Nothin' Comes Easy: The Life of Rodney Dangerfield

by Michael Seth Starr

The first-ever biography of legendary comic Rodney Dangerfield, whose rise to fame from anxious failure to America’s most loveable, disrespected schlub was the most improbable in the history of American comedy.

Rodney Dangerfield’s fidgety delivery, self-deprecating humor, and catchphrase, “I don’t get no respect,” made him a comedy icon in nightclubs, on television, and in movies. But Rodney’s long road to stardom was as rocky as his real life. Born Jacob Cohen in 1921 to a coldhearted mother and absentee father, anxiety-prone Jacob found escape from reality by writing and performing jokes. It led to ten years going nowhere on the “toilets” of the club circuit. What followed was marriage, fatherhood, selling aluminum siding, and depression, self-doubt, and debt. That’s when he decided to give comedy one last shot . . .
 
Back in the clubs and thanks to a fortuitous prime time set on The Ed Sullivan Show, at the age of 45, the newly christened Rodney Dangerfield was an “overnight” success. It was the greatest second act in the history of show business.
 
Rodney mined his insecurities, personal and professional setbacks, and dismal childhood into comedy gold on the The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson, The Dean Martin Show, The Joey Bishop Show, Merv Griffin, and Mike Douglas. A generation of new fans discovered him in a string of hit comedies, including Caddyshack, Easy Money, Back to School—even popping up in Oliver Stone’s Natural Born Killers. And behind that iconic comedy persona was a caring, compassionate man who took in a hard-luck friend for the rest of his life; a dedicated father who almost singlehandedly raised two children; and a selfless and supportive mentor to such up-and-comers as Jerry Seinfeld, Jim Carrey, and George Carlin. Nobody didn’t love him.
 
An honest, moving, and funny portrait of the real Rodney Dangerfield, Nothing Comes Easy gives the legend, the man, the father, and friend all the respect he deserves.


 

Genres: Biography, Humor, History, Biography Memoir, Nonfiction, Comedy

229 pages, Hardcover

First published April 29, 2025

Reviews

[Jeff Wait · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a solid companion book to Rodney's autobiography. The last section where it talks about his aging and death is where this book really shines. It finally starts to catch magic. Before that, it feels somewhere between a Wikipedia page and a long newspaper article. The research is great, but the interviews don't begin to matter much until Rodney starts dying. It also does a good job showing both sides of Rodney -- the good and the bad. Worth checking out if you're a comedy fan or are old enough to remember watching him on TV.

[Dale Dewitt · Rating 2 out of 5]

A long winding trip to nowhere. While there are some valid and interesting insights into Rodney’s life, and his one-liners always made me laugh, this books does a poor job of being a biography of Rodney Dangerfield. After every show or movie that Rodney was in the author sees fit to do multiple pages of just reviews from various newspapers which did not add anything to the story but in fact made it a slog to read. The author seems to have conducted some interviews for this book but also heavily relied on already printed material which could be found elsewhere including Rodney’s own memoir. The most interesting parts were the beginning and end of Rodney’s life and that was mostly because they were without much of The printed material that could be found and without the author inserting his own commentary on a situation. An author riffing on a riff is just odd.Skip this or pray there is an editor who steps in and says let’s not just copy review paragraphs before this is released.

I received an ARC of this from NetGalley for my honest review

[Aaron Buitron · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is a decent overview of Rodney Dangerfield’s life and career, but it doesn’t really offer anything you couldn’t get from a quick Google search. The author doesn’t offer much in the way of insights or commentary, opting instead to move swiftly from one event to the next in the manner of a Wikipedia page. I wouldn’t recommend this book unless you’ve never heard of Dangerfield and are curious.
I received an ARC from NetGalley for this review

[RICK "SHAQ" GOLDSTEIN · Rating 4 out of 5]

RICK “SHAQ” GOLDSTEIN SAYS: I ALWAYS RESPECTED YA RODNEY… AT LEAST TILL I LEARNED ABOUT YOUR “DISGUSTING-OPEN-ROBE-SYNDROME-IN-THIS-BOOK!!
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This is the biography of Rodney Dangerfield… who many comedy fans… believe was one of the absolute greatest stand -up comedians in history! Rodney’s rapid fire… mostly self-deprecating jokes (along with lethal arrows shot in the heart of people deemed schmucks by “Sir” Rodney)… were always launched so quickly… and repetitively… you would think he used a top-secret machine gun loaded with demeaning jokes.

