Martin Short's memoir is a very likable and touching account of his life thus far. From his humble, somewhat tragic (due to the loss of two immediate family members) beginnings in a suburban Canadian home, where he put on shows in his bedroom, to his growth as a comic and actor in first Toronto, then the U.S., this is a gentle, funny and philosophical read. His remarkable marriage to his wife Nancy is always described as a joyful, playful and stimulating union, and her comparatively early death in 2010 brings a sorrowful, but hopeful, end to the story. One particularly enjoyable and revealing episode describes how, when they had a disagreement, Nancy would summon the mentally challenged Ed Grimley to solve the argument, and he somehow would have the exact right thing to say to clear things up.
Martin Short, as one would expect, knows everyone, and is quite close to many of the bigger names in show business (Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson, Goldie Hawn and Kurt Russell, Steve Martin and his wife Ann, to name a few, and of course the Second City Toronto crew of Gilda Radner, John Candy, Andrea Martin, et al), so we read about some riotous times involving them. (He actually dated Radner, which he describes as fairly bombastic. She brought a lot of insecurities to the relationship.)
When they found they couldn't have children, he and his wife adopted three, and it's clear that they were spectacular and loving parents. There is occasionally a sense of regret in his prose, one that wishes he had gotten more recognition, or work, or something. At one point, he bemoans that fact that his career "almost" took off. I'm not sure how anyone could say that Martin Short does not have a successful career, but he is saying it sometimes. Many of his endearing characters - and there are dozens - put in an appearance in the memoir, and are always welcome reminders of his fertile imagination and sweet nature.
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Upbeat memoir
Martin Short has long been a favorite of mine, going back to his SCTV days. A behind the scenes glimpse of his rise from the youngest member of a comfortable, boisterous Canadian family to a star of stage and screen was peppered with anecdotes of Hollywood friends that I found made them more human and him more endearing. His appreciation of his good fortune, his loyalty to friends and love of family was refreshing. Despite the loss of close family members (a brother while in his early teens, and both parents before his early 20's, his beloved wife in his late 50's), he chooses believe he was born " with the happiness gene". His enthusiasm for life and whatever lies ahead made this a most enjoyable memoir.
Top reviews from other countries
Kevin McGirr
Great book. Enjoyed reading it.
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on September 17, 2021
Rolf Kemmler
This is the one one really has to buy and read!!!
Reviewed in Germany on December 26, 2015