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•   25 best celebrity autobiographies to read right now

25 best celebrity autobiographies to read right now

Discover the true stories behind these famous faces. .

Whether it be a comedian, singer, actor or athlete, celebrity autobiographies give us facinating insight into the glitz and glamour (or not!) of some of the world’s most renowned personalities. But the best celebrity autobiographies provide raw, unfiltered narratives that look beyond the red carpet façade and into the real lives of their authors. From Elton John to Louis Theroux, here are our favourites. 

by Rick Astley

"Never Gonna Give You Up" catapulted Rick Astley to fame and transformed his life forever. Now, he tells his story in his own words. At nineteen, he signed with Pete Waterman of Stock Aitken Waterman, leading him to global fame, platinum albums, and world tours. But at 27, Rick left the industry at the peak of his success to deal with the fame and pressure, as well as his complex family dynamics. A break from music allowed for reflection, therapy, and eventually, a comeback. Never is an intimate exploration of Rick Astley's journey, combining nostalgia, humor, and the astounding power of contentment.

From Here to the Great Unknown: A Memoir

By lisa marie presley.

In 2022, Lisa Marie Presley asked her daughter, Riley, to help complete her long-awaited memoir. A month later, Lisa Marie passed away. Riley, determined to fulfill her mother's wish, listened to tapes Lisa Marie had recorded, recounting vivid and emotional memories: joyful moments at Graceland, the love and loss of her father, tumultuous school years, her relationships with Danny Keough and Michael Jackson, the struggles of motherhood, addiction, and enduring grief.  From   Here to the Great Unknown  is a poignant and revealing memoir, blending Lisa Marie’s and Riley’s voices to share a deeply personal journey of love and healing.

by Chris Kamara

One of the most well-known faces of the beautiful game, Chris ‘Kammy’ Kamara is a national treasure. Now, he’s sharing the story of his incredible life. From his days in the Royal Navy and a playing career that took him all over England to becoming one of the game’s best-loved commentators, Kammy lifts the lid on a career that he could never have dreamt of growing up in Middlesbrough. Told with unflinching honesty, but with his trademark humour and positivity, this is a must-read for any football fan.

A Life Reimagined

By jill halfpenny.

In A Life Reimagined , Jill shares her heart-wrenching journey of navigating profound grief twice over, first losing her father at age four, and then her husband in her adult life. These two tragic events frame Jill’s story as she explores how she processed her grief in unexpected and unusual ways. But this book is more than Jill's story; it's also a beacon of hope and a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and a space to share what she has learnt – both about herself and about how we view grief as a society – in the hope that she can help others.

by Adrian Edmondson

Ade Edmondson smashed onto the comedy circuit in the 1980s and brought anarchy to stage and screen. How did a child brought up in a strict Methodist household – and who spent his formative years incarcerated in repressive boarding schools – end up joining the revolution? Well, he is part Norse. Could it be his ‘berserker’ heritage? His star-studded anecdotes and outrageous stories are set to a soundtrack of pop hits, transporting the reader through time and cranking up the nostalgia. But, as one would expect, these stories are also a guaranteed laugh as Ade traces his journey through life and comedy. 

Being Henry

By henry winkler.

Beloved by generations for his charm and humour, actor Henry Winkler is best known to many as ‘The Fonz’, the star of cult 70s sitcom Happy Days. Now, for the first time, he shares the story of how he made it to Hollywood against the odds in his autobiography, Being Henry . From a difficult childhood and battling severe dyslexia to the pressures and problems that overnight stardom can bring, Winkler’s trademark wit and positivity shine through. As much a story of the importance of kindness as it is one of fame, this book would make a brilliant gift for fans of all ages. 

When Fury Takes Over

By john fury.

John Fury is a fighter, a family man, and a traveller at heart. Born to a long line of bare-knuckle fighters, he was destined to follow in their footsteps and into the ring. Now, John Fury, the father of six sons, including British heavyweight champion and star of At Home With the Furys, Tyson Fury, is setting the record straight on his extraordinary life. From serving time in Borstal and his struggles with depression, to conquering the boxing ring and buying a home of his own, this is John Fury's story in his own words.

by Elton John

The first and only official autobiography by one of the most iconic singer-songwriters of all time, Me packs a significant punch. Elton evocatively describes his childhood in the London suburbs when he dreamed of becoming a pop star; his drug addiction, kept secret for over a decade; and finally, what it was like to come clean, find love with David Furnish and become a father. Among the brave confessions and frank revelations are glimpses into the glittering, electric, star-spangled world of the music industry, making this wonderful book a source of escapism as well as inspiration.

Gotta Get Theroux This

By louis theroux.

Renowned for exposing the inner lives of controversial groups and characters on screen, Louis Theroux has also turned his hand to paper to reveal his own story. Theroux has tackled big subjects: scientology, prison gang culture and US militias to name a few. But what has made him a national treasure is his ability to tell these stories with wry observation and self-deprecating humour. The same is true of Gotta Get Theroux This – we learn of the highs and lows of Louis' career, but he also candidly reveals snapshots of his personal life including his anxiety-prone childhood, wooing his wife Nancy, and his struggles grappling with the Jimmy Savile revelations. 

Beyond the Story

Published in celebration of their 10th anniversary, this is the BTS's first official book , including unreleased photos, QR codes of videos and other exclusive content. Through in-depth interviews and years of coverage by Myeongseok Kang, the world of K-pop comes alive. As digital artists, BTS has been communicating with the world through the internet and this book allows readers to immediately access trailers, music videos, and more online to have a rich understanding of all the key moments in BTS history. Complete with a timeline of all major milestones,  Beyond the Story is a remarkable archive — truly everything about BTS in one volume.

More Myself

By alicia keys.

One of the most celebrated musicians of our time, Alicia Keys has enraptured the nation with her heartfelt lyrics, extraordinary vocal range, and soul-stirring piano compositions. Yet away from the spotlight, Alicia has grappled with private heartache over the challenging relationship with her father, her people-pleasing nature, the loss of privacy surrounding her romantic relationships, and the expectations of female perfection. Part autobiography, part narrative documentary, this is a book that asks big questions: who am I, really? And once I discover that truth, how can I become brave enough to embrace it?

I Wanna Be Yours

By john cooper clarke.

John Cooper Clarke is a phenomenon: Poet Laureate of Punk, rock star, fashion icon, TV and radio presenter, and cultural commentator. I Wanna Be Yours covers an extraordinary life, filled with remarkable personalities. Interspersed with stories of his rock and roll and performing career, John also reveals his boggling encyclopaedic take on popular culture over the centuries: from Baudelaire and Edgar Allan Poe to Pop Art, pop music, the movies, fashion, football and showbusiness – and much, much more, plus a few laughs along the way. This is a memoir as wry, funny and vivid as its inimitable subject himself. 

On Days Like These

By martin o'neill.

Martin O’Neill has had one of the most incredible careers in football – winning European Cups, captaining his country at a World Cup, and decades as a hugely successful manager.  On Days Like These  tells his fascinating story in his own words for the first time. We get insight into the exhilarating highs and painful lows of the beautiful game, written with his trademark honesty and humour. This is one of the most insightful and captivating sports autobiographies and a must-read for any fans of the beautiful game.

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What are you doing here, by floella benjamin.

Actress, television presenter, and member of the House of Lords – Baroness Floella Benjamin is an inspiration to many. But it hasn't always been easy: in What Are You Doing Here?  she describes her journey to London as part of the Windrush generation, and the daily racism that caused her so much pain as a child. In adulthood, she went on to win a role in the groundbreaking musical  Hair, call for diversity at the BBC and BAFTA, and much more. Sharing the lessons she has learned, imbued with her joy and positivity, this autobiography is the moving testimony of a remarkable woman.

Cheers, Geoff!

By geoff shreeves.

There are just a handful of people who have been ever-present for the thirty years of the Premier League, but only one person has been at the very epicentre for the entire period: Geoff Shreeves. Packed full of hilarious stories on and off the pitch – including trying to teach Sir Michael Caine how to act, a frightening encounter with Mike Tyson, as well as getting a lift home from the World Cup with Mick Jagger –  Cheers, Geoff!  is a must-read autobiography for any football fan. A natural storyteller, Geoff brings an astonishing catalogue of tales to life with his unique brand of experience, insight and humour.

The 50 best autobiographies & biographies of all time

A funny life, by michael mcintyre.

Comic Michael McIntyre specialises in pin-sharp observational routines that have made him the world's bestselling funnyman. Michael’s first book ended with his big break at the 2006 Royal Variety Performance. Waking up the next morning in the tiny rented flat he shared with his wife Kitty and their one-year-old son, he was beyond excited about the new glamorous world of show business. Unfortunately, he was also clueless . . . This bracingly honest memoir covers the highs, lows and pratfalls of a career in comedy, as Michael climbs the greasy pole of success and desperately attempts to stay up there. 

Too Many Reasons to Live

By rob burrow.

Perhaps the most inspiring celebrity autobiography on this list, Too Many Reasons to Live follows rugby league legend Rob Burrow on his career, his friendship with fellow Rhino Kevin Sinfield, and his battle with motor neurone disease. As a boy, Rob was told he was too small to play the sport. Even when he made his debut for Leeds Rhinos, people wrote him off as a novelty. But Rob never stopped proving people wrong. And then in December 2019, Rob was diagnosed with motor neurone disease and given a couple of years to live. Far more than a sports memoir,  Too Many Reasons to Live  is a remarkable story of boundless courage and infinite kindness.

With You Every Step, a celebration of friendship by Rob Burrow and Kevin Sinfield

Scenes from my life, by michael k. williams.

When Michael K. Williams died in September 2021, he left behind a career as one of the most electrifying actors of his generation. At the time of his death, Williams had nearly finished his memoir, which traces his life from his childhood and his early years as a dancer to his battles with addiction. Alongside his achievements on screen he was a committed activist who dedicated his life to helping at-risk young people find their voice and carve out their future. Imbued with poignance and raw honesty,  Scenes from My Life  is the story of a performer who gave his all to everything he did – in his own voice, in his own words.

by Elliot Page

Pageboy  is a groundbreaking coming-of-age memoir from the Academy Award-nominated actor Elliot Page. Before the world premiere of  Juno  Elliot was on the edge self-discovery. But with  Juno 's massive success and his dreams coming true, Elliot found himself trapped by the spotlight and the pressure to perform was suffocating him. Until enough was enough. From chasing down secret love affairs to battling body image and working through his difficult childhood,  Pageboy  is a beautiful, intimate book about searching for ourselves and our place in the world.

My Thoughts Exactly

By lily allen.

'I am a mother, and I was a wife. I'm also a singer and a songwriter. I have loved and been let down. I've been stalked and assaulted. I am a success and a failure. I've been broken and full of hope. I am all these things and more.' My Thoughts Exactly is Lily Allen's no holds barred account of her life from childhood to stardom. She shares her thoughts and experiences on marriage and divorce, motherhood, the music industry and so much more. Lily Allen is not afraid to admit to getting things wrong – it is this honesty that makes the book so heartbreaking and heartwarming, and everything in between.  

And Away...

By bob mortimer.

National treasure and beloved entertainer, Bob Mortimer, takes us from his childhood in Middlesborough to working as a solicitor in London in his highly acclaimed autobiography. Mortimer’s life was trundling along happily until suddenly in 2015 he was diagnosed with a heart condition that required immediate surgery and forced him to cancel an upcoming tour. The book covers his numerous misadventures along his path to fame but also reflects on more serious themes, making this both one of the most humorous and poignant celebrity memoirs of recent years. 

Greenlights

By matthew mcconaughey.

In this unconventional memoir, the Academy Award-winning actor reflects on his fifty years through life, sharing raucous anecdotes, unconventional wisdom, and hard-earned lessons for a more fulfilling existence. With diaries spanning thirty-five years, he explores triumphs and missteps, joys and sorrows, offering insights on fairness, stress reduction, finding fun, and fostering kindness. Upon revisiting these diaries, he unveils a recurring theme – achieving what he dubs 'catching greenlights,' a state of triumph. It's a narrative of resilience and growth and a celebration of life's diverse hues. 

They Don't Teach This

By eniola aluko.

