Xpress Press: Uncle Miltie, Mr. Television Book Written By Former Surgeon To The Stars

Beverly Hills, Calif. -- Sept. 9, 1999 /Xpress Press/ -- Renowned publisher, Barricade Books, will be publishing the tell all biography of fabled Hollywood star Milton Berle. The book was written by Bill Berle as told to Brad Lewis.

My Father, Uncle Miltie tells the inside story on the life of the legendary entertainer.

Lewis was formerly a specialist in oral surgery. In his New York and Los Angeles offices Lewis saw an endless list of celebrities. Richard Nixon, Frank Sinatra, George Peppard and Diane Keaton were among the many well-known patients. He once had to give "top level Navy clearance" so that Hugh Downs could travel to the South Pole under government auspices.

Ruth Berle, Milton's wife was actually mugged in the private elevator leading to Lewis' office. Milton loves to say that "Ruth beat the s_ _ _ out of the guy."

Lewis once walked hurriedly into his private office only to be waved off by Henry Kissinger, who was on the telephone! Lewis was quick to close the door as he left, forgetting that it was his own office.

Mr. Sinatra was one of the "friendlier" patients. He would enter the New York office, walk straight through the waiting room, and take a seat in the kitchen. There he would pour his own coffee and chat with the nurses while he waited for an appointment. He would sometimes harmonize with the piped in music.

The partners in the office once argued over how much to charge Dick Nixon.

While in New York, Lewis was active in the theater as an actor and playwright. He was a member of the prestigious H.B. Studios on Bank Street. Academy Award Nominated actor William Hickey starred in two of Lewis' plays. As an actor Lewis appeared on soap operas and in several movies. For two years he was the commercial spokesperson for the Kauffman Carpet Company.

Brad Lewis is a novelist, biographer, and playwright. His screenplays and new novel, Almost True Hollywood Stories, reflect his interest in the Hollywood scene. Lewis lives with his family in Los Angeles, California. Comments on Lewis' previous work follows:

Your Depiction Of The Modern Family Is A Mordant One...Used With A Precise Sense Of Irony....Gordon Davidson, Mark Taper Forum

Subtly Ironic And Quite Hilarious...Prelude Pictures

Quirky, Off-The-Wall Sensibility...Gives Rise To An Annie Hallish Kind Of Quality Which Is Very Enjoyable...Castle Rock

My Father, Uncle Miltie by William Berle with Brad Lewis $22.00 Cloth Publication Date: October 4, 1999, ISBN: 1-56980-149-5

Available now at Amazon.com & Barnesandnoble.com with Publisher's Comments