In her new book , five-time Emmy-winning actress Candice Bergen opens up about her uncomfortable relationship with her father, and a childhood spent competing with a dummy.

Born to famous parents Edgar Bergen, best known for his ventriloquist act alongside dummy Charlie McCarthy, and Frances Westcott, a professional model, Candice was destined for stardom. Best known for her role as Murphy Brown on the CBS sitcom by the same name, Candice quickly made a name for herself, and quite a fortune of her own.

Despite being able to support herself financially, an allocation of $10,000 in her father's will took an emotional toll on the actress. The money was left to Charlie McCarthy, Edgar's doll. Candice, herself, was left nothing.

This favoring of Charlie, however, was nothing new for Candice. The puppet had his own room in the Bergen household—his was bigger than hers. She recalls sitting down to breakfast on one of her father's knees, Charlie placed on the other. "A gentle squeeze on the back of my neck was my cue to open and shut my mouth so he could ventriloquize me. Charlie and I would chatter together silently, while behind us Dad would supply the snappy repartee for both of us," she writes.

In leaving the money, Edgar wrote: "I make this provision for sentimental reasons which to me are vital due to the association with Charlie McCarthy who has been my constant companion and who has taken on the character of a real person and from whom I have never been separated even for a day." It is unclear who actually claims the cash, considering that Charlie is a puppet.

"I'd chased my father's approval all my life and here was proof I'd never get it," writes Candice. Luckily, the cold relationship with her father did not prevent her from marrying and becoming a mom.

Today, at 68, Candice is still acting, with her latest recurring role on 2004's Boston Legal.

[Via Daily Mail]

Alyssa Fiorentino Senior Editor of Content Strategy Alyssa is the senior editor of content strategy at House Beautiful who covers home decor, design trends, and news.

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