thoroughly EnjoyableI needed a vacation from Trump and the dispiriting news of the day， and this book provided it。 Ms。 Gless tells an interesting story about her upbringing among Hollywood’s elite， addiction in her family， and her own struggles with alcoholism， weight， love， and belonging。 But in the end， she thrived and became the the celebrity we enjoy so much today。The book provides an inside look into the entertainment industry with all its charm and warts in a well written， illuminating， fu Thoroughly EnjoyableI needed a vacation from Trump and the dispiriting news of the day， and this book provided it。 Ms。 Gless tells an interesting story about her upbringing among Hollywood’s elite， addiction in her family， and her own struggles with alcoholism， weight， love， and belonging。 But in the end， she thrived and became the the celebrity we enjoy so much today。The book provides an inside look into the entertainment industry with all its charm and warts in a well written， illuminating， funny， honest， and irreverent way。 It’s more than mind candy。 It’s worth reading。 。。。more

Calvin ，

I have never been taken with the idea of listening to audiobooks of fiction novels。 I have a physical and e-book tsonduku that is probably approaching 300 （mostly） fiction books。 But I have whole host of memoirs which I would love to read， I just don't have the time to do it in。 So I thought I'd try listening to the audiobook of an autobiography if the author was also the narrator。 And really， I couldn't have picked a better title to start with。 I've been a fan of Sharon Gless， like most of us， I have never been taken with the idea of listening to audiobooks of fiction novels。 I have a physical and e-book tsonduku that is probably approaching 300 （mostly） fiction books。 But I have whole host of memoirs which I would love to read， I just don't have the time to do it in。 So I thought I'd try listening to the audiobook of an autobiography if the author was also the narrator。 And really， I couldn't have picked a better title to start with。 I've been a fan of Sharon Gless， like most of us， since Cagney & Lacey。 It's always been clear she's in the Kathleen Turner & Elaine Stritch class of "gives absolutely zero fucks"。 So hearing her recount her life story was an absolute DELIGHT， let me tell you。 I laughed out loud MANY times。 She also doesn't shy away from the tougher stuff， because of course she doesn't。 It's a joy to listen to。 。。。more

Annie ，

This memoir by Sharon Gless was an absolute pleasure to read！ I recently saw her interviewed on CBS Sunday Morning and was so intrigued by her reflections on her life， that I knew I wanted to read her book。 I was not disappointed！ I grew up watching her on Cagney and Lacey and although I did not watch it every week， I remember enjoying her and Tyne Daley's portrayals of strong women。 Ms。 Gless shares her ups and downs in her life and her career - and her candor and honesty make this a compelling This memoir by Sharon Gless was an absolute pleasure to read！ I recently saw her interviewed on CBS Sunday Morning and was so intrigued by her reflections on her life， that I knew I wanted to read her book。 I was not disappointed！ I grew up watching her on Cagney and Lacey and although I did not watch it every week， I remember enjoying her and Tyne Daley's portrayals of strong women。 Ms。 Gless shares her ups and downs in her life and her career - and her candor and honesty make this a compelling read。 I now want to go watch her in some of her other roles （her descriptions of scenes with some of her co-stars are priceless！）。 This is a must read for movie and tv fans！I highly recommend this book。 。。。more

Kevin ，

Readers will have no complaints with Sharon Gless's bawdy， blisteringly candid and no-holds-barred memoir that grips from the first page to the last。 "The one consistent love of my life has always been my acting career，" writes Gless， who learned her craft for more than a decade as the last contract player at Universal Studios。 In 1982， after twice turning down the co-lead role in CAGNEY AND LACEY， she relented and joined Tyne Daly in the iconic police drama， which earned her two Emmy awards， a Readers will have no complaints with Sharon Gless's bawdy， blisteringly candid and no-holds-barred memoir that grips from the first page to the last。 "The one consistent love of my life has always been my acting career，" writes Gless， who learned her craft for more than a decade as the last contract player at Universal Studios。 In 1982， after twice turning down the co-lead role in CAGNEY AND LACEY， she relented and joined Tyne Daly in the iconic police drama， which earned her two Emmy awards， a Golden Globe and legions of fans。 During the series' seventh season， she began an affair with the show's producer， Barney Rosenzweig， and checked herself into rehab for two months after decades of blackout drinking。Gless recalls being sent to a Jesuit university at 19: "Within three months I had become a weekend drunk and was having an affair with a married man。" Gless writes with sardonic humor and fearless honesty about her alcohol addiction and decade-long relapse after 15 years sober。 She also chronicles her battles with weight and self-esteem。 She married Rosenzweig in 1991， and she's open about their marital struggles， decades of therapy and near-divorce。APPARENTLY THERE WERE COMPLAINTS offers rollicking show-biz anecdotes （a date with Steven Spielberg） and times when she was "sucked into a haze of booze and cocaine。。。。 Hey， it was the '80s。" Gless also writes affectionately of working on "Queer as Folk"， "Burn Notice" and "Nip Tuck。" Gless may remind some of Carrie Fisher， but she has her own tart-tongued， funny， endearingly original and brave voice。 Sharon Gless's knockout memoir has it all: brave confessional， hilarious Hollywood dish and a strong and endearing writing style。 。。。more

Donna ，

This is Nonfiction/Memoir/Autobiography。 I am unfamiliar with this author's earlier acting jobs。 I only know her from Burn Notice and I loved her on that show。 （It was a great show。）I liked that Sharon Gless was so personable。 This felt honest and unapologetic， which is how I like the memoirs I read。 I liked her attitude too。 She covered her life as a whole。。。from childhood。。。to acting。。。to other life choices。 So 4 stars。 This is Nonfiction/Memoir/Autobiography。 I am unfamiliar with this author's earlier acting jobs。 I only know her from Burn Notice and I loved her on that show。 （It was a great show。）I liked that Sharon Gless was so personable。 This felt honest and unapologetic， which is how I like the memoirs I read。 I liked her attitude too。 She covered her life as a whole。。。from childhood。。。to acting。。。to other life choices。 So 4 stars。 。。。more

