Starmaker

Hollywood public relations man Bernstein (who died in 2006) here recounts his experiences promoting celebrities and launching star trajectories. Completely involved with his profession, he shares the highs and lows of his life's work. He worked with the Rat Pack—Frank Sinatra was "terrible," and Sammy Davis Jr. affable—and the success of Farrah Fawcett and Suzanne Somers are among the highlights of his career. He pays particular attention to Fawcett, who was catapulted to fame with her swimsuit poster and Charlie's Angels. Bernstein shares his war stories in a relaxed style as if we've met him for lunch. He had various axes to grind (the firings of the title) and can seem a bit catty. An old-school type who enjoyed his run while it lasted, he also promoted Linda Evans in Dynasty and got the legs of Entertainment Tonight's Mary Hart insured by Lloyds for a million.