About the Author

Sam Staggs is the author of six books, including four biographies of movies: All About “All About Eve”; Close-up on “Sunset Boulevard”; When Blanche Met Brando: The Scandalous Story of “A Streetcar Named Desire”; and Born to Be Hurt: The Untold Story of “Imitation of Life.” He has written for publications including Vanity Fair, Architectural Digest, and Opera News. He lives in Dallas, Texas.

Reviews

Advance praise for Sam Staggs and Finding Zsa Zsa

“Pop culture buffs will just adore this penthouse view of the Gabors.”
—Publishers Weekly
 
“A colorful history of the glamorous pop-culture icons.”
—Kirkus

“The Gabors—Zsa Zsa, Eva, Magda and Mama Jolie—invented modern celebrity. But don’t go thinking they’re simply early Kardashians. The Gabors worked hard for their fame—in movies, television, and stage productions—and in the public eye, always elegantly turned out and scattering bon mots like diamonds. Sam Staggs has revealed a group of women who were witty, resourceful and most all, intelligent.”
—William J. Mann, author of The Contender: The Story of Marlon Brando
 
“Sam Staggs’ Finding Zsa Zsa is a meticulously researched and always surprising history of four beautiful and shrewd women who cut a wide swath through Broadway, Film, Television and Cafe Society.  Much like his glamorous subjects, Sam Staggs gives his story a witty, breezy style that is delightful and entertaining but tough minded and impossible to resist."
—Charles Busch, Actor and playwright, Vampire Lesbians of Sodom and The Tale of the Allergist's Wife
 
“What an incredible tale of an incredible life, and what a kind soul Zsa Zsa was! I remember the moment she rejected all those furs that we both grew up thinking were desirable and then found out were despicable.”
—Ingrid Newkirk, President of PETA

"Tumultuous, passionate, and unapologetic, it's a loving look at the family that was equal parts allure and notoriety." 
—Discover Hollywood

“Rollicking and gossip-filled…. Staggs creates an engaging and fascinating family saga filled with fresh insights from newly conducted interviews. He also corrects lore spread through fanciful memoirs written by all four Gabors. This is a big, irresistible beach read. Staggs's delicious gossip-fest gives the Gabor sisters respect while also enjoying their outrageous tabloid antics and love affairs.” 
—Shelf Awareness