Synopses & Reviews
From his initial success in the coffeehouses of Greenwich Village with Anne Meara, who would be the love of his life, to his serenity-seeking days on
Seinfeld and later on
The King of Queens, Jerry Stiller has consistently proven himself to be a force in showbiz. In
Married to Laughter, he brings us into his world and recounts, in a tone that is laugh-out-loud funny and strikingly honest, his passion for entertainment and working with people such as Ed Sullivan, Mike Nichols, Robin Williams, and Jerry Seinfeld, who were there along the way.
At the heart of this tale is Stiller's partnership, both onstage and off, with Anne Meara. He shares the affectionate story of their long-surviving relationship, spotlighting the pleasures and challenges of raising a family in an interfaith show business marriage.
Married to Laughter is the story of an actor who never let go of his dreams, but ultimately it is the story of two people who found their place in show business without losing sight of each other.
Review
Kirkus Reviews More than a biography, this is an account of the whole gamut of emotions and experiences that populate and define a life.
Review
Carl Reiner A wonderfully honest and humorous autobiography: The moment I finished it, I called somebody who knew Stiller's number and told him how great a book he had written. Now I tell you!
Review
Tony Peyser Los Angeles Times Stiller's gifts as a storyteller are abundantly clear...Married to Laughter is a...reminder that behind every successful Hollywood story is a lot of rejection...and tough luck...He emerges as someone you'd love to have as a dinner guest. Jerry Stiller has earned his serenity now.
Review
Donald Margulies Married to Laughter captures the sweet essence of Jerry Stiller -- and, in its rough-hewn eloquence, demonstrates why he has been a beloved show business fixture for forty years.
Synopsis
Jerry Stiller's performances as the short-fused Frank Costanza on Seinfield, and his current role as an equally irascible character on King of Queens, has endeared him to millions. In Married to Laughter, Stiller chronicles his journey from his boyhood in Brooklyn to TV stardom, stopping along the way to recount stories about his life in the theatre and the friends and colleagues -- including Mike Nichols, Henny Youngman, and Ed Sullivan -- who contributed to his success. At the heart of his tale is his partnership, both on and offstage, with Anne Meara. Stiller describes the unforgettable comedy act that played off their real-life differences and catapulted them to fame. With touching honesty and unabashed emotion, he writes about the personal and professional difficulties he's encountered and reveals his reliance on Meara's good sense and devotion to get him through the tough times.
About the Author
Jerry Stiller earned an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series and an American Comedy Award for his role as Frank Costanza on Seinfeld. He currently appears on The King of Queens on CBS and has graced the Broadway stage and the silver screen. He lives in New York City.