This was a wonderful book that only goes to show that even in comedy there is a lot of heartache and tragedy. Mr. Dangerfield earned my respect when I read this.

This book regurgitating the life of Rodney Dangerfield of "I get no respect" fame was a long and meandering book. I grew up watching Dangerfield and found his one liners funny, sometimes bawdy, and occasionally stupid.

The book begins with the history of Dangerfield's family and his roots in vaudeville. It was a bit like reading a newspaper article without any emotion thrown in.

By the end of the book, I was bored and ready for it to be done. It was sprinkled with Dangerfield's one liners and that made it interesting, Dangerfield was a prolific joke writer.

I was given this book by NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for a fair and honest review - all opinions are my own.

I didn’t know a lot about Rodney going into this and sadly, I still don’t.

This book doesn’t seem to be very well researched. The very first chapter mentions a vaudeville performer whose first name is “lost in the winds of history”. A Google search brought the man’s name in the first result. That didn’t bode well for the rest of the book.

I now know more about the history of the movies he was in, so I suppose that’s something.

The writing was a little arrogant, assuming people knew nothing about anything.

I can’t recommend this one.

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

My thanks to NetGalley and Kensington Publishing- Citadel for an advanced copy of a comedian genius who used a lifetime of pain and doubts to great a catchphrase and form an act that touched all generations, and one that will continue to make people laugh, no matter how serious things get.

My father was a complicated man, and to paraphrase the Theme from Shaft, no one really understood not even his woman, my mom. Bronx Irish blood ran through him, along with an empathy for people he felt weren't being right, a mix of melancholy, anger and sadness that always seemed a few steps behind him. My father though loved to laugh. Clean jokes, blue humour, puns, parodies, skits, improv, stoner, my father would watch and listen to anything to laugh. And of course repeat the jokes. His favorites were Don Rickles, George Carlin, and the man who made my father learn how to use a VCR to record his specials, Rodney Dangerfield. Dangerfield spat out my jokes than a rapper on a dis track. If one didn't hit, well fifty more jokes were waiting in the wings. As most comics, Rodney's humor came from the pain of his life, the anger he felt at himself and imagined and real slights, and depression. One could tell from his act, that there was a sadness, but I never until reading this book knew how deep, and how strong he was to make so many others happy. And to make them laugh. Nothin' Comes Easy: The Life of Rodney Dangerfield by Michael Seth Starr is the first biography of this star of stage and screen, one who always talked about respect, while doing his best to help others, and deal with his own pains.

Jacob Cohen was born in New York City in1921, and it was all downhill from there. Jacob's father was an entertainer with his own duo, but one that never took off, as he took off from his family, leaving his wife and child for a life on the road. Jacob's mother was a uncaring woman who resented her child, ignore him everyway possible, and even stole from him. This damaged Jacob in many ways, but also made him want to succeed, maybe for himself, but maybe to show others. A good student Jacob worked every job he could find, until the end of school, where he tried to his the boards and make it as an entertainer. Singing waiter, emcee, standup, Jacob did it all, working the Z-list clubs, doing anything to make it to the B-list or even the A-list one day. That day ceased to be when he turned 30, was married, and retired from entertainment, becoming a tin man, a seller of aluminum for houses. Years passed, and an FBI investigation later, Jacob tried the entertainment field again. Starting slow, but with a courage to try a fear of failure Jacob began to get bigger gigs. A change of name of Rodney Dangerfield, along with a catchphrase of I get no respect helped also. Soon the money was coming in, he owned his own club, and Dangerfield was in demand, with a future wide ahead.

A really great look at a man who joked about being a loser, and deep down felt that no matter the success or the fame. There is a lot of sadness here, his family life, a mother who wouldn't even sign his report cards cause, she didn't care. The doubts. However there is a lot of great stories, and jokes, and one finds that no matter how close the darkness Dangerfield beat it, on his terms. There are a lot of stirring testimonials, from comedians whose careers were helped by Dangerfield and a lot of jokes about unclosed bathrobes. Michael Seth Starr understands the comedian well, and gets the lifestyle, plus has done a lot of research. The book reads well, and has a lot of touching as well as funny moments.

