Barry Sonnenfeld, one of Hollywood’s biggest film and television directors, brings us his outrageous and hilarious memoir tracing his idiosyncratic upbringing in New York City, his breaking into film as a cinematographer with the Coen brothers, and his unexpected career as the director behind such huge film franchises as The Addams Family and Men in Black, and beloved work like Get Shorty, Pushing Daisies, and A Series of Unfortunate Events.

Told in his unmistakable voice, Barry Sonnenfeld, Call Your Mother is a laugh-out-loud memoir about coming of age. Constantly threatened with suicide by his over-protective mother, disillusioned by the father he worshiped, and abused by a demonic relative, Sonnenfeld somehow went on to become one of Hollywood’s most successful producers and directors.

Sonnenfeld was one of Letterman’s favorite guests, and has appeared on Fresh Air, Wait Wait Don’t Tell Me, and many other shows. The stories he can regale you with include surviving a plane crash, his Bar Mitzvah in a Catholic Church, the unique challenges of meeting with Warren Beatty, and what it was like to work for Penny Marshall and trade jokes with Robin Williams. Sonnenfeld was a longtime tech columnist for Esquire, carries a photo of a perfectly cooked steak in his wallet to show waiters, and has challenged and beaten many notable celebrities in something he calls leg wrestling.

About the Author

Barry Sonnenfeld is an American filmmaker and television director. He originally worked as a cinematographer for the Coen brothers before directing films such as The Addams Family and its sequel, Addams Family Values alongside the Men in Black trilogy, Wild Wild West and Get Shorty.

In conversation with CNN journalist Holly Firfer. In partnership with the JCCs of Atlanta, Cherry Hill (NJ), Dallas, Miami, Rochester (NY) and Seattle.