Growing Up Laughing by Marlo Thomas Summary

Growing Up Laughing is a memoir exploring Marlo Thomas’s upbringing in a comedy-driven household, shaped by her father Danny Thomas and legends like Milton Berle and George Burns. It blends personal anecdotes with insights into the art of humor, detailing how laughter influenced her career in entertainment and resilience during life’s challenges. The book also features interviews with comedians like Jerry Seinfeld and Tina Fey, offering a behind-the-scenes look at comedy’s cultural impact.

This book appeals to comedy enthusiasts, fans of celebrity memoirs, and readers interested in family dynamics. Those drawn to stories about resilience, creative careers, or mid-20th-century entertainment history will find value. It’s also ideal for Marlo Thomas admirers curious about her groundbreaking role in That Girl and her philanthropic work with St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

Yes, for its unique blend of humor and heartfelt storytelling. Thomas’s access to comedy icons provides rare industry insights, while her reflections on balancing fame with personal growth add depth. Critics praise its warmth but note some anecdotes lack narrative rigor. Fans rate it 3.84/5 on Goodreads, highlighting its nostalgic appeal and inspirational tone.

The book positions humor as a bonding tool and coping mechanism within the Thomas family. Marlo recounts how her father used jokes to diffuse tension, while family gatherings doubled as impromptu comedy workshops. This environment taught her that laughter could transform adversity into connection—a theme she later applied to her activism and creative projects.

1. Comedy as legacy: Growing up surrounded by legends like Sid Caesar shaped Marlo’s career and comedic timing.
2. Laughter as resilience: Humor helped the Thomas family navigate personal and professional challenges.
3. Authenticity in entertainment: The book underscores Marlo’s pioneering role in creating That Girl, which redefined women’s portrayals on TV.

• “I was a lucky kid to have a seat at the table with those comic warriors who could bring strangers together in laughter”.
• “He couldn’t let go of my boyfriends, even after I had”, illustrating Danny Thomas’s protective humor.
• “Never face facts; if you do, you’ll never get up in the morning”, reflecting Marlo’s optimistic philosophy.

Unlike typical Hollywood memoirs, Thomas focuses less on scandals and more on comedy’s cultural impact. It shares thematic parallels with Steve Martin’s Born Standing Up but stands out for its emphasis on familial influence and interviews with contemporary comedians. The blend of personal and industry history makes it a crossover pick for comedy scholars and casual readers alike.

Some reviewers note uneven pacing, with tightly crafted celebrity interviews contrasting with loosely structured childhood anecdotes. A Kirkus review suggests the humor occasionally feels performative rather than introspective. However, most praise its originality in merging memoir with comedy history.

The memoir touches on her activism, including St. Jude Hospital fundraising and feminist advocacy through Free to Be…You and Me. Thomas connects these endeavors to lessons learned from her father: “My father said there were two kinds of people—givers and takers. The givers sleep better”.

Its themes of using humor to navigate uncertainty resonate in turbulent times. The book also offers historical context for today’s female comedians, highlighting Thomas’s trailblazing work in normalizing women-led sitcoms—a precursor to shows like The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel.

Danny emerges as both a nurturing father and demanding mentor. His mantra—“Make ’em laugh, but make it matter”—guided Marlo’s career choices, from That Girl to socially conscious projects. Their relationship is depicted as creatively enriching but complex, with Marlo balancing parental expectations with her own ambitions.

The book reveals:

• George Burns’ mastery of punchline delivery.
• Sid Caesar’s improvisation techniques.
• How Bob Hope’s USO tours inspired Marlo’s philanthropic approach.

These vignettes humanize icons while dissecting the craft behind their humor.