It Would Be So Nice If You Weren't Here: My Journey Through Show Business

by Charles Grodin

Here is an actor's autobiography that transcends genre. Grodin writes about his share of catastrophic setbacks with candor and liberating humor. He dispenses invaluable advice about the art of surviving in the celluloid jungle. Photos.

Genres: Biography, Memoir, Biography Memoir, Nonfiction, Business, Humor

317 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1989

About the author

Charles Grodin is an Emmy Award-winning American actor, comedian, author and former cable talk show host.

Reviews

[Joy · Rating 4 out of 5]

RIP Charles Grodin who passed away at the age of 86 from cancer. I really liked this book and just realized I never wrote a review.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Would've given this book 5 stars if he'd mentioned The Great Muppet Caper.

[Jim · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book seemed to take forever. I like Charles Grodin less now. Not so funny -- funniest parts were King Kong and Midnight Run. And surprisingly bitter.

As I first started it -- and suffered through his childhood with him -- I was surprised to find that I was thinking that it was a Charles Grodin movie, as his character seemed to reflect that. I then realized that maybe that wasn't so strange, that maybe it was by design, but then in a number of places -- especially in the section for the Heartbreak Kid -- Grodin is shocked that people think that he's like the character he plays.

Here's another gaping lack of self-awareness and a fair example of his self righteous gracelessness: During Grodin's first big Broadway break, Tchin-Tchin, Anthony Quinn apologizes for abruptly breaking character during a performance -- yelling at two stagehands who were chatting and ruining his concentration. Grodin rebuffs his apology, as in his mind it was a fatal act of unprofessional ism and inconsiderate of his fellow actors. Grodin then revels in the reaction, portraying Quinn's surprise at Grodin's gracelessness as Quinn surprised that he's not accorded special treatment. I realized that this was the same guy who submarined the SNL cast by not dropping the conceit that he didn't know it was a live show.

Grodin is one of those people who are extraordinarily sensitive when it comes to their own self regard and whose commitment to winkling out slights requires so much energy that he's completely inconsiderate of others. He sometimes sees this, as he explains his first meeting with Elaine May.

If I seem judgmental and morally finger-wagging, in my defense, that's completely in the spirit of the book.

He is a very good writer, and there's two or three sequences that were certainly worth reading:

His discussion of being a struggling actor in new york was very good, including his discussion of mean and abusive acting teachers

His description of the clash between timing comedians and method comedians

His saga of getting the Joy of Sex / Movers and Shakers to screen might be helpful for anyone who wants a career in Hollywood...

I still think he's great to watch as an actor, but this book makes him seem absolutely insufferable.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QHIuV...

[Amy · Rating 2 out of 5]

I had this book on my TBR pile for a long time and when I finally picked it up to read, I was less than enchanted. It's a nice enough book, about a nice enough man. It's just me. Sigh.... I think I expected more verve from Grodin.

[Seth · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love Charles Grodin and think he's one of our most underrated actors. I spent much of the 2000's hoping for him to have a Bill Murray-esque renaissance to no avail. This droll memoir is some comfort.

[Bill Scheppler · Rating 2 out of 5]

I always loved Charles Grodin’s dead-pan humor, and when I found out about this memoir, was excited to see how his humor comes across in his writing. Turns out, it doesn’t. Grodin comes across as someone who thinks he is smarter than everyone else. The book touches on the many failings on his way up the Broadway and Hollywood ranks, but in every case, the failings seem to be the result of other people not realizing Grodin’s genius. The highlight of the book is the chapter on “Midnight Run,” but you have to endure 281 pages to get there.

[Mark · Rating 4 out of 5]

I devoured this funny and insightful book in two days. I've been a fan of Charles Grodin since high school when I saw Midnight Run. Saw the movie again on cable recently and decided to buy/read this book. I was also a fan of his appearances through the years on David Letterman. There are a lot of great clips of the latter on YouTube. This biography is just a really funny series of stories about his life in theater and movie making. It is about dealing with rejection, the value of persistance, and playing the "long game" in one's career.

[Myra Breckinridge · Rating 3 out of 5]

A decent autobio weakened by Grodin’s apparent reluctance to say much about his life as he finds success. He becomes a hard-to-decipher character in his own story when time jumps and the shy and struggling actor is replaced by the firm creative very careful to say little about his life outside the pictures.

[Mike Geraghty · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved this book! Grodin is a great writer and very funny. He gives wonderful insight on the hard work and perseverance actors must have to survive in show business. I’m sure his insights on the movie industry have become dated since this book was written but it’s still full of good stories about famous actors, directors, films, and studios.

[Matt · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's reassuring that there’s someone else out there who constantly fails to make a good first impression due to misreading someone’s energy and joking around in a way that they find off-putting or confusing.

[Steve Shilstone · Rating 4 out of 5]

To choose acting as a career and sticking with it boggles the mind.

[Brian · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was funny...and useful if you know someone from Pittsburgh...or someone interested in show business.

[Daniel · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's been years now but I really enjoyed it. Good stories of the transition from old Hollywood to the new blood.

[Anthony · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favorite auto bios of all time! You are missed, Charles

[Russell R · Rating 5 out of 5]

good book

[Abed Gheith · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an intriguing bio. I'm obsessed with really good famous people stories and I loved this. You see a great actor have a shitty career. It shows just how messed up Hollywood can be to an original and unique talent like Grodin. Though it doesn't make it up to the Beethoven and Clifford (MY FAVE) years. It's truly interesting and quite a tale. My buddy Demorge recommended it and said it has a lot of significance today. As the same old crap still happens to talented people trying to get some clout for their hard work.

[Peter Martin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I only intended to revisit one chapter, and then found myself reading the whole thing again. Grodin's writing is amiable, unadorned, and conversational. Of course, it's packed with anecdotes, but I appreciated his willingness to open up about himself without divulging too much information about his family. A good pick-me-up.

[Mgmlioness · Rating 5 out of 5]

i read this book eons ago, and i still find myself remembering snippets and quotes from it all this time later... Charles Grodin has such a funny outlook on life and a way with words, it was kind of a letdown when i got towards the end of the book! i wanted more...

[Janna · Rating 5 out of 5]

A funny and poignant memoir about show business that I enjoyed.

[Andy]

One of my favorites...you can read this book in a day...impossible to put down.

[Mary Bryan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this book, but then I love Charles Grodin. There were times with this book that I had tears running down my face because it was so funny.

[Ron Ecklebarger · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating story of the making of a movie star!

[Holly Weiss · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rec. Tracie Higgins

[Mark Rabiner]

Best darned book i ever read!