{"product_id":"nothin-comes-easy-isbn-9780806543239","title":"Nothin' Comes Easy","description":"\u003cb\u003eThe 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.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eRodney 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 . . .\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eBack in the clubs and thanks to a fortuitous prime-time set on \u003ci\u003eThe Ed Sullivan Show\u003c\/i\u003e, 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.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eRodney mined his insecurities, personal and professional setbacks, and dismal childhood into comedy gold on \u003ci\u003eThe Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson, The Dean Martin Show\u003c\/i\u003e, \u003ci\u003eThe Joey Bishop Show\u003c\/i\u003e, \u003ci\u003eThe Merv Griffin\u003c\/i\u003e, and \u003ci\u003eThe Mike Douglas Show.\u003c\/i\u003e A generation of new fans discovered him in a string of hit comedies, including \u003ci\u003eCaddyshack\u003c\/i\u003e, \u003ci\u003eEasy Money\u003c\/i\u003e, \u003ci\u003eBack to School\u003c\/i\u003e—he even popped up in Oliver Stone’s \u003ci\u003eNatural Born Killers.\u003c\/i\u003e 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.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAn honest, moving, and funny portrait of the real Rodney Dangerfield, \u003ci\u003eNothin’ Comes Easy\u003c\/i\u003e gives the legend, the man, the father, and the friend all the respect he deserves.\u003cb\u003ePraise For Michael Seth Starr’s Celebrity Biographies\u003c\/b\u003e \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e“Michael Seth Starr hits the ground running with \u003ci\u003eNothin’ Comes Easy\u003c\/i\u003e, his edgy but admiring biography of the comic who won respect by claiming he never got any. Rodney Dangerfield didn’t just work his way up in show business—he crawled, and Starr has traced every step, even those that went missing along the way. This is a worthy narrative of not only Dangerfield but also of a century of American humor that is sadly vanishing from living memory. It’s something of a literary marvel, too: a biography of a funny man that is genuinely funny to read.” \u003cb\u003e—Nat Segaloff\u003c\/b\u003e, author of \u003ci\u003eThe Exorcist Legacy\u003c\/i\u003e, \u003ci\u003eSay Hello to My Little Friend\u003c\/i\u003e, and \u003ci\u003eThe Rambo Report\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e“Insightful and funny . . . A fun biography that should appeal to Don Rickles fans and those interested in the history of stand-up comedy.” \u003cb\u003e—\u003ci\u003eLibrary Journal\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e on \u003ci\u003eDon Rickles\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e“Acclaimed biographer Michael Seth Starr offers a fascinating, comprehensive take on the career of Captain Kirk himself.” \u003cb\u003e—\u003ci\u003eEntertainment Weekly\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e, 30 best holiday books of the year, on \u003ci\u003eShatner\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e“​In 1966, a Canadian actor named William Shatner was cast as Captain Kirk on a low-budget TV series set to premiere on NBC. And the rest is history: As Shatner approaches his 90th birthday, Starr takes a comprehensive look at the legendary performer.” \u003cb\u003e—\u003ci\u003eNew York Post\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e on \u003ci\u003eShatner\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e“Starr successfully paints a complete portrait of the legendary drummer, whose contributions to rock ’n’ roll, he argues, have largely been overshadowed by his iconic bandmates. With aplomb, Starr creates an intimate picture of Liverpool and Hamburg during the 1950s and ’60s that puts the rest of Ringo’s life (including his later battles with alcoholism and drug addiction) into fascinating perspective . . . revealing the nuanced and passionate man who was the backbone of the Beatles.” \u003cb\u003e—\u003ci\u003ePublishers Weekly\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e on \u003ci\u003eRingo: With a Little Help\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e“Clearly the definitive biography of one of the most famous musicians—or, heck, people—of the last century.” \u003cb\u003e—\u003ci\u003eHouston Chronicle\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e on \u003ci\u003eRingo: With a Little Help\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e“Until Ringo pens his memoirs (if he ever does), this biography will serve as the most complete and up-to-date telling of his life story.” \u003cb\u003e—\u003ci\u003eLibrary Journal\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e on \u003ci\u003eRingo: With a Little Help\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e“A clear and well-written portrait of a superb performer and a wonderful human being, with emphasis on the word ‘human.’” \u003cb\u003e—\u003ci\u003eThe New York Times Book Review\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e on \u003ci\u003eArt Carney: A Biography\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e​”TV’s beloved Ed Norton finally gets his due in a breezy, often incisive biography.” \u003cb\u003e—\u003ci\u003eKirkus Reviews\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e on \u003ci\u003eArt Carney: A Biography\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e“The thing about a biography of a celebrity who’s slipped under the radar (comedian and TV star Foxx died in 1991) is that, if you do it right, you can, in effect, bring back to life a fascinating character. Starr, who’s also written bios of Art Carney and Raymond Burr, does it right . . . An excellent biography, respectful and compassionate about its subject and revealing and perceptive about American popular culture.” \u003cb\u003e—\u003ci\u003eBooklist\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e, Starred Review, on \u003ci\u003eBlack and Blue: The Redd Foxx Story\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e“Starr reconstructs Foxx’s life in a raw, honest manner, interspersing fascinating historical facts along the way. This well-presented biography will be especially valuable to those who were not around when Foxx was at the top of his game. Recommended for anyone interested in TV and African American history.” \u003cb\u003e—\u003ci\u003eLibrary Journal\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e on \u003ci\u003eBlack and Blue: The Redd Foxx Story\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e“A quick and fluid read, Starr’s book succeeds at bringing Darin the human being to life.” \u003cb\u003e—\u003ci\u003eLibrary Journal\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e on \u003ci\u003eBobby Darin: A Life\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cb\u003eMichael Seth Starr\u003c\/b\u003e covered television at the\u003ci\u003e New York Post\u003c\/i\u003e 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 \u003ci\u003eThe Today Show\u003c\/i\u003e,\u003ci\u003e Access Hollywood\u003c\/i\u003e, \u003ci\u003eGood Morning America\u003c\/i\u003e,\u003ci\u003e The Early Show\u003c\/i\u003e, \u003ci\u003eLarry King Live\u003c\/i\u003e,\u003ci\u003e Extra\u003c\/i\u003e,\u003ci\u003e The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson\u003c\/i\u003e,\u003ci\u003e Inside Edition\u003c\/i\u003e,\u003ci\u003e Entertainment Tonight\u003c\/i\u003e, and \u003ci\u003eTavis Smiley\u003c\/i\u003e. He lives in New Jersey and can be found online at MichaelSethStarr.com.","brand":"Citadel","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46302771937509,"sku":"NP9780806543239","price":29.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1842\/7735\/files\/9780806543239.jpg?v=1767733920","url":"https:\/\/k12savings.com\/es\/products\/nothin-comes-easy-isbn-9780806543239","provider":"K12savings","version":"1.0","type":"link"}