Griffin Dunne, the actor and filmmaker known for his roles in “After Hours” and “An American Werewolf in London,” recently took a nostalgic journey back to his Hollywood roots with “The Friday Afternoon Club,” a memoir that offers an intimate look at his upbringing in the entertainment capital.
Born into a family deeply embedded in the film industry, Dunne was the son of famed producer and writer Dominick Dunne and actress Ellen Beatriz Griffin. His childhood was anything but ordinary, characterized by close encounters with some of Hollywood’s biggest names. In “The Friday Afternoon Club,” he recounts these encounters with a blend of nostalgia and candor, painting a vivid picture of what it was like to grow up among the stars.
“The Friday Afternoon Club” refers to the informal gatherings hosted by Griffin’s parents at their Beverly Hills home, where luminaries from various creative fields would converge. These gatherings were more than just social events; they were crucibles of creativity and intellectual exchange that left a lasting impression on young Griffin. Regular attendees included the likes of Humphrey Bogart, Lauren Bacall, Frank Sinatra, and Joan Didion, to name just a few.
Through his memoir, Dunne captures the essence of these afternoons vividly. He describes how as a child, he would wander through these gatherings absorbing snippets of conversations about art, politics, and film, all while navigating the typical struggles of growing up. These interactions sowed the seeds for his own career in acting and filmmaking.
But beyond the glamour and glitz, “The Friday Afternoon Club” also delves into the more personal aspects of Dunne’s life. He opens up about the complexities of his family dynamics, including his father’s battles with substance abuse and his mother’s struggle with mental illness. Despite these challenges, or perhaps because of them, Dunne emerged with a deep appreciation for the art of storytelling—a passion that has informed much of his work.
Reflecting on this unique upbringing, Dunne says that “The Friday Afternoon Club” is more than just a recollection of past events; it’s an homage to an era that shaped who he is today. He hopes that readers will find not only entertainment in his stories but also insights into the resilience required to navigate both personal and professional landscapes.
“The Friday Afternoon Club” is set to be released next spring and promises to be a captivating read for fans of Hollywood history as well as those interested in the complexities behind some of its storied figures. Through humor and poignant reflection, Griffin Dunne offers readers a ticket into a world few have seen and even fewer have understood from such an insider’s perspective.
