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The Fixer: Moguls, Mobsters, Movie Stars, and Marilyn
A riveting tell-all biography that delves into the extraordinary life of Hollywood’s most infamous private detective and “fixer” to the stars, revealing newly discovered shocking revelations from his never-before-seen investigative files.
During the height of Hollywood’s golden age, one man lorded over the city’s lurid underbelly of forbidden sin and celebrity scandal like no Fred Otash. An ex-Marine turned L.A.P.D. vice cop, Otash became the most sought-after private detective and fixer to the stars by specializing in the dark arts that would soon dominate the entertainment industry.
Otash was notorious for bugging the homes, offices, and playpens of movie stars, kingmakers, and powerful politicians, employing then state-of-the-art methods of electronic surveillance and wiretapping for a who’s who list of clients for whom he’d do “anything short of murder.” He lied to federal authorities to protect Frank Sinatra from criminal liability; recorded Rock Hudson’s coming out confession to his estranged wife; moved in with Judy Garland to help her get sober; taped President John F. Kennedy and Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy’s tragic love affairs with the greatest sex symbol of all time, and he listened to Marilyn Monroe die.
Based on Otash’s never-before-seen investigative files and personal archives, THE FIXER takes readers inside the sensational and nefarious world of the man whose art imitating life inspired the private eye characters portrayed by Jack Nicholson in Chinatown and Russell Crowe in LA Confidential.
During the height of Hollywood’s golden age, one man lorded over the city’s lurid underbelly of forbidden sin and celebrity scandal like no Fred Otash. An ex-Marine turned L.A.P.D. vice cop, Otash became the most sought-after private detective and fixer to the stars by specializing in the dark arts that would soon dominate the entertainment industry.
Otash was notorious for bugging the homes, offices, and playpens of movie stars, kingmakers, and powerful politicians, employing then state-of-the-art methods of electronic surveillance and wiretapping for a who’s who list of clients for whom he’d do “anything short of murder.” He lied to federal authorities to protect Frank Sinatra from criminal liability; recorded Rock Hudson’s coming out confession to his estranged wife; moved in with Judy Garland to help her get sober; taped President John F. Kennedy and Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy’s tragic love affairs with the greatest sex symbol of all time, and he listened to Marilyn Monroe die.
Based on Otash’s never-before-seen investigative files and personal archives, THE FIXER takes readers inside the sensational and nefarious world of the man whose art imitating life inspired the private eye characters portrayed by Jack Nicholson in Chinatown and Russell Crowe in LA Confidential.
336 pages, Hardcover
First published April 16, 2024
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
March 31, 2024
Excellent in death look at famed Fred Otash LAPD and private investigator that knew the dirt on Marilyn and the Kennedy’s and so much more
April 27, 2024
Telling the story of a "fixer" who helps dig up dirt should make for interesting reading, but this is truly an odious book. Readers are asked to find some type of honor in a man who lies constantly and engages in illegal wiretapping on a rampant basis. Sorry, but no. And, could we just give a rest to the idea that the life and death of Marilyn Monroe deserves more scrutiny?
March 31, 2024
Very good read about Mr. Otash and his involvement with the police department and then as a private investigator. I remember hearing about him and Marilyn Monroe. It was always said he had a recording of her death. This book was really good and well written. Lots of interesting juicy tidbits about stars. Highly recommend this book. Thanks to NetGalley, the author and the publisher for the ARC of this book. Receiving the book in this manner had no bearing on my thoughts.
March 18, 2024
Thank you NetGalley for the eARC. The title and cover alone got me interested! The man who knew how Marilyn died?! Yes I am in! Table for one please ! There were so many juicy tidbits in this book! I kept googling names and faces so I could keep up with the story. This was a page turner !! I didnt want to put it down!
April 9, 2024
⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
“There are three sides to every story: your side, my side and the truth. And no one is lying. Memories shared serve each differently.”
Fred Otash was Hollywoods favorite private investigator in the 50s and 60s! He was trusted by most and he knew everybody! If something went wrong, he was there to fix it, cover it up and/or keep it out of the tabloids. He’s also one of the first (if not THE first) to use the disguised Van/surveillance technique for recording purposes. The name drops in this biography are endless and so many mentioned are favorites of mine.
The stories in this book are fascinating and any old Hollywood fan will enjoy them. My problem was that I liked the stories, but didn’t love the Fred parts as much. He had an absolutely fascinating job, but I was way more interested in Lana Turners 14 year old daughter stabbing Lana’s boyfriend to death than Fred’s love life (as most people would be.) Because of this, I ended up skimming Fred’s regular life bits just to get to the next juicy story. (Living with Judy Garland for a month to help her get sober, the transcript of Rock Hudson coming out to his wife…etc). The biggest story was the fact that Marilyn Monroe had asked Fred to wire her home so she had some recordings of the Kennedys in the event she needed them as leverage. According to him, her death was caught on tape and he relays what was heard in this book. Now, I know that the next tenants after her death found recording equipment in her ceiling during a remodel so we do know for fact she was being recorded and to me, there’s no reason not to believe that that was Fred’s equipment. What he claims he heard, is also along the lines of what I already believed happened so I have no trouble believing him.
I was also frustrated with a few parts where it states Fred knew something that happened(such as what REALLY happened with Lana Turner and her daughter) but because the authors didn’t have those notes, they couldn’t tell us what exactly it was. I would have rather it just be left out rather than it mentioned and then dropped.
Overall, I liked the book, I just didn’t love it. Solid 3 ⭐️
#thefixer #fredotash #marilynmonroe #thekennedys
“There are three sides to every story: your side, my side and the truth. And no one is lying. Memories shared serve each differently.”
Fred Otash was Hollywoods favorite private investigator in the 50s and 60s! He was trusted by most and he knew everybody! If something went wrong, he was there to fix it, cover it up and/or keep it out of the tabloids. He’s also one of the first (if not THE first) to use the disguised Van/surveillance technique for recording purposes. The name drops in this biography are endless and so many mentioned are favorites of mine.
The stories in this book are fascinating and any old Hollywood fan will enjoy them. My problem was that I liked the stories, but didn’t love the Fred parts as much. He had an absolutely fascinating job, but I was way more interested in Lana Turners 14 year old daughter stabbing Lana’s boyfriend to death than Fred’s love life (as most people would be.) Because of this, I ended up skimming Fred’s regular life bits just to get to the next juicy story. (Living with Judy Garland for a month to help her get sober, the transcript of Rock Hudson coming out to his wife…etc). The biggest story was the fact that Marilyn Monroe had asked Fred to wire her home so she had some recordings of the Kennedys in the event she needed them as leverage. According to him, her death was caught on tape and he relays what was heard in this book. Now, I know that the next tenants after her death found recording equipment in her ceiling during a remodel so we do know for fact she was being recorded and to me, there’s no reason not to believe that that was Fred’s equipment. What he claims he heard, is also along the lines of what I already believed happened so I have no trouble believing him.
I was also frustrated with a few parts where it states Fred knew something that happened(such as what REALLY happened with Lana Turner and her daughter) but because the authors didn’t have those notes, they couldn’t tell us what exactly it was. I would have rather it just be left out rather than it mentioned and then dropped.
Overall, I liked the book, I just didn’t love it. Solid 3 ⭐️
#thefixer #fredotash #marilynmonroe #thekennedys
March 3, 2024
Thank you to Net Galley and Grand Central Publishing for the chance to read and review this book. All opinions expressed are my own.
This is a biography of Fred Otash, Private Investigator and "fixer" to the stars. He did most of his work during the Golden Age of Hollywood. Lots of Stars are mentioned, but this book mostly focuses on Rock Hudson, Marilyn Monroe, Lana Turner and the Kennedy Brothers. It also explains how Mr. Otash got started. I enjoyed this biography. It was very well written, with lots of juicy gossip included. If you like to read books about Old Hollywood, then this book is for you.
