Terry Moogan lived in poverty before encountering Hollywood royals.
The author is currently writing a follow-up to his memoirs, “From Liverpool Bank Robber to Hollywood Butler” This details his journey to becoming a butler for some stars in Hollywood's golden age.
Moogan told Fox News Digital that before landing in California, he had trouble finding his way in his native Liverpool.
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Terry Moogan (left) didn't know how much his life would change after meeting Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton (right). (Terry Moogan/Getty Images)
“All the kids are very tough kids in town and we're all hanging around the gang,” explained Mugan. “In Liverpool, there are gang history and very powerful men. …We were just coming out of the war in England, there was nothing. We didn't believe anyone.
Growing up, Moogan explained how he and his misfit team hang out at the dock, steal whiskey and vodka from the warehouse and sell it to local pubs. They also skip school and shoplifting.
By the age of 16, Moogan claimed that he had been “snatching from the bank” with his peers.
Terry Moogan's book, “The Hollywood Butler from Bank Robbers,” is now available. (Shawn Atwood/Nilsen)
“I didn't have the money,” Mugan said. “We had a bit of food. My dad was away. I left it to my device and did what I wanted.”
In 1975, Mugan received an offer that he could not refuse. His brother said he was taking him to Southampton. There he was able to find a piece in Queen Elizabeth 2 Ocean Liner.
“I was absolutely lost,” recalls Mugan. “I didn't know what to do. The only impulse I had was to go out and steal again. But my brother gave me the money and said, 'I'm taking you to Southampton.'
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Terry Moogan found work in Queen Elizabeth 2, where she met Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton. (Terry Moogan)
“In the end, I was brought to Queen Elizabeth 2. I'm on a boat working in the galley with all the chefs, but I couldn't cook. I was forge it. Then my friend says, 'Why don't you become a waiter?” So I first became a bus boy and then I learned to become a waiter. ”
Terry Moogan said he has no interest in pursuing acting while in Hollywood. (Terry Moogan)
“One day I was on a boat and the Chief Steward told me, “Teddy, there's a job for you in the Penthouse. Do you want that job?”
Mugan has been promoted to a star-mixed penthouse room. It was there that he met power couples Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton.
Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor arrived on August 19, 1968 on Queen Elizabeth 2 of New York City. (Ron Galella, Ltd.
“When Richard was downstairs at the casino, I worked with Elizabeth Taylor,” recalled Moogan. “I wanted to be polite. Then she looks at me and says, 'Have you ever thought about becoming a movie star?' I say no to her.
“I laughed at it. Me, an actor? I'm a tough guy. That wasn't for me.” She tells me, “You should at least be a California butler.” She didn't really judge me.
Elizabeth Taylor showed off one of her precious gems given to her by Richard Burton. (Keystone-France/Gamma-Keystone via Getty Images)
Mugan admitted that he tried to steal Taylor's precious gem. He took her advice instead.
“We couldn't steal from Elizabeth Taylor,” Mugan said. “She was so beautiful. I couldn't do this to someone like her. My mind also began to think about redness, and I began to think about life I didn't know about, life I couldn't imagine for myself. [If I stole from Taylor]they'll follow me and if I were caught I would probably be 10-20 years old. ”
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Terry Moogan took advice from Elizabeth Taylor and headed for Los Angeles. (Terry Moogan)
In 1980, at the age of 23, Mugan set out for Los Angeles. When he arrived he headed to an international domestic agency to take on the role of Butler in Beverly Hills.
Terry Moogan said Lucille Ball reminded him of his mother. (Longalella Collection by Getty Images)
“My first job was in Jack Benny's old house next to Lucille Ball,” Moogan said. “I got to know her. I was taking out the trash for her. I was joking with her, she gave me tea and we could chat.
“I was telling her, 'My mother had red hair too, so you look like my mother!” I pretended not to know who she was.
In 1982, Mugan began working for Maggie Eastwood, Clint Eastwood's wife.
Clint Eastwood at home with his wife, Maggie Eastwood; The couple divorced in 1984. (CBS via Getty Images)
“They had two children,” Mugan said. “Clint was divorced back then, but… I remember feeling like a real home.
“Clint was very reserved and quiet. He came and I would give him a beer. He would relax and sit on the patio to spend time with the kids all the time, and they adored him.
Terry Moogan claimed he learned why Frederick R. Weissmann wasn't a fan of Frank Sinatra's music. (Terry Moogan)
Moogan worked at an Eastwood family for four months. According to the author, he was assigned to work for Frederick R. Weissman. Wanting to make a good impression on a well-known art collector and businessman, he heads to his home, playing Frank Sinatra's “My Way.” In his book, Moogan claimed that Weissman “exploded.”
Details surrounding Frank Sinatra's barroom brawl have been debated for many years. (Martin Mills/Getty Images)
Moogan wrote that Weissman spoke about the infamous barroom brawl at the Polo Lounge in 1966, claiming it happened because trucks and other Sinatras gave him a painful place.
Watch: Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin's 1966 brawl still raises questions: Author
Sinatra and Dean Martin were present alongside bodyguard Gilly Rizzo and other peers, according to multiple reports. At the time, Wiseman felt that the man was “rough” in a celebrity hotspot and “screamed to be quiet.” Sinatra is said to have responded with anti-Semitic remarks.
Terry Moogan previously told Liverpool Echo that Joan Rivers once asked him to cook “as Sir Laurence Olivier had come for dinner.” (Longalella Collection by Getty Images)
“Terry, I couldn't control myself,” Weissman is quoted as telling Moogan. “I ran out of my seat and punched him out of his chair. My fist landed completely on his nose. …All I know I was awake in the hospital… Apparently, one of his fools slammed me into my head with the thoughts of the phone.”
“He was a pretty attractive guy,” Moogan told Fox News Digital.
Terry Moogan said George Segal reminded him of his companions who returned to England (Rayfisher/Getty Images)
And then there was George Segal. Mugan worked for him between 1985 and 1986.
“He was attractive,” Mugan said. “He and his wife were very friendly. He loves to entertain guests and I have to make Irish stew.
Terry Moogan still lives in California. (Terry Moogan)
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Mugan retired in 1992. He still lives in California. Looking back, Mugan said he appreciated Taylor's words of encouragement.
He said life today is good.
“I believe in God now,” Mugan said. “I am walking in the Lord's path…I am grateful for the opportunity I have been given…My life [changed] For better. ”