Shortlisted for the Telegraph Sports Book Awards, They Don't Teach This is the memoir of Eni Aluko. As well as being a successful footballer on the pitch, Eni is also the first female pundit on Match of the Day, a UN Women UK ambassador, a Guardian columnist and a first class law graduate. This memoir is both the story of these extraordinary achievements, and a discussion of dual nationality and identity, race and institutional prejudice, success, failure and faith. It is an inspiring manifesto to change the way readers choose to view the challenges that come in their life applying life lessons with raw truths of Eni's own personal experience.

by Stanley Tucci

Before Stanley Tucci became a household name with  The Devil Wears Prada ,  The Hunger Games , and his legendary Negronis, he grew up in an Italian American family that spent every night around he table. In  Searching For Italy , he revealed his passion for the secrets and delights of the country's many cuisines. Now, he shares the magic of a lifetime of meals, and the stories behind them. Filled with anecdotes about growing up, shooting foodie films like  Julie & Julia , falling in love across the table, and making dinner for his family,  Taste  is a reflection on the joys of food and life itself. 

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41 Celebrity Memoirs That Are Actually Worth Reading

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Anyone who has glanced at a bestseller list lately can tell you that we are in the midst of (yet another?) celebrity memoir boom. From Britney Spears to Prince Harry, it seems like just about everyone is spilling their secrets via book deal —meaning ’tis the season for pages upon pages of Hollywood gossip, rock-and-roll road drama, and the darker sides of show business.

At their best, celebrity memoirs provide unusually candid portraits of the “real person” behind the public persona—and they don’t skimp on the dirty details. At worst, they can be ghostwritten fluff.

 Ahead, Vogue rounds up the best of the genre for your reading pleasure.

The Woman in Me by Britney Spears

Britney Spears

“Emerging from the shadows of a past marked by paparazzi harassment and betrayal by the people she trusted, Britney Spears finally speaks her truth in this highly anticipated—and then much celebrated—memoir. With a blend of deep sincerity and good humor, Spears fearlessly asserts her autonomy, leaving no doubt about who is truly in control of her life.” —Gia Yetikyel

Spare by Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex

Spare by Prince Harry

“Even for those who don’t keep up with the Royal Family, the central themes of grief, love, and creating a home apart from everything you’ve known in Prince Harry ’s shockingly intimate Spare make it a story very much worth reading.” —G.Y.

Paris: The Memoir by Paris Hilton

“ Paris Hilton’s 336-page book takes an in-depth look at the many labels she’s adorned and shed over the decades. Unpacking her childhood, episodes of teenage rebellions, and experience with verbal and physical abuse, she creates a place for readers to understand the origins of her pink paradise—and the strength it took to withstand years of extraordinary public pressure.” —G.Y.

One Life by Megan Rapinoe

“Olympic medalist and two-time Women's World Cup champion Megan Rapinoe shows a whole new side of herself in this memoir, in which she recounts coming out as gay in 2011—well before ‘inclusivity in sports’ was widely discussed, let alone prioritized—as well as her experience of taking a knee alongside former NFL player Colin Kaepernick to protest racial injustice and police brutality. For those who prefer their celebrity memoirs with a side of romance, Rapinoe also dishes on her courtship with now-wife, WNBA champion Sue Bird.” —Emma Specter

Becoming by Michelle Obama

“For months after reading this, I had to stop myself from thinking of Michelle as my friend. After spending a week (or, let’s be honest, an entire weekend under a blanket) reading a celebrity’s memoir, you feel as though you’ve spent time with them. It makes them more accessible and reminds you that at the end of the day, everyone is still human. I’m coming to grips with the fact that Michelle Obama is not actually my friend Michelle, but Becoming is still one of the best books I’ve read.” —Grace Atwood, founder of TheStripe.com

I’m Glad My Mom Died by Jennette McCurdy  

I'm Glad My Mom Died by Jennette McCurdy

“This bestselling memoir is hardly lighthearted fare, revolving as it does around child star McCurdy’s years of physical and emotional abuse at the hands of her fame-obsessed mother, but the rush to purchase it was no empty fanfare; it really is that good.” —E.S.

Save Me the Plums by Ruth Reichl

“Whether you’re a fan of food, legacy media gossip, or writer Ruth Reichl herself, you'll find plenty to dine out on in this account of Reichl’s time serving as the editor-in-chief of the now-defunct Gourmet magazine. Reichl freely admits that the glamorous world of New York publishing was a new one to her at the start of her Gourmet tenure, but I think it’s safe to say we could use a little more of her independence, irreverence and commitment to genuine creativity in the industry. (Bonus: her descriptions of meals are effortlessly mouth-watering, so make sure to eat with a delicious snack at the ready.)” —E.S.

The Vanity Fair Diaries by Tina Brown

“Perhaps more of a memoir of brushes with celebrity than actual celebrity memoir, Tina Brown’s Vanity Fair Diaries is nonetheless a phenomenal read, for the journalism nerd or anyone else who is interested in the inner workings of glossy magazine-making in its heyday. The book recounts the British editor's years as the editor in chief of the storied magazine, the feathers she unapologetically ruffled in pursuit of a more lively publication (the rates she paid Martin Amis for a single story would make a 2020s editor swoon!), the glamor of the gig, the grind of being a working mother. Brown kept meticulous notes when she occupied this role, and it shows; this is a book in which the delicious dirt is in the details.” —Chloe Schama

My Name Is Barbra by Barbra Streisand

My Name Is Barbra

“Ruminative and dishy, funny and smart, Barbra Streisand’s nearly 1,000-page memoir deftly captures the voice that first bewitched American audiences in the early 1960s—plus her weird dynamic with Marlon Brando, the nightmare of making Yentl with Mandy Patinkin, her lifelong fondness for baked potatoes, and other delicious bits.” —Marley Marius

Love, Pamela: A Memoir of Prose, Poetry, and Truth by Pamela Anderson

“With Pamela Anderson’s memoir, readers meet the woman behind the va-va-voom persona—she is, in fact, just a shy girl from Vancouver Island—through childhood memories and reflections on pursuing her dreams. Blending prose and poetry, it’s a refreshing and empowering read.” —G.Y.

Bossypants by Tina Fey

“If you haven’t read Fey’s 2011 memoir yet, you’re sleeping at the wheel. It follows her journey to stardom and is filled with amazing behind-the-scenes stories from her time on Saturday Night Live . Candid, self-deprecating, funny (duh): the perfect before-bed read.” —Christian Allaire

Just the Funny Parts by Nell Scovell

“The second female Letterman writer and creator of Sabrina the Teenage Witch , Scovell brings all the humor of Bossypants but with the added bite of coming up in the mighty sexist man’s world of TV. Scovell names names and calls it like she sees it.” —Michelle Ruiz, Vogue.com contributing editor

Fresh Off the Boat by Eddie Huang

“This memoir by the celebrity chef behind New York’s Baohaus inspired the ABC show of the same name—but the book version is far less fuzzy. Huang gives an unapologetically real look at his upbringing in a hardworking and often strict Chinese-American family. And his sumptuous descriptions of food make you really, really hungry.” —M.R.

Finding Me by Viola Davis

“A Rhode Island childhood marked by trauma and abuse gives way to an adulthood in the spotlight as one of the most recognizable actresses in Hollywood, and Davis relays the topsy-turviness of her life’s circumstances with a compelling mix of emotional honesty and grace.” —E.S.

Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? by Mindy Kaling

“Mindy Kaling holds a rarefied position in Hollywood these days, but the writer, actress and director's bestselling 2011 memoir proves that her ascent to the top wasn’t always an easy one. In Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? , Kaling recounts her growth from the shy, bookish child of immigrants to off-Broadway sensation to the youngest writer on the staff of the hit NBC sitcom The Office ; what’s most notable about the memoir, though, is the way Kaling's singular voice shines through, lending even the wildest of L.A. tales a crucial degree of relatability.” —E.S.

Open Book by Jessica Simpson

“I went into Open Book expecting a light, fun read from one of my favorite reality stars (remember Newlyweds ?) of all time—instead, I was blown away by an honest, funny, and touching memoir, which is so rarely the case with celebrity ‘tell-alls.’ Simpson candidly discusses her recovery journey after years of struggling with drugs and alcohol abuse; she also examines the darker side of her early-fame days as a singer, when she was constantly—and at times, brutally—compared to her counterparts like Britney Spears or Christina Aguilera. It was my favorite book of 2020, and I recommend it to any pop culture fan, Simpson fans or not.” —C.A.

This Will Only Hurt a Little by Busy Philipps

“A pitch-perfect example of the genre, Philipps serves up a funny and unflinching look at being a woman in Hollywood. She dives into her days as a Barbie spokes-kid and, bravely, her abortion as a teen, before moving on to her best friendship with Michelle Williams, details of James Franco’s douchey-ness on Freaks and Geeks , and struggles in her marriage. The best celebrity memoirs are as unsparingly honest as Philipps’ is.” —M.R.

Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing: A Memoir by Matthew Perry

“In his book, the late actor delves into his early life and rise to fame amidst an intense struggle with drug and alcohol addiction. Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing is written in such a way that you can imagine Perry speaking it to you—his voice is comforting, heartbreaking, and oh-so-familiar to the many of us who grew up watching him in the 1990s and early 2000s.” —G.Y.

Life by Keith Richards

“You might not think of Keith Richards as an elegant truth-teller, but his Life is a bracing tonic—straightforward but exciting, glamorous but heartfelt. I’m not a regular rock memoir reader, but this is a book that transcends whatever you might think the genre entails. Just go along with the music and don’t think too hard about it.” —Chloe Schama

You’ll Never Eat Lunch in This Town Again by Julia Phillips

“Not sure she’s a straight-up A-list celeb, but Phillips made the A-list celebs. The Hollywood producer’s story is so full of wild pleasures and OMG moments that it’s easy to overlook the sheer brilliance that’s on offer.” —Lauren Mechling, Vogue contributor and author of How Could She

Horror Stories by Liz Phair

“The first of a planned two-part set (the second of which will be titled Fairy Tales ), Horror Stories is less of a traditional memoir and more of a series of vignettes that tackle some of the ‘small indignities that we all suffer daily, the silent insults to our system, the callous gestures that we make toward one another.’ Most of us won’t suffer the indignities of an anesthesiologist asking for our autograph during labor (we’re not all Gen X rock stars, after all), but we can wince at the, yes, horror, and relate to the rest of Phair’s not-so-tall tales .” —Danny Feekes, former managing editor at Goodreads

The Storyteller: Tales of Life and Music by Dave Grohl

“Not to stereotype straight white men over 30, but all the ones I know happen to love Dave Grohl, making this memoir—which focuses on the Nirvana and Foo Fighter musician’s years on the road—an absolutely smashing birthday or holiday gift when another coffee mug just won’t do.” —E.S.

Open by Andre Agassi

Open: An Autobiography by Andre Agassi

“We’ve all read (or carefully avoided) the triumphal sports-star memoir: The thousands of solitary hours spent in pursuit of excellence while stoically avoiding everything else, leading up to that magical breakthrough when everything was deemed to be Worth It. This isn’t that memoir: Agassi, arguably the best player of his generation and certainly the flashiest and most-visible, is remarkably frank here about how much he seemed to loathe the entire experience, which was foisted on him by a kind of ur-Tennis Dad. Thankfully, we also get the other side of that: A late- career resurgence, followed by a blissful second marriage and a philanthropic turn that’s both heartfelt and, for the underprivileged children it focuses on, life-changing. For the king of neon and acid-washed jeans who became even more famous for saying ‘image is everything,’ this book is a tragic opera with a happy ending.” —Corey Seymour

Dear Mr. You by Mary Louise Parker

"Parker’s 2015 memoir has really stayed with me. Written as a series of letters to men she’s encountered, imagined, or loved, it’s a formal experiment, a wonderful portrait of an established artist claiming new territory. She’s not really in the tell-all business, but what she’s written reveals plenty.” —Julia Felsenthal, Vogue contributor

Born a Crime by Trevor Noah

“When Noah was born under apartheid in South Africa, his parents’ interracial union was, literally, a crime, punishable by five years in prison. That’s just the beginning of The Daily Show host’s remarkable story. At turns harrowing and hilarious, it’s perhaps best consumed via audiobook , read by the author.” —M.R.

Greenlights by Matthew McConaughey

“Based on decades’ worth of his own diary entries (which also included poems, photographs, prescriptions, and many, many bumper stickers), Matthew McConaughey’s memoir discusses his personal philosophy for handling life’s challenges, and what it means to keep catching the green lights through hardships.” —G.Y.

Dreams From My Father by Barack Obama

“The world rightfully knows Obama as a brilliant orator. But even before he was president (or even state senator), he wrote the hell out of this 1995 memoir (later re-released to great fanfare) about his upbringing in Hawaii and Kansas; his solitary, scholarly Columbia years; and his distant relationship with his dad. Now I spend my days waiting for his presidential memoir-in-the-works.” —M.R.

