Born Standing Up: A Comic's Life by Steve Martin

Ok, a small confession: I had never read a biography before. Scratch that. I had never read a biography before for leisure. I have read some for book reports, Arthur Ashe and Benjamin Franklin I think. Yeah, definitely Franklin because I remember the homemade bald cap my mother had made for me to wear when I gave my presentation in third grade. Normally, biographies aren’t my style, but this week I decided to try one out from a writer/playwright whose works (Shopgirl, The Underpants, Picasso at the Lapine Agile) I have enjoyed in the past, Steve Martin.

Born Standing Up: A Comic’s Life is Martin’s memoir chronicling his life as a standup comedian from early childhood to when he decided to give it up. The book is an encapsulating evolution of how Martin developed and refined his act starting with him as a child with his first performance as Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer, through the times he did magic tricks at amusement parks and then small gigs strumming on the Banjo at folksy dives, up to performances on The Tonight Show and hosting SNL. You will truly gain an appreciation of how his success was not purely due to talent, but more the result of trial and error and his life experiences. He describes his development as a comic that comes about because of his loves, his experiences with drugs, his struggles with anxiety and loneliness, his college education in logic and his relationships. Martin’s description of his relationship with his father is the most touching of all. His father was a hard man who was unsupportive of Martin’s career as a comedian until he was on his brink of death. I cried when Steve tells of the moment he was able to finally connect with his father. There is humor in the book too as Martin reveals pieces of former bits and anecdotes about the times. For example, he tells of how the free sex age when he was with multiple girls while on tour. On behalf of the readers Martin inquires on whether or not the girls he fooled around with were attractive and he replies, “Of course, we were in our twenties. Everyone’s attractive in their twenties.” It’s Martin’s style that has made me a fan of his writing. He’s witty and fun and this memoir makes him real to me and not so untouchable like most celebs. Hey Steve, I'm still a fan.

If you’re interested in reading Martin, but don’t have the time to read, I recommend one of the audio versions. He usually narrates himself and includes Banjo excerpts that are played by Martin himself.

Here's some classic Steve for your enjoyment: