Nothin' Comes Easy: The Life of Rodney Dangerfield

The 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.

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. 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 . . .

Back in the clubs and thanks to a fortuitous prime-time set on The Ed Sullivan Show, 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.

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, The Merv Griffin, and The Mike Douglas Show. A generation of new fans discovered him in a string of hit comedies, including Caddyshack, Easy Money, Back to School—he even popped up in Oliver Stone’s Natural Born Killers. 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.

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

Michael Seth Starr covered television at the New York Post 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 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. He lives in New Jersey and can be found online at MichaelSethStarr.com.