Interview: Mariette Hartley On Breaking The Silence About Addiction And Suicide

By Stacey Gualandi

Twitter: @afspnational

It has been 21 years since actress and author Mariette Hartley wrote her memoir, “Breaking the Silence.”  It was a runaway national bestseller.  It opened old wounds, revealed family secrets, and brought taboo subjects to the forefront with her usual candor and endless sense of humor.

Now through the benefit of self publishing, Mariette has re-issued her breakthrough celebrity tell-all.  Back is the frank discussion of growing up in a family filled with alcoholism, abuse and suicide.

She also shares the backstage triumphs and pitfalls of a life lived on the Hollywood stage, and in the spotlight.

I was always a huge fan of this Emmy-winning actress, morning TV host and Polaroid pitchwoman, and wanted to know where she is now.

I was honored to talk with her recently and to find out why she decided to re-release her memoir, whether she still wants to act and if there is life – and sex – after 65.

Check out the podcast of our interview on The Women’s Eye Radio Show.

The American Foundation of Suicide Prevention Walk in Santa Monica, CA takes place on October 22, 2011… 

Debbie Reynolds Auctions Her Priceless Hollywood Memorabilia

Debbie Reynolds and the 1918 Laurel & Hardy Model T--winning bid $35,000

Photos of auction and story by Stacey Gualandi

TWITTER:  DebbieReynolds1

UPDATE 6/19/11:  Results are in.  The auction raised a world record breaking  $22.8 million before fees and taxes.  Debbie’s next auction with more items from her collection will be December 3.

Marilyn Monroe’s “subway” dress went for a rousing $4.6 million.  The Audrey Hepburn “My Fair Lady” gown was sold at $3.7 million. 

We’ve posted the selling amounts for items we have shown.  You can visit icollector.com for all the winning bids.  A lock of Mary Pickford’s hair fetched $3500, Rudolph Valentino’s matador outfit $210,000.  Charlton Heston’s tunic and cape from “Judah Ben Hur” was bought for $320,000.

It’s a sight to be seen.  A literal step back in time through Hollywood’s Golden Age.   There are costumes from The Sound of Music and Casablanca; Charlie Chaplin’s bowler hat; even Ingrid Bergman’s Joan of Arc suit of armor… every piece extremely valuable and exquisitely preserved.

This one-of-a-kind Hollywood collection belongs to film legend Debbie Reynolds, and is now on display at The Paley Center for Media in Beverly Hills before it will all be auctioned off Saturday.

As I walked through, smiling from ear to ear, it felt like a museum:  to my left, Marilyn Monroe’s iconic “subway” dress from 1955’s The Seven Year Itch…to my right, the riding suit made famous by a teenage Elizabeth Taylor in 1944’s  National Velvet.   And more.  Wait ’til you see…