Dear Cary - Dyan Cannon [132]
I owe so much to many who have passed, and because their spirits live on, I feel it appropriate to mention them: Mom and Dad, for what is obvious if you have read this far—simply the best parents in the universe, who loved me unconditionally in spite of my many imperfections; Jackie Onassis, for her unflagging belief in women in general and me in particular; my dear Vince, not only for rescuing me the night I went wandering but for the managerial protection, love, and abiding guidance I received from him on a daily basis; Hal Gefsky, who, along with Addie, is still one of the best agents ever—he remains the kindest man I’ve ever known; Mary Gries, for taking me in, physically and emotionally; and Audrey Hepburn, for her friendship and generosity of spirit.
You may think me silly (though you might be too), but I would like to thank Juanitacita Carmelita Lomalinda Tralala Cohen (JC for short) and Matilda, who respectively are three- and four-pound Chihuahuas, for the never-ending joy they provide.
To my friend Martin Booe . . . I want to thank you for rescuing me and helping me to turn the impossible into the possible, and in so doing forging the deepest of bonds. This book would not have been possible without you and for that and so many things, I love you!
And finally, thank you to all the guys I’ve ever dated who’ve helped me sort out what I wanted from what I didn’t want.
Photo Section
SSPL/Getty Images
Me at age two, with Daddy and my best friend, Butch.
Family portrait: Mom, Dad, brother David, and me at fifteen.
My first public performance at age five—tap-dancing. Mom made my glamorous outfit herself. Performing was already in my blood.
Headshots are every actor’s calling card, and these are a few early ones.
You’ve got to love the tragic “Joan of Arc” pose!
With Bangs, my beloved Yorkshire terrier, who traveled everywhere with me.
From left: My agents Hal Gefsky and Addie Gould, me, and Hal’s mother . . . all decked out for a movie premiere.
Publicity shot for the 1961 series Malibu Run, the show that Cary happened to be watching when he first caught sight of me.
A shot from my starring role in Full Circle, the hit CBS soap opera.
Aloha! A snap from a Hawaiian-themed party Cary and I attended during our first year of dating.
Cary, me, Mom, and Dad, posing for a pre-wedding shot.
Exhale! Me, relaxing after Cary and I cleared the air minutes before the wedding.
You may kiss the bride! Cary’s attorney Stanley Fox stands at left. Addie Gould, my agent and best friend, right.
Yahoo! And baby makes three. Our daughter, Jennifer, was born on February 26, 1966.
With Jennifer, the love of my life.
Daddy Cary with his Baby Jen.
One thing we always agreed on: Our baby was the most beautiful baby in the world!
Philippe Halsman/Magnum Photos
Momma Dyan with her Baby Jen.
Family playtime.
Celebrating our daughter in Bristol.
Manchester Daily Express/Getty Images
Bon voyage! On our way to England to introduce Jennifer to Elsie, Cary’s mother.
Cary and the apple of his eye.
“Can you please give it a little more gas, Dyan?” I never took to horse riding quite like Cary did. At left is our friend, the journalist Roddy Mann.
Frank Sinatra’s weekend soirée for Rosalind Russell. Twenty-five thousand dollars is still a lot of money for a party, but the same affair today could have cost as much as a quarter-million dollars.
Loving life.
Malibu days.
Three generations: Me, Mom, and Jennifer. I finally let my naturally curly hair do its own thing!
With my dad, Ben Friesen, at a party in Hawaii. People see this picture and think it’s me with Cary. Hmmm, I wonder why . . .
Above: Poolside with my grown-up baby.
Joyce Ostin
My amazing brother, David Friesen, extraordinary bassist, known all over the world for his musical compositions.
Mom and Dad.
With Elliott Gould (left) and New York mayor John Lindsay at the premiere of Bob & Carol & Ted & Alice.
Finally moving to my own beat.
With Magic Johnson, the greatest