Nothin’ Comes Easy: The Life of Rodney Dangerfield

Rodney Dangerfield’s bug-eyed countenance and trademark punchlines such as “I don’t get no respect!,” among many others, are hallmarks of American stand-up comedy. Still, Starr’s (Don Rickles: Merchant of Venom) biography reveals the challenges beneath Dangerfield’s (1921–2004) now legendary career. Dangerfield’s persona of rejection was honed from a loveless childhood and an unfulfilling job in the construction business before getting back onstage in the early 1960s. By 1969, thanks to his appearances on late-night talk shows, he was well-known enough to open his own comedy club in New York City. He continued performing across the country and releasing comedy albums, which brought him fame with younger audiences, as did his breakout role in the 1980 film Caddyshack. That film led to a surprisingly robust film career that included Back to School, Meet Wally Sparks, and Natural Born Killers. Making a career in stand-up comedy is never easy, and Dangerfield’s success was as hard-won as anybody’s on the stage. Starr writes with equal admiration and analysis, featuring Dangerfield’s “duffel bag full of jokes” and one-liners throughout his well-researched account.