BIOGRAPHY WRITTEN BY MARCUS HESLOP
SET TO BE PUBLISHED ON NOVEMBER 16TH
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
The life of Fran Fullenwider will be told for the first time in a new biography from author and cult TV writer Marcus Heslop.
FRANTASTIC! Fran Fullenwider — Plus-Sized Pioneer is set to be published this November by Chinbeard Books, in association with Oak Tree Books.
The manuscript was acquired directly from the author by Chinbeard Books’ Creative Director Barnaby Eaton-Jones. “We’re delighted to share the full and wider life of Fran Fullenwider, as told by Marcus. It’s a unique tale of a unique actress.”
Marcus Heslop is proud to champion Fran and her story with this new book: “Who else can say they played Glenn Close’s mother, kissed Basil Brush, danced with Vincent Price, and starred in Italian comedies, all while challenging society’s attitudes toward plus-sized women?”
A stand-out amongst the supporting cast of cult-classic film The Rocky Horror Picture Show, amongst other TV and film projects, Fran’s remarkable life and career reads like a movie itself. A striking figure, this larger-than-life performer immediately stood out to Rocky Horror director Jim Sharman and even found fame as a model later in her career.
About the Book
Actress, cult icon, and unapologetic trailblazer, Fran Fullenwider lived life on her own terms.
From The Rocky Horror Picture Show, to classic British comedies like The Two Ronnies and Wurzel Gummidge, to working as a model, Fran defied Hollywood’s traditional beauty standards with her rallying cry of “Big is Beautiful”.
Told through the voices of friends and co-stars, including Christopher Biggins, Jeremy Irons, and even Basil Brush, this long-overdue biography celebrates Fran’s humour, warmth, and fearless spirit.
Fran’s remarkable journey proves that talent and beauty know no bounds.
“Fran Fullenwider was a truly unique figure, with an incredible life that has remained largely untold — until now,” adds Marcus Heslop. “Her story has been hidden for too long, and I’m honoured to finally bring it to the public in all its full, unfiltered glory.”
FRANTASTIC! Fran Fullenwider — Plus-Sized Pioneer releases in line with the 50th anniversary of The Rocky Horror Picture Show movie and Fran’s most famous and most talked about role.
More details will be released soon.
About Marcus Heslop
Marcus James Heslop was born in Newcastle in 1974. He is a secondary school teacher and writer, who has written for Best of British magazine, TW magazine and The Dark Side magazine. His articles include profiles of actors from Dad’s Army, reviews of Peter Sellers films, and a celebration of noted actor/writer/director Bryan Forbes (his widow, actress Nanette Newman, said it was one of the best articles she’d read about her husband). He has many claims to fame, including meeting Oliver Stone, being thanked in a BFI booklet, and pouring a cup of tea for Declan Donnelly in an episode of Byker Grove!
About Oak Tree Books
Since the year 2000, Oak Tree Books — Andrews UK’s premium imprint — has published high-quality titles covering a wide range of genres from biographies and fantasy to horror and media tie-ins. The imprint often champions beloved stories and characters from the ’70s and ’80s, offering a nostalgic return for long-time fans.
About Chinbeard Books
Chinbeard Books is a small publisher with big ideas. This small but award-winning company mainly focuses on heritage properties, or new books or graphic novels that are a little quirky and might not find a home elsewhere. Chinbeard currently holds the literary licenses for Robin of Sherwood, The Goodies, and The Tomorrow People, with more on the near horizon. They are partnered with Oak Tree Books on all bigger publishing projects.