Growing Up Laughing

Growing Up Laughing is Marlo Thomas's memoir about her childhood in a comedy-filled household, led by her father Danny Thomas - a pioneering entertainer in early television. The book combines personal memories with insights into the comedy world of the 1950s and 1960s. Thomas includes conversations with contemporary comedians like Jerry Seinfeld, Whoopi Goldberg, and Robin Williams, who share their perspectives on humor and their paths to success. These interviews are woven between chapters about her own experiences growing up surrounded by entertainers and comedy legends who frequented her family home. The narrative covers Thomas's journey from childhood through her development as a performer, while examining how comedy shaped her worldview and relationships. Through family stories, behind-the-scenes glimpses of show business, and a collection of classic jokes, the book documents an era of American entertainment history. The memoir explores themes of family bonds, the role of humor in navigating life's challenges, and the evolution of American comedy across generations. It stands as both a personal history and a broader examination of how comedy functions in families and society.

Readers describe this book as part memoir, part comedy history, and part interview collection. Many note it provides insight into growing up as Danny Thomas's daughter and offers perspective on comedy's evolution through conversations with notable comedians. Readers appreciated: - Personal stories about her father and their family life - Interviews with comedians like Jerry Seinfeld and Jon Stewart - Historical context about early television comedy - The role humor played in her upbringing Common criticisms: - Scattered structure that jumps between memoir and interviews - Too much focus on interviewing current comedians rather than personal stories - Some found the jokes and anecdotes dated Ratings: Goodreads: 3.6/5 (685 ratings) Amazon: 4.1/5 (116 ratings) One reader noted: "The best parts were her memories of growing up in a celebrity household." Another said: "The interviews feel like filler - I wanted more about her own experiences."

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🎭 Marlo Thomas grew up surrounded by comedy legends - her father Danny Thomas frequently hosted stars like George Burns, Bob Hope, and Milton Berle in their family home. 📺 The author went on to become a groundbreaking television star herself, winning four Emmy Awards, a Peabody, and a Grammy for her work including "Free to Be... You and Me." 📚 Throughout the book, Thomas intersperses her personal memoir with interviews from contemporary comedians like Jerry Seinfeld, Whoopi Goldberg, and Robin Williams about how they developed their comedic voices. 🏆 Danny Thomas, the author's father, founded St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in 1962, and Marlo Thomas continues his legacy as the hospital's National Outreach Director. 🎬 The book reveals how comedy served as a survival tool during tough times for many performers, including how Thomas's father used humor to overcome poverty and discrimination as a Lebanese immigrant in America.