Noshing With Samuel Garza Bernstein – June 4, 2026
Author, Roddy McDowall: An Actor's Life -- From "How Green Was My Valley" to "Lassie" to "Planet of the Apes"
What happens when a lifelong admirer gains access to decades of never-before-explored archives? The result is a fascinating look at one of Hollywood’s most beloved and enduring stars.
This week on “Ira’s Everything Bagel,” Ira sits down with author Samuel Garza Bernstein to discuss his acclaimed biography, “Roddy McDowall: An Actor's Life -- From ‘How Green Was My Valley’ to ‘Lassie’ to ‘Planet of the Apes.’” Samuel reveals how an agent’s suggestion sparked the project and why he “kind of grew up wanting to be Roddy McDowall.” He shares how McDowall’s distinctive personality, lingering British accent, and remarkable career made him unlike anyone else in Hollywood.
The conversation explores Samuel’s discovery of McDowall’s extensive personal archives at Boston University—carefully indexed and sealed until 25 years after the actor’s death. Remarkably, the collection was opened just six months before Samuel began his research, providing unprecedented insight into McDowall’s life and legacy. Bernstein discusses McDowall’s relentless activity and creativity right up until the end of his life, his legendary social gatherings designed to make every guest feel special, and the surprising normalcy and openness of his personal relationships.
The episode also examines McDowall’s impact as a child actor during World War II, his passion for history and film preservation, and his close friendship with legendary playwright and performer Noel Coward. Samuel shares why researching the book proved especially challenging, the mystery of films that survive but remain unavailable to the public, and what made McDowall such a gifted performer. At the heart of their discussion is a timeless lesson from McDowall himself: great acting comes from being fully present in the moment. This engaging conversation offers a rare look at one of Hollywood’s most beloved actors and the lasting influence he continues to have on film history.
ABOUT SAMUEL:
Samuel Garza Bernstein is a Stonewall Book Award-winning author, screenwriter, and playwright. His most recent book, Cesar Romero: The Joker Is Wild, was a finalist for Foreword Magazine Best Biography of 2025. He was the co-showrunner of the third season of “After Forever (now streaming on Amazon)” and has written the fourth season, scheduled to go into production at the end of the year. Releasing Roddy McDowall: An Actor’s Life during Pride Month is especially meaningful to Garza Bernstein, whose work consistently brings LGBTQ+ lives and legacies into the mainstream conversation. He and husband Ronald Shore have been together for more than 30 years and split their time between Porto, Portugal, and Los Angeles, California.
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