Celebrity Gossip /By Liz Smith
A formidable producer
Here is a story of star-struck luck and clever ambition. It should inspire everybody who ever hoped to succeed.
A New Yorker named Bonnie Timmermann grew up loving all entertainment. She became a casting director for the theater and television and in her early days, hired actor after actor. Many went on to become superstars. Eventually, Bonnie was casting for Broadway and became involved in the drama “Death and the Maiden.”
Seeking an actress to play a hat-check girl, Bonnie saw a photo of a blonde woman in the newspaper. She thought this person was perfect for the role, searched her out, asking her to read for the part.
It turned out the woman was Gladys Nederlander of the famed theatrical producing family.
Gladys was thrilled at the thought of acting, told all her friends and arrived before Ms. Timmermann, who instantly realized she was “too glamorous” for the role. So the two women had a laugh together and then, Bonnie, seized by ambition, thrust the play script into the hands of Gladys. She said abruptly: “Read this and if you like it, I want a million five to put into this play for us to produce it. I have to have your answer by next Monday.”
When, Gladys, surprisingly, came back with the dough, Bonnie went from casting director to producer in a heartbeat. She says of the experience: “I got a great magical break out of an impulsive gesture. I loved casting, but I needed to forge ahead. There has been a lot of magic in my life ever since. And —I still miss Gladys, who died last July. What a loss to me!”
I suppose one could call this story “grasping the nettle.” Bonnie, Gladys and other producers had a grand success with “Death and the Maiden” and none other than Mike Nichols directed the play. Then, in the early ’90s, they went to Paris and Spain, turning it into a movie with Roman Polanski directing.
So, no wonder, Bonnie Timmermann is now considered a formidable producer. She knows how to make things happen. This week, Bonnie is off to L. A. to work on a new movie, titled “Taxi Wars,” to star Djimon Hounsou.
While she is in La La Land, Bonnie and Mike Medavoy will also be talking to Shirley MacLaine about a project written by Antwone Fisher and is to be directed by Scott Prendergast.
I was introduced to Bonnie at Michael’s restaurant, by the dynamo of Page Six, Paula Froelich. It turned into a fascinating meeting. One never knows where the next story is coming from.
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