I was amazed by all the people that Dangerfield knew, Lenny Bruce, Ed Sullivan, and the many comedians who called him friend and mentor. This is the second book by Michael Seth Starr I have read and really enjoyed the way he gets inside the head of his subjects. The perfect book for comedy fans, Dangerfield fans, and for people who like stories about complicated, and funny people.

I loved this book. I found it objective yet respectful, discussing the positives and negatives of Rodney Dangerfield’s career. The use of quotes was selective and appropriate; enough to give me a taste but not used as a substitute for the author's writing. Although I enjoyed watching Dangerfield for years, I didn’t have a good appreciation for his skills. I also had no idea about his private life, so I found this book fascinating. Overall this book was highly informative and entertaining. Thank you to Netgalley and Citadel for the digital review copy.

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 pages of just reviews from various newspapers which did not add anything to the story but in fact made it a slog to read. The author seems to have conducted some interviews for this book but also heavily relied on already printed material which could be found elsewhere including Rodney’s own memoir. The most interesting parts were the beginning and end of Rodney’s life and that was mostly because they were without much of The printed material that could be found and without the author inserting his own commentary on a situation. An author riffing on a riff is just odd.Skip this or pray there is an editor who steps in and says let’s not just copy review paragraphs before this is released.

NOTHIN’ COMES EASY is an entertaining, poignant look at one of America’s most recognized comedians of late last century. Michael Seth Starr gives lots of respect to the guy who could get no respect during a lifetime of trying, Rodney Dangerfield, born Jacob Cohen.

As a genre, the book is a “celebrity biography” with lots of notice given to personal reminiscences of friends and coworkers, reviews published of his performances over the years, and large chunks of his most famous lines. The book captures Rodney’s rough and tumble path through to the stardom he achieved, in movies, nightclubs and standup performances, everywhere, in fact, he could make an inroad.

He was a complicated person, a comedic genius and a tortured soul, a good friend and a difficult collaborator. Starr captures the complexity of the man, his prolific output, his driven work ethic and the intertwined entertainment industry of the time. I read the book straight through, with enjoyment.

With thanks to NetGalley and Kensington Publishers for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Let me just get this out of the way, I enjoyed the heck out of Nothin’ Comes Easy: The Life of Rodney Dangerfield by Michael Seth Starr. I don’t know what got into me, but in the last year and half or so I have read 4 or 5 comedian biographies. And honestly I have loved them all. I always amazed that the lives of these people who have made me (and countless others) smile and laugh have often lived some hard lives. I’m amazed that often times these geniuses have taken the pain in their lives and turned it into comedy gold. And that is definitely the case with Jack Roy (aka Dangerfield). The story of Dangerfield is absolutely fascinating, from his rough childhood, loaded with family issues, to this giving up on comedy and going into the siding business, to once again embracing his his love….his need to perform comedy. Equal parts depressing and inspiring, Nothin’ Comes Easy has only made me appreciate Dangerfield all the more. He was always fond of saying he gets no respect, but sure as heck deserves it! Definitely recommend this one. I’d like to thank Kensington Publishing | Citadel and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review an eARC of Nothin’ Comes Easy.

This book was excellent with lots of facts and information about one of the greatest comedians and also an actor in my lifetime. From the beginning learning about his family history and his humble upbringing and the man who had 2 previous names before he was known as Rodney Dangerfield.
It was interesting to read about how he got to be such a success with much detail about his early career to when he finally made it as a star, You can almost feel him telling his jokes and adjusting his red tie. I highly recommend this book to all.

I got this book from Netgalley, so I can read and review it before it’s published. Now, I knew of his comedy and his characters from CaddyShack and Back to School, but I knew of nothing else. I was really interested to learn more.

I didn’t know his father and uncle were vaudeville performers. I mean, makes sense!

He worked really hard to become who he is, but he also had a short 10-year hiatus when he got married till his divorce (ages 30 to 40) when he focused his priorities on being a normal family man (note, he sold aluminum siding). They did get remarried for a few years, and then divorced again. At age 40, he became even more popular as a comic and that’s when he opened his own comedy store.

The book is filled with a lot of his one-liner jokes and stories as told by him and other people. TV appearances and movies, as well as things he wrote, are also discussed. He is open about his drug usage (mostly marijuana) and his family.

