The first biography to explore Albert Finney's entire career and put into context his contribution to British cinema and theatre 'Strolling Player' is the story of a Salford-born, homework-hating bookie's son who broke the social barriers of British film and dodged typecasting to become a five-time Oscar nominee. This riveting account of the life and career of Albert Finney examines how one of Britain's greatest actors built a glittering career without sacrificing his integrity. It's also the story of an actor who went his own way, did his share of roistering and yet outlived his contemporaries to become one of our most durable international stars. Bon vivant, perennial rebel, self-effacing character star, charismatic charmer, mentor to a generation of working-class artists, a byword for professionalism, lover of horseflesh?and female flesh?Finney is all these things and more?as Gabriel Hershman's colourful and incisive biography reveals. AUTHOR: Gabriel Hershman is an experienced British journalist who has written for many international publications. His abiding interest is in film and theatre, and his previous biography of a lesser-known British actor, Ian Hendry, continues to be a hit among followers of cult film and has won rave reviews. SELLING POINTS: ? Features original interviews with many of Finney's directors and co-stars ? Foreword by renowned British actor David Warner ? International appeal: Finney is as popular in the US as he is here ? First-hand accounts of many of Finney's theatrical performances, as recalled by the author, during the 1980s, a golden period for London's West End 16 b/w illustrations
