Born Standing Up: A Comic's Life

BORN STANDING UP: A COMIC'S LIFE: Steve Martin: Scribner (2007): Biography: 209 p.

In the mood for something funny? Try ‘Born Standing Up’ by Steve Martin--actor, comedian, and in his teenage beginnings, a magician. (Who knew?)

Comedians have it easy, right? They get paid to sit, ok “Stand” around a couple hours a night and tell jokes. Like that’s hard. Everyone laughs, AND they pay you money. It’s like a huge party where you’re the center of attention. Not to mention the millions of dollars comedians can make starring in movies.

Yet, what impressed me the most was how much Martin had to WORK as he spent hours and years and decades perfecting his comedy routine. He barely eked out a living for the first 10 years of his comedic life, was then hailed as the ‘funniest guy in the world’ made millions, and has now gradually left his stand-up comedy and movie career behind. ‘Knowing when to stand down’ being as much a trick of timing as knowing how to spin a joke.

Interesting to find out was Martin’s schooling in the fine arts: painting, classical music, and philosophy. A good read for those looking for: 1) an interesting biography 2) learning more about Martin’s quiet, personal life and 3) future comedians looking for a discerning how-to manual. And I appreciated the every-so-often lovely (and comedic) turn of phrase Martin uses as he writes.

DLA