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Behind the Laughter: A Comedian’s Tale of Tragedy and Hope
How do you keep going when your world is falling apart? Discover the powerful story of stand-up comic Anthony Griffith and how to navigate grief through persistence, faith, humor and love. Now available in trade paper. Just as Anthony’s career in stand-up comedy launched him onto the stage of The Tonight Show , he and his wife Brigitte faced an unimaginable personal their two-year-old daughter, Brittany Nicole, was dying from cancer. While Anthony performed under bright lights, he struggled not to succumb to the darkness of losing a child. In this stirring memoir, Anthony Griffith and his wife of more than thirty years, Brigitte Travis-Griffin, share the powerful story of living between life’s funniest moments and its most heartbreaking tragedies. With humor and deep insights into the human spirit, Behind the Laughter explores Anthony’s life and career as well as the bonds between parent and child and husband and wife. The surprising twists along Anthony’s path highlights experiencing God’s sustaining presence in the darkest moments as well as the sweetest dreams. Behind the Laughter Find true inspiration along with laugh-out-loud humor in this remarkable story of resilience and grace in the face of loss.
224 pages, Hardcover
Published April 9, 2019
17 people are currently reading
171 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
February 5, 2021
This memoir was perfect for me. It struck an impressive balance between funny and tragic, masculine and feminine, aspirational and relatable, sacred and profane.
Cowritten with his wife, this memoir is from a 1990's-era stand-up comedian and actor who juggled some very sad circumstances in his personal life with the most flashy years of his career's success. Not to minimize the significance of "his wife" -- Brigitte is a true partner to Anthony in all things, including the telling of this story. In that, this is partly a deep romance story.
"It was the best of times... it was the worst of times." Listen. I didn't know this gentleman's story and I hadn't heard his viral testimony when I picked up this book. When I got to those pages, I was dissolved in tears. It's POWERFUL stuff. Without a grain of preachiness, this book will bring you to a spiritual understanding of "real life" that's gonna affect you once you close that cover.
I'm too proud for therapy, and I'm too busy for meditation. When I read a book like this, I don't miss either. Warm wishes for this family. They're truly salt of the earth.
Cowritten with his wife, this memoir is from a 1990's-era stand-up comedian and actor who juggled some very sad circumstances in his personal life with the most flashy years of his career's success. Not to minimize the significance of "his wife" -- Brigitte is a true partner to Anthony in all things, including the telling of this story. In that, this is partly a deep romance story.
"It was the best of times... it was the worst of times." Listen. I didn't know this gentleman's story and I hadn't heard his viral testimony when I picked up this book. When I got to those pages, I was dissolved in tears. It's POWERFUL stuff. Without a grain of preachiness, this book will bring you to a spiritual understanding of "real life" that's gonna affect you once you close that cover.
I'm too proud for therapy, and I'm too busy for meditation. When I read a book like this, I don't miss either. Warm wishes for this family. They're truly salt of the earth.
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May 30, 2019Behind the Laughter: A Comedian’s Tale of Tragedy and Hope by Anthony Griffith, Brigitte Travis-Griffin, Mark Caro is a heartbreaking read. A story of loss, hope, and inspiration with a touch of humor to tell a story that is heartbreaking but inspiring. Full of personal stories, self-reflection, and scripture. A truly inspiring read
October 12, 2024
This book was deeply personal for me. My wife and I met Anthony on an Alaskan cruise celebrating my 50th birthday (17 years ago at this writing). My wife’s Multiple Sclerosis (MS) was progressing and she was confined to a wheelchair to get around. Anthony’s MS was evident and he talked about it onstage in his role on the cruise as a comedic act. We hung around after his act and introduced ourselves. His good nature and caring for people shone through and we became friends.
Anthony Emceed some of the charity golf tournaments that I ran to raise money for the National MS Society, we attended other charity events together, and I was able to attend his live performances.
Over the years I learned about some of the tragedy and challenges he faced while pursuing his successful acting and comedy career.
