Born Standing Up
| Company type | Memoir |
|---|---|
| Industry | Publishing |
| Founded | November 20, 2007 |
| Founder | Steve Martin |
| Products | Book, Audiobook |
Born Standing Up: A Comic's Life is a memoir authored by American entertainer, writer, actor, comedian, producer, playwright, musician, and screenwriter Steve Martin, released on November 20, 2007. The book narrates his formative years, early employment at Disneyland, the progression of his stand-up comedy career to its zenith, and his 1981 choice to leave stand-up in order to concentrate on filmmaking.
Overview
The memoir details Martin’s upbringing and his initial work experiences at Southern California amusement parks including Disneyland and Knott's Berry Farm. It traces the development of his stand-up career up until his retirement in 1981, motivated by his belief that he had exhausted the possibilities within that art form and wished to pursue opportunities in cinema.
Martin elaborates on the transformation of his performance style—from intimate venues to large audiences—and emphasizes significant aspects such as his enthusiasm for magic tricks, early routines like "Happy Feet," and the signature three-piece white suit that became emblematic of his act.
The narrative also delves into Martin’s intricate family dynamics, especially focusing on his relationship with his father, recounting their eventual reconciliation and how he managed the loss of both parents.
Furthermore, Martin reflects on societal changes moving from the "peace and love" period into more unsettled times, explaining how these cultural shifts impacted his comedic sensibility.
An excerpt appeared in USA Today.
Critical reception
Born Standing Up: A Comic's Life was met with predominantly positive reviews.
Lev Grossman, a critic for Time, placed it sixth on his 2007 list of "Top 10 Nonfiction Books."
Comedian Jerry Seinfeld lauded the memoir as "one of the finest books ever written about comedy and the life of a comedian."
Audio book
A segment from the audiobook edition was showcased on The New Yorker's website.
Audio-book Grammy Award nomination
Narrated by Steve Martin himself and released in November 2007, the audiobook earned a nomination for the 2009 Grammy Award in the category of Best Spoken Word Album.
References
External links
- Review of Born Standing Up: A Comic's Life, by Jeff Giles, Entertainment Weekly, November 16, 2007.
- Excerpt from Born Standing Up: A Comic's Life by Steve Martin, USA Today, November 20, 2007.
- Audio excerpt from Born Standing Up: A Comic’s Life, The New Yorker, October 29, 2007.