An American comic icon tells the story of his
second-act rise from obscurity to multimedia stardom.
''When I was a kid,'' writes Rodney Dangerfield, ''I
worked tough places in show business--places like
Fonzo's Knuckle Room. Or Aldo's, formerly Vito's,
formerly Nunzio's. That was a tough joint. I looked at
the menu. They had broken leg of lamb.'' For once, one
of America's most beloved comic icons isn't kidding.
Dangerfield has seen every aspect of the entertainment
industry: the rough-and-tumble nightclubs, the backstage
gag-writing sessions, the drugs, the hookers, the lousy
day jobs - and the red-carpet star treatment. As he
traces his route from a poor childhood on Long Island to
his enshrinement as a comedy legend, he takes readers on
a roller-coaster ride through a life that has been
alternately touching, sordid, funny, raunchy, and
uplifting - equal parts ''Little Orphan Annie'' and
''Caligula.'' And unlike most celebrity autobiographers,
he seems to have no qualms about delivering the
unfiltered whole story, warts and all. Dangerfield's
personal story is also a rollicking show business tale,
full of marquee name-droppings (Adam Sandler, Sam
Kinison, Jim Carrey, Johnny Carson, Jerry Seinfeld) and
good stories about same. Defying the old saws about the
fleeting nature of fame and the dearth of second acts in
American life, Dangerfield transformed himself from a
debt-ridden aluminium-siding salesman named Jack Roy to
a multimedia superstar - and stayed an icon for decades.
His catchphrase - ''I get no respect'' - has entered the
lexicon, and he remains a visible cultural presence and
perennial talk-show guest. Dangerfield's hilarious and
inspiring musings should thrill comedy fans and
pop-culture watchers, and his second-act comeback will
strike a chord with readers of all stripes. Maybe he'll
even get some respect. |
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