His book, “Behind the Laughter: A Comedian’s Tale of Tragedy and Hope”, written with his wife, Bridgette Travis-Griffin, tells of their upbringing in Chicago, their move to Los Angeles to pursue his career, the unimaginable tragedy they faced together, and of their deep faith, which eventually allowed them to hope again. This book moved me to tears at least a half dozen times by the time I was only halfway through the book.
Behind the Laughter is an intimate and deeply moving memoir that offers a window into the dualities of life—how humor can exist alongside pain, and how grief can live side by side with laughter. Anthony’s sharp wit and successful career as a stand-up comedian takes us on an unforgettable journey through the highs and lows of his and Bridgette’s personal life, showing that even those who make others laugh often face profound personal struggles.
The memoir is beautifully crafted, interweaving moments of comedy with intense emotional gravity. Griffith recounts his rise to fame, the demands of the entertainment industry, and the tragic loss of his daughter. The book is arranged so that Anthony’s and Bridgette’s perspectives are both related, in their own voices, making it easy for readers to connect with their story.
What makes “Behind the Laughter” especially compelling is Griffith's ability to use humor as a coping mechanism, not just for himself but as a way to engage readers with difficult subjects. He strikes a delicate balance, never undermining the gravity of his experiences, but allowing moments of levity to shine through.
While Bridgette has always preferred to stay out of the limelight and the glitz of Hollywood/Los Angeles, the book also tells of her struggle with grief and how she eventually was able to hope again and turned that hope into a career path where she is able to compassionately help others in her own right.
“Behind the Laughter” is a powerful, honest, and emotional read. Anthony and Bridgette’s resilience and humanity leap off the page, making this a book that lingers long after you finish it.
I am so blessed to know him, and again, I found this book tremendously moving.
Anthony Emceed some of the charity golf tournaments that I ran to raise money for the National MS Society, we attended other charity events together, and I was able to attend his live performances.
Over the years I learned about some of the tragedy and challenges he faced while pursuing his successful acting and comedy career.
His book, “Behind the Laughter: A Comedian’s Tale of Tragedy and Hope”, written with his wife, Bridgette Travis-Griffin, tells of their upbringing in Chicago, their move to Los Angeles to pursue his career, the unimaginable tragedy they faced together, and of their deep faith, which eventually allowed them to hope again. This book moved me to tears at least a half dozen times by the time I was only halfway through the book.
Behind the Laughter is an intimate and deeply moving memoir that offers a window into the dualities of life—how humor can exist alongside pain, and how grief can live side by side with laughter. Anthony’s sharp wit and successful career as a stand-up comedian takes us on an unforgettable journey through the highs and lows of his and Bridgette’s personal life, showing that even those who make others laugh often face profound personal struggles.
The memoir is beautifully crafted, interweaving moments of comedy with intense emotional gravity. Griffith recounts his rise to fame, the demands of the entertainment industry, and the tragic loss of his daughter. The book is arranged so that Anthony’s and Bridgette’s perspectives are both related, in their own voices, making it easy for readers to connect with their story.
What makes “Behind the Laughter” especially compelling is Griffith's ability to use humor as a coping mechanism, not just for himself but as a way to engage readers with difficult subjects. He strikes a delicate balance, never undermining the gravity of his experiences, but allowing moments of levity to shine through.
While Bridgette has always preferred to stay out of the limelight and the glitz of Hollywood/Los Angeles, the book also tells of her struggle with grief and how she eventually was able to hope again and turned that hope into a career path where she is able to compassionately help others in her own right.
“Behind the Laughter” is a powerful, honest, and emotional read. Anthony and Bridgette’s resilience and humanity leap off the page, making this a book that lingers long after you finish it.
I am so blessed to know him, and again, I found this book tremendously moving.
November 25, 2025
I didn’t know who Anthony Griffith was until I heard his touching story on The Moth podcast. This memoir was mentioned during the program, and I found it on Audible. I’m glad I picked it up.
