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In this engagingly witty, wise, and heartfelt memoir, Martin Short tells the tale of how a showbiz-obsessed kid from Canada transformed himself into one of Hollywood’s favorite funnymen, known to his famous peers as the “comedian’s comedian”.
Martin Short takes you on a rich, hilarious, and occasionally heartbreaking ride through his life and times, from his early years in Toronto as a member of the fabled improvisational troupe Second City to the all-American comic big time of Saturday Night Live and memorable roles in movies such as ¡Three Amigos! and Father of the Bride. He reveals how he created his most indelible comedic characters, among them the manic man-child Ed Grimley, the slimy corporate lawyer Nathan Thurm, and the bizarrely insensitive interviewer Jiminy Glick. Throughout, Short freely shares the spotlight with friends, colleagues, and collaborators, including Steve Martin, Tom Hanks, Gilda Radner, Mel Brooks, Nora Ephron, Eugene Levy, Catherine O’Hara, Paul Shaffer, and David Letterman.
But there is another side to Short’s life that he has long kept private. He lost his eldest brother and both of his parents by the time he turned 20, and, more recently, he lost his wife of 30 years to cancer. In I Must Say, Short talks for the first time about the pain that these losses inflicted and the upbeat life philosophy that has kept him resilient and carried him through. In the grand tradition of comedy legends, Martin Short offers a show business memoir densely populated with boldface names and rife with re-tellable tales: a hugely entertaining yet surprisingly moving self-portrait that will keep you laughing – and crying – from the first page to the last.
Special Lyrics for “It’s The Most Wonderful Show of the Year” and “Picture-Perfect Christmas In The Palisades” by Martin Short, Marc Shaiman, and Scott Wittman; Special Lyrics for “Marty Throws a Party Just to Sing” by Marc Shaiman.
4.5
Reviewer: Spottedbysue
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: Excellent read
Review: Such an amazing actor. What an interesting life
Reviewer: TillyTwo
Rating: 4.0 out of 5 stars
Title: A lot of fun
Review: Martin Short is an interesting comedian and this book explains why. I especially liked the way he told you who he was gossiping about!
Reviewer: Kindle Customer
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: Martin Short’s Memoir
Review: Martin Short’s memoir is a very likable and touching account of his life thus far. From his humble, somewhat tragic (due to the loss of two immediate family members) beginnings in a suburban Canadian home, where he put on shows in his bedroom, to his growth as a comic and actor in first Toronto, then the U.S., this is a gentle, funny and philosophical read. His remarkable marriage to his wife Nancy is always described as a joyful, playful and stimulating union, and her comparatively early death in 2010 brings a sorrowful, but hopeful, end to the story. One particularly enjoyable and revealing episode describes how, when they had a disagreement, Nancy would summon the mentally challenged Ed Grimley to solve the argument, and he somehow would have the exact right thing to say to clear things up.Martin Short, as one would expect, knows everyone, and is quite close to many of the bigger names in show business (Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson, Goldie Hawn and Kurt Russell, Steve Martin and his wife Ann, to name a few, and of course the Second City Toronto crew of Gilda Radner, John Candy, Andrea Martin, et al), so we read about some riotous times involving them. (He actually dated Radner, which he describes as fairly bombastic. She brought a lot of insecurities to the relationship.)When they found they couldn’t have children, he and his wife adopted three, and it’s clear that they were spectacular and loving parents. There is occasionally a sense of regret in his prose, one that wishes he had gotten more recognition, or work, or something. At one point, he bemoans that fact that his career “almost” took off. I’m not sure how anyone could say that Martin Short does not have a successful career, but he is saying it sometimes. Many of his endearing characters – and there are dozens – put in an appearance in the memoir, and are always welcome reminders of his fertile imagination and sweet nature.
Reviewer: M. D. Tilley
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: Hilarious, heartfelt, witty, and wonderful: well done, I must say! Couldn’t stop reading!
