Growing Up Laughing: My Story and the Story of Funny by Marlo Thomas Summary

1. Comedy legends shaped Marlo Thomas’s worldview through nightly dinner table mentorship.
2. Growing up among stars like Milton Berle provided an unconventional education in timing and authenticity.
3. Laughter became Thomas’s family legacy and primary coping mechanism during personal challenges.
4. Danny Thomas used humor strategically to disarm conflict and strengthen father-daughter bonds.
5. “That Girl” emerged from lessons learned observing comedy’s power to redefine cultural norms.
6. Thomas credits her career success to studying comedians’ vulnerability beneath punchlines.
7. Family humor created resilience against Hollywood pressures and industry sexism in the 1960s.
8. Thomas’s “Free to Be…” project distilled childhood comedy lessons into social change tools.
9. Marrying Phil Donahue required embracing humor as shared language across differing personalities.
10. Collecting modern comedians’ origin stories revealed universal links between pain and comic genius.
11. Thomas proves laughter builds bridges better than arguments when navigating generational differences.
12. The book positions comedy as emotional intelligence training disguised as entertainment.

About the Author

Marlo Thomas, award-winning actress, author, and activist, brings her signature wit and warmth to Growing Up Laughing, a memoir exploring humor’s transformative power through personal stories and interviews with comedy legends. As the daughter of iconic comedian Danny Thomas, her childhood immersed in Hollywood’s golden age fuels the book’s candid reflections on family, resilience, and the craft of laughter.

A four-time Emmy winner and Peabody recipient, Thomas revolutionized television with That Girl and the groundbreaking Free to Be…You and Me franchise, which became cultural touchstones celebrating individuality. Her other bestselling works include The Right Words at the Right Time and Thanks and Giving: All Year Long, blending personal narratives with universal themes of hope.

As National Outreach Director for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Thomas has championed pediatric cancer research for decades, earning the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2014. Growing Up Laughing distills her lifelong passion for storytelling into a relatable portrait of humor’s healing power, solidifying her legacy as a pioneer in entertainment and advocacy. The book became a New York Times bestseller, praised for bridging generational insights with timeless wisdom.

FAQs About This Book

What is Growing Up Laughing by Marlo Thomas about?

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.

Who should read Growing Up Laughing?

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.

Is Growing Up Laughing worth reading?

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.

How does Growing Up Laughing explore the role of comedy in family dynamics?

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.

What are three key takeaways from Growing Up Laughing?

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.

What notable quotes appear in Growing Up Laughing?

• “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.

How does Growing Up Laughing compare to other celebrity memoirs?

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.

What criticisms exist about Growing Up Laughing?

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.

How does Growing Up Laughing address Marlo Thomas’s career beyond comedy?

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”.

Why is Growing Up Laughing relevant to modern readers?

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.

How does the book portray Danny Thomas’s influence on Marlo’s life?

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.

What behind-the-scenes insights does Growing Up Laughing provide about comedy legends?

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.