In Morticia's Shadow

Before captivating America as Morticia in THE ADDAMS FAMILY, actress Carolyn Jones appeared in 30 movies (including starring roles with Elvis Presley and Frank Sinatra) and had a decade-long marriage to producer Aaron Spelling. But the road to Hollywood from her native Amarillo, Texas, was studded with rejection, typecasting, and unwanted comparisons to an actress who hated her: Bette Davis. Determined to succeed, Carolyn reinvented herself by enduring plastic surgery and dyeing her blonde hair black. Hollywood rewarded its rising star with an Oscar nomination and THE ADDAMS FAMILY, which would become a curse, overshadowing the future of her acting career. IN MORTICIA'S SHADOW is the true story of Carolyn Jones: a lonely childhood in the Texas Panhandle, blind loyalty to a devoted mother, attempts to erase all trace of a long-absent father, four marriages, her scathing indictment of Hollywood through the pages of a best-selling novel, a courageous battle with cancer, and a triumphant return to television as the evil Myrna Clegg in CAPITOL. Author James Pylant unveils the real Carolyn Jones, with access to her personal correspondence and journal, as well as interviews with her family, friends and fellow actors. What emerges is an intimate portrait of the iconic actress, a consummate professional who created a mystique not only for Morticia but for herself.

Before captivating America as Morticia in THE ADDAMS FAMILY, actress Carolyn Jones appeared in 30 movies (including starring roles with Elvis Presley and Frank Sinatra) and had a decade-long marriage to producer Aaron Spelling. But the road to Hollywood from her native Amarillo, Texas, was studded with rejection, typecasting, and unwanted comparisons to an actress who hated her: Bette Davis. Determined to succeed, Carolyn reinvented herself by enduring plastic surgery and dyeing her blonde hair black. Hollywood rewarded its rising star with an Oscar nomination and THE ADDAMS FAMILY, which would become a curse, overshadowing the future of her acting career. IN MORTICIA'S SHADOW is the true story of Carolyn Jones: a lonely childhood in the Texas Panhandle, blind loyalty to a devoted mother, attempts to erase all trace of a long-absent father, four marriages, her scathing indictment of Hollywood through the pages of a best-selling novel, a courageous battle with cancer, and a triumphant return to television as the evil Myrna Clegg in CAPITOL. Author James Pylant unveils the real Carolyn Jones, with access to her personal correspondence and journal, as well as interviews with her family, friends and fellow actors. What emerges is an intimate portrait of the iconic actress, a consummate professional who created a mystique not only for Morticia but for herself. "Researched and written by James Pylant, IN MORTICIA'S SHADOW: THE LIFE & CAREER OF CAROLYN JONES" provides a complete and comprehensive account of Jones' high successful, yet at time problematic career. . . a 'must-read' for her legions of fans." -- The Midwest Book Review

James Pylant, a former newspaper columnist and magazine editor, worked as a professional genealogist in Salt Lake City. His first book, Destiny in Texas, explored his Creole roots along the Gulf Coast. He has also written three historical true-crime volumes: Blood Legacy: The True Story of the Snow Axe Murders, Sins of the Pioneers: Crimes & Scandals in a Small Texas Town, and The Oldest Profession in Texas: Waco’s Legal Red Light District, which was co-authored with Sherri Knight. He lives in Texas.