What do you think?
Rate this book
I Must Say: My Life as a Humble Comedy Legend
In this engaging memoir, written with heart, wisdom, and a huge helping of hilarity, Martin Short shares stories of his life, revealing how a Canadian kid obsessed with American show business became the comedian s comedian ("Vanity Fair").
Martin Short is one of few celebrities in show business who has continually worked hard, found success, and maintained a normal, happy family life. His memoir is a reflection on his diverse collection of experiences, both hilarious and heartbreaking.
Short takes us through his career, from his early years with Second City Toronto and "Saturday Night Live" to his movie, stage, and television stardom. He recalls how he developed some of his enduring characters manic man-child Ed Grimley, elderly Tin Pan Alley songmith Irving Cohen, slimy lawyer Nathan Thurm, and the blubbery and bizarrely insensitive Jiminy Glick. Here, too, are his movie and television appearances, from the classic " Three Amigos!" to his Emmy-nominated role in "Damages," as well as his stage productions, including his Tony Award winning performance in "Little Me." Throughout, such friends and luminaries as Steve Martin, Tom Hanks, John Candy, Gilda Radner, Lorne Michaels, Nora Ephron, Frank Sinatra, and others share the spotlight.
This deeply private man brings us into the circle of his family life, from raising his children to the legendary parties he and his wife hosted in their Los Angeles home. He recounts the pain of losing a brother and both parents by the time he was twenty and of the devastating death of Nancy, his wife of thirty years, in 2010. Despite the hardships, Short s life has been full of laughter, and he remains perennially upbeat. In this wise and entertaining memoir, he shares his irrepressible joy."
Martin Short is one of few celebrities in show business who has continually worked hard, found success, and maintained a normal, happy family life. His memoir is a reflection on his diverse collection of experiences, both hilarious and heartbreaking.
Short takes us through his career, from his early years with Second City Toronto and "Saturday Night Live" to his movie, stage, and television stardom. He recalls how he developed some of his enduring characters manic man-child Ed Grimley, elderly Tin Pan Alley songmith Irving Cohen, slimy lawyer Nathan Thurm, and the blubbery and bizarrely insensitive Jiminy Glick. Here, too, are his movie and television appearances, from the classic " Three Amigos!" to his Emmy-nominated role in "Damages," as well as his stage productions, including his Tony Award winning performance in "Little Me." Throughout, such friends and luminaries as Steve Martin, Tom Hanks, John Candy, Gilda Radner, Lorne Michaels, Nora Ephron, Frank Sinatra, and others share the spotlight.
This deeply private man brings us into the circle of his family life, from raising his children to the legendary parties he and his wife hosted in their Los Angeles home. He recounts the pain of losing a brother and both parents by the time he was twenty and of the devastating death of Nancy, his wife of thirty years, in 2010. Despite the hardships, Short s life has been full of laughter, and he remains perennially upbeat. In this wise and entertaining memoir, he shares his irrepressible joy."
336 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2014
About the author
Martin Short
2 books98 followersMartin Hayter Short is an actor, comedian, writer, singer and producer.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 2,269 reviews
November 16, 2014
If you are reading this right now as a physical book, put it down right now and get the audiobook. Martin Short narrates it himself, and does all the singing, characters (Ed Grimley, etc), and celeb-friend impressions. It's a performance piece you miss out on when you just read it.
Although this book is very funny, Short's life has also been touched with tragedy. It's all here.
Although this book is very funny, Short's life has also been touched with tragedy. It's all here.
March 25, 2015
You love Martin Short. I'm not asking you. I'm telling you. Now, I don't know why you love him. It could be his work on SNL (or if you're hip and cool, SCTV). It could be his cult classic movies like Clifford, Three Amigos, or Innerspace. It could be because of his hilarious appearances on talk shows. It could be all or any of these things, but let's be clear, you do love him.
For me, I've always adored the man for all of the above listed reasons. After reading this book, my heart must have grown a few sizes because I love him even more.
He goes into all of his show-biz stories which are great. He talks about his famous friends and the misadventures they've had together. But I had no idea the hardships he went through early in life losing a brother and both parents. I had no idea about what had happened to his wife Nancy or any details of their love story, and, to be sure, theirs is a love story.
I finished this book this morning while my wife was still sleeping in bed beside me. The closing chapter where he has a conversation with his dead wife had me weeping, I mean POWER weeping. I was shaking, couldn't even control myself. Luckily, my wife didn't wake up to discover the blubbering idiot beside her.
I've always respected Martin Short as a performer and comic, but now I respect him as a father, husband, and wonderful human being. This book is life affirming and wonderful. Be prepared to laugh and cry in equal measure.
For me, I've always adored the man for all of the above listed reasons. After reading this book, my heart must have grown a few sizes because I love him even more.
He goes into all of his show-biz stories which are great. He talks about his famous friends and the misadventures they've had together. But I had no idea the hardships he went through early in life losing a brother and both parents. I had no idea about what had happened to his wife Nancy or any details of their love story, and, to be sure, theirs is a love story.