Sometimes I Feel Like a Nut by Jill Kargman

“As a fellow native New Yorker and NYC mom, Kargman’s dishing on ‘the city’ has always been hilarious and spot-on, even before her show Odd Mom Out came out. The essays in this book are so Jill : Honest, irreverent, slightly dark. full of curse words—yet imminently likable and, in fact, addictive.” —Zibby Owens, host of the Moms Don’t Have Time to Read Books podcast

The Office BFFs: Tales of The Office from Two Best Friends Who Were There by Jenna Fischer and Angela Kinsey

The Office BFFs: Tales of ‘The Office’ from Two Best Friends Who Were There by Jenna Fischer and and Angela Kinsey

“ The Office stars Jenna Fischer and Angela Kinsey may have been rivals on the show, but in real life, their sweet and silly bestie-dom is contagious, making this recollection of working on one of history’s most popular sitcoms a genuine pleasure to read.” —E.S.

The Dirt by Motley Crue

The Dirt: Confessions of the World's Most Notorious Rock Band by Tommy Lee

“I never thought that one of my favorite books of all time would have a cover featuring a lady in a G-string whose disembodied form we see dancing inside a whiskey bottle. But at least you’ve been warned: What you see is what you get in this group memoir from the glam metal band. The sheer magnitude of debauchery at their peak in the 1980s is too compelling to look away.” —Maris Kreizman, host of The Maris Review podcast

In Pieces by Sally Field

“Sally Field took her sweet time with In Pieces , her first memoir, written over seven years without the assistance of a ghostwriter. To call Field’s writing vulnerable doesn’t give enough credit to the way she recounts with crippling honesty the highs and lows of her personal and professional lives. She’s always been beloved as a performer, but In Pieces shows there’s so much more to admire about Field than the trophies on her mantle.” —Keaton Bell

I.M. by Isaac Mizrahi

“Mizrahi is well-known as a man of many talents, so adding ‘writer’ to the list isn’t a stretch. Still, the quality of his memoir, I.M. , is notable. He talks schmattas and sex with typical sass, but what makes this book memorable is that Mizrahi’s coming-of-age and coming-to-terms tale is bigger than fashion. —Laird Borelli-Persson, Vogue archive editor

Making a Scene by Constance Wu

“Often told that ‘good girls don’t make scenes,’ the TV and film star writes about finding an outlet for her feelings through community theater and how it eventually led to her pursuing an acting career. Authentic and very moving.” —G.Y.

Touched by the Sun: My Friendship With Jackie by Carly Simon

“Simon’s first book, Boys in the Trees , is what all celebrity memoirs should aspire to be, toggling between childhood struggles, musical stardom, and a highly publicized marriage to James Taylor with plenty of wit and revelations sprinkled throughout. Touched by the Sun is more scaled back, focusing on the iconic singer-songwriter’s unlikely but enduring friendship with Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis. Detailing the lunches, movie dates, and nights out on the town that the two women shared before Onassis’s death in 1994, Simon highlights the woman beneath the public persona.” —K.B.

Wildflower by Drew Barrymore

“If you’re a completist, start with Drew’s first memoir, the propulsive Little Girl Lost (out of print but easy to find secondhand), which she wrote when she was 14. It recounts a young Barrymore’s stratospheric rise and quick drug-fueled descent, while Wildflower finds an older, more assured Barrymore looking back at a larger-than-life existence, one in which she emancipated from her parents, forged out on her own, and paved her distinctive path. As Drew writes, “I wanted to rescue myself. And I did.” —D.F.

Dolly: My Life and Other Unfinished Business by Dolly Parton

“Before picking up Dolly Parton, Songteller: My Life in Lyrics , take a peek at Dolly: My Life and Other Unfinished Business from the 1990s. Get to know the rhinestone-studded, smooth-talking country singer as she discusses her personal philosophies, marriage, and her transformation from a music-loving teenager into one of the world’s most iconic women.” —G.Y.

Just Kids by Patti Smith

“Smith’s National Book Award–winning memoir is a portrait of a place and time—New York, Summer of Love—and a love letter to a bygone era that produced two iconoclasts: poet and musician Smith, and late photographer Robert Mapplethorpe. The story follows the duo’s trials and tribulations as they traverse Brooklyn, Coney Island, and Times Square, before settling at the infamous Chelsea Hotel. Smith has said that she didn’t write the book to be cathartic, but to fulfill a vow she made to Mapplethorpe on his deathbed. Ultimately, it’s the reader who reaps the rewards of that request.” —D.F.

Stories I Only Tell My Friends by Rob Lowe

“It’s over 10 years later, and I’m still crushed by Sam Seaborne’s departure from The West Wing , so I couldn’t resist Lowe’s memoir. It’s packed with plenty of sordid stories from his wild days as part of the Brat Pack, but also has so many great behind-the-scenes memories from some of my favorite TV shows and movies. While it probably won’t win a Pulitzer, any fan of ’80s rom-coms will still find this delightful!” —Becca Freeman, co-host of the Bad on Paper podcast

Me by Elton John

“Honest, charming, and all too real, Me follows the extraordinary life of Elton John from his origins in a London suburb to his rise to fame, legendary friendships, struggles with drug addiction, and philanthropy work.” —G.Y.

My Life So Far by Jane Fonda

“I’ve been reading this in fits and starts for about a decade, and I’ve still yet to encounter another life story so dutifully (and beautifully) re-examined. It’s easy to take Fonda’s cool self-assuredness—even in handcuffs!—for granted these days, but before Firebrand Jane there was “plain Jane,” woefully uncomfortable in her skin and desperate for outside validation. To chart her path from then until now (and to think of all that’s still to come) is something I wouldn’t mind doing for another 10 years.” —M.M.

The Princess Diarist by Carrie Fisher

“All three of Fisher’s memoirs reflect her trademark cool demeanor and self-deprecating nature, but her final release is my favorite. The beating heart of the book is the story of teenage Fisher’s secret three-month-long affair with Harrison Ford, then 33 and married with two kids. Fisher was hopelessly, naively in love with him, and Ford took advantage of the situation. You won’t find much behind-the-scenes Star Wars intel, but you will find an honest, painful account of Fisher’s experience as a young woman in love and at the mercy of so many patriarchal forces.” —Cristina Arreola, senior publicity and marketing manager, Sourcebooks

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Will Smith And 10 Other Celebrities With Active, Interesting YouTube Channels

Nowadays, we're seeing more and more vloggers become bonafide celebrities through their popular YouTube channels. So much so that genuine movie stars and TV personalities are not only taking notice and turning themselves into prominent YouTubers as well. The results are... interesting, to say the least. Not every superstar has what it takes to be YouTube famous — surprisingly enough — but there are a handful of famous, popular media personalities who've made the jump into YouTube stardom, including Will Smith . His YouTube channel is just one of several celebrity-made platforms where movie/TV stars produce regular, sometimes even daily, online content for their subscribers. 

These are celebrities with active YouTube accounts.

While Will Smith 's blockbuster status ultimately isn't what it used to be , the world-famous actor/musician remains popular and active through his engaging YouTube account. Whether it's birthday celebrations that involve bungee jumping in the Grand Canyon, celebrity interactions with Liza Koshy, Joyner Lucas, and Larry David (among others), admitting casting decisions he later regretted , or even a colonoscopy video (seriously), Smith will produce content on a monthly, sometimes even weekly, basis for his followers. The results are high-energy and comical, though he'll occasionally get serious when discussing his passions and beliefs . In any case, there's no doubt that when it comes to YouTube, Smith still does things Big Willy Style.

Check Out Will Smith's YouTube Channel here .

An immensely talented, charismatic performer, Jack Black is an actor-musician with outstanding range and a great screen presence, though Black has recently shifted his focus towards making YouTube videos. Specifically, as Jablinkski Games, Black makes game-plays, playing the newest, hottest video games in quick-bite videos. The YouTube page allows Black to reach his audience from the comfort of his home, and it looks like he enjoys that accessibility. Last year, when Jumanji: The Next Level hit theaters, Black claimed that he was retiring from moviemaking to spend more time with his family and working on other projects, including fostering his YouTube channel and new Tenacious D music. It would be a great shame to no longer see Black on the silver screen, but with nearly five million subscribers and counting , Jack Black is definitely gaining a massive YouTube fanbase.

Check Out Jack Black's YouTube Channel here.

Kevin James

Though he's best known for sitcoms like The King of Queens and Kevin Can Wait , as well as movies like Grown Ups 1 & 2, Paul Blart: Mall Cop 1 & 2 , Hitch, and the Hotel Transylvania franchise, Kevin James forged an odd new YouTube career, where he'll regularly post short films that surprisingly aren't always directly comedic. Even some of the intentionally funny videos are more darkly amusing, like the one above. In fact, as Polygon noted , these shorts show a previously-unseen dramatic range for James, suggesting that he might want to venture into more serious projects. They're based on thin premises, like James eagerly waiting for a green light, misreading a hand wave, or spending birthdays by himself, but many carry a sense of melancholy and restraint that was previously unseen from the performer.

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Check Out Kevin James' YouTube Channel here.

Ryan Reynolds

Even though Ryan Reynolds is a world-famous movie star, the actor-producer keeps an active online presence. Much like Deadpool , Reynolds is jokey, fun-loving, and irreverent when it comes to his YouTube account. The actor is more active on the platform whenever there's a movie to promote (makes sense), but he's known to post goofy, genuinely funny videos, including the one seen above, as well as this meta advertisement , which gives the actress at the center of the widely-mocked Peloton ad the redemption she deserves while also peddling out Reynolds' signature gin. While a majority of these videos promote his movies or alcohol brand, they all carry the A-lister's signature cheeky sense of humor. They certainly have more consistent entertainment value than some other celebrity YouTube accounts. Of course, we'd expect nothing less from Reynolds.

Check Out Ryan Reynolds' YouTube Channel here.

Tia Mowry - Tia Mowry's Quick Fix

Better known as one half of the popular sitcom, Sister, Sister , as well as Disney Channel movies like Twitches and Twitches Too , actress Tia Mowry has continued to work as a TV personality, notably in The Game, Instant Mom , and the ongoing Family Reunion , but the former child star has also been building a YouTube presence. Her channel, Tia Mowry's Quick Fix, finds her making food, answering questions, providing updates on her family life, and more. Mowry produces a new video on at least a monthly basis, sometimes weekly, and has gained nearly 718,000 subscribers.

Check Out Tia Mowry's YouTube Channel here .

Russell Brand

An English actor-comedian who came to fame through Forgetting Sarah Marshall, Get Him to the Greek, Hop, Arthur, and the first two Despicable Me movies, Brand shifted his career towards activism and campaigner, and that's more commonly reflected on his YouTube channel. If you go to Brand's YouTube and expect more jokey videos, you'll be disappointed. Brand's YouTube presence focuses on the British comic discussing political and psychological topics, while also exploring religion, neuroscience, mediation, and other heady conversation pieces. The videos can be broad-reaching in their focus, though they showcase Brand's eagerness to explore a variety of dense topics in a thoughtful, mindful way. Brand is also consistent in his content. He'll post more-than-a-few videos a week. Sometimes, he'll post daily. He has amassed more than two million followers.

Check Out Russell Brand 's YouTube Channel here.

The former teen heartthrob who became a household name through his High School Musical role, Efron's adult years have featured a few daring, unconventional career choices , though his YouTube channel is more mainstream. Though he doesn't post as often as some other celebrities on this list, Efron provides celebrity-filled workout tips, as well as taste tests and a few adventure-filled videos. Admittedly, Efron hasn't produced any new content here in five months, though his consistency on YouTube tends to come in waves.

Check Out Zac Efron 's YouTube Channel here.

Gordon Ramsay

A chef, restaurateur, and television personality, Ramsay has juggled several professions throughout his career, which means that his YouTube transition was understandingly swift. Through his account, which welcomes celebrities like Rhonda Rousey, the Bella twins, Steve-O and more, Ramsay is seen making a variety of dishes in a short span of time. There are also comical videos where Rasmay "tries out" for the NFL and indulges in a Christmas-themed road trip. But for the most part, the content is predominately food-based, which makes sense. Though he's known for his temper, Ramsay's videos seem more casual and informative in their approach, garnering him 14-plus million subscribers.

Check Out Gordon Ramsey's YouTube Channel here.

