An Intimate Portrait

Dudley Moore

Intimate biography of the last days of Dudley Moore, comic genius and concert pianist

A wonderful memoir ... shot through with raw pain, blasted hopes and self-recrminination ... and yes, there are moments of laugh-out-loud humour

The woman who shared his final days reveals the tragic truth about Dudley Moore

An essential read for anyone who had fallen beneath the charm of Moore ... a unique glimpse into the torments and pleasure of a man whose talents would slowly be taken away by the hand of illness.

Rena and her family supported and cared for Dudley until his death ... a moving account of the friendship

Revealing biography of a multi-talented funnyman by a close friend who helped him in his final years

What happened to Moore is all here in harrowing detail

There are moments of laugh-out-loud humour

Rena Fruchter reveals the untold story in a loving but unflinching portrait

The generosity of the family, especially Rena's long-suffering husband Brian, is deeply moving

An unabashed eulogy to a man she was evidently devoted to

Clearly Fruchter had a huge affection for Moore but she knew his shortcomings

An intelligent, honest and moving portrait

The answers are all here, neatly scattered through this mercifully mid-sized biog. Rena Fruchter, herself blessed with comedic skills, delivers you the Dud she knew

An honest and moving account of his later years

Rena Fruchter is a classical concert pianist and one-time music journalist. She toured with Dudley Moore and also recorded several classical albums with him. In the last decade of his life she became his closest friend and confidante, and it was in Rena and her family's care that Dudley spent his last months.

Rena Fruchter was Dudley's concert piano partner, and the friend who looked after him in the final years of his life until his death at the age of 66. This is her intimate portrait of the extraordinarily brilliant, complex character that was Dudley Moore. 
 
During the last ten years of his life Dudley changed. He stepped off the podium and into real life. Physically life was difficult, professionally it was turbulent, but during his final years he blossomed, and in the midst of his illness from the debilitating effects of Progressive Supranuclear Palsy, he found peace. 
 
Rena writes beautifully of Dudley's final years but also takes us back through his life story - conveying his inimitable talent, humour and vibrancy; evoking the atmosphere of a working-class upbringing in 1940s Britain, life in 1950s London and his relationship with Peter Cook, and the excesses of 1980s LA. With style and precision she unravels his personality, looks back at his childhood and career, weaving a moving and compelling story of a unique man.

Rena Fruchter

Chevy Chase is a much-loved Hollywood star. His success as a writer and actor on Saturday Night Live in the 70s made him a household name. 
 
It had been a long, hard route to the top for Chevy. Behind the fame lay a childhood riddled with abuse. But his remarkable strength and determination helped him rise above it and find his talent as an actor, writer, comedian, and musician. 
 
Best known for his role in the National Lampoon Vacation series Chevy has starred in some of the greatest comedies of our time. His latest film, Funny Money, received critical acclaim at the Sarasota Film Festival. 
 
Now, for the first time, Chevy speaks openly and candidly about his career, his personal struggle with drugs, his friendship with three American Presidents, and his family life. 
 
Honest, funny and informative, this is the complex and fascinating world of Chevy Chase.

Rena Fruchter

Books by Rena Fruchter

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