Fortunately for potential readers… though this is a relatively short book… the author… Michael Seth Starr… tells Dangerfield’s life story… in the same… time saving… unrelenting manner.

Rodney’s real name was Jacob Cohen… and it would be almost impossible for Rodney/Jacob to have had a more sorrowful childhood. His Father was almost always absent from his life… either on the road in a dismal vaudeville career… before turning to non-entertainment employment… and simply not caring about his son. As the years passed… his Father might see him TWO-HOURS-A-YEAR! His Mother was… a loveless… heartless… kvetching… open sore. She didn’t see a glass… as half-full… or half- empty… she never even saw a glass! Rodney was always writing down jokes and saving them… a trait that would stay with him till the day he died in 2004 at eighty-two years old. An early attempt at comedy failed… and after a number of run of the mill jobs… along with his brief case full of handwritten jokes… gave comedy a mid-life… comeback attempt… and thanks to Johnny Carson… and a number of others… he struck it rich!

Dangerfield became a staple on such shows as the Tonite Show… Mike Douglas Show… Merv Griffin Show… and working comedy clubs continuously. This led to Vegas… and movies such as CADDY SHACK… BACK TO SCHOOL… EASY MONEY… (And others) that became… to this day… ALL-TIME COMEDIC CLASSICS! And what was even more amazing… as he hit his sixties… and seventies… his biggest most adoring audiences were young adults!

Sadly… his entire adulthood… till the day he died… was engulfed in enormous emotional pain. His life was literally “tears-of-a-clown”! His life defining standard mantra of… ***I-GET-NO-RESPECT!!*** was the exact way he always felt… and a lifetime of smoking weed… drinking… and drugs… could never light the darkness he carried within him his entire life. He owned… opened and closed… comedy clubs… he made millions and millions of dollars in movies… record albums… innumerable TV specials… high paying Vegas gigs… and he went to just as many psychiatrists.

The author… Starr (reminder: that’s his last name!) has a pattern… of describing a new movie… or album…or show… and immediately quoting critics reviews and responses… and how Rodney and some of his co-horts… felt they went… immediately after describing the event. Some readers may be annoyed by that flow… I happen to enjoy it. Obviously Dangerfield’s career of non-stop one liners… and… I-GET-NO-RESPECT… soliloquies… are sprayed out faster… and in more quantity… than water from a fire hose… in a typical California summer… such as…

“I STARTED IN THIS BUSINESS WITH A VENTRILOQUIST. BUT I HAD TO QUIT. I GOT TOO BIG FOR THE GUY’S LAP.”

“I GUESS THAT’S WHY I BROKE UP WITH MY PSYCHIATRIST. NO RESPECT FROM HIM EITHER. ONE DAY I TOLD HIM I HAD SUICIDAL TENDENCIES. HE TOLD ME FROM THEN ON, I WOULD HAVE TO PAY IN ADVANCE.”

“THE OTHER NIGHT I WAS IN A PLACE AND I FELT LIKE HAVING A FEW DRINKS, YA KNOW? I WENT OVER TO THE BARTENDER AND SAID, “SURPRISE ME.” HE SHOWED ME A NAKED PICTURE OF MY WIFE!”

“I WAS AN UGLY KID, TOO, I HAD PLENTY OF PIMPLES. ONE DAY I FELL ASLEEP IN A LIBRARY, I WOKE UP AND A BLIND MAN WAS READING MY FACE!”

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And the biggest surprise to me in the book… was the fact that Rodney was infamous for wearing a robe… with absolutely nothing under it… and it was always… either swinging open… or always being open… with no “swing” needed. It was disgusting… and many of his former friends and colleagues… interviewed in this book… make mention of it… and none were mentioned in glowing details. I would have to believe since he passed away in 2004… that if he lived five or ten years longer… with the changing in societies social norms… he would have been highly ostracized… and had a line outside his door suing him,

Then life would surely imitate art… AND HE WOULD HAVE GOTTEN NO RESPECT!!! (BUT A TON OF LAWSUITS!)

[Dale Pearl · Rating 5 out of 5]

An Advanced Review Copy was provided by the publisher in exchange for a review.

