The Importance of Being Ernie

From My Three Sons to Mad Men, a Hollywood Survivor Tells All

“[A] wryly told . . . frank and funny tale of TV, movies, and family life” from the iconic Hollywood child star (Brent Maddock, producer).

A true Hollywood survivor, Barry Livingston is one of the few child stars who turned early success into a lifelong career—even if his lazy eye nearly derailed it. After losing his first major film role opposite Paul Newman, his “nerdy” look and goofy charm became his biggest asset, landing him on the classic sitcom, My Three Sons, costarring his real-life brother, Stanley. Five decades later, after working on Mad Men and Desperate Housewives, in such feature films as Zodiac and The Social Network, and alongside the likes of Brad Pitt, Adam Sandler, and Robert Downey Jr., Livingston is one actor who knows the importance of being himself.

In this engaging memoir, the actor reveals what it was like to grow up in front of the camera, working on set with Fred McMurray, Ozzie and Harriet, Lucille Ball, William Frawley, Jack Benny, Dick Van Dyke, and Ron Howard. From stage to television to the big screen, Livingston experienced some incredible highs and lows, but he never gave up. This is how one child star beat the odds and survived the dark side of the Hollywood dream factory—with charm, wit, determination, and big horn-rimmed glasses. This is The Importance of Being Ernie.

“For a child star, [Barry’s] almost normal . . .Having logged fifty years in show business . . . he’s got a great story to tell.” —Paul Jackson, producer of Charmed

“I have known Barry Livingston since he was nine years old. He always made me laugh. Now he’s kept me awake reading his wonderful autobiography. There’s a lot of talent in those size eight shoes.” —Gene Reynolds, director of TV’s M.A.S.H. and Promised Land