I Must Say: My Life As Humble Comedy Legend

Written by Martin Short

Narrated by Martin Short

“Short’s endearing memoir is, of course, funny, but it’s also a rare thing: the tale of a genuine human being who’s thrived on planet Hollywood.” — Washington Post

In this engagingly witty, wise, and heartfelt memoir, Martin Short tells the tale of how a showbiz-obsessed kid from Canada transformed himself into one of Hollywood's favorite funnymen, known to his famous peers as the ""comedian's comedian.""

Short takes the reader on a rich, hilarious, and occasionally heartbreaking ride through his life and times, from his early years in Toronto as a member of the fabled improvisational troupe Second City to the all-American comic big time of Saturday Night Live, and from memorable roles in such movies as ¡Three Amigos! and Father of the Bride to Broadway stardom in Fame Becomes Me and the Tony-winning Little Me.

He reveals how he created his most indelible comedic characters, among them the manic man-child Ed Grimley, the slimy corporate lawyer Nathan Thurm, and the bizarrely insensitive interviewer Jiminy Glick. Throughout, Short freely shares the spotlight with friends, colleagues, and collaborators, among them Steve Martin, Tom Hanks, Gilda Radner, Mel Brooks, Nora Ephron, Eugene Levy, Catherine O'Hara, Paul Shaffer, and David Letterman.

But there is another side to Short's life that he has long kept private. He lost his eldest brother and both parents by the time he turned twenty, and, more recently, he lost his wife of thirty years to cancer. In I Must Say, Short talks for the first time about the pain that these losses inflicted and the upbeat life philosophy that has kept him resilient and carried him through.

In the grand tradition of comedy legends, Martin Short offers a show-business memoir densely populated with boldface names and rife with retellable tales: a hugely entertaining yet surprisingly moving self-portrait that will keep you laughing—and crying—from the first page to the last.

• Language: English
• Publisher: HarperCollins
• Release date: Nov 4, 2014
• ISBN: 9780062350855

Martin Short

Martin Short is an Emmy- and Tony Award-winning Canadian-born actor and comic, adored for his work on SCTV and Saturday Night Live, as well as in such acclaimed movies as ¡Three Amigos!, Father of the Bride, and Inherent Vice, not to mention dozens of memorable talk-show, prime-time, and theatrical appearances, from TV's Damages to his one-man Broadway hit Martin Short: Fame Becomes Me. He lives in Pacifc Palisades, California.

Reviews for I Must Say

[Jessica Renee Mobley · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

A great pleasure to have his life story read to me by himself. I loved it! I'm going to go watch my favorite movie as a child "pure luck" now. :)

[detailmuse · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

A recap of Short's comedy career (including stage troupes in Canada and then SCTV, SNL, Broadway, film and TV), plus childhood and marriage/family too, much of it tragic.His performance of so many of his characters and impersonations makes the audio version very entertaining.

[RobertAaronGraham · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Very interesting career for Martin Short. Loved his change of voice narration when he was talking about his characters. Sadness was evident and how he moved forward and became stronger at each turn. If you ever watched SCTV or Ed Grimley a must read. I remember when I was a child I dressed up to look like Ed Grimley. Didn't pull it off but eh I tried. thank you

[Darcy Danielson · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

What a privilege to hear Marty tell his story into my ears. These listening hours have filled my heart so that it's brimming with his love of friends, family and funnyness. My eyes are also brimming. These tears burble up from cracking up laughing as well as feeling the deep human condition of palpable loss. Love ya, babe.

[Nichole Roberts · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I absolutely loved this! I have been a long fan of Martin Short and to hear his story and how he started, about the love of his life, it was so good and to hear him tell it himself. I love audiobooks that have the author read their own stories. I had no idea about so much of his life early on and love how long him and Steve Martin (another long time favorite of mine) have been close. So many times I laughed out loud at parts and all the different characters he went into character for. Such a joy and fun listen!

[laura · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This was so sweet, funny and heartbreaking all at the same time. I adore Martin and after this book I love him. ?

[David M Edelstein, PA · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Funny and touching I really enjoyed this and was sorry when it ended.

[andreitesting1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

We are entering the phase of exploring the possibility of reviewing this book.

