I can’t even remember where I read a recommendation for this biography by the legendary Steve Martin, but very glad a found a copy. It’s an enlightening account of his rise to fame, and an insight into his tradecraft, all simply and honestly written.
He book takes us from his childhood and very early first adolescent jobs at Disneyland, getting the taste for showbiz, through his long years of learning and iteration en route to becoming a full time stand-up.
His compulsive need to push the limits and create new forms of comedy, and his explanations for this, make great reading. As do his views on success and fame, that classic tale of the journey being far more satisfying than the destination.
His family relationships are, as ever, fascinating. His father, although always wanting to be in show business himself, only praised Martin towards the end of his career. Before then he was universally negative towards his act, his style, and his success. As an example, after watching the premier of his box office hit The Jerk (later voted as one of the top 100 comedy films of all time), which Martin wrote and starred in, when asked what he thought his father replied:
Well, he’s no Charlie Chaplin.
For anybody interested in how comedy if created, especially that which explores the breaking of boundaries, this is a great read. And if you just like reading about amazing lives, ditto.