Introduction
"Nothin' Comes Easy: The Life of Rodney Dangerfield" by Michael Seth Starr is a thorough biography that takes readers through the life and career of one of America's most beloved comedians, Rodney Dangerfield. Known for his catchphrase "I get no respect," Dangerfield's journey from obscurity to comedy stardom is one marked by persistence, personal struggles, and an enduring connection with audiences. Michael Seth Starr, a seasoned biographer with a knack for capturing the essence of his subjects, provides an intimate, detailed look into Dangerfield's life, offering insights into his comedy, relationships, and the personal challenges he faced.

Summary
Early Life and Struggles: The book begins with Rodney Dangerfield's humble beginnings as Jacob Cohen in Depression-era New York. Starr details his early forays into comedy, which were initially unsuccessful, leading Dangerfield to abandon comedy for a time to focus on a more conventional life, including selling aluminum siding. This section illustrates the theme of the book's title, highlighting the immense struggle Dangerfield faced to achieve recognition.

Rise to Fame: Starr narrates how Dangerfield made his comeback in the 1960s and 1970s, adopting his stage name and persona that would make him famous. His appearances on "The Ed Sullivan Show" and later on "The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson" catapulted him to fame. The biography explores his comedic style, which was heavily based on self-deprecation and the concept of not receiving respect, resonating deeply with audiences.

Personal Life and Challenges: The book does not shy away from Dangerfield's personal life, including his marriages, particularly his relationship with his second wife, Joyce Indig, and the complexities of raising his children. It also covers his battles with depression, anxiety, and substance abuse, showing how these struggles influenced his comedy and his personal life.

Legacy and Later Years: Starr discusses Dangerfield's later career, including his successful forays into film with movies like "Caddyshack" and "Back to School." The narrative captures his efforts to promote new talent through his own comedy club and his ongoing battle with health issues, leading up to his death in 2004. The biography concludes with reflections on his lasting impact on comedy and how he mentored figures like Jerry Seinfeld and Jim Carrey.

Conclusion
Michael Seth Starr's "Nothin' Comes Easy" is an engaging and heartfelt biography that does justice to Rodney Dangerfield's legacy. It provides a balanced view of his life, celebrating his comedic genius while not glossing over his personal battles. The book is both a tribute and a critical analysis, showing the man behind the laughter, his resilience, and his dedication to his craft. For fans of Dangerfield or those interested in the history of American stand-up comedy, this book is an essential read that humanizes a comedy icon.

Detailed Ratings Breakdown
Content Quality (5/5): The biography is rich in detail, with well-sourced anecdotes and personal insights that paint a vivid picture of Dangerfield's life. Starr's research is meticulous, giving readers a comprehensive understanding of both the public figure and the private man.
Narrative Style (4/5): Starr's writing is engaging, though at times, the shift between the humor of Dangerfield's professional life and his personal struggles might disrupt the flow for some readers. However, his storytelling keeps the reader engaged throughout.
Research and Accuracy (5/5): The author's background in journalism shines through in the thoroughness of his research, including interviews with family, friends, and contemporaries of Dangerfield, ensuring a factual and nuanced portrayal.
Impact and Insight (5/5): This book goes beyond mere biography to provide insights into the nature of comedy, the psyche of a comedian, and the cultural landscape of American humor in the 20th century. It's particularly insightful in showing how personal hardship can fuel artistic expression.
Readability (4/5): While the content is compelling, some might find the depth of personal details dense. However, for those interested in the subject, it's a smooth and informative read.
Overall Enjoyment (5/5): A recommended read for comedy enthusiasts, providing both enjoyment through the recounting of Dangerfield's humor and a poignant look at the man behind the laughs.

[Dan · Rating 4 out of 5]

My thanks to NetGalley and Kensington Publishing- Citadel for an advanced copy of a comedian genius who used a lifetime of pain and doubts to great a catchphrase and form an act that touched all generations, and one that will continue to make people laugh, no matter how serious things get.

My father was a complicated man, and to paraphrase the Theme from Shaft, no one really understood not even his woman, my mom. Bronx Irish blood ran through him, along with an empathy for people he felt weren't being right, a mix of melancholy, anger and sadness that always seemed a few steps behind him. My father though loved to laugh. Clean jokes, blue humour, puns, parodies, skits, improv, stoner, my father would watch and listen to anything to laugh. And of course repeat the jokes. His favorites were Don Rickles, George Carlin, and the man who made my father learn how to use a VCR to record his specials, Rodney Dangerfield. Dangerfield spat out my jokes than a rapper on a dis track. If one didn't hit, well fifty more jokes were waiting in the wings. As most comics, Rodney's humor came from the pain of his life, the anger he felt at himself and imagined and real slights, and depression. One could tell from his act, that there was a sadness, but I never until reading this book knew how deep, and how strong he was to make so many others happy. And to make them laugh. Nothin' Comes Easy: The Life of Rodney Dangerfield by Michael Seth Starr is the first biography of this star of stage and screen, one who always talked about respect, while doing his best to help others, and deal with his own pains.

