Rick Lenz, '64

An intimate, sometimes hilarious, sometimes touching and always honest account of making a living and living life next to Hollywood legends, Rick Lenz finds meaning in the experiences he’s had as a successful actor through his new memoir North of Hollywood. The book is full of anecdotes such as tough guy Al Pacino giving Lenz a gift of sorts, funny lady Lucille Ball being less than humorous with him and telling about encounters with Peter Sellers, Bob Dylan and Ella Fitzgerald. The gifted artist and widely produced playwright uses his masterful storytelling skills to share with readers his personal experiences with entertainers we normally only hear about through the rumor mills.

One of the workingest actors of the late-20th century, Rick Lenz was Goldie Hawn's boyfriend in the movie Cactus Flower and Eddie Albert’s law partner on television’s Green Acres. His many other small and big screen roles ranged from the serious to the comedic. Originally from Michigan, Lenz lives in North Hollywood with his wife.