[ibeth_2 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I was never a fan of Martin Short's characters; Ed Grimley and such are too broad for me. (Though I could watch the synchronized swimming sketch 1000 times.) When I heard that this audiobook was nominated for an award, I decided to listen. I ended up reading the ebook and listening to the audio, and the audio (narrated by Short himself) was especially funny. The book kept me up late into the night, giggling. Short comes across as interesting, smart, loyal, self-deprecating, funny, and kind . . . and he tells great stories about himself and about the many other famously talented people he knows. This book was alternately hilarious and touching. I laughed, I cried--really!

[Ross Taylor · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

I wanted to like this book but sadly didn't. Seems to be a lot of name dropping and little to no interesting information. Was not a fan.

[Bobbi Moody · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Love this book. So refreshing and great insight. Definitely recommend

[carol thomas · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Brilliant, witty, poignant, insightful, funny and heartfelt. Nancy would be so proud.

[Frank Sellers · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

A wonderful memoire. After listening to it, I’m fairly confident that one day your ship will come in, Martin Short!

[Patty · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

A joy and a real privilege to listen to. Great book!

[Jahel Corbán Caldera · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

What a lovely memoir. I have listened to many memoirs in the past few years and this one stands out as a love letter. It might be Martin’s voice or the way he tells the stories, but it just really warmed my heart. Despite the chapter about that poorly aged character that he had in the early 2000s, Short’s book stands out as honest and unpretentious… even whit all that name dropping. Give it a try! It makes you look at him with a different eye!

[William · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Outstanding biography! Funny, touching, and always interesting. Some great insight into a comedy legend.

[D · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Enjoyable biography. Full of interesting anecdotes. Particularly thoughtful account of how Martin Short overcame different hurdles & heartbreaks.

[Dundee Cantu · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Great, honest and funny autobiography of a comic legend. A humble one of course.

[David Flowers · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Hilarious and heartbreaking. Now that it’s over, I sense a hole in my life where this book has been the past week.

[John Carpenter · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Martin Short’s memoir was both hilarious and heartbreaking. I expected it to just be fun and games, but this funny man has dealt with some pretty heavy stuff is his life but has always kept a positive attitude and a stubborn will to carry on. The audio book is almost 9 hours long, but I was engaged the whole time and by the end, I was left wanting more. If you love Martin Short as I do, you’ll love this book and leave with a greater respect for this talented man.

[E Sprigg · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

One of my favorite autobiographies (and I read A LOT of them). I've always loved Martin Short but with this book you truly get a sense of the man behind all the laughs and talent. It's very refreshing to hear about someone in show business that leans more on the positive selfless side than the self obsessed negative side. Amazing read and highly recommended! Really funny in spots too!

[Steven Stankevitz · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I enjoyed listening to author in his words. Thanks Steven

[mark · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This is not a deep dive into Martin Short and no major insights will likely be drawn on what life events helped create one of the funniest people in entertainment.

There are dozens of name drops as Martin is connected to many of Hollywood’s elite.

But there are so many touching moments of his life with his wife. He shares a deep connection to his children, friends and his rise, dip, rise career.

It’s very entertaining and for his bits of the Ed Grimley voice alone it’s worth the time and deserves a 5-star review.

[Camille · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Martin did an excellent job reading his book - he was hilarious and I loved hearing the different voices he used and the musical additions. I think this is probably better suited as an audiobook than a physical book.

[donderkis · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

A fun, funny, poignant, and deeply humanizing memoir by one of my favorite comedians. I'm so glad to have heard the audio book. I truly appreciated the author's reading fully with interludes delivered by Short's various characters we've loved in his decades long career.

[Michael Fredericks · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I was captivated. Well done Martin Short! Has given me a fresh appreciation for his brilliant work and many moments of reflection on life and loss.

[Jason Kennedy · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

What a wonderful journey through Martin's Short's life thus far. Including the hardships he's had to sustain. The final chapter blew me away. And Martin Short tells the story so beautifully. 5 stars from me.

[uberbutter · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

What an absolute delight. Oh, Martin Short, I have a whole new respect for you. What a touching, sincere, and funny memoir. Get it in audio form if you can, absolutely amazing.

[Steisha Ponczoch · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This was the first book in as far back as I can remember that I was genuinely disappointed to have end.

[M. Bronzan · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

He's a pretty GREAT story teller, I must say. Thanks!