SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY >> Actress Kathy Garver will sign copies of her memoir, “Surviving Cissy: My Family Affair of Life in Hollywood,” from 4 to 6 p.m. Friday at Barnes & Noble, 27460 Lugonia Ave.
The book chronicles her upbringing and extensive film career from being cast at the age of 7 to star alongside Charlton Heston in “The Ten Commandments” to her starring role on the television series “Family Affair.”
“I think because of the popularity of ‘Family Affair’ fans always want to know what it was like working with Brian Keith and Sebastian Cabot and the two kids. But I think so many people are then surprised that I have had such a long career,” she said. “Working on ‘The Ten Commandments’ … was an epic movie and Cecil B. DeMille was an epic director. People are curious how such a monumental picture was conceived and how it was actually created.”
Garver was born in Long Beach and lived in San Bernardino in her teens. She is an alumna of Pacific High School where she graduated from in 1963.
In addition to “Family Affair,” Garver has appeared in a number of television shows, including “The Patty Duke Show,” “The Big Valley,” “The Rifleman,” “Nash Bridges” and “Matlock.”
Writing “Surviving Cissy” was a 10-year process and penned at the request of her fans who wanted an inside look at what it was like to go from a child actress to voice-over artist to producer, she said.
“I just started out to write about my life and as I got more into the book, it really evolved and I developed this thread theory that everything is interconnected,” Garver said. “And then it became very inspiring.”
“All who have read it have said, ‘Oh my gosh, I’m so inspired by your book,’ ” she continued. “(The book) talks about the power of perseverance and to just keep going no matter what happens, and if obstacles occur and crises occur, we’ll get through this.”
Garver’s stop near Redlands is one of many planned during an extensive book tour. She said the appearance will give her the chance to interact with local fans and former classmates, including some featured in the book.
“There are at least two chapters devoted to my time in San Bernardino,” she said. “And after I chronicled and did mini bios of my classmates, I’m so surprised that so many of my classmates became so successful.”
Copies of “Surviving Cissy” will be available for purchase during the signing. Garver also will read an excerpt during the visit.
“I’m very proud to have gone to Pacific, and to have graduated, and to have lived in San Bernardino,” she said.
To learn more about Garver, go to kathygarver.com.
IF YOU GO
• What: Kathy Garver Book Signing
• When: 4 to 6 p.m. Friday
• Where: Barnes & Noble, 27460 Lugonia Ave., Redlands
• Admission: Free
• Information: 909-793-4322
