Lemmon, Chris 1954-
Lemmon, Chris 1954-
(Christopher Boyd Lemmon)
PERSONAL:
Born January 22, 1954, in Los Angeles, CA; son of Jack (an actor) and Cynthia Boyd (an actress) Lemmon; married Gina Raymond (a model), April 23, 1988; children: three. Hobbies and other interests: Playing the piano, golf.
ADDRESSES:
Home—CT. Agent—Bret Adams, Bret Adams Ltd., 448 W. 44th St., New York, NY 11976.
CAREER:
Actor. Has appeared in films, including Airport '77, Universal, 1977; Just before Dawn, Oakland, 1980; Seems Like Old Times, Columbia, 1980; The Happy Hooker Goes to Hollywood, Cannon, 1980; C.O.D., Lone Star, 1983; Tell Me That You Love Me, 1983; Cannonball Run II, Warner Bros., 1984; Swing Shift, Warner Bros., 1984; That's Life!, Columbia, 1986; Weekend Warriors, Movie Store, 1986; Going Undercover, Miramax, 1989; Dad, Universal, 1989; Corporate Affairs, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer/United Artists Home Video, 1991; Firehead, American International Pictures Home Video, 1991; Lena's Holiday, Prism Entertainment, 1991; Wishmaster, Live Film & Mediaworks, 1997; Land of the Free, PM Entertainment Group, 1997; and Just the Ticket, United Artists, 1999. Appeared in television series, including Brothers and Sisters, National Broadcasting Co. (NBC), 1979; Duet, Fox, 1987-89; Open House, Fox, 1989-90; Knots Landing, Columbia Broadcasting Service (CBS), 1990; and Thunder in Paradise, syndicated, 1993-94; appeared in television movie Mirror, Mirror, NBC, 1979; appeared in television pilots Uncommon Valor, CBS, 1983, and The Outlaws, American Broadcasting Co., 1984; has also appeared in various television specials and episodes of series; provided voice for video game Thunder in Paradise, 1995.
WRITINGS:
A Twist of Lemmon: A Tribute to My Father, Algonquin Books (Chapel Hill, NC), 2006.
SIDELIGHTS:
Chris Lemmon, the son of actor Jack Lemmon, has also pursued acting, appearing in television series and movies. A talented pianist, too, he once considered becoming a professional musician before focusing on acting. He never gained the same prominence as an actor that his father did, though there was never any jealousy for the older Lemmon's career. Chris Lemmon, in fact, dearly adored his father, whom he saw as a loving and fun person, though flawed for his well-known bouts of egotism. In Lemmon's first book, A Twist of Lemmon: A Tribute to My Father, he talks about his time with his father growing up, and how he regretted the fact that his father's busy career made it impossible for them to spend more days together. While a Kirkus Reviews critic was somewhat disappointed that the younger actor does not reveal "what it was like to grow up as 'JackLemmonsson,'" the reviewer added that the occasionally "syrupy" book portrays "a deep, sincerely demonstrable love." Other critics found Lemmon's book on a famous Hollywood actor refreshing for just this reason. Booklist contributor Mike Tribby, for one, called it an "inspirational memoir [that] is a heartfelt son-to-father tribute and a great addition to the Hollywood shelves." A Publishers Weekly writer enjoyed the work as "a modest, unabashedly sentimental memoir."
BIOGRAPHICAL AND CRITICAL SOURCES:
BOOKS
Lemmon, Chris, A Twist of Lemmon: A Tribute to My Father, Algonquin Books (Chapel Hill, NC), 2006.
PERIODICALS
Booklist, April 15, 2006, Mike Tribby, review of A Twist of Lemmon, p. 17.
Kirkus Reviews, February 15, 2006, review of A Twist of Lemmon, p. 172.
Library Journal, April 1, 2006, Rosellen Brewer, review of A Twist of Lemmon, p. 97.
Publishers Weekly, February 20, 2006, review of A Twist of Lemmon, p. 145.
ONLINE
Internet Movie Database,http://www.imdb.com/ (September 28, 2006), list of movie and television credits for Chris Lemmon.*