I finished this book this morning while my wife was still sleeping in bed beside me. The closing chapter where he has a conversation with his dead wife had me weeping, I mean POWER weeping. I was shaking, couldn't even control myself. Luckily, my wife didn't wake up to discover the blubbering idiot beside her.
I've always respected Martin Short as a performer and comic, but now I respect him as a father, husband, and wonderful human being. This book is life affirming and wonderful. Be prepared to laugh and cry in equal measure.
November 8, 2021
3.5 stars
Note: I listened to the audio version of this book which is fun because Short performs some of his famous comic characters, sings, and does impersonations.
Martin Short
Though he may not have realized it at the time, Martin Short was meant to be a performer from childhood. As a youngster he made tape recordings of his family's entertaining quarrels and conversations...as well as his own solitary sketches. This was all fodder for Short's eventual emergence as a comedy machine with a stable of humorous characters.
Short grew up in Toronto, in a large loving Catholic family, but - having many Jewish friends and neighbors - was a little confused about his religion. In a droll anecdote Short relates turning to the priest after his confirmation and asking "Am I Jewish now?"
By the time Short was twenty he had lost an older brother and both parents, and these events deeply affected his life. Knowing he had to make a living Short gave himself a year to get a job in show business...or look for a different career. Needless to say the alternate job wasn't necessary.
During Short's early working life he was on Canada's Second City Television (SCTV) and New York's Saturday Night Live (SNL).
Martin Short as 'Ed Grimley' on SNL
Martin Short as 'Nathan Thurm" on SNL
He later starred in many movies including Three Amigos, Mars Attacks!, and Father of the Bride. In the latter film Short plays a kooky wedding planner with an odd accent that - though understandable to the ladies - is incomprehensible to the bride's dad (played by Steve Martin). Short demonstrates some of the planner's funniest pronunciations, where wedding is 'vodding' and cake is 'kak.' Short also starred in Broadway productions, had his own TV variety show, and was a regular on the late night talk show circuit. (Since the book was published Short landed a new show with Maya Rudolph, called 'Maya and Marty').
Martin Short in 'Three Amigos'
Martin Short in 'Mars Attacks'
Martin Short in 'Father of the Bride'
Short describes and demonstrates some of his most iconic characters including my favorite, Jiminy Glick, an overweight and (gloriously) insensitive celebrity interviewer who occasionally jumps and humps his female guests. Short is also a gifted impersonater, and does a mean Katherine Hepburn amongst others. As added entertainment, Short sings some ditties he (and others) penned...all of which made me smile.
Martin Short as 'Jiminy Glick'
In the course of his career Short met/became friends with lots of show biz people and he mentions a good many of them in the book, including Tom Hanks, Rita Wilson, Paul Shaffer, Goldie Hawn, Kurt Russell, Diane Keeton, Lorne Michaels, Gilda Radnor (his girlfriend for a time), Eugene Levy, Jan Hooks, Catherine O'Hara, Tony Curtis....and LOTS more. Short also describes his yearly Christmas parties, where most of the famous guests performed. The 'shows' started off as impromptu fun but - over the years - evolved into carefully crafted and rehearsed presentations.
Some readers/reviewers consider Short mentioning his celebrity friends 'name dropping', but (as I see it) you know who you know. Moreover Short relates entertaining anecdotes along with the names.
Short talks a great deal about his beloved wife Nancy Dolman, their kids, their homes, their activiities, their vacations... and Nancy's tragic death in 2010 from ovarian cancer. Short devotes the last part of the book to Nancy's illness and death, and his grief is deeply felt and touching.
Martin Short with his wife, Nancy Dolman
All in all I enjoyed the book, which gave me some insight into a talented artist and made me laugh.
You can follow my reviews at //reviewsbybarbsaffer.blogspot.com/
March 11, 2023
“Your daddy is an a%#@*$e, and he spelled your name wrong.”
I listened to the audio version of this book, because a friend just loved it and kept telling me to try it out. It is only the second audiobook I have ever consumed. I believe I liked this book much more listening to Mr. Short read it than I ever would have reading it on my own.
Some random observations:
One of the best things about this was listening to it as an audiobook. Short’s reading/tone/inflection (especially when he's recounting childhood things that he said to his mother) is delightful to listen to. I really enjoyed being able to hear “character” voices and the different inflections he used when quoting others.
I liked the book. However, by the last two discs (it is 7 CDs) I was getting tired of it. It was just a little bit too much name dropping, a little bit too much “I'm trying to be humble, but you can tell that I'm not”. It gets old. I think that's just a problem with the genre of memoir. By the time I got to the last disc I was ready for this book to be done. The incessant name dropping, and ego driven naval gazing of the worst kind just detracts so much from a book that was so much better the first half. I like the guy, a lot. But I think he has vastly overestimated his footprint.
