Actress of a Certain Age: My Twenty Year Trail to Overnight Success

Hiller, best known for his role in the HBO show Somebody Somewhere, strikes a balance between heartfelt and hilarious in his winning debut. Bringing a self-deprecating perspective to the account, Hiller describes himself as “an actor who isn’t famous... who clawed, scraped, and fought their way to the lower-middle rung of the ladder.” Each chapter shares a title with an A-list celebrity memoir: “Out on a Limb by Shirley MacLaine,” for example, covers Hiller’s struggles to get an agent, and offers the tongue-in-cheek advice, “If you are an actor and you want to get an agent, put in five to ten years of free work while you hold down multiple survival jobs, then meet an agent at a party.” “Don’t Stand Too Close to a Naked Man by Tim Allen” is an account of the time Hiller had to stand nearly naked in front of a bus of tourists for a small role in the film Ghost Town. It’s balanced by “My Life So Far by Jane Fonda,” a touching thank you to actor Bridget Everett for creating Somebody Somewhere and suggesting him for a role in it. Hiller’s humanity and vulnerability are front and center, making for a touching account of the uncertainties that accompany an acting career. This hits all the marks. Agent: Robert Guinsler, Sterling Lord Literistic. (June)