Nothin' Comes Easy

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 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 Tonight Show Starring 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 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 friend all the respect he deserves.Praise For Michael Seth Starr's Celebrity Biographies

“Michael Seth Starr hits the ground running with Nothin’ Comes Easy, 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.” —Nat Segaloff, author of The Exorcist Legacy, Say Hello To My Little Friend, and The Rambo Report

“Insightful and funny…. A fun biography that should appeal to Don Rickles fans and those interested in the history of stand-up comedy.” —Library Journal on Don Rickles

“Acclaimed biographer Michael Seth Starr offers a fascinating, comprehensive take on the career of Captain Kirk himself.” —Entertainment Weekly, 30 best holiday books of the year on Shatner

“​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.” —The New York Post on Shatner

“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.” —Publishers Weekly on Ringo: With a Little Help

“Clearly the definitive biography of one of the most famous musicians - or,  heck, people - of the last century.” —The Houston Chronicle on Ringo: With a Little Help

“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.” —Library Journal on Ringo: With a Little Help

“A clear and well-written portrait of a superb performer and a wonderful human being, with emphasis on the word ‘human.’” —The New York Times Book Review on Art Carney: A Biography

​”TV's beloved Ed Norton finally gets his due in a breezy, often incisive biography.” —Kirkus Reviews on Art Carney: A Biography

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.” —Booklist, STARRED REVIEW on Black and Blue: The Redd Foxx Story

“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.” —Library Journal on Black and Blue: The Redd Foxx Story

“A quick and fluid read, Starr's book succeeds at bringing Darin the human being to life.” —Library Journal on Bobby Darin: A LifeMichael Seth Starr has covered television at The New York Post as a reporter, critic, columnist, and editor since 1995. He has written critically acclaimed biographies of Art Carney, Joey Bishop, Bobby Darin, Raymond Burr, Redd Foxx, Ringo Starr, and William Shatner, as well as a filmography of Peter Sellers. Starr has appeared frequently on national television on many shows including The Today Show, Good Morning America, CBS This Morning, The Early Show, Rachael Ray, The Talk, and Entertainment Tonight. He lives in New Jersey and can be found online at MichaelSethStarr.com.