Biography
Born Jacob Cohen, Rodney Dangerfield has earned widespread regard among entertainers despite his frequent assertions to the contrary. His film credits encompass comedic roles in Caddyshack (1980), Easy Money (1983, which he co-wrote), Back To School (1986), and Ladybugs (1992), alongside dramatic parts such as Oliver Stone’s Natural Born Killers (1994). He voiced Mr. Burns’ son on The Simpsons and handled writing, composing, producing, and voicing duties for the animated feature Rover Dangerfield. Earlier screen appearances include The Projectionist (1970) and Benny And Barney: Las Vegas Undercover (1976). Between 1972 and 1973 he maintained a recurring presence on the Dean Martin Show. In 1994 he received a Lifetime Achievement honor at the American Comedy Awards and ranked 36th on Entertainment Weekly’s roster of the 50 funniest people.
Dangerfield matched that success in music. His first album, No Respect, earned a Grammy for best comedy album in 1980, and his follow-up, Rappin’ Rodney, captured the same award in 1983. He portrayed himself in the music video for Billy Joel’s “Tell Her About It.”
Dangerfield entered the world in Babylon, New York, and began crafting jokes at age 15. Two years after entering amateur-night contests at 17 he was already working as a singing waiter and comic. A decade on the East Coast club circuit left him discouraged by meager earnings, prompting him to exit entertainment in the 1940s for a string of unrelated jobs that included selling aluminum siding.
His career trajectory shifted decisively after he turned 40, when he resumed performing while keeping a daytime office job and nightly club dates in New York. He later established Dangerfield’s on First Avenue, from which he hosted an HBO comedy series that showcased emerging talents including Tim Allen, Roseanne Barr, Jim Carrey, Jeff Foxworthy, Sam Kinison, Jerry Seinfeld, and Rita Rudner. He also became a familiar television presence, logging 16 appearances on The Ed Sullivan Show and a record 70 on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson.
Although Dangerfield became the first performer to launch a website in February 1995, that milestone coincided with the height of his visibility. He disclosed a long-standing struggle with depression in 1997; shortly afterward, after six nights at the MGM Grand Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, he suffered a mild heart attack and underwent double-bypass surgery. Health constraints slowed his pace, yet he continued working, headlining the partly autobiographical film The 4th Tenor, which opened in November 2002.
His signature white shirt and red tie reside in the collection of the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C.
Dangerfield matched that success in music. His first album, No Respect, earned a Grammy for best comedy album in 1980, and his follow-up, Rappin’ Rodney, captured the same award in 1983. He portrayed himself in the music video for Billy Joel’s “Tell Her About It.”
Dangerfield entered the world in Babylon, New York, and began crafting jokes at age 15. Two years after entering amateur-night contests at 17 he was already working as a singing waiter and comic. A decade on the East Coast club circuit left him discouraged by meager earnings, prompting him to exit entertainment in the 1940s for a string of unrelated jobs that included selling aluminum siding.
His career trajectory shifted decisively after he turned 40, when he resumed performing while keeping a daytime office job and nightly club dates in New York. He later established Dangerfield’s on First Avenue, from which he hosted an HBO comedy series that showcased emerging talents including Tim Allen, Roseanne Barr, Jim Carrey, Jeff Foxworthy, Sam Kinison, Jerry Seinfeld, and Rita Rudner. He also became a familiar television presence, logging 16 appearances on The Ed Sullivan Show and a record 70 on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson.
Although Dangerfield became the first performer to launch a website in February 1995, that milestone coincided with the height of his visibility. He disclosed a long-standing struggle with depression in 1997; shortly afterward, after six nights at the MGM Grand Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, he suffered a mild heart attack and underwent double-bypass surgery. Health constraints slowed his pace, yet he continued working, headlining the partly autobiographical film The 4th Tenor, which opened in November 2002.
His signature white shirt and red tie reside in the collection of the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C.
Albums
