Married to Laughter: A Love Story Featuring Anne Mora

by Jerry Stiller

From his initial success in the coffeehouses of Greenwich Village with Anne Meara, who would be the love of his life, to his serenity-seeking days on Seinfeld and later on The King of Queens, Jerry Stiller has consistently proven himself to be a force in showbiz. In Married to Laughter, he brings us into his world and recounts, in a tone that is laugh-out-loud funny and strikingly honest, his passion for entertainment and working with people such as Ed Sullivan, Mike Nichols, Robin Williams, and Jerry Seinfeld, who were there along the way.

At the heart of this tale is Stiller's partnership, both onstage and off, with Anne Meara. He shares the affectionate story of their long-surviving relationship, spotlighting the pleasures and challenges of raising a family in an interfaith show business marriage.

Married to Laughter is the story of an actor who never let go of his dreams, but ultimately it is the story of two people who found their place in show business without losing sight of each other.

Genres: Biography, Nonfiction, Memoir, Audiobook, Biography Memoir, Autobiography, Humor

6 pages, Audio Cassette

First published August 8, 2000

About the author

Gerald Isaac Stiller (June 8, 1927 – May 11, 2020) was an American comedian, actor, and author. He spent many years as part of the comedy duo Stiller and Meara with his wife, Anne Meara, to whom he was married for over 60 years, until her death in 2015. Stiller saw a late-career resurgence starting in 1993, playing George Costanza's father Frank on the sitcom Seinfeld, a part which earned Stiller an Emmy nomination.

The year Seinfeld went off the air, Stiller began his role as the eccentric Arthur Spooner on the CBS comedy series The King of Queens, another role which garnered Stiller widespread acclaim.

Stiller was the father of actor Ben Stiller, and the father and son appeared together in films such as Zoolander, Heavyweights, Hot Pursuit, The Heartbreak Kid, and Zoolander 2. In his later career, Stiller became known for playing grumpy and eccentric characters who were nevertheless beloved. - Wikipedia

Reviews

[Mediaman · Rating 1 out of 5]

Very poorly written and badly (non)edited book that focuses way too much on dull family characters and the author's theatrical work, devotes only about ten pages to Seinfeld, and totally skips King of Queens. It's bizarre that Stiller (or his publisher) would think we're interested in long, boring stories about inconsequential things like places he lived or work that most of us have never seen. Why not take the time to do a book right, tighten it up, include only the funny stories, and devote more space to the things we know him for?

He even fails to include almost anything about his famous son Ben, having more about his lesser-known daughter Amy. He's out of touch with the public.

It's not even worth saying much more. The man is neurotic and a blabbermouth on paper, very insecure and at the same time rebellious. He turned down some great chances to make it big early in his career. He turned down Seinfeld (to replace the actor who played George's dad) and they came back to him months later. His career decisions often make no sense, and he never seems happy with himself or his work.

Very disappointing chance to share more about his personal relationship with his wife. Ironically the subtitle is "a love story featuring Anne Meara," but in truth there's little love in it and Meara only plays a minor role. Instead Jerry Stiller focuses on all the wrong things and seems married to insecurities, which don't bring much laughter in book form.

[Joy H. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I listened to the audio version of this book, _Married to Laughter A Love Story Featuring Anne Meara_ by Jerry Stiller. It's excellent.

Comedian and actor, Jerry Stiller's reading is very touching. I never realized he had that soft side, having seen him mainly as a deranged father in comedic roles on the TV sitcoms, "Seinfeld" and "King of Queens".

The story of the hard climb to success in show business for Jerry Stiller and his wife Anne Meara kept me interested all the way through. They became famous as the comedy team known as "Stiller and Meara". They have also appeared in dramas and comedies on Broadway.

Now, of course, their son, Ben Stiller, has been successful in show business as well.

I can recommend this audio to all those who enjoy seeing behind the scenes in show business.

One of the phrases from the audio has stayed with me. It speaks of "the painful distance between the past and the present", as Jerry visits an aging relative. As I look back on all my own beautiful memories, I can appreciate that phrase.

[Warren Sampson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Listened to the Stiller-read audio book. A treat. Surprisingly emotionally layered. Laughs as expected. Much recommended.

[Lori · Rating 4 out of 5]

I would give this book an almost four. It was nice to read about Jerry Stiller's life growing up in NYC, Meeting Anne Meara and their careers. I remember seeing Stiller and Meara during the sixties and 70s on talk shows and the Ed Sullivan show. He was in a lot of plays in New York. and of course he was George Castanza's dad in Seinfeld. I was hoping he would write about King of Queens but he was just ending this book when He got cast. He talked briefly about his kids Amy and Ben who grew up to be famous himself. It was nice to read his memoir though.

