Irene Kampen
Encyclopedia
Irene Kampen was an American
newspaperwoman and writer who wrote several books about events in her life.
Born in Brooklyn, New York and raised in Great Neck, New York, she graduated from Great Neck High School. Kampen attended the University of Wisconsin–Madison
before becoming a copy girl at the newspaper New York Journal American
and then went on to work at several weekly newspapers.
She moved to Ridgefield, Connecticut
in 1954 and divorced her husband after an 11-year marriage. While working at her father's flower shop in New York City, she wrote fiction stories. She also frequently contributed to the local newspaper, The Ridgefield Press, using the pseudonym, H. Loomis Fenstermacher.
Kampen's first book, Life Without George, was published by Doubleday in 1961 and was about her divorce. The book became the basis for The Lucy Show
, a TV series that ran from 1962 to 1968 and starred Lucille Ball
, who had also experienced divorce recently in her split with Desi Arnaz
. (Producers re-wrote Ball's character, Lucille Carmichael, as a widow, however, Vivian Vance
's character, Vivian Bagley, is portrayed as divorced.) She lived in Connecticut until 1988, when she moved to California. Kampen died February 1, 1998 from breast cancer at the age of 75.
Her books published include Life Without George, Are You Carrying Any Gold Or Living Relatives?
, Due to Lack of Interest, Tomorrow Has Been Canceled
, Fear Without Childbirth, Nobody Calls At This Hour Just To Say Hello, Here Comes The Bride, There Goes Mother, Europe Without George, We That Are Left, and Last Year At Sugarbush.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
newspaperwoman and writer who wrote several books about events in her life.
Born in Brooklyn, New York and raised in Great Neck, New York, she graduated from Great Neck High School. Kampen attended the University of Wisconsin–Madison
University of Wisconsin–Madison
The University of Wisconsin–Madison is a public research university located in Madison, Wisconsin, United States. Founded in 1848, UW–Madison is the flagship campus of the University of Wisconsin System. It became a land-grant institution in 1866...
before becoming a copy girl at the newspaper New York Journal American
New York Journal American
The New York Journal American was a newspaper published from 1937 to 1966. The Journal American was the product of a merger between two New York newspapers owned by William Randolph Hearst: The New York American , a morning paper, and the New York Evening Journal, an afternoon paper...
and then went on to work at several weekly newspapers.
She moved to Ridgefield, Connecticut
Ridgefield, Connecticut
Ridgefield is a town in Fairfield County, Connecticut, United States. Situated in the foothills of the Berkshire Mountains, the 300-year-old community had a population of 24,638 at the 2010 census. The town center, which was formerly a borough, is defined by the U.S...
in 1954 and divorced her husband after an 11-year marriage. While working at her father's flower shop in New York City, she wrote fiction stories. She also frequently contributed to the local newspaper, The Ridgefield Press, using the pseudonym, H. Loomis Fenstermacher.
Kampen's first book, Life Without George, was published by Doubleday in 1961 and was about her divorce. The book became the basis for The Lucy Show
The Lucy Show
The Lucy Show is an American situation comedy that aired on CBS from 1962 until 1968. It was Lucille Ball's follow-up to I Love Lucy. A significant change in cast and premise for the 1965-66 season divides the program into two distinct eras; aside from Ball, only Gale Gordon, who joined the program...
, a TV series that ran from 1962 to 1968 and starred Lucille Ball
Lucille Ball
Lucille Désirée Ball was an American comedian, film, television, stage and radio actress, model, film and television executive, and star of the sitcoms I Love Lucy, The Lucy–Desi Comedy Hour, The Lucy Show, Here's Lucy and Life With Lucy...
, who had also experienced divorce recently in her split with Desi Arnaz
Desi Arnaz
Desi Arnaz was a Cuban-born American musician, actor and television producer. While he gained international renown for leading a Latin music band, the Desi Arnaz Orchestra, he is probably best known for his role as Ricky Ricardo on the American TV series I Love Lucy, starring with Lucille Ball, to...
. (Producers re-wrote Ball's character, Lucille Carmichael, as a widow, however, Vivian Vance
Vivian Vance
Vivian Roberta Jones was an American television and theater actress and singer. Often referred to as “TV’s most beloved second banana,” she is best known for her role as Ethel Mertz, sidekick to Lucille Ball on the American television sitcom I Love Lucy, and as Vivian Bagley on The Lucy...
's character, Vivian Bagley, is portrayed as divorced.) She lived in Connecticut until 1988, when she moved to California. Kampen died February 1, 1998 from breast cancer at the age of 75.
Her books published include Life Without George, Are You Carrying Any Gold Or Living Relatives?
Are You Carrying Any Gold Or Living Relatives?
Are You Carrying Any Gold Or Living Relatives: Through The Soviet Union with Nila is a book by Irene Kampen about her travels in the Soviet Union in the summer of 1969. Kampen visits the Soviet Union with her friend and translator Nila Magidoff....
, Due to Lack of Interest, Tomorrow Has Been Canceled
Due to Lack of Interest, Tomorrow Has Been Canceled
Due to Lack of Interest, Tomorrow Has Been Canceled is a 1969 book by Irene Kampen, an account of her return to school at the University of Wisconsin–Madison after 25 years, and how she learned to adapt to the student culture of the late Sixties...
, Fear Without Childbirth, Nobody Calls At This Hour Just To Say Hello, Here Comes The Bride, There Goes Mother, Europe Without George, We That Are Left, and Last Year At Sugarbush.