{"product_id":"nothin-comes-easy-the-life-of-rodney-dangerfield-9780806543239","title":"Nothin' Comes Easy: The Life of Rodney Dangerfield","description":"\u003cb\u003eThe first-ever biography of the legendary comic and the most improbable rise to fame in the history of American comedy. Getting there wasn't always a laughing matter.\u003c\/b\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eRodney 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 in 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 . . . \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eBack in the clubs and thanks to a fortuitous prime-time set on \u003ci\u003eThe Ed Sullivan Show\u003c\/i\u003e, 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. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eRodney mined his insecurities, personal and professional setbacks, and dismal childhood into comedy gold on \u003ci\u003eThe Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson, The Dean Martin Show\u003c\/i\u003e, \u003ci\u003eThe Joey Bishop Show\u003c\/i\u003e, \u003ci\u003eThe Merv Griffin\u003c\/i\u003e, and \u003ci\u003eThe Mike Douglas Show.\u003c\/i\u003e A generation of new fans discovered him in a string of hit comedies, including \u003ci\u003eCaddyshack\u003c\/i\u003e, \u003ci\u003eEasy Money\u003c\/i\u003e, \u003ci\u003eBack to School\u003c\/i\u003e--he even popped up in Oliver Stone's \u003ci\u003eNatural Born Killers.\u003c\/i\u003e 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 single-handedly 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. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eAn honest, moving, and funny portrait of the real Rodney Dangerfield, \u003ci\u003eNothin' Comes Easy\u003c\/i\u003e gives the legend, the man, the father, and the friend all the respect he deserves.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAbout the Author\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eMichael Seth Starr\u003c\/b\u003e covered television at the\u003ci\u003e New York Post\u003c\/i\u003e as a reporter, columnist, critic, and editor for over 28 years. He has written a filmography of Peter Sellers and biographies of Rodney Dangerfield, Don Rickles, Bob Newhart, Art Carney, Joey Bishop, Bobby Darin, Raymond Burr, William Shatner, Redd Foxx, and Ringo Starr. He has made frequent appearances on television including \u003ci\u003eThe Today Show\u003c\/i\u003e, \u003ci\u003e Access Hollywood\u003c\/i\u003e, \u003ci\u003eGood Morning America\u003c\/i\u003e, \u003ci\u003e The Early Show\u003c\/i\u003e, \u003ci\u003eLarry King Live\u003c\/i\u003e, \u003ci\u003e Extra\u003c\/i\u003e, \u003ci\u003e The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson\u003c\/i\u003e, \u003ci\u003e Inside Edition\u003c\/i\u003e, \u003ci\u003e Entertainment Tonight\u003c\/i\u003e, and \u003ci\u003eTavis Smiley\u003c\/i\u003e. He lives in New Jersey and can be found online at MichaelSethStarr.com.\u003cbr\u003e","brand":"Citadel Press","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":51243923669266,"sku":"9780806543239","price":20.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0831\/4771\/8930\/files\/img_a982b5a1-2884-430d-bf9b-ed344a750212.jpg?v=1745875180","url":"https:\/\/surprise-castle.myshopify.com\/products\/nothin-comes-easy-the-life-of-rodney-dangerfield-9780806543239","provider":"Surprise Castle","version":"1.0","type":"link"}