Though I cared for my late husband who was paralyzed by two strokes and not a child dying from cancer, I could relate to Anthony and Brigitte’s feelings. I like how Anthony talks about how he tried to keep a brave face, not telling anyone, not even his manager, about his daughter’s medical condition. The only time he ever broke down was when he told his story on The Moth. He mentions this later in the book, including the text of his monolog.
His other material is spread throughout the book. This adds a nice touch, and I found myself laughing a lot while listening. I found his accounts of life growing up in Chicago and his acting roles interesting and appreciated his references to God without being too preachy. I also enjoyed reading about Brigitte’s life.
This memoir, told from Anthony and Brigitte’s perspectives, has two narrators: a male reading Anthony’s part and a female reading Brigitte’s. Both narrators use authentic southern accents. Having heard Anthony’s voice on The Moth, I was amazed at how close the male’s voice was to Anthony’s. I also liked the female narrator’s portrayal of Brigitte.
These narrators do an excellent job of telling Anthony and Brigitte’s story. Even if you’ve never heard of Anthony Griffith, if you like a celebrity’s heartwarming story about resilience in the face of tragedy, Behind the Laughter is for you or anyone on your holiday gift list who enjoys such a story. Thank you for reading.
Though I cared for my late husband who was paralyzed by two strokes and not a child dying from cancer, I could relate to Anthony and Brigitte’s feelings. I like how Anthony talks about how he tried to keep a brave face, not telling anyone, not even his manager, about his daughter’s medical condition. The only time he ever broke down was when he told his story on The Moth. He mentions this later in the book, including the text of his monolog.
His other material is spread throughout the book. This adds a nice touch, and I found myself laughing a lot while listening. I found his accounts of life growing up in Chicago and his acting roles interesting and appreciated his references to God without being too preachy. I also enjoyed reading about Brigitte’s life.
This memoir, told from Anthony and Brigitte’s perspectives, has two narrators: a male reading Anthony’s part and a female reading Brigitte’s. Both narrators use authentic southern accents. Having heard Anthony’s voice on The Moth, I was amazed at how close the male’s voice was to Anthony’s. I also liked the female narrator’s portrayal of Brigitte.
These narrators do an excellent job of telling Anthony and Brigitte’s story. Even if you’ve never heard of Anthony Griffith, if you like a celebrity’s heartwarming story about resilience in the face of tragedy, Behind the Laughter is for you or anyone on your holiday gift list who enjoys such a story. Thank you for reading.
June 25, 2019
I was given a review copy in exchange for a fair review. All opinions are my own. I love this book.
When I saw the title and name, I immediately thought, I liked Andy Griffith as Opie’s Dad on The Andy Griffith Show. When I got the book, I realized I had the wrong guy. Anthony Griffith is also a comedian and has been for over 30 years. Many have not heard of him because he is a clean comic and it seems like all the foul-mouthed ones get famous.
He grew up on the South Side of Chicago and worked hard at his craft. He was finally able to achieve his dream of appearing on The Tonight Show. He did this more than once and it led to several other gigs including acting in films. Sadly, as his career was reaching a high, his personal life was at an all time low.
He was married to the love of his life, Brigitte and still is to this day. She co-wrote this book and they take turns telling their story. Their baby is born very sick and died of cancer at age three. He never told anyone about this tragedy as he didn’t want pity. Eventually, years later, he tells all while speaking at a Moth presentation. I don’t want to cry so I did not watch the video of it, but if you are interested, click here.
On top of all that, he also has MS. He kept that as a secret for years, but eventually told the public because it has made him almost blind and tough to get around. The book may sound sad, but it is uplifting to read about how the couple get through all this together and both live full lives helping others.
When I saw the title and name, I immediately thought, I liked Andy Griffith as Opie’s Dad on The Andy Griffith Show. When I got the book, I realized I had the wrong guy. Anthony Griffith is also a comedian and has been for over 30 years. Many have not heard of him because he is a clean comic and it seems like all the foul-mouthed ones get famous.
He grew up on the South Side of Chicago and worked hard at his craft. He was finally able to achieve his dream of appearing on The Tonight Show. He did this more than once and it led to several other gigs including acting in films. Sadly, as his career was reaching a high, his personal life was at an all time low.