Adam Savage - Adam Savage's Tested

Best known for his long-running Discovery Channel series, MythBusters , Adam Savage's YouTube page is expectedly in a similar vein. The account, which primarily finds Savage working on inventions and gadgets, continues the TV personality's interest in inventions and science, allowing him to continue building/assembling strange and exciting new tech while he providing informative tips and lessons to his nearly five million subscribers. If you enjoyed watching MythBusters , there's a good chance you'll enjoy Savage's YouTube account as well.

Check Out Adam Savage's YouTube Channel here.

Jenna Dewan

A back-up dancer-turned-actress-turned-TV personality, Jenna Dewan has made several career transitions over the years, which might explain how she was comfortably able to become a YouTube star. On her channel, the dancer-actress makes videos that provide viewers with Q&As, tips, dance tutorials, haircare products, personal reflections, and more. The actress had a habit of posting a new video every two weeks in the early days, though she's been less consistent lately. Specifically, it should be noted that Dewan hasn't published a new video in six months, which means she might've moved away from her channel, though Dewan's active presence on the site prior to this extended absence — through which the TV personality gained nearly 500,000 subscribers — suggests she might come back to YouTube later down the road.

Check Out Jenna Dewan's YouTube Channel here.

Madelaine Petsch

Though she's best known for her role on The CW's Riverdale, Madelaine Petsch has also kept a consistent YouTube profile, where she makes make-up tutorials, craft videos, Q&As, hairstyle tips, and more. Similar to the other channels listed above, these various videos give Petsch's followers regular updates on the TV actress, but some of them also give helpful and informative beauty and wellness tips, notably with a few new videos that provide feedback and opportunities for people like herself who are stuck at home, looking for ways to past the time in quarantine.

Check Out Madelaine Petsch's YouTube Channel here.

Who is your favorite celebrity on YouTube? Tell us in the comment section!

Will is an entertainment writer based in Pittsburgh, PA. His writing can also be found in The Playlist, Cut Print Film, We Got This Covered, The Young Folks, Slate and other outlets. He also co-hosts the weekly film/TV podcast Cinemaholics with Jon Negroni and he likes to think he's a professional Garfield enthusiast.

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Queer Makes Drew Starkey a Movie Star. Its Impact on Him Was Even More Profound

“This is my breakfast,” Drew Starkey proclaims as a plate of medium-rare steak and potatoes gets placed in front of him, a near-empty cup of black coffee to its side. He woke up at noon, coming off of a late-night screening of his new movie Queer , for his final day in Toronto. It’s the last meal the 30-year-old star will have before he flies home, taking a pause from the glamorous fall-festival circuit . He’s just walked the same Venice red carpet as Angelina Jolie and Nicole Kidman; he’s newly swept up into the A24 family. Things are moving fast. As he searches for a fork, it’s natural to wonder how he’s taking it all in.

The answer to that is hardly simple, in part because Starkey’s been on a journey of introspection since he was cast in Queer well over a year ago. An adaptation of William S. Burroughs’s semi-autobiographical 1985 novel, the film directed by Luca Guadagnino takes an elliptical approach to the story of a slippery romance between two men in mid-century Mexico City. Lee ( Daniel Craig ) becomes infatuated with a beautiful, enigmatic younger man named Allerton (Starkey), whose sexual proclivities prove maddeningly difficult to read. They become intimate—as captured by Guadagnino in explicit, passionate detail—and eventually travel both around South America and into the depths of their own subconscious (via a trippy ayahuasca sequence). One piece of dialogue, spoken at different points by both of them, haunts their courtship: “I’m not queer, I’m disembodied.”

Starkey references the line at one point over our meal. A feeling of disembodiment rushed up in him about as soon as he finished production on Queer, one of many reasons he’s still processing the film’s impact on him. Its professional impact may be clearer: The star of Netflix’s Outer Banks and teen films like Love, Simon reintroduces himself here with a rich, complex, and brave performance that ought to open new doors. But as we chat, he sounds more interested in the personal doors Allerton may have introduced him to.

At the film’s Toronto premiere the night before our interview, Starkey revealed on stage that Guadagnino first described Allerton to him as a “nasty bitch.” Naturally, we began there.

Vanity Fair: Let’s start with “nasty bitch.” How do you react when you get that description for your character?

Drew Starkey: Luca was being cheeky, but in earlier conversations we had, he talked about Allerton as cold and slippery and very hard to read—and Lee is always trying to put his finger on the pulse or define him in some way. He’s always just out of grasp or just out of reach. There’s a quote that Burroughs had in the original Queer from 1985, one of the last paragraphs. In the sentence, it says something to the effect of, “What happened to that knife called Allerton?” That image was always really an anchor for me. So, a nasty bitch. [ Laughs ]

You’ve talked about how you are still figuring him out.

I’m going to give you a Burroughs quote. For the last few days, I’ve had his quotes in mind.

Just for the last few days?

[ Laughs ] Well, the past year-and-a-half. But he was talking about writing Junkie versus writing Queer. He said that he felt like he was the one writing Junkie but he felt as if Queer was writing him. That kind of mirrored my experience in the filming of it. I felt like I did all my work, and I had to let Allerton lead me—which is so different from the way that I’ve worked in the past. It was a lot of meditating and letting things happen. But it was tough. It was really tough.

What does surrendering to the material feel like?

It feels like you’re holding onto a plane crash. You’re like, “I hope I survive this.” There’s an energy to it. [Costume designer] Jonathan Anderson is a friend of Elton John ’s, who was an incredible help in terms of the wardrobe and what he wears. So much of it was the image of Allerton, what Lee is drawn into and sucked into. That was really a lot of the focus: What’s the silhouette going to be here?

I was going to ask you about the physicality. You move in a very specific, alluring way.

Well, I lost a lot of weight for it. There’s only a few photos of Lewis Marker, who Allerton was based on, but he was very thin. The bodies of that time were not very muscular.

There was just a great essay in The New York Times that touched on that, specifically related to the show Fellow Travelers .

Yeah, I wanted to avoid that. I see it a lot, in a kind of mid-century period setting—because that’s such a modern look. This was about a four-month process of losing about 30 pounds. At first, I stopped eating. Not a great idea. Then I worked with a nutritionist. I got a little bit too skinny at one point and then he was like, “Wait, wait, wait.” But that really did change the way I felt and moved. It felt very natural. And then [Daniel and I] were in, essentially, a dance class with each other. My body felt a lot more fluid and I think that kind of informed my gait. It felt like a lot of outside-in work, which was fun.

You clearly sensed this was a major opportunity. What scared you the most?

Living up to material. I felt a lot of pressure, maybe too much. I was quite nervous, and usually I feel okay. And this was like my heart was racing on the first day. One, Luca and the words of Burroughs, and then Justin Kuritzkes did such an amazing job with [the script]. But then working with Daniel and Lesley [Manville] and Jason [Schwartzman], it was an amazing cast. I felt like I was being found out. I never really had that before.

And given the weight loss, you had a lot of time to think about it before even stepping on that set. Could you think about anything else?

No. I was just engrossed with everything. All my responsibilities went out the window. I mean, every day I woke up and thought about it. It really felt like who I was for a year and a half. I’m not one that can really detach from a role and work in that way. It has to be: Blinders on. I can’t separate.

Everyone’s last day of shooting was the final scene you see in the movie. It was Daniel and me, and it was very emotional on the last day. I never really cry. And I’m crying! Just because it was so—it was so much. It was such a release.

Did you feel generally nervous to do sex scenes as you would be asked to do in this movie?

Not more than any other film, any other sex scene. But there was so much conversation around it, too. Luca made it a point during the first two weeks in Rome, when we had table readings and rehearsals, to separate those and talk about those as their own thing. Get comfortable with it. Daniel and I had been familiar with each other enough that by the time we got there, it felt like any other day.

It, strangely enough, did. There was such a comfort in our bodies. We were really, for months, essentially in a kind of choreographed jujitsu. There was no trepidation. There was no shying away from the nude scenes at all. Dan and I just wanted it to exude a type of truth and normalcy, how two people would be intimate with one another. You don’t want to put anything on top of it. Yeah, so strangely enough, no, it didn’t. It really didn’t.

To your point about the choreography though, there are specific sex scenes that indicate where the characters are in relation to each other, in terms of power and connection. How did you balance the jujitsu you’re talking about with that sense of intimacy?

We would talk with Luca about how he had a picture for it, his ideals for a given scene. We would just walk through it, but then left some freedom to let things happen. That’s the way Luca works in general. He’ll have a specific idea like, “Here’s my idea for what I think it should be, how I think it should be played out.” And then it’s a very intimate, small, closed set. Only the camera operator, Bianca [Butti] was with us. Months prior, of course, that was something that I was weighing like, “Oh, my God”—I was pretty nervous about it. When you read the script and you see the scene, you go like, “Oh, man .” But Luca was very, very particular about, “I will do nothing that you are uncomfortable with.” We had an open dialogue about all that. And Daniel is also such a giving person. He’s a great partner. Once we got into working, all of that was fine.

The final chapter of the film centers on Lee and Allerton doing ayahuasca. Have you done ayahuasca before?

No, but I’m interested. I feel like I’ll know when it’s time to; I don’t think right now is the right time. It hasn’t called to me. But we had some crew who had done ayahuasca and it was a great reference. It was like: “Okay, how did it feel in your body? How did it feel to walk? How nauseous were you?” That part was really fun. Yeah, I’ve never done ayahuasca—yet. But it seems, I don’t know. I certainly have some things that I need to address.

What can you share about that?

This year, I definitely got happier with myself. The past five years or so it’s been fast-paced and always going. Funnily enough, the strike happened and I felt incredibly disembodied. I had nothing to latch on to. I actually thought about Burroughs in that time, and his relationship with what he calls the ugly spirit. It’s this version of yourself that only wants to destroy, and how to make destruction your friend. I really did a lot of soul-searching, because we finished right before the strike happened. It was like boom-boom—I had this very intense, beautiful, creative kind of experience, and then nothing. I was a little mad.

Did you feel like work was important to keeping those feelings at bay?

Yeah, and maybe it’s not really that active. It’s just, I care so much about this and I want to do this, and that’s a byproduct. You lose a sense of yourself. That’s definitely my relationship with acting. I don’t feel like a confident person. I love life and I love tackling life, but in some way, I’m substituting the job for therapy. I never have admitted that I was doing that. And then this past year, I was like, “Oh, that is what I’m doing.” Now I need to actually ask questions about myself and consider myself, and talk and communicate. I didn’t do that a lot about what I was going through. I love to work and I love to distract myself.

It’s interesting to be going through that while you’re playing a character who is so non-verbal.

Mm-hmm. I’ve thought about this a lot. Even though Allerton felt like the hardest person to be, he also felt like the closest person to me in a way. In a lot of ways I really, really understood him and it felt like me—the way he moves through the world, the way he interacts with people. It was like, “Oh, right, that’s how I would be.” Maybe he was a wake-up call for me.

You already alluded to it, but I was going to ask you: What does, “I’m not queer. I’m disembodied” mean to you? Clearly, you’re someone who thinks a lot about Burroughs these days, and it is the core line of the film.

Oh, I’ve thought a lot about Burroughs. I think it’s the inability to define yourself. He doesn’t use language to express anything, to show his admiration or how he feels. Luca always said in the beginning of this, “It’s not a story about unrequited love. It’s a story about unsynchronized love.” Having that type of love can make you feel more detached from yourself. These are two people who do have this love for each other, and it’s beautiful—you see fleeting moments of it, and you see Lee attach himself to those moments. But they’re operating on two different planes of time in some way. That can make you feel more disconnected, experiencing that and confronting that with your counterpart, than even being alone can. [ Pause ] Yeah, I think I answered?

Very much so. It’s a movie that prods some deeper introspection, so I appreciate the answers.

Yeah, I know it’s a movie that if I saw it at 14 or 15, it would open doors for me, like: “Oh, my God.” My parents weren’t prudish in any way, but there was definitely some censorship. It was my grandma who was watching us, I was maybe 10, when she was like, “What rated-R movie do you want to watch? Pick one. Go pick one.” Me and my brother were like, “Okay!” I think we watched The Patriot or something. [ Laughs ] But yeah, I’ve had to go off and find those things on my own.

This interview has been edited and condensed. This story has been updated.

