I grew up in Southern California in an apartment building complex where I’d often spend evenings around a communal bonfire listening to my father, the artist, and acrobatic dancer, Russ Tamblyn, tell stories about the heydays of Hollywood. My dad starred in everything from the original West Side Story, to David Lynch’s Twin Peaks, rubbed elbows with the likes of Fred Astaire and Henry Miller, and is a beloved culture icon of sorts. You could hear a pin drop - or just the sounds of the crackling fire and my father’s voice - as neighbors and friends alike leaned in to listen closely to his stories of the adventures from his youth. There was the time he received his best friend, the actor Dennis Hopper, in bad shape over the border of Mexico in an ambulance. Or the time he picked up a strange hitchhiker who turned out to be Charles Manson, and his harem of women in Topanga. Or the time he helped Elvis Presley with some dance moves for “Jailhouse Rock.” Or the time his other best friend, the songwriter Neil Young, wrote one of his most famous songs in the backseat of dad’s car on a road trip. Or the time dad turned down that lead role in “Gilligan’s Island.” Or the second time he met the Queen of England. Those stories are just a fraction of his life, and what he writes about in his new memoir, Dancing on the Edge: A Journey of Living, Loving, and Tumbling Through Hollywood. At 89 years old, I like to think it’s a pretty amazing feat, to have come this far, literally and professionally; to have lived for so long, and so hard, and so good, as my dad has, and get to publish a book about it—his first book!— in his golden years. May we all be so fortunate. (Especially the living part.) For The Bare Magazine, I sat down with my dad in my backyard in Brooklyn, New York during his recent press tour for the book to talk about some of his favorite memories from growing up in Hollywood, thinking about life’s biggest regrets at the end of the road, and of course, the essential products he can’t live without (spoiler alert: one of them is a cologne he has worn since I was born, and still wears to this day.)

Amber Tamblyn: Papa, you’ve been an acrobatic dancer and actor your whole life, starring in classic films like West Side Story, Tom Thumb, and Seven Brides for Seven Brothers. Dancing and tumbling has always been a part of your craft, as well as acting. What’s your first memory of falling in love with acrobatics and dancing?

Russ Tamblyn: When I was about 8 years old - I loved getting up on stage at the Granada theater in Inglewood California where I was born and raised, and dancing around to entertain the other kids at the matinees. The manager did not love my nonsense but my escapades did lead to tap-dancing lessons with Bob Cole - which my mother thought would satisfy my itch to perform. Tap dancing lessons only grew my curiosity and love for all of it. Then later, when we moved to North Hollywood, I discovered the acrobatic joy of flying through the air backwards into a giant haystack in the barn of a friend who lived next door. This is how I started tumbling.

AB: What’s one of the best stories from your book that you can’t wait for people to read?

RT: It's hard to choose because there are so many stories: picking up an unknown hitchhiker in Topanga Canyon who turned out to be Charles Manson, helping Elvis Pressley with some of dance moves for Jailhouse Rock. But I think the making of the indie Film, “Human Highway “ with my buddies, Dean Stockwell, Dennis Hopper, and Neil Young was a real highlight of my life (as well as the band, Devo.) They were and are some of my closest friends, and the movie is a fun acid trip of a story about a small town located where a nuclear power plant is, and the strange characters who live there.

AT: I LOVED that film growing up, as you know. A true cult classic. I have the film’s poster framed on the wall in my home. Looking back at all that you have achieved in your life, is there one regret you have in life about your career? Any particular moment you wish you could change?

RT: Honestly, I don't have any really strong regrets. Leaving show business at the height of my career was risky. I suppose I could say that when I tried to get back in, I had burned too many bridges, and the management I chose was subpar.  But it all turned out okay, because I met my soul-mate at my lowest, and we built a rich and beautiful life and family together.

AT: Now that you’re almost 90 years old, there’s so many creature comforts you must have at home that make you and your aching dancer’s body feel good. What are some of the essential products you love using daily? (This means like a cologne, a lotion, a bubble bath etc!) 

RT: If you can call meditating an essential product, then that really helps me. I also love flowers and arranging them. I discovered the East Indian philosopher J. Krishnamurti early on and he influenced me a great deal. Of course my jacuzzi tub is essential, and a splash of 47-11 cologne.

AT: Lastly, is there anything you want younger generations to know, papa? Any wisdom you’d like to share from all that you’ve learned in your life?

RT: Don't be afraid to take chances, if you can, follow your dreams.  But take care of yourself and be practical as well. I will quote John Lennon here - Have the courage to go to the edge, but always be sure to come back.

Photos: Tina Turnbow

Makeup: Nick Barose

Hair: Matthew Monzon

Amber wears dresses from Rue Saint Paul

Interview and intro: Amber Tamblyn

Shot in Brooklyn