Summaries and Customer Reviews are supplied by Amazon.com

Welcome to the world of Luke Yankee, son of Broadway and Hollywood actress, Eileen Heckart. In JUST OUTSIDE THE SPOTLIGHT, this masterful storyteller pulls the curtain aside to reveal a world you’ve only dreamed about--full of showbiz gossip and behind-the-scenes tales of all your favorite celebrities. It includes never-before seen photos of stars like Marilyn Monroe, Sophia Loren, Lucille Ball, and Clark Gable, plus scores of humorous and touching, heartfelt stories.

Luke Yankee wrote JUST OUTSIDE THE SPOTLIGHT after his mother, Oscar, Emmy, Golden Globe and Tony winner (and Theatre Hall of Famer) Eileen Heckart passed away. "I realized I was the only one who knew all of her stories," says Yankee. "I have this incredibly rich legacy, and now I get to share it with the world."
JUST OUTSIDE THE SPOTLIGHT is like a party with the biggest names from Broadway to Hollywood…and you’re invited!

Average Customer Rating:

enjoyable read ------	Customer Rating:
I found this to be a very cozy and interesting book. I had not seen Eileen Heckart in many movies, but it didn't matter....the book is a good one, tells what it was like growing up with her as his mother, shows her looking more glamorous than I knew she could, and I felt like I'd been on a visit with his family and friends.

Great Book	Customer Rating:
If you love Eileen Heckart, as I do, then you must read this book. Lots of in-depth info about her life and career. You really feel that you know the woman, after you read this. Plus you get some interesting info about her gay son. Heckart was a great actress. I knew almost nothing about her life before I read this. It's a very enjoyable read, to boot.

You'll laugh and cry...

Customer Rating:

I know Luke personally which made reading this book a very enjoyable experience as I was able to learn things about his childhood and growing up with a famous mother. I enjoyed the book so much I actually purchased a copy to send to my mother as a Mother's Day gift. She loved it as she was familiar with Ms. Heckart's body of work. She told me that it made her remember great times from the past when certain references were made.

Just Outside The Spotlight	Customer Rating:
Wonderful, witty and warm biography by actress Eileen Heckart's son. One of the better bigraphies I've read.

I wish I had the option of giving it MORE stars!

Customer Rating:

"Mommie Dearest" this ain't. Instead, it's a love letter from a son to his mom...written with all the heart, humour and candor that made up their relationship. The reader is lucky that Mr. Yankee is willing to share so much. Each chapter is written almost like a monologue or anecdote you might hear him tell in his own living room. I couldn't read the book fast enough, although I certainly didn't want it to end, either! It was really as if I were being entertained right in the Heckart homestead. Whether or not you are aware of the late great Ms. Heckart's work, you will enjoy this gossipy memoire that is long on love without ever being sappy or self indulgent.