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The 17 Best Celebrity Documentaries Will Give You An Inside Look Into Stars' Lives

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With #FreeBritney and #ThisIsParis trending across social media as films about Britney Spears and Paris Hilton debuted, it should come as no surprise that celebrity documentaries are having A Moment™. But it's more than just entertainment: Celebrity documentaries manage to pay homage to cultural icons and phenomena, while impacting the current zeitgeist. These films give viewers a peek into the private and often-hidden lives of the biggest Hollywood stars—even the ones you might've thought you already knew everything about. They serve as reminders that even the brightest spotlight leaves much in the shadows.

These days, whether you subscribe to Netflix , Hulu , Amazon Prime, or HBO Max—or still have your ex boo’s password saved (just me?)—there are tons of celebrity documentaries for you to get your voyeuristic fix. (No shade, you’re not the only fan hungry for an intimate look at your fave star's usually-hidden pains and pleasures.) These docs aren't just about rappers and pop stars, though there are plenty of those (lookin' at you, Biggie and T-Swift). They also feature the life stories of comedian Tig Notaro, ballerina Misty Copeland, and mother-daughter acting duo Debbie Reynolds and Carrie Fisher, too.

So, grab a tub of popcorn and your tissues because these docs will have you crying tears of sadness, joy, and nostalgia by pulling at your heartstrings and revealing the unknown. Read on for the 17 best celebrity documentaries you can watch right now with the click of a button.

One Direction: This Is Us (2013)

Long before Harry graced the cover of Vogue , Zayn, Liam, and Louis had kids, and Niall went solo, these men were in a boyband that made middle schoolers scream: One Direction. While released at the height of the British band's fandom in 2013, when watched today, this documentary gives fans a chance to reminisce about 1D's heyday before their split. And hey, "Midnight Memories" is still a bop.

Watch now on Amazon Prime

Singer Amy Winehouse was known for her throaty, sultry sound, so it should come as no surprise that this masterpiece is as moody as it is moving. The British documentary fuses old interviews with clips of the singer, features fan reactions to her death, and details her life and relationship with music, sex, self-harm, and drugs—showcasing both her talent and her struggles. (Fair warning: Self-harm and substance abuse make big appearances in this doc.)

watch now on hulu

A Ballerina’s Tale (2015)

You don’t have to be a former dancer nor current ballerina to enjoy this documentary on the greatest ballerina of all time: Misty Copeland. Through A Ballerina’s Tale , an IFC Film, Copeland proves that what people think ballerinas have to be (white, petite, rich, young) is racist, classist hogwash. Both inspirational and aspirational, this doc is for anyone looking for an ~against all odds~ heroine story.

watch now on amazon prime

Calling all former class-clowns, laugh-lovers, and Tig Notaro fans, this Netflix documentary is for you. Named after the dry-as-bread comedian, Tig follows the brilliant comedian as she recovers from a quadruple whammy: A bacterial infection, cancer diagnosis, family death, and breakup. Equal parts morbid and moving, Tig offers the dry flair you’ve learned to expect from Tig herself along with close-ups of the comic in her personal life.

watch now on netflix

Bright Lights (2016)

Did you know that Singin' In The Rain icon Debbie Reynolds and Star Wars actress Carrie Fisher were related? Yep! The mother-daughter duo lived next door to each other until late in their lives, teasing, bickering, and helping each other until they both passed unexpectedly, just days apart. Bright Lights offers a sneak peak into the life of and bond between these showbiz babes.

Watch now on HBO Max

Gaga: Five Foot Two (2017)

Lady Gaga is more than just a powerhouse singer decked in a meat-dress—she’s a human with wants, anxiety, imposter syndrome, fibromyalgia, and talent. In this up-close-and-personal Netflix documentary, the A Star Is Born actress and real-life pop star gets raw about the way society’s view on femininity, sexuality, success, access, and ability have caused her pain. It also explores how she’s redefined for herself what it means to be successful, in order to emerge from that pain more-self assured.

watch now on Netflix

Homecoming: A Film by Beyoncé (2018)

Through a combination of backstage chit-chat, honest AF dialogue from Beyoncé herself, and rehearsal footage, Homecoming chronicles what went into Beyoncé's iconic 2018 Coachella performance— the first time a Black woman headlined the music festival.

A Grammy-nominated music film, Homecoming pays homage to and celebrates all the Black creatives and women that came before Queen Bey. Packed with performance, pride, and power, this Netflix documentary affirms what you already knew intuitively: For Beyoncé, stage is home.

Watch now on netflix

Travis Scott: Look Mom I Can Fly (2019)

Ready for a documentary that’ll give you chills on chills on chills? Look no further than this intimate look at Travis Scott’s life, which weaves fan testimonials with home video footage and concert clips to depict Scott’s life. ( KUWTK fans, fear not: There are plenty of moments between Scott, Kylie Jenner, and baby Stormi shown in this Netflix documentary.)

Chasing Happiness (2019)

While you won’t finish this film with a definitive answer around why the brotherly trio split, you will leave feeling nostalgic for the Disney Channel Jonas-mania days.

Featuring home video clips from as early as Nick’s birth, as well as interview footage asking the pop stars if they’ll ever split (they say no, LOL), plus concert and television clips, Chasing Happiness captures the rise, then fall, then reunion of the Jonas Brothers. Now available on Amazon Prime, this documentary is a must-watch for anyone that ever plastered a Jonas Brothers Tiger Beat poster on their bedroom wall.

Watch now on amazon prime

This Is Paris (2020)

Paris Hilton is known as the OG influencer, but that doesn’t mean she’s immune to having her image warped, then guzzled by gossip columnists and bored housemoms alike—in fact, just the opposite.

In This Is Paris , the hotel heiress takes back the mic to give viewers a real, unfiltered look at her not-so-happy life, including her time at a program in Utah where she was abused. What starts as a story about just another rich blonde girl, evolves into something much more nuanced. Ultimately, the film challenges the societal expectations put on stars like Paris.

Watch now on YouTube

Shawn Mendes: In Wonder (2020)

In Wonder features monologues from the "Señorita" artist and behind-the-scene clips featuring him and girlfriend Camila Cabello . It's also packed with concert shots and earthy panoramas shot while Shawn is on his world tour. He wonders what it means to be a star, what his future in music holds, and how it influences his relationships.

watch no on netflix

Ariana Grande: Excuse Me, I Love You (2020)

If scrolling through this list has you wondering whether a happy celebrity documentary is an oxymoron, your next watch should be Ariana Grande: Excuse Me, I Love You . Sure, there’s an emotional backstage moment or three, but the bulk of this high-pony pop star's Netflix documentary is made up of upbeat behind-the-scenes moments and concert footage from her 2019 Sweetener world tour. Even those who aren’t die-hard fans will be saying, "Excuse me, I love you too" by the end.

Miss Americana (2020)

As if a documentary by this name could be about anyone other than the world’s (minus Kanye West’s) favorite girl next door: Taylor Swift . In this Netflix documentary, the singer-songwriter takes off the "good girl muzzle" and gets real about the role politics play in her music. T-Swift wants to convince her fans that she’s not just an artist; she’s an activist, too.

Demi Lovato: Dancing With The Devil (2021)

Whether you’ve been a Demi fan since their Barney and Friends days, or were late to the game only stanning them with the release of their Tell Me You Love Me 2017 album, you’ll be transfixed by this four-part documentary series.

The documentary follows Demi from 2018-2020, shedding insight on their eating disorder , drug use , mental health diagnoses and misdiagnoses, sexuality , and the traumas that led up to their near-fatal overdose in July of 2018. But ultimately, the series ends on a hopeful note with the finale, titled "rebirthing," suggesting the pop star has finally found their footing.

Biggie: I Got A Story to Tell (2021)

The rapper of many names—Biggie Smalls, Notorious B.I.G, and sometimes simply, Biggie—has been memorialized documentary-style. By interweaving a combination of concert footage, behind-the-scenes family videos, and interviews, this Netflix documentary explores how the talented star rose from the streets to the stage. Consider this a must-watch for anyone asking themselves whether raw talent alone is enough? Spoiler: Yes it is.

Billie Eilish: The World’s A Little Blurry (2021)

The World’s A Little Blurry offers an intimate look at singer-songwriter Billie Eilish. Footage spans the artist's life from before she could walk to getting her license to the release of When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go? Thanks to this documentary, viewers get a deeply intimate look at how lonely it is to be a girl growing up in a cut-throat industry and the importance of community and family.

Watch now on Apple TV+

Framing Britney Spears (2021)

ICYMI: Britney was involuntarily committed to a psychiatric ward in 2008 after what's been deemed her infamous meltdown (you know, when she shaved her head?), shocking paparazzi and the public in the process. Soon after, Britney was put in a conservatorship under her father, Jamie Spears, which she is currently fighting in court.

Framing Britney Spears , produced by FX and Hulu and investigated by The New York Times , explores the misogyny, cruelty, and ableism that led to the 39-year-old star being bound by this legal conservatorship, which many now believe should never have been implemented in the first place.

Watch now on hulu

Gabrielle Kassel (she/her) is a sex and wellness journalist who writes at the intersection of queerness, sexual health, and pleasure. In addition to Women’s Health, her work has appeared in publications such as Shape, Cosmopolitan, Well+Good, Health, Self, Men’s Health, Greatist, and more! In her free time, Gabrielle can be found coaching CrossFit, reviewing pleasure products, hiking with her border collie, or recording episodes of the podcast she co-hosts called  

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Top 50 Greatest Biopics of All Time (The Ultimate List)

3. Lawrence of Arabia

4. Malcolm X

5. Schindler's List

6. Raging Bull

7. Goodfellas

8. The King's Speech

9. Braveheart

11. Catch Me If You Can

12. The Last Emperor

13. Walk the Line

14. A Beautiful Mind

15. The Social Network

16. The Pianist

18. Lincoln

19. The Aviator

20. Notorious

21. Ed Wood

22. The Elephant Man

23. The Imitation Game

24. Chaplin

25. The Theory of Everything

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• Biography Movies
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The 15 Best Biography Movies About Actors and Actresses

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Biography movies (also known as biopics) come in all kinds of flavors, but most of them tend to be focused on musicians, politicians, soldiers, and geniuses. What about actors?

Even though Hollywood loves making movies about itself, the majority of them are fictional. If you dig around a bit, however, you'll find several great biography films about real actors and actresses.

Here are my picks for the best biographical movies that give a peek into the Hollywood industry, where famous actors toil behind the scenes with work, love, heartbreak, family, and addiction.

15. Mommie Dearest (1981)

Directed by Frank Perry

Starring Faye Dunaway, Diana Scarwid, Steve Forrest

Biography, Drama (2h 9m)

6.6 on IMDb — 48% on RT

A quick Google search might show you that Mommie Dearest is considered one of the worst films ever made, but hear us out! For this movie to be labeled so extremely is proof of its lasting impact.

In fact, Mommie Dearest is so bad that it's good—if you watch it as a comedy rather than a drama—even if lead actress Faye Dunaway still regrets taking the part, haunted by the soul of Joan Crawford who's "just hanging around... as if she couldn't rest."

While Mommie Dearest doesn't show Crawford's whole life, it does show the part where she becomes an abusive, controlling mother. And while her daughter Christiana has said that Joan deserved to go to jail, even she found Frank Perry's depiction over the top...

14. Blonde (2022)

Directed by Andrew Dominik

Starring Ana de Armas, Adrien Brody, Bobby Cannavale

Drama, History (2h 47m)

5.5 on IMDb — 42% on RT

Everybody was excited for the release of Blonde . The crisp black-and white shots, the vintage square ratio, and the illustrious Ana de Armas promised a stylish biopic of the legendary Marilyn Monroe.

Although director Andrew Dominik didn't quite meet expectations, Blonde is still a refreshingly unconventional biography that's held together by visual prowess and keen acting from Armas.

Critics were mainly divided on Blonde 's fictionalization of true events. Although it certainly kept things interesting, some found the filled-in gaps of Monroe's memoirs to be exploitative.

13. The Life and Death of Peter Sellers (2004)

Directed by Stephen Hopkins

Starring Geoffrey Rush, Charlize Theron, Emily Watson

Biography, Comedy, Drama (2h 2m)

6.9 on IMDb — 69% on RT

Peter Sellers was an English actor known for his caricature style of comedy, often embodying more than one role at a time (which he did in Stanley Kubrick's Dr. Strangelove ).

Sellers is most famous for portraying the clumsy French detective in The Pink Panther movies. His specific techniques made him a master of comedic timing, parody, and improvisation, although we won't condone his use of brownface in The Party .

Years later, Geoffrey Rush embodied Peter Sellers in Stephen Hopkins's TV movie The Life and Death of Peter Sellers . It might not capture the entirety of Peter Sellers's creative genius, but it does give us a curious look behind closed doors.

