Bestselling author speaks at luncheon

The Junior League of Mobile welcomed an "old Mobilian" as the guest speaker at a recent luncheon.

Sam Haskell, the former head of televi sion for the William Morris Agency and the author of national bestseller "Promises I Made My Mother," was born in Mobile and the cover photo of his memoir was taken in Mobile at Lyons Park.

That photo ran in the Mother's Day issue of the Mobile Press-Register in 1956.

Known as "the nice guy in Hollywood," Haskell's memoir focuses on living a "principled life in unprincipled times."

Upon the announcement of "Promises I Made My Mother," he said, "Since I was a kid, I've been guided by principles that shaped me into who I am today. Mostly I've my mother to thank for that. She's not here for the telling of this story, of life's lessons learned, promises kept and dreams fulfilled, but I think if she were, she'd be smiling."

Haskell spoke to a crowd of 120 at the Country Club of Mobile on

Oct. 6, followed by a book-signing.

He donated proceeds from that day's book sales back to the Junior League of Mobile. All his proceeds are donated to non-profit organizations and charities, especially ones that support education.

Ann Sirmon, president of the Junior League and a Haskell family friend, explained that the lessons Haskell spoke about from his childhood are at the core of the Junior League's mission.

"Sam shared a simple, yet inspiring, message with us of how he attributes his success in life through the lessons he learned from his mother at an early age," Sirmon said. "Lessons such as faith, hope, character and giving back to others will nourish the world."