Biography

E2 Episode 2: Rodney Dangerfield

• 1h
• Jan 2, 2012

Trace the unlikely rise of the comedian whose self‑deprecating humor and signature lament—“I don’t get no respect”—made him one of the most beloved figures in American comedy. The episode follows Dangerfield from his difficult early years and stalled first attempts at show business to his remarkable comeback in mid‑life, when his sharp timing and everyman persona finally caught fire. Biography explores his legendary appearances on The Ed Sullivan Show and The Tonight Show, his creation of the famed Dangerfield’s comedy club, and his transition into film with scene‑stealing roles in Caddyshack, Easy Money, and Back to School. Interviews and archival footage reveal a performer who turned personal hardship into universal laughter, crafting a comic identity that resonated across generations. The program paints a warm, funny, and poignant portrait of a man who earned respect by joking about never getting any.