Jacob Cohen was born in New York City in1921, and it was all downhill from there. Jacob's father was an entertainer with his own duo, but one that never took off, as he took off from his family, leaving his wife and child for a life on the road. Jacob's mother was a uncaring woman who resented her child, ignore him everyway possible, and even stole from him. This damaged Jacob in many ways, but also made him want to succeed, maybe for himself, but maybe to show others. A good student Jacob worked every job he could find, until the end of school, where he tried to his the boards and make it as an entertainer. Singing waiter, emcee, standup, Jacob did it all, working the Z-list clubs, doing anything to make it to the B-list or even the A-list one day. That day ceased to be when he turned 30, was married, and retired from entertainment, becoming a tin man, a seller of aluminum for houses. Years passed, and an FBI investigation later, Jacob tried the entertainment field again. Starting slow, but with a courage to try a fear of failure Jacob began to get bigger gigs. A change of name of Rodney Dangerfield, along with a catchphrase of I get no respect helped also. Soon the money was coming in, he owned his own club, and Dangerfield was in demand, with a future wide ahead.

A really great look at a man who joked about being a loser, and deep down felt that no matter the success or the fame. There is a lot of sadness here, his family life, a mother who wouldn't even sign his report cards cause, she didn't care. The doubts. However there is a lot of great stories, and jokes, and one finds that no matter how close the darkness Dangerfield beat it, on his terms. There are a lot of stirring testimonials, from comedians whose careers were helped by Dangerfield and a lot of jokes about unclosed bathrobes. Michael Seth Starr understands the comedian well, and gets the lifestyle, plus has done a lot of research. The book reads well, and has a lot of touching as well as funny moments.

I was amazed by all the people that Dangerfield knew, Lenny Bruce, Ed Sullivan, and the many comedians who called him friend and mentor. This is the second book by Michael Seth Starr I have read and really enjoyed the way he gets inside the head of his subjects. The perfect book for comedy fans, Dangerfield fans, and for people who like stories about complicated, and funny people.

[Bargain Sleuth Book Reviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to NetGalley and Kensington Publishing for the digital copy of this book; I am leaving this review voluntarily.

I used to watch a lot of stand-up comedians on Johnny Carson’s Tonight Show growing up. Rodney Dangerfield was one of those comedians, whose schtick of “I don’t get no respect” was one of the big catch phrases of the 1970s and 1980s. I didn’t know much about Rodney Dangerfield and I hoped this book would remedy that.

Rodney Dangerfield was born Jacob Cohen and grew up with hard circumstances. His mother wasn’t a good mother, and his father was pretty much an absentee father. Rodney turned inward and relied on humor to hide his pain. He decided to try being a comedian when he was grown up and took a stage name–no, not Rodney Dangerfield.

Dangerfield had a hard marriage, but he had two wonderful children. He basically became a single parent. The comedy career wasn’t working out, so he started selling aluminum siding for a few years. Finally, in his 40s, he decided to try comedy again, and that’s when he picked Rodney Dangerfield as his stage name.

Dangerfield opened a night club and performed there nightly, along with many other comedians. Finally, one day, a scout from The Tonight Show saw him and invited him to perform on the show. In that day an age, if you performed well on the Johnny Carson show, it could literally make your career. And that’s what happened to Rodney.

His tagline became so popular that he began starring in movies and TV commercials, including the famous Miller Lite commercials. His breakout movie, Caddyshack, cemented him as a bona fide star. He used his power to help out younger comedians like Jim Carrey and Jerry Seinfeld.

Overall, I found this a very interesting book and would like to read his autobiography that is often referenced in this book.

[A Cesspool · Rating 3 out of 5]

more like a Kindle single-biography [e.g. abridged]; However, still more insightful than Dangerfield’s own 2001 memoir -- fyi: pretty obvious Rodney had hoped to author a legitimately jokey-autobiography, á la Norm Macdonald's faux-memoir Based on a True Story, but only had the patience to infrequently re-word his co-author's more conventional prose, into his preferred setup-punchline payoff.

Most remarkable, Dangerfield [née: Jacob Cohen] use to be a real creep [defrauding government, homeowners] but the more successful he got, the more wealth he accumulated, the more he really turned out to be a genuine sweetheart.

Rodney’s filmography receives probably the most deep-dive recognition to date – Albeit, the author’s narrow fandom for Back to School (1986) is naive and simply one of my biggest gripes: he repeatedly suggests Back to School, was not only an improvement over its predecessor, but also, Rodney’s best cinematic offering; Really, Back to School was his -- biggest box-office -- most defining 1980s, Ronald capitalism-trumps-auteurism Reagan’s American movie, imo, but Easy Money (1983) still, technically, qualified as 1970s New Hollywood, may have also been gifted with early-1980s boner-punch sex comedies demographic, still oozed with Hollywood New Wave-swagger.

[Mark Lieberman · Rating 5 out of 5]

I got this book from Netgalley, so I can read and review it before it’s published. Now, I knew of his comedy and his characters from CaddyShack and Back to School, but I knew of nothing else. I was really interested to learn more.

I didn’t know his father and uncle were vaudeville performers. I mean, makes sense!

He worked really hard to become who he is, but he also had a short 10-year hiatus when he got married till his divorce (ages 30 to 40) when he focused his priorities on being a normal family man (note, he sold aluminum siding). They did get remarried for a few years, and then divorced again. At age 40, he became even more popular as a comic and that’s when he opened his own comedy store.

The book is filled with a lot of his one-liner jokes and stories as told by him and other people. TV appearances and movies, as well as things he wrote, are also discussed. He is open about his drug usage (mostly marijuana) and his family.

He was friendly with Sam Kinison, Bob Saget, and Robert Klein, just to name a few.

He seemed like a likable guy who was always available to help the younger comics. And, he always paid fellow comics who would write jokes for him.

Overall, I enjoyed this book.

[Adele · Rating 3 out of 5]

An Advanced Review Copy was provided by the publisher in exchange for a review.

In terms of style, I am hoping that this copy will undergo some editing before a final version is released. There seems to be alot of redundancy, particularly at the beginning of the book, for example, Chapter Four ends " ' I quit my job and went out and worked clubs for nothing just to get exposure '" and Chapter Five begins "'...I quit my job and went out and worked nightclubs for nothing just to get the exposure.' " The overuse of details in parentheses was also a bit too "casual" and distracting for me.

In terms of substance, I did not read Dangerfield's autobiography, which was cited numerous times. I suspect this may be the perfect supplement for those with an intense interest in Dangerfield's life and a desire to know more. For someone with a casual interest, I enjoyed learning about Dangerfield's life...to a point. The quantity of names/dates/places became a bit tedious and was certainly not memorable for me. Nonetheless, this was a sad yet funny tribute, very "believable" and worth the read if you are curious about the man or the world of comedy.

[Ben Savage · Rating 3 out of 5]

Solid three.
I guess I expected a deep dive into Rodney instead of a recap based on interviews and recollections. But there wasn't a lot of revelatory material. True, it was a primer on Rodney and the quotes from others are touching. But no real analysis, no deep dive, just " he struggled a lot, still struggled, then he was playing Vegas for a week". They touch on his early life and his years selling aluminum siding but just a touch, as if to edit and add depth to " I get no respect". We don't touch on his first marriages to the same woman beyond " he got married young". Additonal descriptions of his third wife fighting to recall his legacy were intriguing but also seemed cold and buisness like. Definetly a slog to get through on the opening of the year.

[Wendi Manning · Rating 2 out of 5]

I didn’t know a lot about Rodney going into this and sadly, I still don’t.

This book doesn’t seem to be very well researched. The very first chapter mentions a vaudeville performer whose first name is “lost in the winds of history”. A Google search brought the man’s name in the first result. That didn’t bode well for the rest of the book.

I now know more about the history of the movies he was in, so I suppose that’s something.

The writing was a little arrogant, assuming people knew nothing about anything.

I can’t recommend this one.

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

[Pamela Beckford · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book regurgitating the life of Rodney Dangerfield of "I get no respect" fame was a long and meandering book. I grew up watching Dangerfield and found his one liners funny, sometimes bawdy, and occasionally stupid.

The book begins with the history of Dangerfield's family and his roots in vaudeville. It was a bit like reading a newspaper article without any emotion thrown in.

