Rodney dangerfield bio
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She said, ‘I hate myself now.’ ”
Or: “I remember one date I had, we ran into some guy she knew and she introduced us. Born Jacob Cohen, he remembered all his life how teachers — not just students, but teachers — made anti-Semitic remarks about him in front of classmates at New York’s P.S. 99. Rodney, this is goodbye.’ ”
Eventually he was able to star in such movies as “Easy Money” and “Back to School,” respectably funny if not artful comedies, and in “Caddyshack,” now a cult hit so beloved that some of its fans know the whole script by heart.
Dangerfield would come out from behind the curtain and do five or six minutes of prepared material, then sit on the couch and do several more minutes of jokes thinly disguised as conversation, Carson barely getting a word in except to set up more jokes. His breakthrough came with appearances on The Ed Sullivan Show and The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson, where his rapid-fire delivery and relatable self-deprecating jokes won over audiences.
To help the family scrape by, Rodney began selling ice cream on the beach and delivering groceries after school.
Dangerfield struggled through a difficult childhood. Working as a salesman during the day, he took to the stage at night under the pseudonym Rodney Dangerfield, inspired by a joke from comedian Jack Benny.
Dangerfield was thoroughly hip; he “got” all the jokes, including the ones he didn’t tell.
His catchphrase “I don’t get no respect” became a cultural touchstone, and his influence continues to inspire comedians like Jerry Seinfeld, Chris Rock, and Jim Carrey.
“He was an ace. They said they wanted to start the happy hour.”
“Once the cops arrested me for jaywalking.
And then back to the jokes. Forget that stuff. He was frequently the focus of torment from anti-Semitic teachers, and more affluent students.
His huge popularity may have been a reaction to all the pseudo-intellectual comics who stood before brick walls and talked about their neuroses.
And who knows but that right now, at this very moment, someone, somewhere is giving Rodney “one of these.”
Rodney Dangerfield
(1921-2004)
Who Was Rodney Dangerfield?
Rodney Dangerfield started performing stand-up comedy in his teens as "Jack Roy," but finding that comedy didn't pay the bills, he spent the 1950s working as a salesman.
He published his autobiography, "It's Not Easy Bein' Me: A Lifetime of No Respect but Plenty of Sex and Drugs," in 2004, providing fans with a candid look at his life and the challenges he faced.
Rodney Dangerfield | Biography
Who is Rodney Dangerfield?
Rodney Dangerfield, born Jacob Cohen on November 22, 1921, in Babylon, New York, was a pioneering stand-up comedian and actor renowned for his self-deprecating humor and signature catchphrase, "I don't get no respect." Beginning his career in stand-up comedy as a teenager under the name Jack Roy, he initially struggled to make a living and transitioned to various jobs, including aluminum siding sales.
Despite facing health challenges later in life, Dangerfield remained an enduring figure in comedy until his death on October 5, 2004, leaving behind a legacy of laughter and a remarkable influence on the entertainment industry. Thornton Melon in Back to School (1986)
Playing a wealthy but uneducated father who enrolls in college to support his son, Dangerfield blends boisterous humor with surprising warmth.
- Classic moment: Thornton’s wild party scenes and the memorable “I’m a man, I’m 50!” speech capture Dangerfield’s comedic spirit.