This is a biography of Fred Otash, Private Investigator and "fixer" to the stars. He did most of his work during the Golden Age of Hollywood. Lots of Stars are mentioned, but this book mostly focuses on Rock Hudson, Marilyn Monroe, Lana Turner and the Kennedy Brothers. It also explains how Mr. Otash got started. I enjoyed this biography. It was very well written, with lots of juicy gossip included. If you like to read books about Old Hollywood, then this book is for you.
May 17, 2024
Early on in the audiobook, the Narrator pronounces the city of Cannes as “kahn”. It is pronounced “can” as in can of green beans. This was my first clue that accuracy wasn’t a high priority for this book. (Got the audiobook from library mainly cuz it was available. Didn’t read the subject matter, besides it would be a light listen re Old Hollywood.)
In looking at photos of Otash, I was expecting to be blown away by his attractiveness, but to me, he looks like Perry Mason/Raymond Burr (before becoming morbidly obese).
The authors are clearly fan bois of Otash, who can do NO wrong.
I supposed the biggest “problem” with this book is the subject old Old Hollywood. I’m 63, and minutely care about Marilyn Monroe, Rock Hudson, Lana Turner….
I suspect most younger than myself really don’t care. I skipped thru most of the personal Otash info to get to the celebrity stories….which weren’t as many (or interesting) as I would have thought.
In looking at photos of Otash, I was expecting to be blown away by his attractiveness, but to me, he looks like Perry Mason/Raymond Burr (before becoming morbidly obese).
The authors are clearly fan bois of Otash, who can do NO wrong.
I supposed the biggest “problem” with this book is the subject old Old Hollywood. I’m 63, and minutely care about Marilyn Monroe, Rock Hudson, Lana Turner….
I suspect most younger than myself really don’t care. I skipped thru most of the personal Otash info to get to the celebrity stories….which weren’t as many (or interesting) as I would have thought.
April 18, 2024
I think James Ellroy accurately had this guy pegged as a window-peeping fabulist. This book recounts Otash’s rise and greatest hits but is also sympathetic to a man who spied on people for a living and threatened their livelihoods with what he learned. Is his account of Marilyn Monroe’s death accurate? Maybe. But just let her rest, y’all. Anyway, it was neat to learn these stories but the writing is just ok. Read if you’re curious in the subject and/or era.
March 30, 2024
Fascinating read! Always enjoy reading/hearing perspectives from those actually involved. 4 stars for writing/entertainment. Will add notes comparing to other nonfiction about some of the scandals when I’m able to (mostly Marilyn Monroe, also Lana Turner)
April 15, 2024
Behind the glitz and magic, old Hollywood sure was a cesspool. A fascinating (mostly) tell-all, from the investigative files of one who was there.
April 19, 2024
a lot of fun
I really liked this book and actually found it FUN to read. I think most of you will too. Enjoy
I really liked this book and actually found it FUN to read. I think most of you will too. Enjoy
May 3, 2024
2.5 stars
May 11, 2024
Hollywood gossip that wasn’t gossip. Great read.
April 25, 2024
I’m always intrigued by the golden age of Hollywood so this definitely was right up my alley! This is the biography of Fred Otash, a retired detective turned private investigator and fixer to Hollywood’s biggest stars. It doesn’t hold back and name drops some major stars and scandals, providing background details with Otash’s involvement. It’s a fascinating read and provides an interesting insight into the behind the scenes of a major scandal. Part true crime, part personal life story it’s a fun read that I think many will enjoy!
There are some things that the author’s mention they didn’t have access to in his “classified hot files” which I thought might have made more sense to just leave out instead of making vague references. Overall though I loved it and would highly recommend it!
There are some things that the author’s mention they didn’t have access to in his “classified hot files” which I thought might have made more sense to just leave out instead of making vague references. Overall though I loved it and would highly recommend it!
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews