Deana Martin interview part three: Martinis with Martin

August 14, 10:26 AMRelationship ExaminerKristen Houghton

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Arriving at the Warwick Hotel for the interview with Deana Martin 

A Day with Deana Martin

At 3:00 pm on the dot Deana Martin, accompanied by her husband producer John Griffeth, walks into the lobby of the stylish and revered Warwick Hotel in NYC. This is, after all, an historic building;  the hotel built by William Randolph Hearst for his paramour Marion Davies, the hotel where Cary Grant lived in a luxurious suite. It is a perfect setting for Deana Martin. She is exactly on time for our interview. My husband Alan, who is my photographer, and I shake hands with Deana and John and we're off to the elevator which will take us to their suite. 

Preparing for the interview 

I have no idea what to expect but I am impressed by two things: one - Deana Martin introduced herself to me by simply saying, "Hi, I'm Deana" and two- she was on time for the interview. To me that is what makes a person a star. I later learn that is something she learned from her famous father: Arrive on time, know what you're supposed to do, and be professional. Like father, like daughter in the best possible way.

Talent and graciousness.

In the hotel suite, her husband offers us something to drink and both Deana and I choose water. Me, so that I can easily talk during the interview, Deana because she has just come from another business meeting and interview! She makes sure I'm comfortable, John repairs to the bedroom to place a few calls, and we begin.

Deana Martin is a petite brunette beauty with expressive eyes and a melting smile. She answers every question I ask with an openness I find refreshing and is quite at ease as the photographer clicks away with the camera.  She bonds with me easily. We find out we have a few things in common. She's "half and half" the same as I am. With Deana it's half Italian, half Irish; me it's Italian and Dutch. We both have pasta e fagioli recipes given to us from our grandmothers. And we both say a Hail Mary before take-off on any flight.  Girlfriends already. She has put her interviewer at ease.

Her husband, John  had told me in a previous phone conversation that there were no topics off limit. I could ask her anything. He is right; Deana Martin is candid and completely honest while discussing her life as Dean Martin's daughter and her career.

I ask her about growing up in Hollywood, her school years, and her relationships with her Dad and step-mother Jeanne, whom Dean Martin always referred to on his popular TV show as "Jeannie." Taking nothing away from her feelings for her mother Betty, she  has a real affection for Jeanne whom she also  calls Mom. She answers my questions about her brothers and sisters and the well-known celebrities who populated her life  without hesitation.

Loyal and honest, her life is an open book and she portrays her family matter-of-factly, "warts and all."

We talk, get serious, and laugh for over 2 1/2 hours. John joins us and we talk about how they met, their love of flying and the day Deana soloed to get her pilot's license. Another 30 minutes go by. Truly one of the most enjoyable celebrity interviews I have had the pleasure to do and the most fun.

Martinis with Martin

As I get up to go, thanking her for the interview, she asks me where we're  going. I half-kiddingly tell her "to the lounge for a martini" and am pleasantly surprised when she and John say they'll join us!

We socialize over martinis; one lasts Deana two hours. No more an interview, it has become a meeting of friends over drinks. We talk about our marriages, our children, and our lives as friends do. The four of us enjoy each other's company. Deana and John are down-to-earth people who really are fun to be around.  

At 8:30 PM we reluctantly get up to leave. Deana has two radio interviews that night, one at 1:00 AM. Plus, she is leaving for Chicago the next afternoon as part of her tour for her CD. Hugs and kisses in the lounge and promises to meet again soon bring the evening to a close.

What a great way to spend a working summer day in NYC! Many thanks Deana and John!

Do you sabotage your own happiness in order to make other people in your life happy? Learn how to put your own life first! Read Kristen Houghton's new book, "AND THEN I'LL BE HAPPY!"  due in stores in Fall 2009. Pre-order it today. Available at Borders, Amazon, and all bookstores.

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related articles    - Interview With Deana Martin Part Two

                            - Interview With Deana Martin Part One

                            - The Love and Friendship Marriage

                            - Fathers and Daughters, the Relationship

***  © copyright 2009 Kristen Houghton all rights reserved