X Child Stars: Where Are They Now?

by Kathy Garver film, TV, and stage star (Cissy on the classic Family Affair TV series); author, The Family A, Fred Ascher

Overview

This enlightening book is the go-to guide for fans for biographical information, rare photos, and interesting trivia about their favorite child stars, shows, series, networks, and the times that defined the shows. Spanning forty years of television history, this book details both the success stories and misfortunes of many child stars. Included in this book are the stories of Anissa Jones, Buffy on Family Affair, who tragically died from a drug overdose at the age of eighteen, as well as Ron Howard, who starred in both The Andy Griffith Show and Happy Days, and who later became an Academy Award–winning director. A child star herself, Kathy Garver profiles these and other legends of classic television in a book that will answer the question: Where are they now?

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781630761134
Publisher:	Taylor Trade Publishing
Publication date:	04/15/2016
Pages:	368
Product dimensions:	7.20(w) x 10.00(h) x 1.20(d)

About the Author

Best known for her iconic portrayal of Cissy in the long-running classic TV series Family Affair, Kathy Garver has garnered many accolades in film, stage, TV, radio, and voice-over. An ex–child star whose career first took flight with the legendary filmmaker Cecil B. DeMille, she is an accomplished and versatile actress and performer. Kathy is also a UCLA graduate, attended London’s prestigious Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, and is noteworthy for her award-winning talents. She is a motivational speaker and the author of two previous critically acclaimed and best-selling books. Kathy lives near San Francisco with her family and dog, Coco. One of the original latchkey kids of the 1970s, Knoxville native Fred Ascher’s love of television—and appreciation of the child stars who formed the foundation of so many shows—only grew after he graduated from the University of Tennessee and settled in Southern California. Like so many kids growing up during the ‘70s, a time when Mom joined Dad in the workforce during the afternoons, Fred found solace in reruns of time-proven sitcoms and family dramas. For many years after college, Fred worked in the cruise industry before becoming a successful fundraiser at two of the world’s most prestigious cancer hospitals. Today, Fred is a publicist who represents a number of celebrities while also working to develop talented young people into industry professionals. Writing X Child Stars with Kathy Garver is the culmination of a lifetime working with important people for important causes. Fred sees our child stars as an integral part of our nation’s tapestry, no less so than other cultural milestones. “They are our national treasures,” he says, “and with X Child Stars, Kathy and I show the reader why this is true.”

Editorial Reviews

"A fun and informative read for people interested in the diverse lives and careers of the child stars they grew up with in their living rooms on television!" -Jerry Mathers, Theodore "Beaver" Cleaver on Leave It to Beaver

Jerry Mathers

"Kathy Garver brings her unparalleled voice of authority to her latest work, on which she now teams with top-notch entertainment historian Fred Ascher.  Based on exclusive interviews with some of Hollywood's finest, combined with Garver's keen life insight and career experience, and Ascher's enthusiasm, X Child Stars: Where Are They Now? delivers on so many media levels."         - Herbie J Pilato, Founder & Executive Director, The Classic TV Preservation Society

Herbie J Pilato

I've known Kathy decades.  She's an accomplished actress and writer.   Nobody better qualified to write a book such as this! -Barry Livingston, Ernie on My Three Sons, Author of The Importance of Being Ernest  

Barry Livingston

"Being a child star in Hollywood can be a wonderful experience but it can also be disastrous for some. Fame, money, and being pampered at every turn can turn little actors into little brats and worse. In my experience having the support of a loving family is what thankfully kept me grounded along with many fine young actors with whom I worked. But there was also a darker side for some that weren't so lucky. Kathy's excellent and revealing book tells it all." -Sherry Alberoni, Mousketeer Sherry on the Mickey Mouse Club

Sherry Alberoni

This reference paints 1950s- to 1980s-era child actors as those who “were there for us in our otherwise empty house” during the birth of the latchkey-kid generation. Entries feature child actors from notable series, such as Butch Patrick, from The Munsters, and Kathy Garver (the book’s coauthor), from Family Affair. The book is arranged in date order by TV show. Each entry includes air dates and network information as well as a brief biography on each child star. The profiles capture career successes and/or misfortunes and lead to the actors’ present-day careers and family lives. The text is peppered with a few cast photos. The decades of coverage here will make this work appealing to audiences ranging from late boomers to Gen Xers.

Booklist

In the 1960's & 1970's I wasn't just a kid on TV, I was a kid watching TV. When people ask me questions about my child acting experiences, they also frequently ask me 'Whatever happened to..' other child stars. My friend Kathy Garver has written this excellent book to answer those compelling questions. -Erin Murphy, Tabitha, from the TV series Bewitched

Erin Murphy

Growing up in the spotlight as a Child Star is a relatively exclusive club whose members can appreciate its many privileges and challenges. Kathy Garver approaches this subject with insight and experience. -Barry Williams, Greg Brady from the TV series The Brady Bunch; Producer, 70s Music Celebration!  

Barry Williams

Whenever I'm watching an old movie or TV show, I'm always curious about the kid actors: who they are; what else they did; and, of course, how they ended up. Thanks to X Child Stars, my head-banging days are over! No more fruitless internet searches or sleepless nights! This is a virtual encyclopedia of names from obscure to headliner. I keep it right next to my remote. -Jon Provost, X child star best known as Timmy from Lassie

Jon Provost

Kathy's book is compelling, inspiring, shocking, sensitive and my bible for those many times I wonder, 'Whatever happened to that child star and how or why did they wind up where they did?' Kathy Garver is genius in telling their tales, and revealing the secrets she has discovered about these young actors. Where has this book been all my life? -Susie Mains, renowned expert on child stars and celebrity children

Susie Mains

This reference paints 1950s- to 1980s-era child actors as those who “were there for us in our otherwise empty house” during the birth of the latchkey-kid generation. Entries feature child actors from notable series, such as Butch Patrick, from The Munsters, and Kathy Garver (the book’s coauthor), from Family
Affair. The book is arranged in date order by TV show. Each entry includes air dates and network information as well as a brief biography on each child star. The profiles capture career successes and/or misfortunes and lead to the actors’ present-day careers and family lives. The text is peppered with a few cast photos. The decades of coverage here will make this work appealing to audiences ranging from late boomers to Gen Xers.

Booklist