Alan Cumming's book, Not My Father's Son, recounts childhood abuse
Scottish actor reveals dark secrets from his youth
The Scottish actor Alan Cumming has worn many hats in his eclectic career.
He is currently starring in Cabaret on Broadway, in a role that won him a Tony Award in 1998. Cumming has appeared onscreen in diverse roles in Eyes Wide Shut and X-Men 2 and recently in the television drama The Good Wife.
Now he has added author to the list with the publication of his new memoir Not My Father's Son.
The book recounts his traumatic childhood, which was punctuated by violent episodes and verbal abuse by his father.
Friends didn't know about abuse
In an interview with CBC News he revealed that he decided to write the book on the cusp of his 50th birthday because "It's important for me to hear the world gasp at my story and remind myself that it is gasp worthy."
And gasp worthy it certainly is. The stories of the horrors of his childhood came as a surprise to his closest friends because he kept it secret.
Now those stories are in the public domain with the release of Not My Father's Son.
Cumming told CBC News that it's gratifying for him to have everything out in the open. He adds that "this wave of people are saying how glad they are that I have written the book and told my story and highlights how you can overcome abuse."