Sally M。 ，

Absolutely great！

Vanessa J Taggart ，

Complaints？What a life from childhood through today。 Give this woman a show！ I loved this good。 My complaint…。。I want more。 Reading this felt like just sitting listening。 I could hear her voice while I was reading this。 I may get the audiobook， just to hear it allowed。 Thank you Ms Gless for sharing your stories。

Paul Vogelzang ，

Absolutely wonderful。 Great to hear these stories from a great person！ thanks！

Mark James ，

What a remarkable memoir！ I don’t ever recall a celebrity revealing so much about their private lives。 I was entertained， but I was most impressed by Gless’s humanity and vast experience。 What a fabulous woman。

Linda Fazzone ，

BRAVOMy only "complaint" is how fast I read this jewel 。 I just couldn't put it ďown。 I've always been a fan but now I'm also in love。 Bravo Sharon and thank you。 BRAVOMy only "complaint" is how fast I read this jewel 。 I just couldn't put it ďown。 I've always been a fan but now I'm also in love。 Bravo Sharon and thank you。 。。。more

Connie ，

So good！ I have always liked and followed Sharon Gless’ career。 It was fun to read her book。 Like all of my favorite autobiographies， this book seemed like listening to her telling me stories。

Joni Owens ，

I grew up watching Sharon Gless on tv。 I have loved every character I’ve seen her play so when I saw this book I knew it was a must read。 I loved seeing Ms。 Gless is exactly what I hoped for and more。 Ms。 Gless is a natural storyteller。 My only problem with this book is that it ended！ I want to sit over a sweet tea and just listen to her tell story after story。 Wonderful。

Susan ，

This book， and Sharon herself， are breathtakingly fabulous！ I was laughing out loud in places because she is honest， funny and really does not try to "glam" herself up in any way。 In fact， she is quite brutal and real about herself in ways I am not sure I would have the guts to be。 I know I watched Cagney & Lacey sometimes back in the day but I never really knew much about Sharon and now I think she is so amazing that I just hopped over to Instagram while I was thinking about it and followed her This book， and Sharon herself， are breathtakingly fabulous！ I was laughing out loud in places because she is honest， funny and really does not try to "glam" herself up in any way。 In fact， she is quite brutal and real about herself in ways I am not sure I would have the guts to be。 I know I watched Cagney & Lacey sometimes back in the day but I never really knew much about Sharon and now I think she is so amazing that I just hopped over to Instagram while I was thinking about it and followed her。 She's definitely someone you'd want to hang out with！ 。。。more

Betty J。 Booth ，

A Masterpiece！As witty， and entertaining as it could be！ Ididn’t want it to end。 Makes me miss Cagney & Lacey more than ever！！！

Victoria ，

Thanks to Simon and Schuster and Netgalley for sharing Sharon Gless’ autobiography。 I didn’t even know I was interested in her life until I read it。 It was great。 She’s a good storyteller and name dropper， and pretty self critical as well。 I was most fascinated by her wealthy Hollywood family background， as I had no ide I would recommend this for fans of her work or anyone who enjoys memoirs。

Christy Warthen ，

Humorous！Ms。 Gless has had an eventful life and stellar career。 I enjoy her wit and heart。I voluntarily read an advanced copy。

Allyson ，

This book was such a fun read！ Full of great， funny stories and lots of behind the scene details on some amazing shows。 Sharon Gless is a hoot， and this book is a delightful read。

Margie Bunting ，

I love a good show biz memoir， especially when the author waits until later in life to write it。 Sharon Gless， best known for her multiple Emmy-winning performance in Cagney and Lacey， was born into a prominent Los Angeles family--her grandfather was a powerful entertainment attorney who hobnobbed with such luminaries as Cecil B。 DeMille and Louis B。 Mayer。 She says she was "rambunctious and expressive" from an early age and was obsessed with movies but didn't decide on an acting career until la I love a good show biz memoir， especially when the author waits until later in life to write it。 Sharon Gless， best known for her multiple Emmy-winning performance in Cagney and Lacey， was born into a prominent Los Angeles family--her grandfather was a powerful entertainment attorney who hobnobbed with such luminaries as Cecil B。 DeMille and Louis B。 Mayer。 She says she was "rambunctious and expressive" from an early age and was obsessed with movies but didn't decide on an acting career until late in her twenties。 She didn't fit the usual starlet mold but nevertheless scored a 10-year contract from Universal and has the distinction of being the very last contract player in Hollywood。 In her memoir， which she says took her 8 years to write from contract to publication， she frankly discusses her ongoing battles with alcoholism， depression， and her weight， her many romantic relationships， her encounters with a host of celebrities you will recognize， her closest friends and family， and her many professional successes （and failures）。 What I particularly enjoyed was the refreshing transparency and humor with which Gless narrates her life--warts and all。 I felt like I came to know her better and appreciate her more as I read this entertaining book。 My review is based on a complimentary pre-release copy of the book。 。。。more

Janilyn Kocher ，

I enjoy reading celebrity memoirs。 I watched Cagney and Lacey as a kid。 I gravitated to Gless’ character since she seemed cool， hip， and sauve。 It was interesting to read about her life preceding the show and what she has been up to since it aired。 She has pulled reckless stunts and had personal issues。 She gets her pot shots in， but hey it’s her book。 Thanks to NetGalley and Simon Schuster for the early read。