{"product_id":"jos-ferrer-mike-peros-9781496816627","title":"José Ferrer: Success and Survival","description":"José Ferrer (1912-1992) became the first Puerto Rican actor to win the Best Actor Academy Award for the 1950 film version of \u003ci\u003eCyrano de Bergerac. \u003c\/i\u003eHis iconic portrayal of the lovelorn poet\/swordsman had already won him the Tony in 1947, and he would be identified with Cyrano for the rest of his life. Ferrer was a theatrical dynamo with limitless energy; in 1952 he directed \u003ci\u003eStalag 17\u003c\/i\u003e, \u003ci\u003e The Fourposter\u003c\/i\u003e, and \u003ci\u003eThe Shrike \u003c\/i\u003e(which he starred in) on Broadway, while New York City movie marquees were heralding his appearance in \u003ci\u003eAnything Can Happen\u003c\/i\u003e. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e At his apex in the 1950s, Ferrer was in constant demand both in theater and movies. He capitalized on his Oscar with such triumphs as \u003ci\u003eMoulin Rouge \u003c\/i\u003eand \u003ci\u003eThe Caine Mutiny. \u003c\/i\u003eNot content with merely acting, Ferrer soon became a force behind the camera, acting and directing such critically well-received films as \u003ci\u003eThe Shrike \u003c\/i\u003eand \u003ci\u003eThe Great Man. \u003c\/i\u003eSuccess proved difficult to sustain. In the late 1950s, such ambitious theatrical productions as \u003ci\u003eEdwin Booth\u003c\/i\u003e and \u003ci\u003eJuno \u003c\/i\u003ewere critical and commercial flops\u003ci\u003e, \u003c\/i\u003ewhile film studios also lost their patience with him. By the mid-1960s, Ferrer took whatever roles he could get in films, television, or regional theater. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e In addition, Ferrer had a turbulent personal life. His first marriage to actress Uta Hagen ended in divorce and scandal\u003ci\u003e. \u003c\/i\u003eHis personal and professional relationship with his \u003ci\u003eOthello \u003c\/i\u003ecostar Paul Robeson landed Ferrer before the House Un-American Activities Committee. Ferrer's marriage to actress\/dancer Phyllis Hill was marred by his infidelity, while his initial wedded bliss with singer Rosemary Clooney eroded as his career began to ebb while hers started to peak. In spite of everything, Ferrer managed to endure and was working practically right up to his death. Ferrer maintained his pride in his Puerto Rican heritage, donating his Oscar to the University of Puerto Rico while championing the work of Latino poets and playwrights. He continuously evolved, striving to remain relevant, stretching his talents (including cabaret, operas, musicals, and yes, ballet!), and writing the occasional guest column for major newspapers. Ferrer's life is an American success story and a testament to reinvention and resilience.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAuthor:\u003c\/b\u003e Mike Peros\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eISBN-10:\u003c\/b\u003e 1496816625\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eISBN-13:\u003c\/b\u003e 9781496816627\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublisher:\u003c\/b\u003e University Press of Mississippi\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eLanguage:\u003c\/b\u003e English\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublished:\u003c\/b\u003e 08\/19\/2020\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePages:\u003c\/b\u003e 312\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eFormat:\u003c\/b\u003e Hardcover\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eWeight:\u003c\/b\u003e 1.35lbs\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eSize:\u003c\/b\u003e 8.90h x 5.90w x 1.40d","brand":"Mike Peros","offers":[{"title":"Hardcover","offer_id":43987517964543,"sku":"9781496816627","price":35.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0662\/2982\/9887\/files\/img_b55a4308-52e7-476f-9456-3dcad34b120c.jpg?v=1683289461","url":"https:\/\/www.whiterainbookhouse.com\/products\/jos-ferrer-mike-peros-9781496816627","provider":"WR Book House","version":"1.0","type":"link"}