Apparently There Were Complaints: A Memoir

Written by Sharon Gless

Narrated by Sharon Gless

Emmy Award–winning actress Sharon Gless tells all in this laugh-out-loud, juicy, “unforgettably memorable” (Lily Tomlin) memoir about her five decades in Hollywood, where she took on some of the most groundbreaking roles of her time.

Anyone who has seen Sharon Gless act in Cagney & Lacey, Queer as Folk, Burn Notice, and countless other shows and movies, knows that she’s someone who gives every role her all. She holds nothing back in Apparently There Were Complaints, a hilarious, deeply personal memoir that spills all about Gless’s five decades in Hollywood.

A fifth-generation Californian, Sharon Gless knew from a young age that she wanted to be an actress. After some rocky teenage years that included Sharon’s parents’ divorce and some minor (and not-so-minor) rebellion, Gless landed a coveted spot as an exclusive contract player for Universal Studios. In 1982, she stepped into the role of New York Police Detective Christine Cagney for the series Cagney & Lacey, which eventually reached an audience of 30 million weekly viewers and garnered Gless with two Emmy Awards. The show made history as the first hour-long drama to feature two women in the leading roles.

Gless continued to make history long after Cagney & Lacey was over. In 2000, she took on the role of outrageous Debbie Novotny in Queer as Folk. Her portrayal of a devoted mother to a gay son and confidant to his gay friends touched countless hearts and changed the definition of family for millions of viewers.

Apparently There Were Complaints delves into Gless’s remarkable career and explores Gless’s complicated family, her struggles with alcoholism, and her fear of romantic commitment as well as her encounters with some of Hollywood’s biggest names. Brutally honest and incredibly relatable, Gless puts it all out on the page in the same way she has lived—never with moderation.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio
• Release date: Dec 7, 2021
• ISBN: 9781797134222

Sharon Gless

Sharon Gless was born into a prominent Hollywood family and always knew she wanted to be an actress. She was an exclusive contract player for Universal Studios from 1972 until 1982, when the studio ended all talent contracts. She was the last contract player in the history of Hollywood. While at Universal, Gless appeared on series such as The Rockford Files; The Bob Newhart Show; and Marcus Welby, MD; among others. In 1982, she accepted the role of Cagney in Cagney & Lacey, eventually winning two Emmy Awards and a Golden Globe Award for Best Leading Actress in a Drama Series. In 2000, Gless started playing Debbie Novotny in Queer as Folk, which ran for five seasons. Since then, she’s starred in Burn Notice, Nip/Tuck, and many other shows, movies, and plays. Gless married Barney Rosenzweig, the Executive Producer of Cagney & Lacey, in 1991. They’ve been together for twenty-seven years. She currently resides both in Los Angeles and on Fisher Island, off the coast of Miami, Florida.

Reviews for Apparently There Were Complaints

[diane · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Fun, insightful, irreverent, funny, easy to ready. Sharon, thank you for sharing!

[Barbara lawless · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

One of the best memoirs I have ever read and I read a lot. I listened on audio while driving to work and wouldn't want to get out of the car so entralled was I with Sharon's story. Inspiring woman faults and all.

[Kellie Mc Carthy · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I Absolutely loved this book thank you smile Sharon Gless.

[leanne Sabath · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Inspiring and motivating, loved it. I grew up watching Cagney and Lacey.

[Vanessa Abaunza · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This audiobook is was super entertaining!!! Sharon Gless has lived such and interesting and funny life. I love how she finds humor in all aspects of her life. She’s a great story teller, I know I will revisit this book again in the near future.

If you’re into hollywood gossip she has a bunch of stories for you!!!

[Matthew · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I LOVED this book. I’m in my mid 30’s so “Cagney & Lacey” was before my time, but growing up I loved seeing Sharon play the bold & larger than life character Debbie Novotny on the original, US version of the show “Queer as Folk” (2000-05). Like a lot of gay teens with parents who rejected them I’d tune in late at night to watch Sharon play the supportive mom who loved her gay son unconditionally, a version of the mom we all wanted. So I originally got her book as a fan of that show but wow, was i surprised at how enthralling her whole life story is. Sharon hasn’t just had an interesting career in Hollywood, she’s had an interesting life period. I was never bored listing to this. After some time goes by I’ll probably go back & listen to it again. I can’t recommend this audiobook enough. Bravo Sharon. Great job! ? ??

[Exelpentess87 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Love her voice l!

I did not follow her career but enjoyed her on Cagney and Lacey. Now that I've heard her story I will be watching her in other works she has done.

[howard Mansfield · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Utterly fantastic. Who’d have thought this book would be so heartwarming yet heartbreaking at the same time. A life well lived and a tale beautifully written

[Beverly Hornstein · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

The easiest and most fun I’ve had in a long time.

[Nancy Rosenblum · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

It was authentic, funny and I love Sharon’s voice! Great book!

[Kristin Eller · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Sharon Gless is unabashed, unsanitized, and undeniably wonderful. I think that this story is marvelously told, and I enjoyed every single minute of it the only regret that I have is that I don't know her personally. I believe that she is one of those people who are truly authentic and I appreciate that in anyone. The presence of authenticity of self and the ability to not give a damn what others think is very rare and it is refreshing to be able to see it shine in this story. Sharon Gless is Christine Cagney, as flawed, fierce, and fabulous, as the character she played. The kind of person you would be glad to call a friend, she opens up with candor and crafts an intriguing tale that happens to be her real life. Absolutely one of the best books that I have listened to in a while, one of the most interesting and memorable it certainly will not disappoint the listener/ reader.

[mike_roth · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

"The purpose of every memoir is to lie." — Heinrich Heine

[Chele · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

It made me want to see her in TV and movies. I found her refreshing and interesting

[Lee Steffen · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Probably one of the most entertaining autobiographies I have listened to in a very long time. No pity party here, it was very captivating.