Mississippi native Sam Haskell was once named by TV Week as one of the “25 Most Innovative and Influential People in Television,” but in his book, “Promises I Made My Mother,” he turns the spotlight on the person who had the most influence in his own life.
Haskell will be at Turnrow Book Co. at 5:30 p.m. Thursday to speak about and sign copies of his new memoir, which describes how the values taught to him by his mother allowed him to find success in the entertainment industry. The book also features a foreword by actor Ray Romano, star of “Everybody Loves Raymond.”
Growing up in Amory, Haskell dreamed of a career in Hollywood. His mother, the late Mary Kirkpatrick Haskell, was one of the only people in his life who supported his goals, and she tried to instill in her son values of faith, honesty and self-reliance.
It was these lessons that helped Haskell rise from a job in the mailroom at the William Morris Agency to becoming an agent and eventually an executive vice president at the company with his decency intact.
He describes what his mother taught him growing up and the impact it had on the rest of his life in “Promises I Made My Mother.”
“The lessons are simplistic in their explanation, but profound in their execution,” he said.
During his 26-year career with William Morris, Haskell represented many big-names, including George Clooney, Bill Cosby, Whoopi Goldberg and Dolly Parton, and he said it was his integrity — in a business not known for its integrity — that attracted these clients.
“The one thing that helped me the most was how my mother taught me to build relationships,” Haskell said.
Though Hollywood agents are not known for their kindness and morality — Haskell noted the Ari Gold character on the HBO series “Entourage” as an example — he insists he is not alone in his principles out in Los Angeles.
“We’re not in the majority, but there are other agents who are nice guys,” Haskell said.
Though his life in California seems like it couldn’t be farther away from his hometown of Amory, Haskell hasn’t forgotten his Mississippi roots. He met his wife, Christian recording artist Mary Donnelly Haskell, at the University of Mississippi, and the couple is looking forward to moving back to Oxford next year.
“I love all things Mississippi,” Haskell said. “We credit our Mississippi connections for so much of our success.”
For more information on Thursday’s book signing, call Turnrow at 453-5995 or visit www.turnrowbooks.com.