By the end of the book, I was bored and ready for it to be done. It was sprinkled with Dangerfield's one liners and that made it interesting, Dangerfield was a prolific joke writer.

I was given this book by NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for a fair and honest review - all opinions are my own.

[Steve · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. I found it objective yet respectful, discussing the positives and negatives of Rodney Dangerfield’s career. The use of quotes was selective and appropriate; enough to give me a taste but not used as a substitute for the author's writing. Although I enjoyed watching Dangerfield for years, I didn’t have a good appreciation for his skills. I also had no idea about his private life, so I found this book fascinating. Overall this book was highly informative and entertaining. Thank you to Netgalley and Citadel for the digital review copy.

[Jeff Muñiz · Rating 2 out of 5]

To be honest I struggled to finish it. There was no real deep dive on Rodney, mostly a list of where he played and who helped. Not much detail on what made Rodney click. Book started with a brief history of his parents that seemed to actually be more detailed than on Rodney. Something I looked forward to reading about was what prevented him from serving during WWII. He was prime age at that point to be drafted or have joined. No explanation at all. Would not recommend it to somebody as their source of who Rodney was.

[Ellen · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars. Thank you to the author and the publisher for allowing me the chance to read this book.
I am honestly on the fence about this book. I learned a lot of new details about Rodney Dangerfield’s life and career. However, I felt like the story read like a Wikipedia article. It was difficult for me to stay focused on what I was reading.
I was able to finish the book, but at times it was a bit of a struggle.

[John Schorg · Rating 3 out of 5]

Now, there's a biography of Rodney Dangerfield. It gives an overview of his career, but very little beyond that. Apart from being a quick read, I'm not sure there's anything here that genuinely examines the unique style of his comedy. It's probably worth keeping as a handy reference guide, and that's all.

[Michelle Brown · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had a hard time getting into this book until halfway through. Mostly because his life was a little depressing until he opened up Dangerfield's. The last half of the book flew by. I really liked the Riffs on Rodney chapter at the end. It really rounded it out, hearing other people's stories and takes on Rodney.

[Stuart Shiffman · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting biography written very much in Dangerfield style. Very short clips and story’s of his life, interspersed with hundreds of his jokes. Dangerfield was funny and until later years seemed obsessed with money. He was also very litigious and abused his body with drugs, smoking and alcohol. But the book was fun to read and his great treatment of others is to be applauded. Glad I read it.

[Lisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lots of great information but at times it read like an encyclopedia entry, spewing facts with a lack of warmth. I enjoyed the pictures included. Thank you to the publisher for free copy of this book.

[RCC · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought this book was okay, but I sort of expected it to be more funny. It felt like it was a lot of name dropping, which got a little tiresome. However, it did seem to show just how Rodney seemed to have difficulties in his early life, but prospered later in life.

[Suzanne · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thanks to ARC from NetGalley for the advanced copy. I thought this book was a good overview of Rodney's life. However, it was very matter or fact and quite dry. While it included lots of name dropping, the book didn't show much emotion or provide depth to the person Rodney was.

[Lisa Brandt · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a thorough and entertaining ride through Dangerfield's long and fascinating career. There were many details that surprised me. He certainly helped a lot of today's comics along the way, when they were young upstarts. I love a good biography and a stand-up's biography is even better!

[Jim Ecock · Rating 3 out of 5]

Should Have Gotten the Autobiography

It seemed like book came from press clippings. Hard to tell if the Author ever met Rodney. Some interesting items but I wanted more of a first hand account.

[Michael · Rating 2 out of 5]

Had I've read this book with my eyes, I might've given it three stars, but the narration is consistently irritating. His impressions of the people in the book are some of the worst I've heard. The book's editing also missed so many redundancies, I even wonder if this was written with help from AI.

[Crystal DeBoard · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well-written and a few interesting parts. Worth a read if you were a fan.

[Terrence · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very dry book especially considering how funny Rodney Dangerfield was.

[Malum · Rating 2 out of 5]

Feels more like a general overview of Dangerfield's life than a full-fledged biography.

[John Drees · Rating 3 out of 5]

An easy read with some interesting parts. The author could have used an editor — quite a bit of repetition. Overall, I enjoyed it.

[Ben Baker · Rating 2 out of 5]

A unexpectedly depressing book that repeats itself a lot that fits the usual "sad clown" biography.