12. Mahanati (2018)

Directed by Nag Ashwin

Starring Keerthy Suresh, Dulquer Salmaan, Samantha Ruth Prabhu

Biography, Drama (2h 57m)

8.4 on IMDb — 100% on RT

There's more to Indian cinema than just Bollywood. Mahanati is much closer to the narrative arcs we see in Western biopics: a rise to fame, a complicated love life, then alcoholism, illness, bankruptcy, and fall.

However, Nag Ashwin doesn't present us with just another rise-and-fall story. Instead of reducing actress Savitri to her struggles, she's celebrated and enlivened through popping colors and an acclaimed central performance from Keerthy Suresh.

Mahanati was a dazzling success, not just in India but across the globe (even if the runtime is a tad lengthy). The film isn't perfect, but the good parts were great enough to earn it multiple awards.

11. Life (2015)

Directed by Anton Corbijn

Starring Robert Pattinson, Dane DeHaan, Joel Edgerton

Biography, Drama (1h 51m)

6.0 on IMDb — 64% on RT

Director Anton Corbijn offers a small snippet into the life of James Dean, who was basically the male equivalent of Marilyn Monroe in the 1950s.

The first James Dean biography movie on our list, Life centers on Dennis Stock (Robert Pattinson), a photographer for LIFE Magazine. We get to see how his iconic photoshoot of James Dean came about, with Dean himself played by Dane DeHaan.

Like those actual photos—which are cleverly woven into the film— Life is an artistic sliver of Dean's life, with poetic narrations and a bang-on performance by DeHaan as the sensitive, soft-spoken, chain-smoking rebel without a cause.

10. My Week With Marilyn (2011)

Directed by Simon Curtis

Starring Michelle Williams, Eddie Redmayne, Kenneth Branagh

Biography, Drama (1h 39m)

6.9 on IMDb — 83% on RT

My Week With Marilyn depicts one segment of Marilyn Monroe's glamorous life: the time when she was visiting London with her famous playwright husband Arthur Miller.

She was there to film The Prince and the Showgirl but kept forgetting her lines and leaving the set. She couldn't connect to her character or her husband, so she confided in fresh-faced Oxford graduate Colin—one of many men who got to spend a week with Marilyn Monroe.

Michelle Williams and Eddie Redmayne star as the unexpected couple, taking in the British sights alongside Kenneth Branagh, Judi Dench, Emma Watson, and Dominic Cooper.

9. Elvis (2022)

Directed by Baz Luhrmann

Starring Tom Hanks, Austin Butler, Olivia DeJonge

Biography, Drama, Music (2h 39m)

7.3 on IMDb — 77% on RT

Elvis Presley was obviously more of a musician than an actor, but he starred in more films than pretty much anyone else on this list. After all, he was first and foremost a performer (which is why he was taken in by circus huckster Colonel Tom Parker).

After breaking racial barriers and rocketing to stardom, Elvis naturally transitioned to Hollywood and churned out an impressive 31 movies that started out as fun but gradually ended up soulless.

Austin Butler embodies the King of Rock in Baz Luhrmann's biopic that's even more glittery than Presley's outfits. We see the light fade from his eyes as he fake-surfs through various movie productions, pill-popping his career away to a hotel prison sentence.

8. Frances (1982)

Directed by Graeme Clifford

Starring Jessica Lange, Sam Shepard, Kim Stanley

Biography, Drama, Romance (2h 20m)

7.2 on IMDb — 67% on RT

Frances Farmer was one of those celebrities who was more famous for her private life than her professional one. The American actress appeared in a string of movies during the 1930s, but her hospitalization was the main thing to reach headlines.

Jessica Lange gives a driven performance as Frances, who was a controversial figure since childhood. As a kid, she wrote anti-God essays. As an adult, she refused to play the Hollywood game.

Frances cheats, drinks, refuses to wear makeup on screen, and is eventually committed to Kimball Sanitarium after her abusive mother becomes her legal guardian.

7. Dragon: The Bruce Lee Story (1993)

Directed by Rob Cohen

Starring Jason Scott Lee, Lauren Holly, Robert Wagner

Action, Biography, Drama (2h)

7.0 on IMDb — 73% on RT

Bruce Lee is the champion of martial arts movies. The actor/filmmaker moved from British Hong Kong to Seattle at 19 years old to open his own martial arts school before entering the film industry.

Bruce Lee was nicknamed Dragon (or "Little Dragon" when he was young) since he was born in the hour and year of the Chinese zodiac Dragon. His dual identity is explored in Rob Cohen's biography, and thankfully Dragon: The Bruce Lee Story goes beyond skin-deep.

Jason Scott Lee stars as the chiseled karate icon, delving into his Hollywood career and his relationship with Linda Lee Cadwell, all of it flourished with elements of mysticism.

6. Film Stars Don't Die in Liverpool (2017)

Directed by Paul McGuigan

Starring Annette Bening, Jamie Bell, Vanessa Redgrave

Biography, Drama, Romance (1h 45m)

6.7 on IMDb — 81% on RT

"We never expected Gloria Grahame in our kitchen, necking a bacon butty, asking for tommy sauce." Absolutely true! We wouldn't expect the Oscar-winning starlet of Hollywood's Golden Age to be staying in a humdrum area of rainy Liverpool.

Whether or not she really did scarf down bacon butties at the local boozer, we can't be sure. However, we do know that Grahame (played by Annette Bening) spent a lot of her final years in Liverpool.

Initially there for work, she strikes up an unexpected relationship with an amateur actor 30 years younger (Jamie Bell). In Film Stars Don't Die in Liverpool , director Paul McGuigan shows us how age is just a number.

5. Man on the Moon (1999)

Directed by Miloš Forman

Starring Jim Carrey, Danny DeVito, Paul Giamatti

Biography, Comedy, Drama (1h 58m)

7.4 on IMDb — 64% on RT

Andy Kaufman was a very different kind of actor. The "Inter-Gender Wrestling Champion" purposefully went out of his way to annoy people. Indeed, there were no Oscar ceremonies for him—but there were quite a few wrestling matches (with women only).

In Man on the Moon , Andy Kaufman is played by Jim Carrey, who famously stayed in character and went around annoying everyone on set. A whole documentary— Jim & Andy: The Great Beyond (2017)—was even made about Carrey's behavior.

Andy Kaufman was initially a stand-up comedian who made people laugh by being terrible. His Tony Clifton character was particularly grating, and he later featured in the sitcom Taxi with Danny DeVito (who plays Kaufman's manager in Man on the Moon .)

4. Stan & Ollie (2018)

Directed by Jon S. Baird

Starring Steve Coogan, John C. Reilly, Shirley Henderson

Biography, Comedy, Drama (1h 38m)

7.2 on IMDb — 92% on RT

Laurel and Hardy were an infamous comedy duo of the silent film era, mixing with the likes of Charlie Chaplin and Buster Keaton. Their slapstick gags were beloved around the world, with Stan Laurel playing the clumsy man-child and Oliver Hardy the mean bully.

By the 1950s, this type of cinema was dwindling. The pair were starting to age and—having spent so much time together—their friendship even started taking a toll. Clutching at straws, they embarked on a less-than-easy UK musical hall tour.

Steve Coogan and John C. Reilly flesh out the men in Stan & Ollie , moving with humor and humility. Jon S. Baird's biography doesn't try to be too heavy. It's simply sincere.

3. James Dean (2001)

Directed by Mark Rydell

Starring James Franco, Michael Moriarty, Valentina Cervi

Biography, Drama (2h)

7.1 on IMDb — 93% on RT

James Franco's depiction of another actor named James is what effectively put him on the map. Mimicking such a specific personality as James Dean? A tightwalk situation that, thankfully, worked out.

Dean's elusive and cool exterior occasionally breaks away to the chaos and anger underneath in Mark Rydell's biopic. Nobody believed Dean could make it big, but he proves them all wrong.

Dean's own indifferent father likely fueled his emotive performances in East of Eden (1955) and Rebel Without a Cause (1955), which Franco recreates seamlessly here in James Dean .

2. Judy (2019)

Directed by Rupert Goold

Starring Renée Zellweger, Jessie Buckley, Finn Wittrock

Biography, Drama, Music (1h 58m)

6.8 on IMDb — 82% on RT

Actress Judy Garland starred in hits like A Star Is Born (1954) and Meet Me in St. Louis (1944), but she remains most famous for playing Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz (1939).

Most people already know that Judy Garland had a hard life, but few of us really understood how bad it was until we watched Judy . Heaps of horror stories have since come out about the production of The Wizard of Oz , and that's where all the trouble began for Garland.

For starters, MGM forcing her to take drugs as a teenager is likely what propelled Garland into early-life substance abuse.

While Garland's troubles are at the center of Rupert Goold's drama, Judy switches between the start and end of Garland's life (played by an unrecognizable Renée Zellweger).

1. Chaplin (1992)

Directed by Richard Attenborough

Starring Robert Downey Jr., Dan Aykroyd, Geraldine Chaplin

Biography, Comedy, Drama (2h 23m)

7.5 on IMDb — 60% on RT

Charlie Chaplin is a name everyone's heard of. Even if you took the title off Chaplin 's poster, you'd know what this film was about! The silhouette of a bowler-hatted tramp is recognizable anywhere.

Robert Downey Jr. was nominated for an Oscar for his honorable portrayal of this timeless figure. Looking eerily similar to the real Chaplin, Downey takes us on his literal rags-to-riches journey. (Chaplin went from homelessless to being one of the richest men in the world.)

Chaplin's character of The Tramp was revolutionary for many reasons—mainly for blending pathos and humor during the Keystone days—but he wasn't always so innocent in real life.

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Avatar actor explains what James Cameron does while making movies that helps make them massive hits

Jamie flatters was cast in avatar: the way of the water at the age of 16 and it was a 'unique' experience in more ways than one.

Poppy Bilderbeck

The Way of the Water star has opened up about why James Cameron 'doesn't just want to make a film'.

Jamie Flatters secured the role of Jake Sully and and Neytiri's son, Neteyam, in the sequel to James Cameron 's sci-fi hit at the age of just 16.

And it wasn't just a 'unique' film to shoot given his age, the motion capture, 3D cinema camera systems and underwater scenes, but also because the director is never trying to make just 'a film'.

Despite being offered such a big role in such a big franchise at such a young age, Flatters knew he was 'always going to take it'.

"Because it's a dream to do this job," he tells UNILAD.

However, he admits he remembers 'not picking up the phone the first couple of times they rang'.

"Just to talk to myself and sort of say, either way..." he continues.

"[...] There's definitely a sense of with or without it, I'll still have what I always have loved, which is, the artistry of it - as wanky as that sounds."

Ultimately, he got the role and approaching the sequel to the knockout that was Avatar certainly left him 'very excited'.

"The first film meant that you knew what it was, and you knew how much of an impact it made, and you knew all the talent of the group behind it," he explains.

Flatters adds 'obviously it was an immense amount of pressure', but notes he 'personally respond[s] quite well to fear'.

The actor may've starred in Way of the Water but he has a profound and affecting way with words, reflecting: "Fear's my biggest motivator in that sense, and everything I thought that I was going to mess up and everything I was worried about actually had a sort of very positive influence.

"And it was the first time I ever sort of grounded myself mentally and bizarrely that's through the discipline of work, which sounds horrible and sort of like militant, but because it was within the artistic framing there's a lot of beauty too which is nice."

Add the legendary Cameron into the mix and Flatters' experience in one of the most highly recognized films certainly became even more 'unique'.

Flatters explains: "He [Cameron] doesn't just want to make a film, he wants to progress the idea of the cinematic format. So he's a very important creative to have and it's a very unique experience."

The actor explained you can't really compare Cameron's work to anything else given how specific it is and neither can Flatters compare it to working on any other film set.

Working on set with the director, Flatters reflects on how it was 'easy to be able to actually have to take a detour away from sort of conscientious attributes' and 'trust in the chaos of the moment which you can't have control over'.

And to 'marry that,' Cameron gave actors 'breathing room' which meant Flatters felt very 'respected' in navigating his character, the journey and the film as a whole.

"And to feel an odd sense of artistic respect on such a scale and such a movie was pretty cool and a blessing."

Flatters jokes the film shaped him through 'a CGI eight pack and bigger biceps than [he'll] never have' but resolves: "I mean, it was the first time I probably ventured away from London and saw the world as what it is.

