Book excerpt: “I Was Better Last Night” by Harvey Fierstein

In his new memoirs, “Last night was better” Winning actor and playwright Tony Harvey Fierstein recounts his life, from going out as gay as a teenager, to his roles in Broadway shows such as “Torch Song Trilogy”, “La Cage aux Folles”, “Hairspray” and “Fiddler on the.” Ceiling. “

Read an excerpt below, in which Fierstein writes about his roles in film alongside Robin Williams, Edward Norton and Jon Stewart.

Don’t miss Rita Braver’s interview with Harvey Fierstein on “CBS Sunday Morning” on March 13th!

About befriending Robin Williams and making “Mrs. Doubtfire”

Working at “Mrs. Doubtfire” was a dream come true. Director Chris Columbus devised a brilliant system to capture all that Robin was [Williams]. We did each shot over and over again according to the script until Chris was sure he had what he needed, and then Robin let go to improvise. This was especially fun when we worked on the scenes transforming her into Mrs. Doubtfire. But the shot I remember the most was the one Robin knocked on my door and asked me to turn into a woman. I did the line as it was written a few times until Chris told me I had what I needed. Now it was my turn to improvise. I can’t tell you how many times Robin called and said, “Can you make me a woman?” and I reacted. Dozens of shots, dozens of lines … until Chris finally said, “Cut. We’ve had enough.”

We were about to leave the set when I was struck by inspiration. I shouted, “Just one more.” Chris was a game. We went back and handed over the phrase that has become a meme for all occasions: “Oh darling, I’m so happy.”

Losing Robin was impossible for everyone who loved him. Damn cliché, he was like a brother to me. Always generous, supportive, inclusive whenever we can get together. I don’t know why, but some people just go into your heart and make you feel at home. That’s how he always felt about Robin. As with any true friendship, it was our private time that I loved most. We were having dinner in San Francisco when I told him I had to go back to LA in the morning. As it turned out, a studio was sending his private jet to take him to Hollywood for a reunion. He invited me to come. We were the only ones in the cockpit of the plane plus a flight attendant. For reasons I don’t remember, there was a guitar on the floor. Robin grabbed her and started improvising. As absurd as it may seem, during the next hour I took on the role of the Spanish actress Charo and he took on the role of a chihuahua while we fought over which of us liked Xavier Cugat the most. It was a musical. We were inside cuchi-cuchi the sky.

Of all the questions the press asks, I am most often asked about Robin. He is so loved. People just need to hear your name and automatically smile. I confess that was never my reaction to him. Even before I thought about the torment I must have experienced to end his life as he did, whenever we were together, my heart stretched out to comfort him. My brain reasoned, What the hell do you think he needs from you? He has a wife, beautiful children, a great career, more money than he can ever spend, great friends and a world of strangers who would kill to be his friend. The audacity to think he needs anything from you!

But that feeling was always there. A tiny voice from the bottom screamed in pain, and he was never sure he knew he felt it.

About Ed Norton, Jon Stewart and “Death to Smoochy”

I was sure “Death to Smoochy” would be a huge hit, which proves how little I know. It was a satirical comedy with a cast led by Robin Williams and Edward Norton, both great attractions at the time. The script was dark, stupid, funny, offering many opportunities for both protagonists to develop. Jon Stewart also appeared at a rare performance concert. I was more impressed with the lighting design of the film. When shooting in shady places, the designer used saturated colors in complementary shades to transform the world of children’s television from rainbow happiness to haunting conflict. Being on set was visually exciting. But then, when I saw the movie, the colors had faded and faded. Maybe it was too much when they saw the footage.

I remember shooting in Times Square, right in front of what was then the Toys “R” Us megastore. It was an all-night shoot, which costs a lot, so there’s no cancellation even if you get hit by a snowstorm. We were hit by a snowstorm. We needed to shoot a scene where I, a tough gangster, was threatening the life of Edward Norton, a flake, in the back of my limousine. They postponed it as long as they could, hoping the snow would subside so they could see something beyond the car windows, but it wasn’t. The sun was about to rise and the snow showed no sign of stopping. Danny DeVito, the director, made a soldier and shot the scene, and then my close-ups, but when he turned around to look for Edward’s bachelors, everyone was exhausted. Danny pushed me aside and said, “Poor Edward is in the back of the car, practically dead. All I need is a close-up of a really scared look on his face and we can wrap it up. for the night. I count on you. Come in and say something really scary so I can get the shot and get the shit out of here. ”

“I’ll try,” I said, brainwashed by something that would scare an actor he’d played alongside Marlon Brando, Robert De Niro, and Frances McDormand. Danny put me in his seat, almost on top of Edward, squeezing him into the corner of the back seat of the car. I brought my face a few inches closer to hers, as close as I could without entering the frame, and as soon as Danny shouted “Action,” I began to whistle darkly at that mouth:

“You’re so pretty. I wish I didn’t have a doll of yours. I wish I didn’t have a doll of yours, and I’d fuck it.” Edward’s face turned white. Danny shouted “Cut!”

Edward got out from under me and got out of the car, into the blinding snowstorm. It’s not that we run in the same circles, but I don’t think he’s ever spoken to me again.

Danny likes the look of danger. In another scene, which I think was removed from the movie, he made me threaten Jon Stewart by putting me in his underwear. He put poor Jon on the ground and made me climb on top of him, the heel of my shoe dangerously close to his genitals. Of course, they put railings on me to support me so that I would not accidentally slip and destroy their future lineage; but it was still a frightening prospect for Jon, and as soon as Danny shouted “Cut!” Mr. Stewart came out from under me, and even though we don’t run in the same circles, I don’t think he’s ever spoken to me again.

Excerpt from “I Was Better Last Night: A Memoir” by Harvey Fierstein. Copyright © 2022 by Harvey Fierstein. Retrieved with permission from Alfred A. Knopf, a division of Penguin Random House LLC. All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without the written permission of the publisher.

For more information:

• “I Was Better Last Night: A Memoir” by Harvey Fierstein (Knopf), in hardcover, e-book and audio formats, available on Amazon and Indiebound | Live media and events
• harveyfierstein.com
• Harvey Fierstein followed Twitter and Instagram