Growing up in Disneyland by Ron DeFore

Publisher:  Waldorf Publishing (July 15, 2019)
Category: Memoir, Disneyland, Entertainer Biographies, Coming of Age
Tour dates: Oct-Nov, 2019
ISBN: 1643166263
Available in Print and ebook, 348 pages

Description Growing up in Disneyland by Ron DeFore

Part biography about TV and movie star, Don DeFore, and his son’s accounts of life in a celebrity family and beyond. Don DeFore made more than 35 movies in the ‘40s through the ‘60s and co-starred in more than a dozen.  He is best known for his role as “Thorny” the first next-door-neighbor on “The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet” and “Mr.B” in the 1960s TV sitcom, “Hazel.” The book includes much of Don’s unpublished autobiography, ‘Hollywood-DeFore ‘n After.’

‘Growing up in Disneyland’ is a metaphor for Ron’s life growing up in a celebrity family filled with Fantasyland adventures he equates to a Forest Gump type life, from meeting the Beatles, Beach Boys, Led Zeppelin, and other celebrities as Associate Director of the Steve Allen Show. His nearly 20 careers include a mid-life crisis as the Flying DJ at an L.A. discotheque to political positions within the Reagan Presidential Administration to establishing his own company. ‘Growing up in Disneyland’ is also to be taken literally, as Ron spent much of his youth in Disneyland where his father owned “Don DeFore’s Silver Banjo Barbecue” restaurant in Frontierland. Ron and his brother, Dave, have given presentations to various Disneyland interest groups after which many attendees suggested, you should write a book.

‘Growing up in Disneyland’ will be enjoyed by any age group from baby-boomers that remember Don DeFore’s many beloved acting roles to those that don’t but are curious how life was in the good-old-days, especially growing up in a Hollywood celebrity family. Ron has had so many careers and adventures along the way that readers will have much to keep them from putting the book down.

My Thoughts Growing up in Disneyland by Ron DeFore

You may be old enough to remember Don Defore from the television shows “The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet” and “Hazel.”.  However, even if you are much younger, you may have seen the re-runs on Me TV or a different channel.  Perhaps you saw some of his many movies.  In ‘Growing Up In Disneyland’, Don DeFore’s son brings us back to the time when Don DeFore was a household name.  Ron uses his own memory as well as Don’s unpublished memoir to share his father’s Hollywood legacy.  However, ‘Growing Up Disney’ is not just a biography about Don DeFore but also Ron DeFore’s memoir and what he has gone on to accomplish in his life. Hint, he has accomplished a lot!

In ‘Growing Up In Disneyland’, Ron DeFore recounts his childhood, growing up as a child of a famous actor.  Through his memory and the words of his father, he recounts the life and vast works by Don DeFore, and he recounts his own adulthood and triumphs. He also recounts his time as a small child when his father owned Don Defore’s Silver Banjo Barbecue in Disneyland’s Frontierland.  Can you imagine having Disneyland as your playground?

This is a riveting biography and memoir. I learned some things that I did not know.  I did not know that Frank Capra was slated to direct ‘It Happened On Fifth Avenue’ but instead directed ‘It’s a Wonderful Life’, two of my favorite films to watch around Christmas time!  Don DeFore was in the first.  If you haven’t seen it, look for it in December on the channels that show old movies. I also learned the entire DeFore family got to meet the Beatles in 1964 and Ron’s sister got to kiss all four!  There is a treasure trove of stories like this.  I also found Ron DeFore’s life fascinating from the time he was a well known DJ to his work with President Ronald Regan.

I loved this book!  It would make the perfect gift for a baby boomer or those who just love to read about pop culture.  The writing is fresh and grabs the reader’s attention from the first page!  I also enjoyed the many photos included in the book!  I give it 5 out of 5 stars.

I received the ebook for my honest review.

About Ron DeFore

Ron DeFore is the second son of movie, television and Broadway star, Don DeFore. He has one brother, David and three sisters, Penny, Dawn, and Autumn.

He has had nearly 20 careers from TV and film production, real estate, Disc Jockey, senior executive in the Reagan Administration, to forming his own successful public relations firm in Washington, D.C.

Ron has since retired from his firm and continues to consult and write, “Growing up in Disneyland” being his major project since 2018. Ron is married to Laurie Gambino

Website: https://growingupindisneyland.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GrowingUpinDisneyland
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Moviestarson
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sonofmoviestar/

Actor Don DeFore Fan Club

Website: https://www.defore.net/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/DonDeFore/members/

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Giveaway Growing up in Disneyland by Ron DeFore

This giveaway is for the winner’s choice of one print or ebook copy of the book. Print is open to the U.S. only and ebook is available worldwide. There will be 3 winners. This giveaway ends November 1, 2019, midnight pacific time.

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