Forever Young: A Memoir by Hayley Mills

The daughter of acclaimed British actor Sir John Mills was still a preteen when she began her acting career and was quickly thrust into the spotlight. Under the wing of Walt Disney himself, Hayley Mills was transformed into one of the biggest child starlets of the 1960s through her iconic roles in Pollyanna, The Parent Trap, and many more. She became one of only twelve actors in history to be bestowed with the Academy Juvenile Award, presented at the Oscars by its first recipient, Shirley Temple, and went on to win a number of awards including a Golden Globe, multiple BAFTAs, and a Disney Legacy Award.

Now, in her charming and forthright memoir, she provides a unique window into when Hollywood was still ‘Tinseltown’ and the great Walt Disney was at his zenith, ruling over what was (at least in his own head) still a family business. This behind-the-scenes look at the drama of having a sky-rocketing career as a young teen in an esteemed acting family will offer both her childhood impressions of the wild and glamorous world she was swept into, and the wisdom and broader knowledge that time has given her. Hayley will delve intimately into her relationship with Walt Disney, as well as the emotional challenges of being bound to a wholesome, youthful public image as she grew into her later teen years, and how that impacted her and her choices—including marrying a producer over 30 years her senior when she was 20! With her regrets, her joys, her difficulties, and her triumphs, this is a compelling read for any fan of classic Disney films and an inside look at a piece of real Hollywood history.

About the Author

Hayley Mills began her acting career as a child at age 12 and was soon hailed as a rising star, winning the Academy Juvenile Award (as one of only twelve actors to ever be bestowed with this honor), BAFTA Award for Most Promising Newcomer, and Golden Globe Award for New Star of the Year. Her six-picture deal with Walt Disney made her an international star and included her dual role as the twins Sharon and Susan in The Parent Trap. For her success with Disney, she received the Disney Legend Award.

Hayley’s role in Whistle Down the Wind, a 1961 adaptation of the novel written by her mother Mary Hayley Bell, secured her a nomination for the BAFTA award for Best British Actress. She has continued to make films and TV drama, among them The Flame Trees of Thika, and featured as Miss Bliss in Saved by the Bell, and as Caroline in Wild at Heart on ITV. She lives in south-west London.