When Mr. Short details the death of his wife, I of course feel pity and sadness for him but his constant references to trips to St. Bart’s, and flights on private planes, and doctors who open clinics on the weekends just for them grated on me. I know many people who have died of cancer, and they didn't have any of those things. The section felt very callous to me, which is ironic, because it is at this point in his life story I should have felt the most sympathy/empathy for Mr. Short. Yet, because of the way he presented it, it was the part of the text where I disliked him most. His flaunting (unintentionally perhaps) of his wealth and advantage removed him. I don’t think that is what he wanted. He could have relayed the essence of all they were able to do during this period of life without emphasizing the exclusivity and privilege of it so much.
The text’s last chapter is lovely. In it Short imagines a conversation that he has with his wife four years after she's passed as he is sitting on the deck of their home. It's tender and sweet.
I enjoyed listening to I MUST SAY: MY LIFE AS A HUMBLE COMEDY LEGEND as an audio text. I think that reading it, I would not have enjoyed it at all. And that is on me. I don’t care for “celebrity” memoirs.
But this one is worth a listen.
I listened to the audio version of this book, because a friend just loved it and kept telling me to try it out. It is only the second audiobook I have ever consumed. I believe I liked this book much more listening to Mr. Short read it than I ever would have reading it on my own.
Some random observations:
One of the best things about this was listening to it as an audiobook. Short’s reading/tone/inflection (especially when he's recounting childhood things that he said to his mother) is delightful to listen to. I really enjoyed being able to hear “character” voices and the different inflections he used when quoting others.
I liked the book. However, by the last two discs (it is 7 CDs) I was getting tired of it. It was just a little bit too much name dropping, a little bit too much “I'm trying to be humble, but you can tell that I'm not”. It gets old. I think that's just a problem with the genre of memoir. By the time I got to the last disc I was ready for this book to be done. The incessant name dropping, and ego driven naval gazing of the worst kind just detracts so much from a book that was so much better the first half. I like the guy, a lot. But I think he has vastly overestimated his footprint.
When Mr. Short details the death of his wife, I of course feel pity and sadness for him but his constant references to trips to St. Bart’s, and flights on private planes, and doctors who open clinics on the weekends just for them grated on me. I know many people who have died of cancer, and they didn't have any of those things. The section felt very callous to me, which is ironic, because it is at this point in his life story I should have felt the most sympathy/empathy for Mr. Short. Yet, because of the way he presented it, it was the part of the text where I disliked him most. His flaunting (unintentionally perhaps) of his wealth and advantage removed him. I don’t think that is what he wanted. He could have relayed the essence of all they were able to do during this period of life without emphasizing the exclusivity and privilege of it so much.
The text’s last chapter is lovely. In it Short imagines a conversation that he has with his wife four years after she's passed as he is sitting on the deck of their home. It's tender and sweet.
I enjoyed listening to I MUST SAY: MY LIFE AS A HUMBLE COMEDY LEGEND as an audio text. I think that reading it, I would not have enjoyed it at all. And that is on me. I don’t care for “celebrity” memoirs.
But this one is worth a listen.
April 28, 2015
As with most memoirs by comic performers, I partly listened to and partly read Martin Short's I Must Say: My Life As A Humble Comedy Legend. Turns out that was a good decision.
Even working with a co-writer (David Kamp), Short isn’t the best scribe. But he’s a first-rate impressionist. And so when he’s telling stories involving his famous friends (Tom Hanks, Nora Ephron, Steve Martin, Eugene Levy, Paul Shaffer, Gilda Radner, et al.), he brings them to life in the audiobook with quick, sharp impersonations – sort of like a master caricaturist creating a portrait in a couple of seconds.
This book reminded me why I like Short so much. He’s an eternal optimist, something that’s rare in show business. All of that comes through here, even though he’s experienced a lot of pain: the early death of an older brother in a car crash; the loss of both parents by the time he was 20; and, most movingly, the death by cancer of his wife, Nancy, in 2010. She was – pardon the cliché – the love of his life. You’ll need a box of Kleenex when reading the book’s closing pages.
In fact, the stories about his family – he grew up in a large brood in Hamilton, Ontario, about an hour away from Toronto – provide the memoir with its heart.
On the career front, Short’s experienced a lot: from the highs of SCTV, Second City and the legendary Toronto production of Godspell, featuring future stars Radner, Andrea Martin, Victor Garber, Shaffer and Dave Thomas, to the lows of commercially unsuccessful leads in films like Three Amigos, Clifford, Innerspace and Cross My Heart. His obnoxious critic character Jiminy Glick makes an appearance, but Short doesn’t say anything about the disastrous box office flop that was the Glick movie.
Not that he holds back a lot.
He talks candidly about his unhappiness at Saturday Night Live, where he lasted one season, and he discusses failed TV talk shows, early pilots and really, really bad theatre when he was just starting out. In one chapter, he addresses his awkward Today show interview with Kathie Lee Gifford, in which she kept discussing Short’s dead wife, Nancy, in the present tense, obviously not knowing she had passed away. His reaction – good Canadian boy that he is – was generous and charitable, with nary a sarcastic comment about the show's research team.
