Nothin Comes Easy, Michael Seth Starr
Nothin Comes Easy, Michael Seth Starr
List: $19.99 | Sale: $13.99
Club: $9.99

Nothin' Comes Easy
The Life of Rodney Dangerfield

Author: Michael Seth Starr

Narrator: Derek Shoales

Unabridged: 7 hr 15 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Publisher: Tantor Media

Published: 04/29/2025


Synopsis

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. 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 forty-five, 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 Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson, The Dean Martin Show, The Joey Bishop Show, Merv Griffin, and Mike Douglas. And behind that iconic comedy persona was 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.

An honest, moving, and funny portrait of the real Rodney Dangerfield, Nothin' Comes Easy gives the legend, the man, the father, and friend all the respect he deserves.

About Michael Seth Starr

Michael Seth Starr has covered television as a reporter and columnist at the New York Post since 1995. He is the author of a filmography of Peter Sellers and biographies of Art Carney, Joey Bishop, Bobby Darin, Raymond Burr, and Redd Foxx. Michael has appeared on The Today Show, Access Hollywood, Good Morning America, The Early Show, Larry King Live, Extra, The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson, Inside Edition, Entertainment Tonight, and Tavis Smiley.


Reviews

Goodreads review by Jeff on April 09, 2025

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 th......more

Goodreads review by Dale on February 08, 2025

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 page......more

Goodreads review by Aaron on April 12, 2025

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 W......more

Goodreads review by RICK "SHAQ" on May 07, 2025

RICK “SHAQ” GOLDSTEIN SAYS: I ALWAYS RESPECTED YA RODNEY… AT LEAST TILL I LEARNED ABOUT YOUR “DISGUSTING-OPEN-ROBE-SYNDROME-IN-THIS-BOOK!! ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ This is the biography of Rodney Dangerfield… who many comedy fans… believe was one o......more

Goodreads review by Dale on January 05, 2025

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.......more