Rodney dangerfield biography video stand up comedy

This entry in the "Biography" series showcases the life and career of the late comedian Rodney Dangerfield. Included are highlights of his early career--many people don't know that he began ... Read allThis entry in the "Biography" series showcases the life and career of the late comedian Rodney Dangerfield. Included are highlights of his early career--many people don't know that he began his comedy career in the 1940s under the name Jack Roy--and includes clips from his perfor... Read allThis entry in the "Biography" series showcases the life and career of the late comedian Rodney Dangerfield. Included are highlights of his early career--many people don't know that he began his comedy career in the 1940s beneath the name Jack Roy--and includes clips from his performances and interviews with friends, family, admirers and colleagues.

The pudgy, bug-eyed comic became known for his nervous, twitchy ‘loser’ persona. As a self-professed ‘abandoned child,’ Dangerfield found that, like life, the road to comedy stardom could be very rocky.

Life before becoming Rodney Dangerfield wasn’t easy.  Born Jacob Cohen and initially going by the stage name of Jack Roy, the 19-year old comedian ventured into the world of stand-up only to find disappointment.  After nine years of going nowhere, he completely dropped out of showbiz and, to support his family, sold household aluminum siding.  Twenty-five years later, at the age of 45, Rodney decided to give comedy another try, appearing in clubs at night while still selling siding during the day.  He ultimately found success, due to luck, persistence and his enormous comedic talent. 

In his autobiography, “It’s Not Easy Bein’ Me: A Lifetime of No Respect,” Dangerfield remembers the jokes he told at

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Rodney Dangerfield

American stand-up comedian (1921–2004)

Jack Roy (born Jacob Cohen; November 22, 1921 – October 5, 2004), better known by the stage nameRodney Dangerfield, was an American stand-up comedian, actor, screenwriter, and producer. He was known for his self-deprecating one-liner humor, his catchphrase "I get no respect!"^[2] and his monologues on that theme.

Dangerfield began his career working as a stand-up comic at the Fantasy Lounge in New York City. His act grew in popularity as he became a mainstay on late-night talk shows throughout the 1960s and 1970s, eventually developing into a headlining act on the Las Vegas casino circuit. His breakout film role came as a boorish nouveau riche golfer in the ensemble sports comedy Caddyshack (1980). He subsequently starred in a string of comedy films such as Easy Money (1983), Back to School (1986), Rover Dangerfield (1991), Ladybugs (1992), and Meet Wally Sparks (1997). He took a rare dramatic