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Inspired by her curiosity for creativity to write biographies of four leading figures in the arts, including Stan Kenton, Samuel Goldwyn, Jacqueline du Pré, and Agnes de Mille, Carol Easton died at her home in Venice, California, on June 17. He was 87 years old.
His death was confirmed Saturday by his daughter, Liz Kinnon.
“She was always fascinated by people, especially creative people in the arts,” said Ms. Kinnon. “After years of working as a freelance writer, she decided she wanted to write her first biography.”
His first subject was a jazz composer and conductor Stan Kenton, whose popularity spans four decades. “Straight Ahead: The Stan Kenton Story” was published in 1973.
He followed this up with “The Search for Sam Goldwyn” (1976), a profile of the pioneers. Hollywood producer; “Jacqueline du Pré: A Biography” (1989), about the child prodigy cellist Developing cerebral palsy, which ended his career in his late 20s; and “No Breaks: The Life of Agnes de Mille” (1996), choreographer giving dance a distinctively American energy.
“No Intermissions” was named the New York Times Most Important Book of the Year in 1996. Described in an article by The Times’ dance critic Jennifer Dunning. review as a ‘extensively researched’ look at the worlds of ballet and Broadway (including Ms. de Mille’s groundbreaking choreography for ‘Oklahoma’); ardent advocacy of the National Endowment for the Arts; and frankness. (When she received the National Medal of Arts in 1986, Ms. Easton told President Ronald Reagan, “You’re a much better actor now than in the movies.”)
The review, “No Intermissions,” concluded, “is an engaging, enjoyable and thought-provoking read, and quite a feat for a book about such a thorny and self-made icon.”
In New York Times Book Review, Joan Acocella said about Ms. Easton’s book: “For those who are still wondering how the dance is done, like me, de Mille details her choreographic method: how she imagined a dance, what first came to mind, how many. notes and what kind of notes he took before entering the studio.
Miss Easton’s biography of Jacqueline du Pré is described here: Times Book Review “Full of great quotes” by Peggy Constantine (including this quote from violinist Hugh Maguire: “It was always like freshly uncorked champagne”).
In letter to The Times In 1999, Ms. Easton also starred in Ms. Easton with “Hilary and Jackie” (1998), based on a book by Jacqueline’s sister, flutist Hilary du Pré, about Jacqueline and Hilary’s relationship. compared the life of du Pré. husband.
“As a friend of Jacqueline du Pré and a biographer at her request, I know that she is neither a saint as the British media portrays, nor the selfish beast-holy of her sister’s self-serving book.” Easton wrote. “On the contrary, it was painfully human.”
Carol Evelyn Herzenberg was born on September 27, 1933, in San Francisco, the child of Jean Miller, an entrepreneur and journalist, and Herbert Herzenberg, a businessman. Their marriage ended in divorce. Carol was legally adopted and took her last name by her mother’s second husband, Jack Easton, a Hollywood agent.
Growing up in Hollywood, he would sneak onto the grounds of Samuel Goldwyn Studios as a child, and manage to act as an extra in the 1943 anti-war film “The North Star,” according to his son Kelly.
He studied theatrical arts at the University of California, Los Angeles. She married Jerry Kinnon in 1956. They divorced in 1968.
In addition to their daughter and son Kelly, he is survived by another son, Andy; five grandchildren; and a brother, Jack Easton.
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