Note: This post was originally published on Audible.com.
Nobody writes memoirs quite like comedians—and it goes without saying that no one reads memoirs like them, either. If you’re in desperate need of a good laugh or a lighthearted look at a life well-lived, these author-narrated memoirs written by some of comedy’s greats are just the thing. We’ve curated a list of the funniest memoirs by comedians, each sparkling with the author's unique sense of humor.
The breakout star of hit comedies Pitch Perfect and Bridesmaids, actor Rebel Wilson has time and again proven her finely honed comic chops. In her candid memoir, Wilson gets vulnerable about the self-doubts that plagued her as she rose to the top in Hollywood. Whether recounting embarrassing mishaps or deeply heartfelt lessons learned about body image, sexuality, and self-worth, Wilson is at her warmest and most relatable in this memoir.
Shaun Micallef's road to becoming one of Australia's most recognized comics and TV personalities was not an easy one—and those challenges are the focus of his memoir. With self-deprecating wit and some genuine apology, he recounts his many mistakes and failures along the way. This is a fascinating behind-the-scenes look at a kid from Adelaide who grew up to make it big.
In this uproariously funny collection of cautionary tales, Australian comic Kitty Flanagan shares some of the hard-won wisdom she's gained from a life lived out loud. If you need advice on how not to get trapped in a walk-in freezer or how to break up with someone the wrong way, this is your book. Flanagan's narration, like each of her stories, is full of flair.
Hannah Gadsby's boundary-shattering, genre-shifting show Nanette broke open the comedy world with its candor and critique. In this memoir, they go even deeper, sharing the story of their childhood in Tasmania, their experiences with sexual violence as a young adult, their start in comedy, and their ongoing journey of self-discovery as a queer person.
Billy Connolly is an endlessly fascinating man and an incredible orator to boot, so getting the iconic Scottish comedian to talk about his life at length is a guaranteed win. Connolly's life has been far from easy, and this immediate nonfiction bestseller pulls no punches in detailing his rise from a Glasgow tenement flat to international comedy superstardom. A favorite in book clubs around the world, Windswept & Interesting is a natural audiobook, enhanced to no end by Connolly's masterful narration and incredible sense of timing.
A modern classic of comedy memoirs, this Audie Award-winning production charts Trevor Noah's childhood in apartheid South Africa. Noah tells his family's story with no shortage of humor and heart, using a range of accents and voices to embody the vivid cast of characters that populate his life. The result is an unforgettable listening experience.
In this collection of moving, hilarious, sometimes absurd but always smart letters to her daughters, comic Ali Wong shares what she knows about life as an Asian woman and mom and a star comedian in a male-dominated field. Her narration is lively and conversational, with just the right blend of gleefully over-the-top storytelling and down-to-earth wisdom.
Actor, performer, and comedian Kal Penn has lived many lives—from growing up the child of immigrants to confronting racism in Hollywood to working as an aide for President Barack Obama—and he recounts all of them with warmth, curiosity, and humor in this delightful audiobook. Full of absurd stories and heartfelt reflections, this is the perfect memoir for anyone who's ever taken a crooked path to get where they're going.
This is a can't-miss audiobook for fans of classic comedy. Comedic legend Carol Burnett shares the inside story on the making of 11 seasons of the Emmy Award-winning The Carol Burnett Show. She delves into her many successes and failures, little-known mishaps, favorite guests and moments, and a whole lot more while offering up the kind of unforgettable performance only a master entertainer can give.
Actor and comedian Seth Rogen is joined by a full cast of more than 80 voices, including megawatt cameos from Jason Segel, Tommy Chong, Billy Idol, and more in this collection of stories about his life on and off the stage. Whether he's talking about Jewish summer camp, all those drugs he did in his youth, or making it big in Los Angeles, you can always count on him being funny and insightful.
When Tig Notaro opened a comedy set in 2012 simply by saying, "I have cancer," it resonated with audiences and immediately went viral. In I'm Just a Person, she recounts that terrible year, marked by an agonizing breakup, multiple illnesses, and the death of her mother, all with her characteristic deadpan humor and moving vulnerability.
After her mother experienced a severe brain injury, Tiffany Haddish grew up in a series of foster homes around LA. She stumbled into comedy almost by accident, realizing she had a talent for it after working many other jobs. She shares her coming-of-age story with humor, but she's also stirringly vulnerable about her journey to success and the challenges she faced along the way. Don't skimp on the tissues; her sincere stories, paired with her authentic narration, will leave you oscillating between laughter and tears.
From his job as a writer on Saturday Night Live to his role on the critically acclaimed drama Breaking Bad, Bob Odenkirk’s career has been anything but ordinary. In this memoir he gets into all of it—his successes and failures, the surprising bumps in the road, his decision to become an action star at age 50, and the many legends he's worked with, including Steven Spielberg and Greta Gerwig. It's a wild ride.
Actress and comedian London Hughes narrates this bold manifesto of self-discovery in an upbeat, no-holds-barred tone. She knows her own strength and self-worth, and she's ready to share it with the world in the hopes that it will empower other women to go after their dreams too. Her journey is full of bumps, setbacks, and challenges, which makes it all the more relatable and her story truly unforgettable.
It's hard to imagine where comedy would be without John Cleese of Monty Python and Fawlty Towers fame. Even those who didn't grow up watching Python sketches can't miss its influence in all that has come after. In this entertaining memoir, Cleese writes about his quiet childhood, his early forays into comedy at university, and the founding of the comedy troupe that forever changed the trajectory of his life.
From her stint on Saturday Night Live to the hilarious sitcoms she created, like 30 Rock and The Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, Tina Fey is responsible for some of the biggest laughs in American television. She keeps the laughter coming in her memoir Bossypants, which explores her life and journey in comedy. Pairing her signature sidesplitting writing and delivery, the audiobook is the absolute best way to experience Fey's story.
There's no one quite like Suzy Eddie Izzard. Her unique brand of comedy blends a deep knowledge of pop culture and history, a playful sense of curiosity, and a surreal aesthetic that feels philosophical at times. With grace, candor, and moving insight into both her own psyche and human nature, Izzard shares the story of her life so far in this far-ranging memoir. Her delivery is nothing short of perfection—you might want to make sure you have one of her stand-up routines to listen to once you've finished this remarkable audiobook.
Hard questions and uncomfortable truths meet comedy in this insightful collection of essays from writer and cultural critic Ziwe. She digs into the archetype of the "Black friend," grapples with the nuances of identity, and shares her hot takes on pop culture—all while regaling listeners with personal stories that are both funny and moving.
Before her role on Glee catapulted her into mega-stardom, Jane Lynch had already made waves with her role in Christopher Guest's breakout comedy Best in Show. In her memoir, she addresses these major career milestones as well as her tumultuous years as a teen and young adult, when she drank, wrestled with her sexuality, and struggled to make ends meet. This is an inspirational story written and read by an iconic comedic voice.
In this delightfully fresh and funny book, actor, comedian, and producer Mindy Kaling regales listeners with her opinions on dating, friendship, fame, Hollywood, and more. Whether she's explaining what makes a really good friend or recounting romantic horror stories, listening to Mindy Kaling narrate this book feels like hanging out with that one super cool and smart friend who is also refreshingly relatable.
There's a long tradition of using comedy to tell the hardest stories, and stand-up comic Aida Rodriguez follows suit with poise and pizazz. She doesn't make light of the hardships she experienced as a child and young woman, but she also refuses to tell her story without her irrepressible sense of humor. In this heartwarming memoir, she shares the highs and lows of her life and career, her indomitable spirit shining through in her voice.