What you end up with is an entertaining memoir about the life of a working actor. Short has created some of the funniest characters in TV history: Ed Grimley (whose catchphrase gives the book its title and whose shtick often worked as a buffer between Short and his wife when they were arguing), old school mogul Irving Cohen, insincere lounge singer Jackie Rogers Jr. and critic Glick.
I didn’t realize that his dim-witted character from SCTV, Lawrence Orbach (see below), was also part of the famous male synchronized swimming duo sketch from SNL (with Harry Shearer). Seeing how he created these characters, and how they emerged physically, is fascinating.
Many of these famous characters get little “interludes” in the book, and they’re among the funniest parts.
And his descriptions of his colleagues' work is dead-on. He gets right to the heart of why a Radner or a Martin or a Catherine O'Hara is so special.
What’s remarkable is that even before he started playing all these characters, going on talk shows (where he always arrives incredibly well-prepared, he tells us) and throwing glamorous Christmas parties with A-list celebrities, he would essentially be doing something similar all by himself in his Hamilton bedroom.
His life and enduring career – which includes a scene-stealing performance in 2014’s Inherent Vice, and solid dramatic work in one season of Damages – demonstrate that sometimes one’s dreams really can come true.
The book came out before Short’s recent controversial plastic surgeon character from the Netflix series The Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt. His blond-maned, eerily ageless looking Dr. Franff bore a striking to resemblance to real-life surgeon to the stars Dr. Fredric Brandt, who ended up committing suicide shortly after the episodes aired.
Wow... apparently Brandt suffered from depression, but to have caused someone's death, even inadvertently, because of one of your satiric characters? How must that feel? Did Short and the writers and producers of the show go too far? Perhaps. I'd like to hear what he has to say about comedy, truth and responsibility.
Maybe that's another book.
April 26, 2022
I Must Say: My Life as a Humble Comedy Legend
by Martin Short
I have always enjoyed this funny genius! This is a great memoir for anyone who has ever been a fan of his. He lays his life out, the good and the not so good. It's funny at times and heartbreaking in other times.
He shows he is a very determined and energetic but caring person. Not everything in his life is joyful. But he bounces back and remains to be one of my favorite comedians.
I only have one complaint, he bounces around in the book so much then going straight through. Very confusing at times.
by Martin Short
I have always enjoyed this funny genius! This is a great memoir for anyone who has ever been a fan of his. He lays his life out, the good and the not so good. It's funny at times and heartbreaking in other times.
He shows he is a very determined and energetic but caring person. Not everything in his life is joyful. But he bounces back and remains to be one of my favorite comedians.
I only have one complaint, he bounces around in the book so much then going straight through. Very confusing at times.
October 31, 2018
4.5 stars
Martin Short has always come across to me as one of the genuinely nice guys in Hollywood. Someone you could easily strike up a conversation with at a bar and he'd have you laughing hysterically within minutes. After reading his memoir and learning more about his close friendships that have spanned decades and the love he has for his family, I feel very justified in saying he's one of the good ones.
Martin was the youngest of five children growing up in Canada, and by the age of 20 he had lost both his parents and his oldest brother. His big break came as part of the cast of the Toronto production ofGodspell and it was there where he would develop friendships with other actors who would go on to find success including Eugene Levy, Victor Garber, musician Paul Schaffer, and Gilda Radner, who Martin dated for a few years. ( I'm very well-versed in random pop culture facts like this but even I was shocked to learn they dated.) Martin would later go on to become part of the cast of SCTV and Saturday Night Live as well as act in movies like Three Amigos and the Father of the Bride series. He's definitely had a respectable career even if some of his projects weren't quite so successful.
There were two things that really stood out to me with this book. The first being, Martin does come across as a down to earth guy but he definitely has a ton of famous friends. There's plenty of stories about Tom Hanks, Steve Martin, Kurt Russell, Goldie Hawn, etc. and remarkably it doesn't come across as bragging that he's friends with half of Hollywood, it's more just funny or touching conversations or experiences he's shared with the people he's close with. The other thing I think makes this book worth reading is Martin sharing his thoughts about his wife's battle with cancer and his life after her death. There are really some touching passages that brought me to tears.
Highly recommend reading if you enjoy celebrity memoirs! I don't even think you have to be a big Martin Short fan to find this a good read.
Martin Short has always come across to me as one of the genuinely nice guys in Hollywood. Someone you could easily strike up a conversation with at a bar and he'd have you laughing hysterically within minutes. After reading his memoir and learning more about his close friendships that have spanned decades and the love he has for his family, I feel very justified in saying he's one of the good ones.
Martin was the youngest of five children growing up in Canada, and by the age of 20 he had lost both his parents and his oldest brother. His big break came as part of the cast of the Toronto production ofGodspell and it was there where he would develop friendships with other actors who would go on to find success including Eugene Levy, Victor Garber, musician Paul Schaffer, and Gilda Radner, who Martin dated for a few years. ( I'm very well-versed in random pop culture facts like this but even I was shocked to learn they dated.) Martin would later go on to become part of the cast of SCTV and Saturday Night Live as well as act in movies like Three Amigos and the Father of the Bride series. He's definitely had a respectable career even if some of his projects weren't quite so successful.
