Apparently There Were Complaints: A Memoir by Sharon Gless (audio book review)

"...laugh-out-loud, juicy, “unforgettably memorable”memoir about her five decades in Hollywood..."

Synopsis - 

Anyone who has seen Sharon Gless act in Cagney & Lacey, Queer as Folk, Burn Notice, and countless other shows and movies, knows that she’s someone who gives every role her all. She holds nothing back in Apparently There Were Complaints, a hilarious, deeply personal memoir that spills all about Gless’s five decades in Hollywood.

A fifth-generation Californian, Sharon Gless knew from a young age that she wanted to be an actress. After some rocky teenage years that included Sharon’s parents’ divorce and some minor (and not-so-minor) rebellion, Gless landed a coveted spot as an exclusive contract player for Universal Studios. In 1982, she stepped into the role of New York Police Detective Christine Cagney for the series Cagney & Lacey, which eventually reached an audience of 30 million weekly viewers and garnered Gless with two Emmy Awards. The show made history as the first hour-long drama to feature two women in the leading roles.

Gless continued to make history long after Cagney & Lacey was over. In 2000, she took on the role of outrageous Debbie Novotny in Queer as Folk. Her portrayal of a devoted mother to a gay son and confidant to his gay friends touched countless hearts and changed the definition of family for millions of viewers.

Apparently There Were Complaints delves into Gless’s remarkable career and explores Gless’s complicated family, her struggles with alcoholism, and her fear of romantic commitment as well as her encounters with some of Hollywood’s biggest names. Brutally honest and incredibly relatable, Gless puts it all out on the page in the same way she has lived—never with moderation.

Review - 

While I usually prefer reading eBooks, memoirs are the exception. Especially if they are narrated by the author. Sharon Gless did an amazing job both writing her story and in narrating it. Listening on audio brought an added dimension.  

Gless' voice and sense of humor came through from start to finish and she shared her story as if she was sitting alone in the room with me while we sipped cups of coffee and laughed at the absurdity of it all.  She has always been out there, showing the world exactly who she is without apology and I love that. I also loved her sharing honestly whether it put her in a good light or bad light. Most of all I loved her wide range of roles and her fight to take on ones she knew has depth such playing a mother on Queer as Folk.

What I most came away with is the knowledge that no matter what is going on in any moment, whether great highs or great lows, successes or failures, life always moves on. A new day always dawns. And opportunity for a new experience can arrive at in the most unexpected moments. The only thing we can do is embrace what comes and enjoy the ride for what it is.  

An an honest memoir the regularly brought a smile. 

Buy the Book: AmazonCA ~ AmazonUS

Meet the Author - 

Sharon Gless was born into a prominent Hollywood family and always knew she wanted to be an actress. She was an exclusive contract player for Universal Studios from 1972 until 1982, when the studio ended all talent contracts. She was the last contract player in the history of Hollywood. While at Universal, Gless appeared on series such as The Rockford Files; The Bob Newhart Show; and Marcus Welby, MD; among others. In 1982, she accepted the role of Cagney in Cagney & Lacey, eventually winning two Emmy Awards and a Golden Globe Award for Best Leading Actress in a Drama Series. In 2000, Gless started playing Debbie Novotny in Queer as Folk, which ran for five seasons. Since then, she’s starred in Burn Notice, Nip/Tuck, and many other shows, movies, and plays. Gless married Barney Rosenzweig, the Executive Producer of Cagney & Lacey, in 1991. They’ve been together for twenty-seven years. She currently resides both in Los Angeles and on Fisher Island, off the coast of Miami, Florida.

Connect with the Author: Instagram