In putting together this book, we would have been lost without the help and support of many people. They include our literary agent, Doug Grad; Eric Kampmann and Megan Trank of Beaufort Books; Brian T. Whitehill for his beautiful cover design; Mark Karis for the interior design; and Felicia Minerva at Midpoint Trade Books, and Jeff Abraham at Jonas Public Relations for getting the word out.
We subjected many of our friends to early drafts of chapters and received valuable comments. From some we requested advice on clearances and ownership, and from others we were given support and encouragement. In alphabetical order, they include Rick Amon, Mark Bagang, Pamela Becker, Albert Bellas, John Berendt, Sherry Buch, Dick Cavett, Jean Cohen-Neiditch, James Curtis, Richard Dreyfuss, Shirlee Fonda, Julie Garfield, Maria Cooper Janis, Peter Kane, Carol Katzka, Sherri Kramer, Su Lesser, Bette LeVine, the late Don Lynn, Roger L. Mayer, Kay Mazzo, Dennis Millay, John L. Miller, Charles Mintz, Michael Mowatt-Wynn, Arnold Neiditch, Bonnie Nelson, Robert Osborne, Scott Rodman, Hazel Rudeis, Ann Rundio, Renee Russell, Bess Schenkier, Carol Schneider, Lynda Sheldon, Lillian Smith, Golf Srithamrong, the late Edward Summer, Charles Tabesh, Susie Tracy, Blair M. Westlake, Robert Wolders, and Joanne Woodward.
The majority of the photographs are from the authors’ personal collections. However a number of photographers have generously allowed us to use their pictures here, and we are especially grateful to them: Scott Bryson (on behalf of his father, the late John Bryson), Ken Diego, John Haggerty, Brownie Harris, Don Perdue, the late Len Tavares, and Mitzi Trumbo. We also want to thank Shirlee Fonda, Susie Tracy, and Blair M. Westlake for allowing us to use images from their collections.
Films and television programs are essentially collaborative efforts, and we will be forever indebted to all those who contributed to the ones we produced. A comprehensive credit list would overwhelm this book, so will not be attempted here, although many key people are identified in the relevant chapters.
Not least, we want to thank all those who let us tell their stories, as well as their families and friends, and the many others who participated in our programs. Without them, this book would be filled with only blank pages.