There were two things that really stood out to me with this book. The first being, Martin does come across as a down to earth guy but he definitely has a ton of famous friends. There's plenty of stories about Tom Hanks, Steve Martin, Kurt Russell, Goldie Hawn, etc. and remarkably it doesn't come across as bragging that he's friends with half of Hollywood, it's more just funny or touching conversations or experiences he's shared with the people he's close with. The other thing I think makes this book worth reading is Martin sharing his thoughts about his wife's battle with cancer and his life after her death. There are really some touching passages that brought me to tears.
Highly recommend reading if you enjoy celebrity memoirs! I don't even think you have to be a big Martin Short fan to find this a good read.
December 21, 2016
*3.5 stars*
I was not very familiar with most of Martin Short's work, so the majority of the references went over my head. However, the parts of the book where he talked about his wife's sickness and death wrecked me. Sobbing. Expertly narrated.
April 19, 2018
F. Scott Fitzgerald wrote: "Let me tell you about the very rich. They are different from you and me..." Now we seem to feel the same about celebrity and wish to know everything. In fact, it is much easier now for the famous to become rich.
If you are one of those who do not disdain (in your heart of hearts) the cult of celebrity, the fact that Martin Short is a "comedy legend" should only enhance your enjoyment. This is popular culture through the eyes of a long-term participant.
Short has had success (and failure) on radio, TV, stage and screen. His filmography lists 87 movies in which he has acted and 17 in which he wrote or co-wrote the screenplay. He has won two prime time Emmys and two Tonys....and he started his life as the 4th son of a Canadian steel executive. (His mother had most of the musical genius.)
This is a very measured and crafted romp through over sixty years of an entertainer's life. One that started with little Marty making recordings of his own prime time variety show before he was 12. An innovator on SCTV, and voted the best of Saturday Night Live during the 1980's, Short has had the knack of finding his audience's funnybone.
His book seems very unvarnished as it describes his down periods as well as his successes. It includes breakout commentary by most of the characters he made famous, from Ed Grimley to Jiminy Glick.
Is it "as good as it gets" in celebrity autobiography? Not if you fail to listen to the audiobook read by Short, himself. He does all of his characters' breakouts and some had me rolling on the floor. That could merit 5 stars. I read the book and listened to the audiobook and I still would not hesitate to listen to it again on a long car trip. Enjoy!
If you are one of those who do not disdain (in your heart of hearts) the cult of celebrity, the fact that Martin Short is a "comedy legend" should only enhance your enjoyment. This is popular culture through the eyes of a long-term participant.
Short has had success (and failure) on radio, TV, stage and screen. His filmography lists 87 movies in which he has acted and 17 in which he wrote or co-wrote the screenplay. He has won two prime time Emmys and two Tonys....and he started his life as the 4th son of a Canadian steel executive. (His mother had most of the musical genius.)
This is a very measured and crafted romp through over sixty years of an entertainer's life. One that started with little Marty making recordings of his own prime time variety show before he was 12. An innovator on SCTV, and voted the best of Saturday Night Live during the 1980's, Short has had the knack of finding his audience's funnybone.
His book seems very unvarnished as it describes his down periods as well as his successes. It includes breakout commentary by most of the characters he made famous, from Ed Grimley to Jiminy Glick.
Is it "as good as it gets" in celebrity autobiography? Not if you fail to listen to the audiobook read by Short, himself. He does all of his characters' breakouts and some had me rolling on the floor. That could merit 5 stars. I read the book and listened to the audiobook and I still would not hesitate to listen to it again on a long car trip. Enjoy!
June 6, 2015
I think I'm done with audio-autobiographies. This book is filled with tons of name-dropping and the requisite "humble beginnings" catchphrases. Not to say he isn't funny, but rehashing old skits as filler between chapters was too much. The parts of the book in which he talked about growing up, losing his parents and an older sibling were touching, though.
Martin Short is obviously a very accomplished comedian and actor, but 8+ hours in audiobook format is too much.
Martin Short is obviously a very accomplished comedian and actor, but 8+ hours in audiobook format is too much.
June 10, 2022
martin short wrote a book and i read it 7 years ago and it was funny and nice like him.
and short, which works on multiple levels.
part of a series i'm doing in which i review books i read a long time ago
and short, which works on multiple levels.
part of a series i'm doing in which i review books i read a long time ago
June 22, 2015
This was a lot of fun! If you're a Martin Short fan, you will enjoy this memoir.
Martin talks about his childhood in Canada, how he got his start in acting and comedy, his relationship with Gilda Radner, his funny characters, his long and happy marriage to Nancy Dolman, his friendships with Tom Hanks, Steve Martin, etc., his experiences on SCTV, Saturday Night Live and in the movies, and finally, his wife's struggle with cancer.
Throughout the book, there are interludes with some of Martin's most famous characters, such as Jiminy Glick, Irving Cohen, and Ed Grimley. I listened to this on audio, and it was great fun to hear Martin read and perform these stories.
My favorite anecdotes involved SNL and Christopher Guest, who has a wonderfully droll sense of humor, and I also enjoyed reading about Martin's experience making "Three Amigos," which is one of my favorite 80s comedies.
Highly recommended for fans of Hollywood memoirs.
Martin talks about his childhood in Canada, how he got his start in acting and comedy, his relationship with Gilda Radner, his funny characters, his long and happy marriage to Nancy Dolman, his friendships with Tom Hanks, Steve Martin, etc., his experiences on SCTV, Saturday Night Live and in the movies, and finally, his wife's struggle with cancer.
Throughout the book, there are interludes with some of Martin's most famous characters, such as Jiminy Glick, Irving Cohen, and Ed Grimley. I listened to this on audio, and it was great fun to hear Martin read and perform these stories.
My favorite anecdotes involved SNL and Christopher Guest, who has a wonderfully droll sense of humor, and I also enjoyed reading about Martin's experience making "Three Amigos," which is one of my favorite 80s comedies.
Highly recommended for fans of Hollywood memoirs.
January 29, 2016
All I have to say is, "Damn you, Martin Short!"
I fully expected this book (audiobook, actually) to be another mediocre, ghost-written celebrity autobiography about a not-so-interesting life. Boy was I wrong. Martin Short has completely exceeded my expectations in this autobiography. He has written and performed a touching, funny, and cohesive story of his life. Other celebrities should be required to read (and/or listen to) this book before attempting to share their stories. I laughed out loud and cried out loud during this book. I related to Martin Short's life. I may just have to stop checking out celebrity memoirs because they will all pale in comparison to this book. Martin Short, you've ruined a genre for me by doing too good of a job.
I fully expected this book (audiobook, actually) to be another mediocre, ghost-written celebrity autobiography about a not-so-interesting life. Boy was I wrong. Martin Short has completely exceeded my expectations in this autobiography. He has written and performed a touching, funny, and cohesive story of his life. Other celebrities should be required to read (and/or listen to) this book before attempting to share their stories. I laughed out loud and cried out loud during this book. I related to Martin Short's life. I may just have to stop checking out celebrity memoirs because they will all pale in comparison to this book. Martin Short, you've ruined a genre for me by doing too good of a job.
January 16, 2015
Well...what to say here? This isn't a bad book and it has some genuinely interesting moments.
First let me lay out what we have. This is a fairly straight forward bio of Martin Short. We find out about his life, his love for his family, his wife and his...art(?). The influences that made Martin Short, Martin Short (and all those other people) are laid out and discussed. The general approach is that first Mr. Short talks about a certain part of his career and then the next chapter is called an "interlude". In thses chapters he assumes the character and gives the characters point of view or interviews the character etc.
This is why I will (as I've done with other bios) suggest you try the audio version.
I suspect that if you are a "dyed in the wool" Martin Short fan you'll enjoy this book book more than I did. I like some of his work, but have never been an "anything Martin Short does is great" kind of person. I did find the book interesting, sometimes funny, at times sad, but pretty good over all.
I can't say this is one of my favorite biographies but it's not bad.
First let me lay out what we have. This is a fairly straight forward bio of Martin Short. We find out about his life, his love for his family, his wife and his...art(?). The influences that made Martin Short, Martin Short (and all those other people) are laid out and discussed. The general approach is that first Mr. Short talks about a certain part of his career and then the next chapter is called an "interlude". In thses chapters he assumes the character and gives the characters point of view or interviews the character etc.
This is why I will (as I've done with other bios) suggest you try the audio version.
I suspect that if you are a "dyed in the wool" Martin Short fan you'll enjoy this book book more than I did. I like some of his work, but have never been an "anything Martin Short does is great" kind of person. I did find the book interesting, sometimes funny, at times sad, but pretty good over all.
I can't say this is one of my favorite biographies but it's not bad.
February 20, 2015
I listened to this driving from Chicago to Tennessee. Came close to driving off the road or into other cars half the time because I was laughing so hard. He apologized for dropping so many names. I don't think it is dropping names if they're actually his friends.
The best part of listening to it is all the voices he does. Whether he's talking to Katharine Hepburn (before she decides to change seats), or doing a Bette Davis impression to her face.
Very funny, but filled with sadness too when he recounts the loss of family members. But he learns how to take something positive out of these losses.
Hey, he's from Hamilton, Ontario and my car once broke down in Hamilton.
The best part of listening to it is all the voices he does. Whether he's talking to Katharine Hepburn (before she decides to change seats), or doing a Bette Davis impression to her face.
Very funny, but filled with sadness too when he recounts the loss of family members. But he learns how to take something positive out of these losses.
Hey, he's from Hamilton, Ontario and my car once broke down in Hamilton.
April 10, 2024
I'll cop to only listening to 75% or so of this as Mr. Short is, for me, a small doses are best comedic personality. Not to say his indisputable talent doesn't shine through, especially in the audio format that enables him to perform as his characters, do his impressions, and even sing old crooner standards quite credibly. Perhaps I have listened to too many of these sketch-comedy-to-Hollywood memoirs by this point, though, and Heavens above the name dropping does come to be a bit much.
Just callin' it as I see it, Marty.
Just callin' it as I see it, Marty.
June 5, 2020
Listened to the Audible version and LOVED it - it's so interesting to know who certain celebs hang out with/are contemporaries of. I knew he was besties with Steve Martin (obviously!), but apparently he is really close to Kurt Russell, Goldie Hawn, Tom Hanks, Eugene Levy, Victor Garber, and on and on.... The stories were fun to hear; his optimism and general happiness after all he has been through is extraordinary. Just a great story, and (imo) best heard from the horse's mouth.
(As a note, the time frame from when I started until when I finished was lengthy only bc I listened to it when I was on car trips longer than an hour.)
(As a note, the time frame from when I started until when I finished was lengthy only bc I listened to it when I was on car trips longer than an hour.)
December 1, 2014
I knew this would be 5 stars before I even started. I would have been shocked if it had been anything less. Martin Short is a talented, 5 star plus entertainer. He can do anything and do it in such an amusing manner that I look forward to his every appearance on TV and film. He has an engaging personality, he reminds me of a naughty boy even though he is well into his 60's. I listened to this on Audible because I wanted to hear him narrate it. Needless to say, he was a fantastic narrator and his life and show business stories are interesting and funny. He is the youngest of 5 children and grew up in Canada. When he was a child, he taped his family secretly at the dinner table. Afterwards, he wrote up the dialogue of this family dinner and has his own children perform it every year because his family cracks him up. He gave a sampling and it made me laugh and wish I had recorded my own family. I can still remember the family dinner when I was a child and my grandmother was talking about some actor she had recently seen and admired. She couldn't remember his name or the name of the movie, but she went to great lengths to describe him. Myself, my parents,my aunt and uncle, and cousins, etc. all made guess after guess. All were incorrect. We finally gave up. A half hour or so after the last guess had been made, she exclaimed, "John Gavin!!" None of us knew who he was....lol. How I would love to have the Martin Short spin on this evening, which I remember as a family night of fun and exasperation. I highly recommend this to anyone who loves him and/or loves to laugh.
August 2, 2022
Some reviewer complained Martin Short does too much “namedropping” in this memoir. He’s Martin Fucking Short! He dated Gilda and he’s BFFs with Steve Martin. GTFO. (Listen to the audiobook, as he acts out many of his famous characters.)
November 23, 2014
I’ve been a fan of Short’s for many years, but in a low-key sort of way. It was more of an “Oh, Martin Short’s in this. It’ll be good.” kind of fandom. I never felt the need to track down details of his personal life, and indeed, he never seemed to show up in the tabloid press. But when I saw this book was being released, I knew I had to read it, because Short was part of the fabric of my childhood and adolescent love for comedy-- sketch and standup.
If at all possible, you need to listen to the audio version, which Martin (and the cast of oddballs in his head) reads/sings/performs. Hearing Ed Grimley’s voice took me right back to sitting in front of the tv in my mom’s house, watching SCTV and marveling at the comedy renaissance that was happening at the time.
There are tons of great stories about Martin hanging out with Paul Shaffer, Eugene Levy, Gilda Radner, Tom Hanks, Christopher Guest, Billy Crystal, Steve Martin, etc. But my favorite tidbit was about Martin and his wife Nancy being briefly terrorized by William Shatner’s Dobermans. That’s the kind of inside show-biz anecdote the world needs more of.
I’m glad Martin talked about his Saturday Night Live experience. Back in the day, when I heard he was going to be in the cast (along with Billy Crystal), I was puzzled. SNL was where unknowns went in the hope of becoming household names. Martin and Billy, as far as I was concerned, were already household names.
Recommended for anyone who was in love with the late seventies/early eighties comedy scene. There are also some meaningful tips on handling grief, and keeping your life in balance. Marty’s personal grading system is fantastic.
November 24, 2014
I've read many former SNL actors books and Martin Short's is by far the most grateful, happy, and loving tale I've ever read. It progressed like conversations over coffee with real moments of laughter and tears. The only mistake this well written memoir made is to make the reader feel like they gained a friend...but then again his characters always had the same effect.
September 10, 2016
Listening to this was a surprise for me on so many levels. I bought it not expecting much as Martin Short was just this actor from some silly 80s movies that I didn't know much about.
So the first thing that surprised me was how much he had done, his career and work, most of unheard here in Germany (unless you dive deep into the internet I guess). I really enjoyed listening to him talk about his insecurities and how he came up with characters and how his work life looked.
The other thing I hadn't expected was to hear about his familiy and friends, how close they are and stable (meaning, long-lasting and true), aside from reading like a who's who from the '70s and '80s showbiz.
And lastly I found it very inspiring to hear bout his life, and his thoughts and the characters that make up his portfolio.
I can only recommend this to anyone.
So the first thing that surprised me was how much he had done, his career and work, most of unheard here in Germany (unless you dive deep into the internet I guess). I really enjoyed listening to him talk about his insecurities and how he came up with characters and how his work life looked.
The other thing I hadn't expected was to hear about his familiy and friends, how close they are and stable (meaning, long-lasting and true), aside from reading like a who's who from the '70s and '80s showbiz.
And lastly I found it very inspiring to hear bout his life, and his thoughts and the characters that make up his portfolio.
I can only recommend this to anyone.
April 3, 2016
Martin Short's autobiography with him as narrator with a few of his characters, including my personal favorite, Jiminy Glick. This is a rewarding story of his life with all that impacts us during our short time on earth. A great listen. 9 of 10 stars
November 7, 2014
This was a well done combo of Short's accounts of his childhood, personal relationships, and career highs and lows. Martin has suffered through some sad events in his life (parents died when he was fairly young and wife died in 2010) but he seems to have handled them with grace and has emerged a stronger person. His advice to his son when his wife was dying put a lump in my throat and his revelations about his own happy personality near the end had me smiling. Also, it has just enough inside information about his celebrity friends to keep it interesting.
October 18, 2015
I'm a big fan of Martin Short, he can be so funny and usually keeps his presentation clean. In this book, he comes across as normal, hard working, and FUNNY. I loved listening to him narrate his own autobiography.
He had a pretty normal upbringing, so there wasn't the deep family secrets and pain that others have had to write about. This was mostly about his career. It wasn't as funny as thought it would be, but it was well done. I even actually cried when his wife died. 4 stars.
He had a pretty normal upbringing, so there wasn't the deep family secrets and pain that others have had to write about. This was mostly about his career. It wasn't as funny as thought it would be, but it was well done. I even actually cried when his wife died. 4 stars.
September 2, 2015
I've never been a big fan of Martin Short. I've enjoyed his work but I wouldn't go out of my way to see him. I listened to the audiobook version with Martin reading. I'm glad I picked this up. I learned so much more about him and have a new respect for him. I enjoy comedy and it was interesting to hear about the behind the scenes of his work. Also sad when his family members passed including his wife Nan who he adored.
This is well worth the listen.
This is well worth the listen.
March 8, 2015
4.5 stars - audio is amazing and I almost swerved off the road laughing on multiple occasions!
December 6, 2019
I have loved Martin Short since I first saw him as Ed Grimley, and later as Little Neddie Nederlander. For forty years he has created character after character, and been an overall delight on TV and in movies.
He also, I found in this book, is a devoted husband and father, a dear and loyal friend to so many people. He tends to ramble a bit, and jump around, but the stories about his childhood, his colleagues, and his family are wonderful. He vacations with Steve Martin and Bruce Springsteen, is dear friends with Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson, and neighbors with Kurt Russell and Goldie Hawn. But there's no sense that he's just dropping names, instead he's showing you his life, letting you and marveling along with you that THIS IS HIS LIFE! Woo!
It made me love him even more, I must say!
He also, I found in this book, is a devoted husband and father, a dear and loyal friend to so many people. He tends to ramble a bit, and jump around, but the stories about his childhood, his colleagues, and his family are wonderful. He vacations with Steve Martin and Bruce Springsteen, is dear friends with Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson, and neighbors with Kurt Russell and Goldie Hawn. But there's no sense that he's just dropping names, instead he's showing you his life, letting you and marveling along with you that THIS IS HIS LIFE! Woo!
It made me love him even more, I must say!
August 6, 2015
My first experience with an audiobook, and it was a real winner. I'm glad I heeded the advice of other goodreads-ers to listen to, rather than read, this memoir. Martin Short does an excellent job -- how could he not? It was funny, moving, sincere, and thought-provoking. I listened to the first 4 disks (of 7) with my husband during a long drive. We LOL'd simultaneously many times, and would pause the disk to reminisce about things Short was relating. Yes, it's a little name-droppy at times, but you get the sense that Short, and his late wife Nancy, had real friendships with the likes of Steve Martin, Tom Hanks, Nora Ephron, Mike Nichols, and spouses, etc. And you feel that you get to know those people a little bit, too, along with Short's actual family. Be prepared to weep during the last disk/final few chapters, when Short talks about his wife's battle with ovarian cancer and her eventual death in 2010 at the age of 58 or so. But also be prepared to marvel at the techniques he uses to deal with the various tragedies in his life. Well-adjusted doesn't begin to describe Martin Short.
I loved this book, I must say.
I loved this book, I must say.
February 18, 2020
This is a perfect Hollywood (by way of Canada)memoir. Behind the scenes stories that are not at all salacious, but rather honest, loving, touching, funny, informative, just great. Worth the price of admission just for the various descriptions of Paul Schaffer (his great friend.) Paul in black tie -- a maître de at an alien restaurant. EXACTLY~ Absolutely get the audiobook for this. Short does his characters, and you will want to hear them. I laughed a lot, even though so many sad things happen. He talks a lot about how his default is happiness, and I really find that inspirational. What a delightful human.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 2,269 reviews