It is always interesting when you read an actor’s autobiography. You get in on secrets and read snippets of their life that they don’t always mention in person, and you get a glimpse of the way they think and talk when they aren’t on the screen. However, the most rewarding autobiographies are written by comedians or actors who are also comedians. Not only is the narrative hilarious but you get a sneak peak at what goes on in their head, and it’s often fascinating.
One of the main things about an autobiography of course is their life background. Every book I’ve read so far by a comedian paints a picture of a normal childhood just like our own. They also highlight an abundance of failures that led to success with sheer perseverance and patience. This may seem predictable to you, but the amount of failures or the perseverance will often amaze you. The comedians also tell stories from their youth that completely change your perception of them in ways you couldn’t imagine.
Here are a few examples of these books, without giving away the whole story.
"Bossypants" by Tina Fey
Today, we know Tina Fey as an amazing writer on SNL, a hilarious Sarah Palin, and the one of the actresses as well as the mastermind behind comedic works of art such as “Mean Girls,” “30 Rock” and the “Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt.” Fey depicts her childhood stories in an absolutely comical way, and it’s easy to relate to the embarrassing stories she tells about her daily life as an awkward, clumsy teenager. Did you know that at age 23, Tina Fey was working as a receptionist at a YMCA in Illinois? She was living in an unfamiliar state, almost broke, while she took classes at night from the Second City theatre troupe. Her future didn’t seem to be going anywhere until she was almost 26. Of course that all changed later on, but it took multiple trials and many years.
"Yes Please" by Amy Poehler
Amy Poehler—Upright Citizens Brigade founder, SNL superstar, Leslie Knope, and “Cool mom” in Mean Girls. She’s done it all, and you get to read all about the stories behind the roles she held. Her book is chock full of photos, childhood poems, high school memories, anecdotes from the wild days of college, and her path to fame. You feel like you’re there with her on her adventures, and you learn a lot about her past. She hardly hides any of it, and I mean it. She tells you very personal things. If you love Tina Fey, Jimmy Fallon and the cast of Parks and Recreation, you will get to know all about her friendships with them and some secrets about them as well.
"Is Everyone Hanging Out with Me? (And Other Concerns)" By Mindy Kaling
You may know her as Kelly Kapoor from The Office, but did you know that she was one of the five head writers on the show, and the only female writer? Or did you know that she used to be an intern on Late Night with Conan O’Brian at age 19, and she was awful at it? This was after attending Dartmouth, where she focused on studying the Classics. Mindy Kaling has a very interesting back story that many know absolutely nothing about. A lot of people only think that she starred in The Office, as a slightly annoying character who was always fighting for attention.
These are only a few books, but there are many more that I have yet to read, and that I know will be excellent such as –Born Standing Up, A Comic’s Life by Steve Martin, One More Time by Carole Burnett, and a new book that will be released in August, The Girl with the Lower Back Tattoo, by Amy Schumer. You will be highly entertained while reading all of these gems, and you will learn a lot about the rough yet rewarding life of a comedian.
