Nothin' Comes Easy

The first-ever biography of legendary comic Rodney Dangerfield, whose rise to fame from anxious failure to America’s most loveable, disrespected schlub was the most improbable in the history of American comedy.

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 on 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 The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson, The Dean Martin Show, The Joey Bishop Show, Merv Griffin, and Mike Douglas. A generation of new fans discovered him in a string of hit comedies, including Caddyshack, Easy Money, Back to School—even popping 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 singlehandedly 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, Nothing Comes Easy gives the legend, the man, the father, and friend all the respect he deserves.