Cindy Williams recaps life of laughter in 'Shirley' memoir

As if the title "Shirley, I Jest!" didn't set the tone for Cindy Williams humorous memoir, which comes out May 1, she also mentions Boo Boo Kitty in the dedication.

That feline was the favorite stuffed animal of her TV alter ego Shirley Feeney on the popular sitcom "Laverne & Shirley." But Boo Boo Kitty is just one in a long list of famous characters who populate the book (Taylor Trade, $22.95), which follows Williams from her Texas youth to TV stardom in Hollywood.

The actress writes affectionately of co-starring with Penny Marshall on "Laverne & Shirley," and the publicity whirlwind that followed, included an appearance at the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. (Williams briefly touches on her abrupt departure from the show when the studio insisted she continue filming while nine months pregnant.)

Among the many names Williams drops are Jim Morrison, who pranked her when she waited on his table at Sunset Strip club Whisky a Go Go; Gene Kelly, whom she danced with -- and stepped on; Andy Kaufman, who became a close friend, and Cary Grant, who charmed Williams and her mom at the racetrack.

Shirley, readers will laugh.