Review: This is, quite simply, one of the best memoirs I have ever read. I was sort of a casual Martin Short fan before I read the book, and now, I am a devotee! It profiles his entire life, from childhood to the present, with all of the family, romantic, and career stuff. His true stories are hilarious: laugh out loud, wheezing, falling-out-of-my-chair funny. I didn’t want to put the book down.Short gives all of the “juicy” stories about his life and fellow celebrities, including his own friends and idols, in an honest and fearless, but sensitive and non-gratuitous way. He’s got stories in here about everyone from Frank Sinatra to George Harrison to Steve Martin and Tom Hanks and all of the usual suspects. This book is incredibly funny – my family must have thought that I was having a heart attack, with the way I was struggling to hold on and breathe – but I was close to tears when he described his loved ones and friends in such a touching way.Short intersperses the personal tales with short chapters about his various characters. It’s a great design for a book, and I am sure that many people would enjoy it, but I was less drawn to those chapters than I was to the personal stuff. The photos are terrific, though!I came away thinking that Martin Short was a really great, genuine, brilliant guy. It’s written in a conversational, immediately compelling style, as if Short were telling you himself. One of the best books I’ve read! If you read any celebrity memoir this year, let this be the one!
Reviewer: audrey finnigan
Rating: 3.0 out of 5 stars
Title: He’s entertaining!
Review: Also enjoyed mr Short. But was not happy his telling of his drug HABITS. Seems everyone in show business does it so if a kid reads his book they will will probably think well if marty short takes drugs then it they must be safe for me. He could have left that OUT!!
Reviewer: Laura Hansen
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: Make sure to have tissues handy
Review: I chose this book for the gym, where I routinely read books while on the stationary bike. Nothing prepared me for the last couple of chapters. It was all I could do not be (to quote Taylor Swift) down bad crying at the gym today while finishing the book. I really didn’t know that much about Martin Short before reading the autobiography. He is not only talented but a really decent human being (to quote Ed Grimley) I must say.
Reviewer: chisket
Rating: 4.0 out of 5 stars
Title: Short and Kamp are great storytellers, but this is really a touching love letter to wife Nancy. Simply lovely.
Review: This was a wonderful book by Martin Short and ghostwriter David Kamp. What sets it apart, however, is how Short manages to convey his deep love and affection for his family, his friends, and his wife Nan. He made me want to love my own family better, as well as live a happier life. I hope this feeling doesn’t wear off any time soon! Found myself choking up several times during the trials of Martin Short’s life (no spoilers here), as well as how his friends rallied around him when he needed it most. Overall, a terrific read. If you buy this and (my favorite writer of all time) Steve Martin’s book, BORN STANDING UP, you’ll not be disappointed. I deducted one star because Short included politics in his story. The only time Short was mean-spirited was when he was cutting down politicians. I never understand why people do this. Half of the population feels differently than you so why take these shots? Still, a great book and I highly recommend it.
Reviewer: Donna Mehnert
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: I love this book so much!
Review: Iâm a really big Marty Short fan, been watching him since SCTV, SNL, and it was so interesting to read about his life. He had a lot of tragedy at an early age, but he seemed to get thru it without it messing him up. Love his relationship with his wife and i had no idea he and Gilda used to date. If you like Martin Short, youâd enjoy this book.
Reviewer: Kevin McGirr
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title:
Review: Only negative thing is that there is that there is a line in what appears to be a marker on the bottom of the book. Doesn’t bother me but it is something to keep in mind when purchasing this book used.
Reviewer: Ramaa
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title:
Review: IncreÃble. Un Dios.
Reviewer: JG
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title:
Review: Martin Short’s memoirs are very touching and very real. He shares his good times and the ‘awful’ times as well. I must say it’s a read that has touched my heart.
Reviewer: ANNE MARIE MASSE
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title:
Review: This is such a wonderful book. Not only does Martin Short tell us his life story from a professional point of view, but he gives us a peek into his family life. There is a lot of love in this book – his love for his late wife Nancy is obvious (get ready to shed some tears). Lots of funny stories and a few vignettes told by some of his famous incarnations such as Ed Grimley and Jiminy Glick. As the title suggests it is told very humbly, like a guy who still thinks ‘How this all this happen to little old me ?’ I was sorry to finish the last page. I have always enjoyed his performances, but now I admire the person that he is.
Reviewer: Rolf Kemmler
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title:
Review: I always have liked Martin Short since I first saw him on Innerspace. His memoir not only tells us loads about this Canadian-born comic genious, but also about many other famous comedians Form the 1970s on, helping for a Vetter understanding of how the careers of his fellow geniuses came to be. I command you to buy this book, it’s a must have! I promise you lots of fun – and you’ll even learn lots of information…
