Rodney Dangerfield
Biography
Jack Roy (born Jacob Rodney Cohen; November 22, 1921 – October 5, 2004), better known by the pseudonym Rodney Dangerfield, was an American stand-up comedian, actor, screenwriter, and producer. 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 began his career working as a stand-up comic at the Fantasy Lounge in New York City. His act grew in popularity as he became a mainstay on late-night talk shows throughout the 1960s and 1970s, eventually developing into a headlining act on the Las Vegas casino circuit. His catchphrase "I don't get no respect!" came from an attempt to improve one of his stand-up jokes. "I played hide and seek; they wouldn't even look for me." He thought the joke would be stronger if it used the format: "I was so ..." beginning ("I was so poor," "He was so ugly," "She was so stupid," etc.).[clarification needed] He tried "I get no respect," and got a much better response from the audience; it became a permanent feature of his act and comedic persona. He appeared in a few bit parts in films, such as The Projectionist, throughout the 1970s, but his breakout film role came in 1980 as a boorish nouveau riche golfer in the ensemble comedy Caddyshack, which was followed by two additional successful films in which he starred: 1983's Easy Money and 1986's Back to School. Additional film work kept him busy through the rest of his life, mostly in comedies, but with a rare dramatic role in 1994's Natural Born Killers as an abusive father.
Personal Details
Also Known As
Movies (39)
The Many Faces of Jim Carey
as Self (Archive Footage)
2023
The Improv: 50 Years Behind the Brick Wall
as Self (archive footage)
2013
The Onion Movie
as Rodney Dangerfield
2008
The Best of Carson, Volume 1
2006
Angels with Angles
as God
2005
Brother Sam: A Tribute to Sam Kinison
as Himself
2005
Back By Midnight
as Jake Puloski
2005
Rodney Dangerfield: Rodney's Act
as Himself
2004
The Electric Piper
as Rat-A-Tat-Tat (voice)
2003
The 4th Tenor
as Lupo
2002
Porn Star: The Legend of Ron Jeremy
as Self (archive footage)
2001
Little Nicky
as Lucifer
2000
My 5 Wives
as Monte Peterson
2000
Caddyshack: The 19th Hole
as Al Czervik (archive footage)
1999
Sam Kinison: Why Did We Laugh?
as Self
1999
The Godson
as The Rodfather
1998
Rusty: A Dog's Tale
as Bandit the Rabbit (voice)
1998
Casper: A Spirited Beginning
as Johnny Hunt
1997
Rodney Dangerfield's 75th Birthday Toast
as Self
1997
Meet Wally Sparks
as Wally Sparks
1997
Guide to Golf Style and Etiquette
as Himself
1996
Casper
as Rodney Dangerfield (uncredited)
1995
Natural Born Killers
as Mallory's Dad
1994
A Tribute to Sam Kinison
as Self - Host
1993
Ladybugs
as Chester Lee
1992
Rodney Dangerfield's The Really Big Show
as Self
1991
Rover Dangerfield
as Rover (voice)
1991
The Earth Day Special
as Dr. Vinny Boombatz
1990
An Amazin Era: Revised and Updated
as Self
1989
Rodney Dangerfield: Opening Night at Rodney's Place
as Self
1989
Moving
as Loan Broker (uncredited)
1988
Rodney Dangerfield: Nothin' Goes Right
as Self
1988
Rodney Dangerfield: It's Not Easy Bein' Me
as Self
1986
An Amazin' Era
as Self
1986
Back to School
as Thornton Melon
1986
Rodney Dangerfield Hosts the 9th Annual Young Comedians Special
as host
1985
Rodney Dangerfield: Exposed!
as Himself
1985
The Rodney Dangerfield Special: I Can't Take It No More
as Self / Various
1983
Easy Money
as Monty Capuletti
1983
TV Shows (11)
Phil of the Future
2004
Still Standing
as Ed Bailey
2002
Suddenly Susan
as Artie
1996
Saturday Night Special
1996
MADtv
as Self - Host
1995
The Single Guy
as Rodney Dangerfield
1995
Dr. Katz, Professional Therapist
as Rodney (voice)
1995
The Tonight Show with Jay Leno
1992
Home Improvement
as Rodney Dangerfield
1991
Where's Rodney?
as Self
1990
The Simpsons
as Larry Burns (voice)
1989