Born to Russian immigrant parents, Al Kallis co-founder of the iconic IHOP restaurant chain exemplifies the American dream. Living the Gift of Time follows his coming of age journey from childhood in New York where he develops his eye-hand co-ordination and risk-taking skills, through a stint in the Air Force, to the streets of Paris as a young artist finding his way in love and life. During this intriguing sojourn he develops his creative talents, pursues his curiosities and experiences life-changing epiphanies. He ends up in California where thanks to an unexpected phone call from Roger Corman, King of the "B" flicks, Kallis goes on to forge a career creating advertising campaigns for American International Pictures. "If we could put sprocket holes on Al Kallis' art we'd have better films." Inspired early on by his collaboration with Saul Bass, Kallis paints album covers for Capitol Records – his clients include Universal Pictures and Allied Artists. Years later, he channels his creative vision into making documentary films with his wife of sixty-four years, Trudy Drucker. In spite of his stellar accomplishments in art and investments, his soul mate, partner, wife and lover Trudy, his children and grandchildren provide him with the greatest joy and satisfaction. Witness to a rapidly changing world, Kallis has lived seventy-five years in the 20th century and fifteen in the 21st. Filled with insights, humor and candid confessions, Kallis attributes many opportunities to luck and instinct, but his ability to take timely action plays out over and over.