[Elizabeth · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting. I like hearing the anecdotes about a different time period, but this festival ... jerky. The pacing is fast, then slow, the timeline is linear, then parallel. There is a lot about acting and the process peppered in the stories.
Once again, I find myself asking what the intent of writing the book. Interesting that he mentions daughter Amy, but nothing about son Ben except a passing note that he was in "Something About Mary".

[Erin Hatt · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Jerry Stiller from his later work in Seinfeld and King of Queens, so it was great to learn about all the things that helped contribute to the hilarious actor who portrayed Frank Costanza and Arthur Spooner. An absolute legend of stage and TV, I loved reading about his beginnings, and of course his beautiful relationship with Anne. A power couple for sure, and definitely worth reading about in this book.

[Lane DeMaso · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book, and I recommend the audiobook read by the author. He speaks about growing up during the Great Depression, his early days of theater, meeting the love of his life, and the high/low points of all of these.

He articulates the melancholy of watching the people you love age and succumb to illness before you, and the last time he saw them before their passing. These feelings are important, and profoundly impacted me.

As someone who is interested in the people of “the greatest generation”, and autobiographies it did not disappoint.

[Carol · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well written for a celebrity biography. Interesting beginning story. I enjoyed them on The Ed Sullivan Show and knew all the actor references. Unusual for this type of book, I loved that he had only good things to say about all the people he met. It was a nice plus that he mentioned going to camp as a boy in Pompton Lakes.

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved Jerry Stiller in King of Queens and Seinfeld so I enjoyed hearing him talk about his life and times prior to those shows. He only spoke briefly about those shows at the very end. His love was with show biz and his wife Anne, sometimes one and the same as they both realized they were married to the biz.
Written in 2010, I don’t think he foresaw just how long King of Queens would run or how it would become such a hit as his second act in life. Always makes me laugh.

[Liz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Laughter and unused tears

He writes so naturally and I love the "Less is more" quality of his writing where the truly emotional stories and scenes are pinned by a seven or eight word half sentence where I feel exactly the emotion he is trying to convey.

[Allan Hamer · Rating 3 out of 5]

stiller

A nice read. Not particularly well written but it gives a good feel for Jerry and his wife Anne. Worth reading if you want to understand their relationship and the story behind Jerry’s career.

[Nick Petka · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a career. Started out with vaudeville, then he played the hip NYC coffeehouses of the 60’s, then found ultimate success with 90’s sitcoms.
Throughout it all he was just happy to be working and to be married to the love of his life

[Jan · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not what I expected. Jerry Stiller is a very funny man, but I wanted to hear more about Anne Meara and their life together.

[Ryan Morrison · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jerry is one of the towering figures in my life.

[shawn stapleton · Rating 5 out of 5]

raising a step son in theater this book on tape was awesome. It was easy to listen to on the road and we give our step sons words of wisdom from the tape.

[Donna · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've always been a fan! It was interesting to read how he pursued his desire to perform. I didn't realize that their Act was only part of the many, many things they both did and still do.

It's nice to know that this partnership is still going strong, both personal and professional.

[Shari · Rating 4 out of 5]

He stole the show in Seinfeld every time he was on! This is just a fun read. Covers his early personal life and his long career, including his golden opportunities, deep insecurities, loyal friendships and everything in between. Would love to hear his wife's side of the story. :)

[Diane Mueller · Rating 3 out of 5]

The library only had it on tape so I listened to it while I worked last week. It wasn't terrible but probably wouldn't of finished it if I had been reading it.

[Ally · Rating 2 out of 5]

I love King of Queens, and I thought I would this. Alas, I ended up just skimming. And it doesn't even talk abut King of Queens.

[Diana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jerry Stiller can live in my basement every day!

Delightful book by a delightful man!

[That70sheidi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a shame two funny people like this had such an unfunny son like Ben Stiller. I wish Jerry were my uncle, he seems like so much fun. And sweet.

[Ruth Kuftin · Rating 4 out of 5]

An account of Jerry Stiller's life with Ann Meara. I had always enjoyed their comedy.

[Adebayo · Rating 4 out of 5]

It is a pleasant autobiography of the two comedians meeting and falling for each other. It is a good read!!!

[Robert · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jerry and Anne show great perseverance in their life's work, to make us laugh. It wasn't always easy. Thank you Jerry and Anne

[Crystal Davis-coan · Rating 5 out of 5]

From my previous list- audiobook

[Pat · Rating 4 out of 5]

Biography.
Early show business.
Really had to hustle to make a living.

[Tom Kammerer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Meh, like the man, the comedy team, and the story, but nothing special

[Kathleen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stiller and Meara, Ben's parents. Read by Jerry.