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Five Minutes, Mr. Byner: A Lifetime of Laughter Paperback – August 1, 2020
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John Byner is a man of many voices and characters, from impersonating the slow, rolling gait and speech of John Wayne, to lending his voice to The Ant and the Aardvark cartoons. His dead-on impersonations, as well as his unique talents as a character actor, have put him on the small screen in peoples' homes, the big screen in theaters, and no screen on Broadway.
Growing up in a big family on Long Island, John discovered his uncanny ability to mimic voices as a child when he returned home from a Bing Crosby movie and repeated Bing's performance for his family in their living room. He discovered his talent made him the focus of everyone's attention, and allowed him to make friends wherever he went, from elementary school to the U.S. Navy.
John started his career in nightclubs in New York, but soon found himself getting national acclaim on The Ed Sullivan Show. With that he was on his way.
This memoir is the best and funniest moments of his life, career, and relationships with some of the biggest names in entertainment, both on and off the screen.
- Print length250 pages
- LanguageEnglish
- PublisherWriteLife Publishing
- Publication dateAugust 1, 2020
- Dimensions6 x 0.5 x 9 inches
- ISBN-101608082342
- ISBN-13978-1608082346
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From the Publisher
Editorial Reviews
Review
JohnCox - Editor in Chief, Midwest Book Review
About the Author
John Byner's TV career break happened in New York City on Merv Griffin's "Talent Scouts Show" in 1964. After great exposure on both Gary Moore and Steve Allen's variety shows in 1966 and 1967, he clowned around on Ed Sullivan's showcase program over two dozen times and Johnny Carson late-night haunt over three dozen times. He has lent his vocal library of voices to hundreds of cartoons and animated films. Douglas Wellman was a television producer-director for 35 years, as well as the assistant dean of the film school at the University of Southern California. He currently lives in Southern Utah with his wife, Deborah, where he works as a chaplain at a local hospital.
Product details
- Publisher : WriteLife Publishing; None edition (August 1, 2020)
- Language : English
- Paperback : 250 pages
- ISBN-10 : 1608082342
- ISBN-13 : 978-1608082346
- Item Weight : 12.8 ounces
- Dimensions : 6 x 0.5 x 9 inches
- Best Sellers Rank: #847,174 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #1,299 in Television Performer Biographies
- #7,319 in Actor & Entertainer Biographies
- #25,331 in Memoirs (Books)
- Customer Reviews:
About the authors
John Byner entered the world as the fifth of six children. Unexpectedly, John discovered a way to make himself feel special in the eyes of his family and friends.
When his mother asked him to tell his father what they had seen that afternoon at the movies, John, then age six, did his impression of Bing Crosby singing "Ac-Cent-Tchu-Ate the Positive," which immediately raised their eyebrows in astonishment. Being a shy kid, he found that impressions broke the ice through the many moves his family made, and also later when he served in the Navy.
From then on, John listened to voices — especially those that he liked. He mimicked them with ease. His gift took him from winning talent competitions to performing in every sort of venue imaginable...from stage to screen, recordings, cartoons and having a half dozen television series of his own.
From the moment he learned to read, Douglas Wellman was addicted to books. A long bicycle ride to the library from their new home in the middle of nowhere was well worth it, as long as he could load up the bike's basket with books. From childhood, he knew he wanted to be a writer. His parents figured that out fairly quickly and promptly took his father's ancient typewriter out of storage for him, replacing it with a new one on his fifteenth birthday. From that point on, he was off and running-or more correctly-off and typing..
Wellman was also fascinated by the world of broadcasting. He attended the University of Minnesota, where he studied Broadcast Speech. After a few years working at Minneapolis/St. Paul television stations, he moved to Los Angeles where he became a multi-award-winning television producer-director. Much of his work was in comedy. Twenty years later, he became the Assistant Dean of the University of Southern California School of Cinematic Arts. During that period, he earned a degree in theology and a ministry license. He worked part time as a chaplain among the homeless of Los Angeles, in prisons, and currently, in a hospital.
An ardent amateur historian, he is the co-author of "Boxes the Secret Life of Howard Hughes," and "Surviving Hiroshima: A Young Woman's Story." He remained focused on World War II for his latest book, "A Teenage Girl in Auschwitz: "Basha Freilich and the Will to Live." He returned to comedy to work with his friend John Byner on "Five Minutes, Mr. Byner!, and pursued his Christian interests working with his friend Sharon Porterfield on her book, "God Sent Me: A Woman Missionary in the Jungle."
His last view of Los Angeles was a decade ago-in his rear view mirror-and he now lives peacefully in Utah with his wife, Deborah.
Customer reviews
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Learn more how customers reviews work on AmazonCustomers say
Customers find the book entertaining and easy to read. They describe it as a light-hearted tale of a comedian's life with laughs. The author is described as honest and genuine in his approach to life and appreciation for humor. Readers enjoy the stories about the comic's career and appreciate the author's genuine approach.
AI-generated from the text of customer reviews
Customers find the book humorous and entertaining. They describe it as a lighthearted tale about a comedian's positive lifestyle.
"...Written in a straightforward, easy-to-read style, it's an entertaining and pleasant read that will be enjoyed by anyone who is a fan of Byner, stand-..." Read more
"...It's a light, fun read and interesting story. As he promises from the start it's not a book of scandals or dirty stories...." Read more
"A light breezy tale of a comedian and a positive lifestyle. John Byner shares many stories of his life in comedy...." Read more
"...I couldn’t put it down! John’s a very funny and gifted man!" Read more
Customers enjoy the book's positive and engaging tone. They find the author honest and genuine in his approach to life and career. The book chronicles a successful and enjoyable life in show business.
"...that through all of his career Mr. Byner remained grounded, sincere and earnest in his approach to and appreciation for life...." Read more
"...in a straightforward, easy-to-read style, it's an entertaining and pleasant read that will be enjoyed by anyone who is a fan of Byner, stand-up..." Read more
"I really enjoyed this book. Like so many who know John Byner starting from the days of TV in the 60's, I was interested in reading his autobiography...." Read more
"...He's a very positive person and I appreciate his ability to tell his story in a "G" rated fashion. He's a classy, humble guy...." Read more
Customers find the book fascinating and enjoyable. They appreciate the stories and the history of a good, decent, and funny man's career.
"Truly enjoyed the stories and even more so appreciated that through all of his career Mr. Byner remained grounded, sincere and earnest in his..." Read more
"...It's a light, fun read and interesting story. As he promises from the start it's not a book of scandals or dirty stories...." Read more
"...A fascinating read about a tremendous and successful life in show business ! I couldn’t put it down! John’s a very funny and gifted man!" Read more
"I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It was interesting at all times and very well paced...." Read more
Reviews with images
Great easy read with laughs
Top reviews from the United States
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- Reviewed in the United States on November 4, 2021Truly enjoyed the stories and even more so appreciated that through all of his career Mr. Byner remained grounded, sincere and earnest in his approach to and appreciation for life. I always loved seeing him as I was growing up and he inspired common laughter between my father and myself.
- Reviewed in the United States on January 24, 2023In this book John Byner tells the story of his decades-long comedy career through stories, anecdotes and observations about a wide variety of show business figures -- Ed Sullivan, Steve Allen, Elvis Presley, Henry Fonda, Danny Thomas, Johnny Carson, Dinah Shore, Woody Allen and many others. Written in a straightforward, easy-to-read style, it's an entertaining and pleasant read that will be enjoyed by anyone who is a fan of Byner, stand-up comedy, or 60s and 70s show biz in general.
- Reviewed in the United States on December 3, 2020I really enjoyed this book. Like so many who know John Byner starting from the days of TV in the 60's, I was interested in reading his autobiography. It's a light, fun read and interesting story. As he promises from the start it's not a book of scandals or dirty stories. It is a story of a guy who by chance gets some lucky breaks and turns them into a career spent balancing family with success. He certainly does both well!
- Reviewed in the United States on July 2, 2021If you enjoyed John Byner's comedy in the day, you will enjoy this book which recaps his climb to fame in show business. He's a very positive person and I appreciate his ability to tell his story in a "G" rated fashion. He's a classy, humble guy. His voice is very easy to listen to and I am sure I enjoyed his story a lot more because of his excellent narration.
- Reviewed in the United States on February 18, 2022A light breezy tale of a comedian and a positive lifestyle. John Byner shares many stories of his life in comedy. Don't expect "dirt" and hard feelings from John. Truly enjoys life and the road to stardom without leaving a trail of hate and venom!
- Reviewed in the United States on June 12, 2021What a great honest and intriguing reflection on the life a top showbiz talent!!!
I have always been a big fan of Mr. Byner, and this book confirms what a first class gentleman he is!
A fascinating read about a tremendous and successful life in show business !
I couldn’t put it down!
John’s a very funny and gifted man!
- Reviewed in the United States on June 9, 2022I remember watching John on all the variety shows of the 60’s and 70’s. This is a very entertaining read about his various successes in show biz. Engaging from the forward by Nathan Lane through to the end. Enjoyed this very much.
- Reviewed in the United States on September 11, 2020I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It was interesting at all times and very well paced. The chapters on Ed Sullivan and Johnny Carson were illuminating . The best stories were saved for the end of the book when John talked about encounters with fans. Thank you for sharing your life John Byner.
Top reviews from other countries
- Gary ChowenReviewed in Canada on August 29, 2020
5.0 out of 5 stars Great read
Wonderfully told story of Mr Byner’s life
Buy this book and enjoy 👍
- Carol M. TrimbleReviewed in Canada on May 18, 2021
4.0 out of 5 stars John Byner life was wonderful......
This was a nice read. Byner has had lovely family..while managing to have a good career . His comedy was clean & still he was working in Vegas much of his time where"anything was okay The book was a good read for anyone........