"With the plethora of experience it gave, it actually made everything bizarrely seem accessible, and that sort of paradox of interaction formulates the brain in a very unique way. I grew up really fast over that period and it's all lovely."

Topics:  Film and TV , Hollywood , James Cameron

Poppy Bilderbeck is a Senior Journalist at LADbible Group. She graduated from The University of Manchester in 2021 with a First in English Literature and Drama, where alongside her studies she was Editor-in-Chief of The Tab Manchester. Poppy is most comfortable when chatting about all things mental health, is proving a drama degree is far from useless by watching and reviewing as many TV shows and films as possible and is such a crisp fanatic the office has been forced to release them in batches.

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‘Your Monster’ Trailer – Melissa Barrera Stars in Her Own ‘Beauty and the Beast’ This Halloween

Melissa Barrera  ( Scream VI, Abigail ) is back in Vertical’s new horror-comedy Your Monster , and the distributor has released the film’s charming official trailer this morning.

Vertical will release  Your Monster  only in theaters October 25, 2024.

The romantic monster movie looks to be a new spin on the classic tale of  Beauty and the Beast . In the film, “After her life falls apart, soft-spoken actress Laura Franco finds her voice again when she meets a terrifying, yet weirdly charming, monster living in her closet.”

Here’s the full official plot synopsis:

“ Your  Monster  tells the story of the soft-spoken actor Laura Franco (Melissa Barrera), who is dumped by her longtime boyfriend ( Edmund Donovan ) while recovering from surgery and retreats to her childhood home to recover. With her future looking bleak, insult is added to injury when Laura discovers her ex is staging a musical that she helped him develop.

“But out of these gut-wrenching life changes emerges a monster ( Tommy Dewey ) with whom she finds a connection, encouraging Laura to follow her dreams, open her heart and fall in love with her inner rage.”

Meghann Fahy and  Kayla Foster  also star in the film from writer and director Caroline Lindy . Producers include Kayla Foster, Shannon Reilly, Melanie Donkers, and Kira Carstensen.

The movie is based on Caroline Lindy’s short film from 2019.

Meagan Navarro wrote in her  Sundance review for Bloody Disgusting , “A wholesome, whimsical romance befitting of a classic Hollywood musical but with dark underpinnings,  Your   Monster  lets Melissa Barrera showcase her range and singing chops, even when it can’t quite decide on a cohesive approach to its monstrous metaphor.”

Writer in the horror community since 2008. Editor in Chief of Bloody Disgusting. Owns Eli Roth's prop corpse from Piranha 3D. Has four awesome cats. Still plays with toys.

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‘MaXXXine’ Starring Mia Goth Heads to Streaming Next Month

Ti West  and  Mia Goth  complete their decade-hopping horror trilogy with A24’s  MaXXXine , a sequel to  both   X   and  Pearl , and it’s heading to Max just in time for Halloween.

The film will be available to stream  Friday October 18  on Max. MAXXXINE will make its linear debut  Saturday, Ooctober 19 at  8:00 p.m. ET/PT  on HBO.

Here’s the official synopsis from A24: “In 1980s Hollywood, adult film star and aspiring actress Maxine Minx finally gets her big break. But as a mysterious killer stalks the starlets of Hollywood, a trail of blood threatens to reveal her sinister past.”

Mia Goth  stars in the 1980s-set  MaXXXine  alongside an incredible ensemble  featuring   Elizabeth Debicki, Moses Sumney, Michelle Monaghan, Bobby Cannavale, Halsey, Lily Collins, Giancarlo Esposito, Sophie Thatcher,  and  Kevin Bacon .

A24 released  MaXXXine in theaters  here in the United States in July, with the final installment in Ti West’s trilogy scaring up $6.7 million in its domestic debut. At the worldwide box office,   MaXXXine  debuted to an impressive $7.8 million over its opening weekend.   X  finished its box office run with $14.7 million worldwide, while  Pearl  made $9.8 million in total at the worldwide box office.

Maxine Minx emerged as the sole survivor of writer/director  Ti West’s  slasher throwback  X , armed with tenacity and ruthless ambition. The film’s closing moments signaling Minx’s unique zeal might’ve had a lot to do with her religious upbringing. The second entry in West’s trilogy,  Pearl,  captured the technicolor vibrancy of Hollywood’s golden age to contrast the psychosis of Maxine’s would-be killer, also played by Goth. For the trilogy’s closer, I wrote  in my review , “Ti West continues his knack for painstaking recreation here, not just meticulously recreating the vibe of the era but its  filmic  output as well.  That means,  like the sleazy Gialli and Brian De Palma-style thrillers of the period,  MaXXXine  quickly cycles through the set pieces and its characters like surfing through cable channels.”  

If you missed it in theaters or on  Digital , here’s your chance to find out whether Maxine Minx finally achieved her goal of becoming a star.

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The Best Biopics About Actors

Over 380 movie fans have come together to cast their votes for the best biopics about actors. From big-name stars like Renée Zellweger and Joaquin Phoenix to Hollywood legends such as Marlon Brando and James Dean, these films showcase an amazing array of talent.

By providing intimate glimpses into the lives of beloved figures in film history, these movies have captured our imaginations with struggles both onscreen and off. They explore the personal triumphs, tragedies, relationships, and creative processes that make up a life in show business—and provide us with unique perspectives from those we’ve admired from afar.

The list includes critically-acclaimed classics like My Week With Marilyn starring Michelle Williams as Marilyn Monroe and Judy  featuring Renée Zellweger as Judy Garland. There's also Dragon: The Bruce Lee Story starring Jason Scott Lee as the martial arts legend who becomes a global star; and Chaplin , which features Robert Downey Jr. as the English comedian.

With so much great material to choose from it can be hard to decide which biopic is worth your time—so let this list help you out. Take a look at what other movie fans have already voted on, then vote up your favorites.

For Fans Of : Biography, Drama, Comedy Reasons to Watch if You're Interested in Biopics About Actors: Robert Downey Jr.'s outstanding performance as the legendary silent film star Charlie Chaplin is reason enough to watch this biopic. A fascinating exploration of Chaplin's rise to fame, struggles with self-doubt, and impact on cinema history takes center stage. The film provides an intimate look at the comedian's life, revealing the man behind the iconic mustache and bowler hat.

• Released : 1992
• Directed by : Richard Attenborough

What's Love Got to Do with It

For Fans Of : Biography, Drama, Music Reasons to Watch if You're Interested in Biopics About Actors: Angela Bassett and Laurence Fishburne deliver powerful performances as singer Tina Turner and her abusive husband Ike Turner in this compelling biopic. The movie unflinchingly portrays the dark side of stardom and offers a raw examination of a tumultuous relationship that ultimately led to Tina's triumphant comeback. It is a harrowing yet inspiring story of persistence, resilience, and talent prevailing over adversity.

• Released : 1993
• Directed by : Brian Gibson

Coal Miner's Daughter

For Fans Of : Biography, Drama, Musical Reasons to Watch if You're Interested in Biopics About Actors: Sissy Spacek's Academy Award-winning portrayal of country music legend Loretta Lynn makes Coal Miner's Daughter a must-watch for fans of actor-centric biopics. Tracing Lynn's journey from humble beginnings in Kentucky coal mining country to superstardom, the film delves into the challenges she faced along the way while showcasing her incredible musical talent. Spacek fully immerses herself in the role, even performing her own vocals for Lynn's classic songs.

• Released : 1980
• Directed by : Michael Apted

For Fans Of : Biography, Drama, Romance Reasons to Watch if You're Interested in Biopics About Actors: Jessica Lange delivers a haunting performance as troubled actress Frances Farmer in this sobering biopic about Hollywood’s darker side. The film chronicles Farmer’s meteoric rise to fame, subsequent descent into madness, and eventual institutionalization – offering a stark reminder of the perils that can accompany fame. Lange’s heart-wrenching portrayal of Farmer earned her an Academy Award nomination and solidified her as one of Hollywood’s great talents.

• Released : 1982
• Directed by : Graeme Clifford

My Dinner with Hervé

For Fans Of : Biography, Drama Reasons to Watch if You're Interested in Biopics About Actors: Peter Dinklage shines as Hervé Villechaize, the memorable actor who played Tattoo on Fantasy Island, in this captivating look at the final days of his life. The film explores Villechaize's career, personal struggles, and complex relationship with journalist Danny Tate (Jamie Dornan) through a series of riveting conversations. This character-driven drama provides insight into the mind of a talented actor grappling with demons both internal and external.

• Released : 2018
• Directed by : Sacha Gervasi

For Fans Of : Biography, Drama Reasons to Watch if You're Interested in Biopics About Actors:  James Franco fearlessly tackles the role of iconic actor James Dean in this vivid biopic detailing his meteoric rise to fame and tragic death at 24. Franco embodies Dean’s charisma, rebellious spirit, and conflicted nature while portraying the insecurity beneath his surface-level bravado. The film offers an intimate glimpse into the psyche of an enigmatic figure who continues to captivate generations long after his untimely demise.

• Released : 2001
• Directed by : Mark Rydell

Immortal Ephemera

Classic Movies & Movie Collectibles

Warner Baxter – A Brief Biography

March 29, 2010 By Cliff Aliperti 31 Comments

“…you're going out a youngster, but you've got to come back a star!” – Warner Baxter’s Julian Marsh to Ruby Keeler’s Peggy Sawyer in 42nd Street (1933).

And despite his receiving only the second ever Academy Award for Best Actor as O. Henry’s The Cisco Kid in In Old Arizona (1928) it’s Marsh that Baxter is best remembered for today, by far.  Baxter himself was said to have favored the Kid, a role he’d play two more times in The Cisco Kid (1931) and The Return of the Cisco Kid (1939).

While he didn’t come back a star quite yet, he did stick to the theater thereafter with the occasional period as an insurance salesman mixed in, one must assume to make ends meet.  He married his first wife, Viola Caldwell in 1911, but it was reported not to have lasted very long at all.  In 1913 he joined an Oklahoma Stock Company, but information is sparse about what Warner Baxter was doing between that time and his permanent arrival on the silent screens of the 1920’s.

Baxter shows up in only one Broadway show listed in the Internet Broadway Database, albeit a succesful one.  Lombardi, Ltd. was performed 296 times between September 1917 and June 1918, though Baxter doesn’t receive any mention in the notices which concentrate on stars Leo Carrillo and Grace Valentine.  Potentially another IMDb error, their credit listing for the film version of Lombardi, Ltd. includes Baxter in an uncredited bit role, but I find this highly unlikely since Carrillo, Valentine, nor any of the other stage actors were used in the screen version.  Baxter did however develop into a successful male lead for Paramount and Famous Players-Lasky throughout the 1920’s.

The film for which Warner Baxter won his Academy Award, In Old Arizona , comes with its own Peggy Sawyer story—Raoul Walsh had been set to both direct and star the groundbreaking Western but a jackrabbit jumped through his windshield and blinded Walsh in his right eye.  The injury would lead to the eventual loss of Walsh’s eye and he’d sport an eye patch thereafter.  Obviously, Walsh was out.

Other popular Warner Baxter titles today seem limited to West of Zanzibar (1928), which let’s face it, like 42nd Street remains popular not because of Baxter, but in this case Lon Chaney; a pair with Myrna Loy , MGM's Penthouse (1933) and Frank Capra’s Broadway Bill (1934) for Columbia; and finally 1936’s The Prisoner of Shark Island , a feature where Baxter is indisputably the star attraction as Dr. Samuel Alexander Mudd, the doctor who treated John Wilkes Booth on his way from the Lincoln assassination.  You think Muni had it tough on the Chain Gang ?  Give Shark Island a try.

What I found interesting about Baxter and led to my writing about him in far greater detail than I had first imagined, is just how big this now all but forgotten star was.  If not for cementing his legacy with that 1930 Academy Award Warner Baxter would likely find himself in complete obscurity.  The amazing thing is just how very popular he must have been as throughout the late 1930’s he was among the highest paid personalities in Hollywood.

Based on contemporary reports in 1936 Baxter was one of just ten movie and radio stars to make over $200,000, pulling down a salary of $284,384.  Gary Cooper led all earners that year at $370,214.  The following years saw a dip to $225,961 earned by Baxter but 1938 saw him as highest paid actor at $279,807— Claudette Colbert led all film stars with a reported income of $301,994.  Just to give you a little more flavor of the times, Baxter paid $130,000 in income taxes on his 1938 earnings.

So what happened?  Well, during the 1940’s Baxter slipped to B status playing the lead, Dr. Robert Ordway , in a series of ten Crime Doctor movies distributed by Columbia Pictures from 1943-1949.  Perhaps this descent has diminished his overall legacy?

