EPISODE · Oct 14, 2025 · 48 MIN
The Hollywood insider and the murder that changed his famous family
from Conversations · host Australian Broadcasting Corporation
Griffin Dunne's acting career was just taking off when his sister was brutally attacked by an ex-boyfriend, and the outcome of the infamous murder trial that followed was devastating for his family.As a child his parents threw legendary parties, including one where Sean Connery saved him from drowning in the family pool in Beverly Hills and when he was a teenager, he hung out with famous actors and directors at his aunty's place, the legendary writer Joan Didion.Then as a struggling actor in his 20s, he shared a Manhattan apartment with his best friend, the actress Carrie Fisher.And Griffin went on to achieve his own success, including a starring role in the cult horror film An American Werewolf in London.But after the murder of his younger sister Dominique, Griffin lost interest in his acting career.And his father Dominick Dunne who wrote about his daughter's trial for Vanity Fair, went on to cover other high profile murder cases for the magazine, including the Menendez Brothers and OJ Simpson.Griffin's memoir is called The Friday Afternoon ClubThis episode of Conversations explores Hollywood history, family, memoir, fame, domestic abuse, murder, legal system, relationships, acting, producing, New York City, alcohol abuse, writing, divorce, homosexuality, writers, directors, horror films.To binge even more great episodes of the Conversations podcast with Richard Fidler and Sarah Kanowski go the ABC listen app (Australia) or wherever you get your podcasts. There you’ll find hundreds of the best thought-provoking interviews with authors, writers, artists, politicians, psychologists, musicians, and celebrities.
What this episode covers
Griffin Dunne's acting career was just taking off when his sister was brutally attacked by an ex-boyfriend, and the outcome of the infamous murder trial that followed was devastating for his family. As a child his parents threw legendary parties, including one where Sean Connery saved him from drowning in the family pool in Beverly Hills and when he was a teenager, he hung out with famous actors and directors at his aunty's place, the legendary writer Joan Didion. Then as a struggling actor in his 20s, he shared a Manhattan apartment with his best friend, the actress Carrie Fisher. And Griffin went on to achieve his own success, including a starring role in the cult horror film An American Werewolf in London. But after the murder of his younger sister Dominique, Griffin lost interest in his acting career. And his father Dominick Dunne who wrote about his daughter's trial for Vanity Fair, went on to cover other high profile murder cases for the magazine, including the Menendez Brothers and OJ Simpson. Griffin's memoir is called The Friday Afternoon Club This episode of Conversations explores Hollywood history, family, memoir, fame, domestic abuse, murder, legal system, relationships, acting, producing, New York City, alcohol abuse, writing, divorce, homosexuality, writers, directors, horror films. To binge even more great episodes of the Conversations podcast with Richard Fidler and Sarah Kanowski go the ABC listen app (Australia) or wherever you get your podcasts. There you’ll find hundreds of the best thought-provoking interviews with authors, writers, artists, politicians, psychologists, musicians, and celebrities.
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The Hollywood insider and the murder that changed his famous family
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