The overwhelming life and times of a popular television weatherman Barry ZeVan are revealed in his new book, My Life Among the Giants, A Memoir: Thank you, Jerry Stiller …for urging me to write this book on Sunday, July 17 at The Barnum Museum in Bridgeport beginning at 2 p.m. Attend this special presentation and learn about his life growing up in Pittsburgh PA and New York City as a child actor and singer on stage and national television. ZeVan was also the highest-rated television personality in the Twin Cities, Washington, D.C. and Las Vegas where he lived, worked and had significant friendships with hundreds of celebrities. ZeVan, known as the “Peek-a-Boo” weatherman, was inducted into the Minnesota Broadcasters Hall of Fame on September 29, 2013. ZeVan’s new book will be for sale for $15.95 each following the talk.
This book is the result of encouragement from Barry’s longtime friend, actor/comedian Jerry Stiller, to recount the very rich experiences of his life. As Jerry Stiller wrote to Barry: “You’re an express train that hasn’t reached its destination . . . you should be more recognized.”
“What I’ve written involves a lifetime of being welcomed into the lives of dozens of the world’s most powerful individuals, with vivid memories of how they were as people,” ZeVan said.
The high praise for an unordinary, unpredictable autobiography comes from others:
“Barry ZeVan, the Weatherman, is the person we watched as a television personality with personality,” expressed Walter F. Mondale, former U.S. Vice President, Ambassador to Japan and United States Senator. “His autobiography tells us there was far more to his life in addition to television weather forecasts and broadcasting. His life story is a compelling read with constant surprises on almost every page. I heartily recommend it to anyone who thinks they know about survival.”
“How can Barry ZeVan know so many famous people? Beats me, but he does and the stories he tells about them make fascinating reading,” explained Sam Donaldson, former ABC-TV White House correspondent, ABC-TV News Anchor, co-host of This Week and Prime Time, Live.
“Barry ZeVan’s memoir is a must-read chronicle of the highest highs and the lowest lows the veteran television personality and producer has experienced, often in the company of the world’s most celebrated personalities,” commented the Rudy Maxa, PBS/American Public Television hostof Smart Travels With Rudy Maxa. “It’s a tale of bright success fraught with darkness, but always filled with hope. Want to know the price and the joys of celebrity? Read this book,” concluded Maxa.
“Barry’s book is one of the most interesting I have ever read,” relayed J.B. “Buck” MacDonald, environmental activist, philanthropist and author of Ark. “He is a natural writer and has made even the most mundane details interesting, spending just the right amount of time on each of his stories and characters. I don’t know many celebrities, so what was particularly interesting for me was to read how ordinary/nice so many of them are and that they’re not ten feet tall. This could only be brought out through Barry’s own personal relations with them. Wonderful job! And yes, I would advise people to buy the book.”
“I recently finished reading that wonderful and amazing book. It was a fun read,” said Donnette Hilton, former Executive Assistant to former U.S. Senator Rudy Boschwitz (R), Minnesota.
Gerald Isaac “Jerry” Stiller (born June 8, 1927) is an American comedian and actor. He is perhaps best known for playing Frank Costanza on the NBC comedy series Seinfeld and Arthur Spooner on the CBS comedy series The King of Queens. He spent many years in the comedy team Stiller and Meara with his late wife, Anne Meara. They are the parents of actor Ben Stiller, with whom Stiller co-starred in the films Zoolander, Heavyweights, Hot Pursuit, and The Heartbreak Kid.
The biography and memoir was published by 4 Square Books, copies of the book and personal autographs will be available for $15.95 following the presentation and on Amazon.com or the Amazom.co.uk websites. Visit http://www.barnum-museum.org for details about this and other events.
Barry ZeVan was born on August 5, 1937 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. As a television and film voice-over and on-camera actor, he’s known for The Best of Hollywood (1998), Hiding Victoria (2006), Horror Incorporated (2002) and A Serious Man (2012). ZeVan was formerly known as Barry ZeVan the weatherman on KSTP-TV Channel 5 in Minneapolis/St. Paul during the 1970s and later on WJLA-TV Channel 7 in Washington, D.C. during the 1970s.
What: My Life Among The Giants, A Memoir, presentation by Barry ZeVan, The Weatherman
When: Sunday, July 17, 2016 at 2 p.m.
Where: The Barnum Museum, 820 Main Street, Bridgeport, CT For more information call 203-331-1104 ext. 100 or visit http://www.barnum-museum.org
Cost: A recommended donation for the event is $5 and as always admission is free for Museum members. This program is not recommended for young children.
The Barnum Museum, conceived and built by P.T. Barnum, has proudly served Bridgeport and Connecticut since 1893. The ornate landmark building at 820 Main Street is owned by the City of Bridgeport and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Museum’s mission is to inspire curiosity, creativity and confidence through instructive entertainment. A portion of the museum’s collection, including carriages and furniture belonging to P.T. Barnum and General Tom Thumb is on view in the People’s United Bank Gallery located behind the historic building. Hours are Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Additional program hours as advertised.
Connecticut Travel 
Published by