He was friendly with Sam Kinison, Bob Saget, and Robert Klein, just to name a few.

He seemed like a likable guy who was always available to help the younger comics. And, he always paid fellow comics who would write jokes for him.

Overall, I enjoyed this book.

I love Rodney Dangerfield and had to read this book. Ive read some of Starr’s other books(the biography of Rickles comes to mind) so I knew what to expect - a serviceable biography written in serviceable prose. I knew a lot of what Starr reports but it still was interesting to have all of Dangerfield’s life come together in one place. This is not a great biography but I suspect it will be the only one about him so read it , particularly if you are a fan of Rodney.

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. Known for his catchphrase "I get no respect," Dangerfield's journey from obscurity to comedy stardom is one marked by persistence, personal struggles, and an enduring connection with audiences. Michael Seth Starr, a seasoned biographer with a knack for capturing the essence of his subjects, provides an intimate, detailed look into Dangerfield's life, offering insights into his comedy, relationships, and the personal challenges he faced.

Summary
Early Life and Struggles: The book begins with Rodney Dangerfield's humble beginnings as Jacob Cohen in Depression-era New York. Starr details his early forays into comedy, which were initially unsuccessful, leading Dangerfield to abandon comedy for a time to focus on a more conventional life, including selling aluminum siding. This section illustrates the theme of the book's title, highlighting the immense struggle Dangerfield faced to achieve recognition.

Rise to Fame: Starr narrates how Dangerfield made his comeback in the 1960s and 1970s, adopting his stage name and persona that would make him famous. His appearances on "The Ed Sullivan Show" and later on "The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson" catapulted him to fame. The biography explores his comedic style, which was heavily based on self-deprecation and the concept of not receiving respect, resonating deeply with audiences.

Personal Life and Challenges: The book does not shy away from Dangerfield's personal life, including his marriages, particularly his relationship with his second wife, Joyce Indig, and the complexities of raising his children. It also covers his battles with depression, anxiety, and substance abuse, showing how these struggles influenced his comedy and his personal life.

Legacy and Later Years: Starr discusses Dangerfield's later career, including his successful forays into film with movies like "Caddyshack" and "Back to School." The narrative captures his efforts to promote new talent through his own comedy club and his ongoing battle with health issues, leading up to his death in 2004. The biography concludes with reflections on his lasting impact on comedy and how he mentored figures like Jerry Seinfeld and Jim Carrey.

Conclusion
Michael Seth Starr's "Nothin' Comes Easy" is an engaging and heartfelt biography that does justice to Rodney Dangerfield's legacy. It provides a balanced view of his life, celebrating his comedic genius while not glossing over his personal battles. The book is both a tribute and a critical analysis, showing the man behind the laughter, his resilience, and his dedication to his craft. For fans of Dangerfield or those interested in the history of American stand-up comedy, this book is an essential read that humanizes a comedy icon.

Detailed Ratings Breakdown
Content Quality (5/5): The biography is rich in detail, with well-sourced anecdotes and personal insights that paint a vivid picture of Dangerfield's life. Starr's research is meticulous, giving readers a comprehensive understanding of both the public figure and the private man.
Narrative Style (4/5): Starr's writing is engaging, though at times, the shift between the humor of Dangerfield's professional life and his personal struggles might disrupt the flow for some readers. However, his storytelling keeps the reader engaged throughout.
Research and Accuracy (5/5): The author's background in journalism shines through in the thoroughness of his research, including interviews with family, friends, and contemporaries of Dangerfield, ensuring a factual and nuanced portrayal.
Impact and Insight (5/5): This book goes beyond mere biography to provide insights into the nature of comedy, the psyche of a comedian, and the cultural landscape of American humor in the 20th century. It's particularly insightful in showing how personal hardship can fuel artistic expression.
Readability (4/5): While the content is compelling, some might find the depth of personal details dense. However, for those interested in the subject, it's a smooth and informative read.
Overall Enjoyment (5/5): A recommended read for comedy enthusiasts, providing both enjoyment through the recounting of Dangerfield's humor and a poignant look at the man behind the laughs.