He was married to the love of his life, Brigitte and still is to this day. She co-wrote this book and they take turns telling their story. Their baby is born very sick and died of cancer at age three. He never told anyone about this tragedy as he didn’t want pity. Eventually, years later, he tells all while speaking at a Moth presentation. I don’t want to cry so I did not watch the video of it, but if you are interested, click here.
On top of all that, he also has MS. He kept that as a secret for years, but eventually told the public because it has made him almost blind and tough to get around. The book may sound sad, but it is uplifting to read about how the couple get through all this together and both live full lives helping others.
August 17, 2021
This is a solid memoir and it benefits from having the voice of both Griffith and his wife recount their experiences as he rose to fame and as they dealt with the illness of their daughter. The experiences of starting to have opportunities but also encountering loss that sours some of those experiences is a real and lasting element for many and the work follows Griffith as he experiences life, from his early encounters with his wife who thought he was not serious enough to their dealing with the illness and death of their daughter. This is a very human story and, again, it benefits from having both voices of Anthony Griffith and Dr. Brigitte Travis-Griffin present. Both voices are so integral to the story and show that the way we engage with anything - fame, fortune, misery, loss, and much more - can be so personal and so different, yet one can still rely on another who may be dealing differently for help.
Memoirs can be difficult to review because they are lived experiences, but this was an engaging and important one to consider - again, in part, because we get two perspectives on both the highs and the tragic lows of their shared lives.
Memoirs can be difficult to review because they are lived experiences, but this was an engaging and important one to consider - again, in part, because we get two perspectives on both the highs and the tragic lows of their shared lives.
September 24, 2024
I listened to this story on The Moth years ago and I must have been sufficiently moved to search out the book, honestly though don’t bother. If this was any longer I would probably have quit reading. As a comedian he’s just not funny and honestly his wife is mostly irritating. It never really tells you that much about the tragic loss of their daughter either other than at a surface level. The rest is padded out with a lot of Christianity stuff. It’s just a plainly badly written book and you can see how strongly the Moth team must have pulled the story together. Generous 2 stars, probably 1.5.
February 17, 2024
I LOVE LOVE LOVE IT!! It starts with the struggles they had in life as themselves and as married couple. Anthony Griffith and Brigette Travis-Griffin alternately share their journey towards a greater connection with God. They realize that every obstacle they face where challenges to bring out the 'stronger person' in them. Two strong people, together stronger in the power of God. I literally cried when their baby "Brittany" died. But still, I love it. It took me 3 months to read it I guess.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 5, 2019
This is a great biography written by Anthony Griffith and his wife, Brigitte. Most of the chapters have portions written by both, and the headings indicate who wrote what. I enjoyed this book and think any comedian, fan of Anthony Griffith or fans of comedy in general will enjoy this story!
Thanks to Netgalley for a copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.
Thanks to Netgalley for a copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.
March 14, 2023
It was an inspiring and heartfelt story. I recommend it!
My only problem was the book was too lengthy. It felt like forever but I managed because it was good. If there was a 3.5 I would give that rating.
My only problem was the book was too lengthy. It felt like forever but I managed because it was good. If there was a 3.5 I would give that rating.
December 13, 2023
The clean humor, and Anthony and Brigitte's take on life (marriage and morality vs. getting paid humor) definitely was refreshing to read. The tribute to their daughter as well touched me deeply. Overall, this was one of the best memoirs I've read this year. Well done.
July 6, 2021
I picked this up thinking it was Andy Griffith but it still shocked me with how well written this is. However, it was a bit too religious for me and some of it got a bit dull. A short read.
Want to read
October 21, 2025Listen to Anthony tell a story on the moth radio hour. 10/2025.
April 6, 2020
One of the most inspiring realistic book I have ever read and I enjoyed having both Anthony and Brigitte's perspectives.
July 15, 2024
This is a great read! Inspiring and funny! Your life's story I never knew! Thank you!
Want to read
April 13, 2019Heard about this book from The Moth. Omg, so heartbreaking. Must read.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews