Rodney Dangerfield was one of the most beloved and influential comedians of all time. He was known for his self-deprecating one-liner humor, his catchphrase “I don’t get no respect!” and his monologues on that theme. He starred in several hit movies, such as Caddyshack, Easy Money, and Back to School, and made countless appearances on TV shows, such as The Tonight Show, Saturday Night Live, and The Simpsons. He was also a generous mentor to many young comedians, such as Jim Carrey, Jerry Seinfeld, and Adam Sandler.
But behind his hilarious persona, Rodney Dangerfield had a difficult and tragic life. He suffered from various health problems, personal struggles, and emotional issues throughout his career. He died on October 5, 2004, at the age of 82, after undergoing heart surgery. What was the cause of his death? How did he cope with his challenges? And what legacy did he leave behind? Here is the story of Rodney Dangerfield’s life and death.
Contents
Early Life and Career
Rodney Dangerfield was born Jacob Rodney Cohen on November 22, 1921, in Deer Park, New York. He was the son of Jewish parents Dorothy “Dotty” Teitelbaum and Phillip Cohen, who performed in vaudeville under the name Phil Roy. His father was rarely home; his son normally saw him only twice a year. Late in life, Cohen begged for, and received, his son’s forgiveness
Dangerfield’s mother was cruel and cold to him his entire life. Throughout his childhood she never kissed or hugged him or showed him any sign of affection
Rodney began writing jokes at the age of 15, and started performing before he was 20. He took his act to the road for ten years, using the stage name “Jack Roy”. While working as a struggling comedian, Rodney Dangerfield worked as a singing waiter. His first run at comedy was to no avail. Rodney Dangerfield married Joyce Indig in 1949 and had two children: Brian and Melanie. During the 1950s, Rodney was an aluminum siding salesman, living in New Jersey
The comedian made another attempt at stand-up comedy in the early 1960s, this time as Rodney Dangerfield. He changed his name to avoid confusion with another comedian named Jack Roy. He also developed his signature style of self-deprecating humor and his catchphrase “I don’t get no respect!”. He explained the origin of his catchphrase: “I had this joke: ‘I played hide and seek; they wouldn’t even look for me.’ To make it work better, you look for something to put in front of it: I was so poor, I was so dumb, so this, so that. I thought, ‘Now what fits that joke?’ Well, ‘No one liked me’ was all right. But then I thought, a more profound thing would be, ‘I get no respect.’”
He tried it at a New York club, and the joke drew a bigger response than ever. He kept the phrase in the act, and it became a permanent feature of his act and comedic persona
Rise to Fame and Success
Rodney Dangerfield’s career took off in the late 1960s and early 1970s, when he became a regular guest on The Ed Sullivan Show (1948), The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson (1962), and The Dean Martin Show (1965). He also opened his own comedy club in New York City in 1969, called Dangerfield’s. The club became a popular venue for comedians and celebrities, and helped launch the careers of many famous comics, such as Jerry Seinfeld, Jim Carrey, Roseanne Barr, Tim Allen, Andrew Dice Clay, and Sam Kinison.
Rodney Dangerfield also made his mark in Hollywood with several successful movies. His breakout film role came in 1980 as a boorish nouveau riche golfer in the ensemble comedy Caddyshack (1980), which also starred Chevy Chase, Ted Knight, and Bill Murray. He followed that with two more hit films in which he played the lead role: Easy Money (1983), as an insulting working class person who suddenly becomes a millionaire; and Back to School (1986), as a wealthy businessman who enrolls in college with his son.
Rodney Dangerfield also released several comedy albums and specials during this period. His most famous album was Rappin’ Rodney (1983), which earned him a Grammy nomination for best comedy album. The album featured a rap song with the same title, which parodied the then-emerging genre of hip hop. The song also had a music video, which was one of the first to air on MTV.
Health Problems and Personal Struggles
Despite his fame and fortune, Rodney Dangerfield was not happy. He suffered from various physical and mental health issues, such as depression, anxiety, insomnia, heart problems, and substance abuse. He also had a turbulent personal life, with three marriages and divorces, and strained relationships with his children. He once said: “I have everything I ever dreamed of having. It’s lonely at the top.”
Rodney Dangerfield underwent several surgeries and treatments for his heart condition, which began in the late 1980s. He had a double bypass surgery in 1993, a heart valve replacement in 1999, and an angioplasty in 2000. He also suffered a mild heart attack in 2001
In August 2004, Rodney Dangerfield underwent another heart valve replacement surgery at the UCLA Medical Center. The surgery was complicated by an infection and an abdominal problem. He also suffered a small stroke after the operation. He remained in a coma for several weeks, and never regained full consciousness. He died on October 5, 2004, at the age of 82. The cause of his death was complications from the surgery
Legacy and Influence
Rodney Dangerfield was widely regarded as one of the greatest comedians of all time. He influenced many generations of comics with his unique style of humor and his relentless work ethic. He was admired and respected by his peers and fans alike. He received many honors and awards for his contributions to comedy, such as a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, an American Comedy Award for lifetime achievement, and an honorary doctorate from the University of Colorado.
Rodney Dangerfield’s comedy club, Dangerfield’s, is still operating in New York City, and continues to showcase new and established comedians. His movies and albums are still popular and widely available. His jokes and catchphrase are still quoted and referenced in pop culture. His life story was adapted into a book, It’s Not Easy Bein’ Me: A Lifetime of No Respect but Plenty of Sex and Drugs (2004), which he co-wrote with David Permut, and a documentary, Rodney Dangerfield: No Respect (2006), which he narrated.
Rodney Dangerfield may have felt that he got no respect in life, but he certainly earned it in death. He was a comedy legend who made millions laugh with his jokes and his persona. He was a generous mentor who helped many aspiring comedians achieve their dreams. He was a courageous fighter who battled his demons and his diseases with humor and grace. He was Rodney Dangerfield, and he will always be remembered.
