By Angela Romeo
Fern Fields Brook is yet another example of the hidden gems of the Coachella Valley. Born in Milan Italy, Fern has been a force in the entertainment industry for over 35 years. Fern worked for Norman Lear’s Tandem Production working on the ground breaking the sit-com MAUDE.
Fern Fields Brook is also an author. Her first book, Letters To My Husband, is poignant memoir of love and loss. The book follows Fern through her first year of life as a single woman. Her latest book, They Call Me Destiny, is the story of an orphaned kitten’s journey from the gutter in the Bronx to a Manhattan’s Sutton Place. Written from Destiny’s perspective, the book provides a glimpse into the Mad Men World of the ‘60s.
The book and Fern will be at Just Fabulous on November 26 from 2-4 pm.
They Call Me Destiny, in the first in a trilogy about the life of Destiny. The Destiny Trilogy, spans the years from 1963 to 1979. The second book, Destiny’s Children, follows the erstwhile Destiny surviving childbirth, “menopaws,” and divorce, Fern’s, not Destiny’s. Book Three, Destiny Moves To LA LA LAND – OMG! continues the adventures of Fern and Destiny as the New Yorkers move to the land of lights, camera, action: California. Both books are set for publication in 2017.
With a career that has been recognized for many things, there are projects that stand out. “I am most proud of A DIFFERENT APPROACH, a live action short subject that was nominated for an OSCAR® in 1979. The groundbreaking film changed our industry’s perception of people with disabilities and paved the way for shows like GLEE and SPEECHLESS”, continued Fern.
No career is free from disappointments. “I have bittersweet memories of HEARTSOUNDS, which starred James Garner and Mary Tyler Moore. This project did not receive the recognition. Fay Kanin forgot to nominate it for a WGA award so it lacked promotion for the 1984 EMMY®.”
While others may settle into retirement Fern continues to work. “I work. That’s what I do. That’s who I am. And I still have a lot of things I want to do—and say. Besides acknowledging the fact that I am a workaholic – I was also once described as a social issues ‘groupie’. ” That fact has not gone unnoticed. Fern has received numerous awards including an EMMY, two GEORGE FOSTER PEABODY Awards, two HUMANITAS awards, the NAACP Image Award, and an OSCAR. She received the distinguished service award for her work with the disabled from President Ronald Reagan.
When we seek role models for our children, it is the Ferns we should hold up. “I have never thought of myself as a role model but have been told by many colleagues that I have served as one,” remarked Fern.
But a role model she is for many. Fern Fields Brooks will be at Just Fabulous on November 26 from 2-4 pm.
