Griffin Dunne's memoir chronicles fame, art and tragedy in his Hollywood upbringing

Griffin Dunne reflects on his experiences growing up in the midst of Hollywood glamour and how it shaped his career and personal perspective.

Griffin's perspective on growing up in a prominent Hollywood household

As a child, Griffin found the parties and events of his famous parents and relatives to be formal and not enjoyable, despite the glamorous appearances

Griffin Dunne reveals a child’s eye view of Hollywood glamour, describing the lavish parties his parents hosted, which he found formal and unenjoyable. He recalls the routine of being made to come down in matching bathrobes with his sister, dressed in Victorian character, to say goodnight to guests. The requirement to bow to the attendees was particularly not fun for him.

As an adult filmmaker, Griffin gained a new appreciation for the historical significance of these family gatherings and the opportunity to interact with renowned directors and producers

As he carved out his own path, Griffin recognized the influence his childhood had on his journey to becoming a filmmaker. Being nestled in a family rich with storytellers and surrounded by iconic filmmakers at a young age still echoes in his work. However, it becomes evident that Griffin has a preference for working behind the camera, suggesting it is his way of maintaining a level of distance from the intense spotlight that comes with ...

Griffin Dunne reflects on his breakout role and his decision to maintain a careful distance from the glare of fame, influenced by personal experience and observations within his family.

Griffin's breakout role in "An American Werewolf in London" and the personal impact of the intense makeup and special effects

Griffin experienced deep emotional reactions stemming from his work on the film "An American Werewolf in London". The intense realism of the makeup used to portray his character's death triggered trauma and depression. He was also consumed with worry about how his mother would feel upon seeing such a graphic portrayal of her son's demise on screen.

Griffin's early success as a producer

Despite having the opportunity to become a familiar face in front of the camera, Griffin often chose to remain behind the scenes, focusing on his career as a producer. He flexed his producing muscles by working with respected directors like Sidney Lumet and Lasse Hallström, showing a propensity for shaping stories from a different angle rather than being at the forefront as an actor.

Griffin's complex relationship with fame and the decision to step away from the spotlight

His relationship with fame has been cautious and deliberate. Observing the effects of fame on his family, particularly the toll it took on his father, molded Griffin's ...

Griffin Dunne shares the profound personal loss and the cascading effects of the murder of his sister, Dominique, which shaped his family's destiny and impelled their turn towards activism and advocacy.

The profound impact of Dominique's murder on Griffin's family

Griffin Dunne recounts the devastating murder of his sister Dominique and its indelible impact on the Dunn family.

The Dunn family was devastated by the loss of Dominique, and Griffin's parents channeled their grief into activism and advocacy

For the Dunn family, the arrival of Dominique was a pivotal moment, especially for Griffin's mother, who had previously endured the loss of two daughters. Dominique's murder irreversibly altered their lives. In the wake of Dominque's death, Dunne's father discovered a powerful voice as a writer, though borne from immense suffering. The trial was a grave disappointment, with the defendant receiving a mere manslaughter charge and a paltry three and a half years for a crime that involved the strangulation of Dominique, a chilling act that spanned six agonizing minutes. This miscarriage of justice galvanized his mother, even from her wheelchair, to become a victim's rights advocate.

The trial for Dominique's killer was a "travesty of justice" that further traumatized the Dunn family

Dunne describes the trial of his sister's killer as a travesty, highlighting that the violent history of the killer, Sweeney, was omitted from the proceedings. Despite testimony from Sweeney's previous girlfriend, Lillian Pierce, about the abuse she had suffered, the jury was absent. Sweeney's outburst during the trial exposed the Dunne family to the type of violence Dominique endured. When the verdict was announced, Griffin's father publicly condemned the judge for not admitting critical evidence, drawing media attention and criticism toward the judge's conduct. This incident led Griffin's father to pen a candid article for Vanity Fair, using writing as a means to cope and to speak out.

Griffin's motivation for writing his memoir "The Friday Afternoon Club"

Griffin Dunne discusses his memoir, "The Friday Afternoon Club," a poignant chronicle of his family's ordeals and the transformation following the tragedy.

As the sole surviving member of the immediate Dunn family, Griffin felt compelled to document and preserve ...