James Kirkwood: A Forgotten Legend

A novelist’s biggest challenge is often choosing an intriguing subject to earn the reader’s interest. After nearly a decade of research, author and London native Sean Egan rose to that challenge by writing his first biography, “Ponies and Rainbows: The Life of James Kirkwood.” The book is a comprehensive retelling of the life of the late James Kirkwood Jr., a former longtime East Hampton resident who wore many creative hats—playwright, author, actor, and Tony Award and Pulitzer Prize winner.

Mr. Kirkwood led a fascinating and, at times, controversial life before his death in April 1989. That is exactly why, when Mr. Egan decided to branch out from his usual musical genre novels, he looked to one of his favorite authors.

“I knew he had an amazingly interesting life, much of which was traumatic. And in the end, it paid dividends because I had so much to write about and I haven’t even done more than skim the surface,” Mr. Egan admitted during a recent phone interview.

According to Arthur Beckenstein, Mr. Kirkwood’s partner of 20 years, the man whom Mr. Egan chose to write about—an actor who played opposite notable leading ladies such as Elaine Stritch and Martha Ray and the book writer of Broadway hits “A Chorus Line” and “Legends”—was most prolific during his time in East Hampton, from 1966 until right up to the time of his death.

“Almost all the books and plays he wrote were written during the Hamptons years,” Mr. Beckenstein wrote in an email earlier this year. “Jim was very involved in the community, gave his time and efforts to various causes and benefits every summer and had a great number of friends and acquaintances out here.”

Mr. Kirkwood was born in August 1924 to James Kirkwood Sr., an actor and director in silent films, and actress Lila Lee.

Ms. Lee, a child vaudeville star, was best known as Rudolph Valentino’s love interest in the classic “Blood and Sand.” The senior Mr. Kirkwood, a reputed ladies’ man who had close relationships with Mary Pickford and Loretta Young, appeared with Tallulah Bankhead in the revue “Welcome Darlings.” The marriage lasted only four years.

After his parents divorced, Mr. Kirkwood lived with his mother and her fiance, whom Mr. Kirkwood found dead when he was just 12 years old. The cause of the man’s death was not immediately apparent. According to Mr. Egan, that macabre discovery, and subsequent fallout from the death, made a strong impression on the young boy.

“Kirkwood was extremely fond of this guy,” Mr. Egan said. “The discovery was incredibly traumatic and really, the most interesting unestablished aspect about Kirkwood. ... my opinion is that many people wondered whether he was a murderer. The body was not discovered for two days, and although Kirkwood was considered to be good-natured and effervescent, he was also violent and the inconsistency of the story led some to question Kirkwood’s innocence.”

Despite the damaging experiences of his childhood, Mr. Kirkwood went on to find incredible success.

“He was a stand-up comedian, he acted in soap operas, he did an incredible variety of odd jobs and after 35, became a novelist,” Mr. Egan said.

Over a period of approximately seven years, Mr. Egan conducted rigorous research on the life of Mr. Kirkwood. During that time he interviewed more than 60 of his family members, lovers, colleagues, friends and adversaries.

“The timing was just right for my research,” Mr. Egan said. “It was pretty much the last time anyone could write a biography about him without using only secondary sources because during that time, many of those whom I used as a primary source were elderly and many passed away before even having the chance to read the book.”

Mr. Egan said the first person he contacted was Nicholas Ellison, the editor of many of Mr. Kirkwood’s books. His mostly autobiographical work included “There Must Be a Pony,” which was made into a television film with Elizabeth Taylor and Robert Wagner, “P.S. Your Cat Is Dead!,” “Good Times/Bad Times,” “Some Kind of Hero,” and “Hit Me with a Rainbow.”

According to Mr. Egan, it was Mr. Ellison who was able to put him in contact with Mr. Beckenstein. His help was invaluable to the biographer.

“Arthur gave me access to Kirkwood’s entire address book,” Mr. Egan said. “Once Arthur was on board, things became much easier for me.”

According to Mr. Egan, Mr. Kirkwood was happily at home in East Hampton. He got his first home on the then unpaved and private Barry Lane, which later become Squaw Road, for a steal by simply knocking on the door and asking if the owner was interested in selling. A few years later, Mr. Kirkwood moved to 58 Oyster Shores Road because he loved the view there, his biographer noted.

“He loved sitting at his writing desk looking over the bay while all the boats glistened in the sunset,” Mr. Egan said.

During his time in East Hampton, Mr. Kirkwood became very involved in the cultural aspects of the community.

In 1971, George Caldwell, a senior editor at the publishing house Stein & Day, opened up BookHampton. Mr. Kirkwood, a frequent BookHampton customer, developed a friendship with the bookshop owner. As a result, he had his agent send a manuscript of his novel “P.S. Your Cat is Dead!” to him. That book was published by Stein & Day in November 1972.

Mr. Kirkwood was also involved in a few productions at the John Drew Theatre at Guild Hall. He first appeared in August 1974 in “Life with My Movie Star Mother,” a play in which he reminisced about his mother.

In 1975, Mr. Kirkwood had a big year, with two shows playing on Broadway and his latest novel, “Some Kind of Hero,” receiving remarkable reviews, Mr. Kirkwood was awarded a Pulitzer Prize for Drama for his co-writing contribution to “A Chorus Line,” now considered one of the biggest musical successes in history. That said, his story ended up staying remarkably under the radar as time passed.

“Kirkwood was a neglected figure, which is always interesting to explore,” Mr. Egan said. “He was quite famous around 1975 with two shows on Broadway, a critically acclaimed novel published and a visible presence in the media. It’s shocking how quickly he dropped off the radar and now, you don’t see his name mentioned around so much. He is one of those people who led brightly but briefly.”