In his spare time Baxter was a tinkerer and inventor who as reported by Popular Mechanics in 1935 co-created a revolver-searchlight which would cast a light on a target and allow a marksman to fire at it through the dark.  Later he invented a radio-controlled device that would allow police and firemen to change traffic signals from up to two blocks away in order to better guarantee them safe passage through intersections.  Baxter installed this device at a local Beverly Hills intersection at his own expense in 1940 and it was said to have worked.  Said Baxter, “You just push a button on the dashboard of your car and the signals turn red in all directions.”  In the same interview Baxter claims that he’s used his earlier invention on hunting trips and has found that it “works perfectly.”

The only other item of interest I could find about Baxter’s personal life is a constant reference of being at William Powell’s side when Jean Harlow died.  Baxter and Powell appeared together in three 1926 features at Paramount, Along the South Seas , The Runaway , and The Great Gatsby , in which Baxter played Jay Gatsby, and I can only assume they formed a long-lasting friendship from that time.

Warner Baxter’s own end was filled with pain and suffering.  Newspapers report two hospitalizations early in 1951 prior to his death May 7 of that same year.  Baxter suffered from terrible arthritis that caused so much pain he wasn’t even able to eat.  This developed into a vitamin deficiency and left him on the verge of starvation.  In February ‘51 Baxter spent three weeks in a hospital for treatment, improving well enough during that time to be sent home.  During his second hospitalization in April, Baxter was given a lobotomy with hopes that the operation would lessen the pain and allow him to eat again.  Thankfully he was spared starvation when bronchial pneumonia set in and caused his death at age 62.

Baxter’s obituary says that he was survived by his beloved second wife of 33 years, Winifred Bryson, a veteran of the stage and screen herself through 1928, and his mother, Mrs. Jane Baxter.  I could not find any reports of children.

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March 30, 2010 at 1:43 pm

Only seen one movie with Warner Baxter, Squaw man. He was quite good in it. Kinda Ronald Colman-y.

I think it’s interesting how many stars were tinkerers/inventors. Warren William, Warner Baxter and I’m finding out reading “A Dreadful Man” that George Sanders was a tinkerer as well. He famously rewired many friends homes and had a huge workshop in his place. At the time he married Zsa Zsa Gabor he refused to move in with her because her house had no shop and his tiny apartment, adjacent to a large workshop, was too small for her and her daughter and their nanny.

March 30, 2010 at 1:52 pm

That’s funny, I always thought the Ronald Colman thing myself … but for the life of me I don’t know why! The mustache?

Jenny, I was dying to pull Warren William into this because you have the tinkering, the presumed (in Baxter’s case I couldn’t confirm) lack of heirs, and a 1930’s hey day followed by spending the 1940’s in a Columbia mystery series. Then you have the early death and poof!–forgotten. What’s up with that?

The tinkering is getting strange. It’s becoming a common trait. Wonder if they had a secret club or something?

April 26, 2011 at 12:21 am

I have a manuscript to the movie “the return of cisco kid” with warren baxter 1938 property of fox television…Found it in a old box of books in a barn.It’s in great condion! It says in the front of book that it wasnt but 3 copies made for them to return after studing their parts, it’s very interesting and wondering how much it may be worth if anything!

February 29, 2012 at 4:40 am

Great write up, you sure like the forgotten ones. Couple thoughts on Warner. He is fantastic in West of Zanzibar. I especially get a kick out of the drunken “booty” dance he does. I love him with Myrna Loy both in The Penthouse and Broadway Bill. The latter of the two is one of Capra’s best. Six hours to live has a nice poetic quality. to it. He really was in a nice assortment of movie before settling into the Crime Doctor roles which can be hit or miss. A similar trajectory to our friend Warren William. Died too young but thanks to new availabilty he will hopefully be more appreciated as time goes by.

February 29, 2012 at 4:45 am

Very similar to Warren William @224733667c82d93d78ecb090ec25b1f8:disqus that still sticks out in my memory from writing this!

Love all the films you mention with West of Zanzibar most recent on my mind and Penthouse sitting on my nightstand at the moment for a refresher sometime soon!

Odd to get a comment on this one tonight as I am right now putting finishing touches on a post about Adam Had Four Sons that I hope to have up before sunrise this morning!

February 29, 2012 at 7:55 am

Jeebus, now it may seem like a leap but since you are the author I can’t help but do a Baxter comparison with Warren William. Here is what I’ve got. Warren William and Warner Baxter both men were: inventors done with A pics by 30’s end leads in B crime series in 40’s never looked young (IMHOP) married to one woman whole life largely forgotten in second half of century written about by Cliff

March 1, 2012 at 5:12 pm

Gold Diggers of 1933 vs. 42nd Street (I could always see Warren as Julian Marsh!)

B crime series, yep, The Lone Wolf vs. Crime Doctor

Along with your points on one woman/largely forgotten, neither had children which I think could have helped kept their names going to some extent.

June 26, 2012 at 2:10 am

I found your write up very informative. Believe this or not but I am a relative of Warner Baxter. His second wife was related to my grandmother. I have a few studio pics you may not have seen if interested contact me by email at [email protected]

January 13, 2013 at 9:13 am

I HAVE FURNITURE WARNER BAXTER HAD MADE FOR HIS WIFE, I BOUGHT IT IN 1986 FROM HIS WIFE, DINING TABLE WITH 6 CHAIRS AND THE SERVER ALSO HAVE A BLUE CHAIR AND FOOT STOOL AND LAMP

January 14, 2013 at 5:47 pm

Sounds wonderful, Tom, would love to see pictures if you have any to share. Thanks for commenting!

May 29, 2014 at 8:30 pm

BTW for relative who was related to Warren Baxter hey GET TV that new regular tv channel been showing his Crime doctor movies during past March

June 28, 2014 at 7:15 pm

Warner Baxter was my late maternal Grandmother’s cousin. Her maiden name was Rosina Baxter and her last surviving child, my Uncle Len (who turned 90 in May), is quite like Warner (except his hair and moustache are white). I never knew my Grandmother and I don’t think she ever met Warner as she lived here in the UK all her life but I was told she did see many of his films and my late Mother had 42nd Street on DVD and she used to say she could see my Grandmother in Warner. He sadly isn’t very well known these days when compared to contemporary stars of the time but when I’ve mentioned he played the Cisco Kid, some people do react to that.

June 30, 2014 at 2:38 am

Thanks, Steve. He’s wonderful in 42nd Street . I really like him, good sturdy actor who always gave a fine performance. This post is a few years old, but I wrote about another of his movies recently, Frank Capra’s Broadway Bill co-starring Myrna Loy. Tell them about the Oscar he won as Cisco, that ought to impress them!

June 23, 2020 at 1:52 pm

So do you think WB got his exotic dark looks from the Baxter side? Looks that way. Funny how some English people, like Cary Grant, don’t look English at all. My dad was an Englishman and he appeared quite typical, violet-blue eyes [like me] and blond hair.

September 27, 2020 at 2:20 pm

Sorry for late response. Yes I’m sure the dark looks were from the Baxter side, my mother was very dark featured as is my brother and both his children (I’m not, I am fair-haired and blue-eyed as was my father). I can remember my mother telling me her mother’s descendants (not sure if that was grandparents, great grandparents or further back) were from Malta so if that’s the case, it would explain the dark appearance. Hope this sheds some light on the matter anyway, thanks for getting in touch.

September 27, 2020 at 2:24 pm

NB – I shouldn’t have said descendants, I meant ancestors! D’oh!!!

October 24, 2014 at 4:06 pm

I was going through the library and found an article that said that a local boy, Billy Ray Santschi, from Crystal City, MO was going to Hollywood where he was hired to play the son of Warner Baxter in a Columbia picture called “Legacy”. Not sure of the year. He was listed in the movie as just Billy Ray. Have not found the film.

October 25, 2014 at 4:02 am

Hi James, Legacy was the working title of Adam Had Four Sons (1941), which I actually have covered in some detail on the site HERE . The movie starred Baxter with Ingrid Bergman, Fay Wray, and Susan Hayward. Young Billy Ray grows up to become Richard Denning later in the film. I think it currently plays on GetTV every so often, though I’ve caught it on TCM in the past. Good luck, Cliff

June 13, 2015 at 8:07 am

I had never heard of Mr Baxter I found an autographed photo of him in an antique store and just had to buy it there was just something about his eyes.

June 15, 2015 at 3:05 am

Nice find! I hope you get to check out some of his movies.

August 3, 2015 at 9:14 am

My cousin was very close to him. Her stage name was Barbara Lee, real name Ernestine Barber. Discovered letter and signed photograph she kept over 40 years after he died. Seeking more information please. Dean S. DeSoto, San Antonio, Texas. Email [email protected]

January 10, 2016 at 11:22 am

I like Baxter a lot in most of the films I’ve seen him in, and think he deserves to be remembered better, so am pleased to find you wrote this bio, Cliff. I’m currently reading the biography of William A Wellman by his son, and have got on to the account of the making of The Robin Hood of El Dorado in 1936, where I think Baxter gives a fine performance.

But Wellman Jr claims Baxter had a “staggering drinking problem” by this time and indeed claims that most of the time an unnamed double (“D”) took his place on set in this and other films, with Baxter appearing only in the close-ups. While of course many actors had drink problems so that aspect is only too believable, I find the claim of a double being used on such a grand scale hard to believe. Especially as 1936 was a good year for Baxter, when he also appeared in The Prisoner of Shark Island and a good Howard Hawks WW1 film, The Road to Glory. Had you ever heard anything about this?

January 12, 2016 at 2:53 am

Hi Judy, I feel like I’ve come across whispers of this in some old Hollywood bios, but I haven’t picked up the Wellman book yet, so I can’t personally speak to the overall tone and reliability of that specific text. Still, seems like the right people like the book, so there is that. The little I know about Baxter is in this piece written, shoot, almost six years ago now, so I’m due for a little brushing up, I suppose. Still, there’s no “insider” stuff here, nor do I know anything. I haven’t watched Robin Hood of El Dorado yet, but agree, the other two are excellent, as is Slave Ship the following year. Certainly, he had straightened himself out, or at least would have been going through a good period, by the time of Adam Had Four Sons in 1941, where he does an excellent job. Recalling the end of Baxter’s life, well, nothing would surprise me about that time, really terrible stuff as I recall.

January 12, 2016 at 4:41 pm

Cliff, thanks so much for this reply. Interesting to hear of those mentions in old Hollywood bios. Sadly, it seems as if Baxter had a lot of problems – I remember Capra is scathing about him in his autobiography, not mentioning a drink problem, but talking about his fear of horses.

I think the Wellman bio contains quite a few tall stories, as it seems to be largely based on his own memoirs. So I’d have to say it doesn’t strike me as feeling very reliable overall, but as a fan of his films I’m still finding it worth reading.

June 9, 2016 at 8:51 pm

I read your biography of Warner Baxter with great interest. I have pictures of Warner Baxter, friends, and family in it. In 1966 we lived in Manhattan Beach CA and my husband found the pictures thrown in a dumpster. He picked them out, put them in a manila envelope and that’s where they have been ever since, until I just recently came across them. I saw in your blog ‘Erik’ wrote he is a relative…he might like to have the pictures, but the email address listed was a dead end. It would be a shame to just throw them, as some go back to 1928. Do you have a suggestion? Thanks …there are other pictures and clues to some of the history that might be of interest to you Cliff, with your knowledge.

June 10, 2016 at 12:18 am

Hi Shari, I definitely wouldn’t throw them out, unless the garbage really did a job on them-which I doubt, or you wouldn’t have saved them so long! I don’t know how substantial a trove you have there, but do feel free to email me at [email protected] with details. Thanks!

March 1, 2018 at 6:19 pm

He was great as Alan Breck in “Kidnapped”.

March 11, 2018 at 11:55 pm

Yep, agree. Under appreciated movie too, glad to see Fox Cinema Archives put it out on DVD a few years ago (my copy predates that and is lousy-I should really upgrade!).

September 21, 2020 at 6:55 pm

My mother, Stella Rogers, rented Mr Baxter’s Palm Springs apartment while my father was overseas in WWII. That’s the reason I recognize his name and am watching “42nd Street” right now…

July 14, 2022 at 9:29 am

Question what ever happened to his academy award?? from a big fan of Mr Baxter

[…] were painful, plagued with emotional and physical health issues that slowed his film output. He died of pneumonia following a lobotomy in […]

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