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.
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.
How does an idea become a band and, in turn, become the stuff of legend? That's the question Dan Aykroyd (a.k.a. Elwood Blues himself) sets out to answer in this engaging audio documentary. From the band's humble beginnings in an SNL sketch to their big-screen heyday performing with legends like Aretha Franklin, Aykroyd shares the fascinating inside story of his life as one of history's most famous entertainers. The audio documentary includes interviews with former band members, industry icons, and more.
In this bright, brash memoir, comedian Leslie Jones shares stories that sing with her signature sharp wit. From her childhood in the South and her early days as a comic to work on major hits like Ghostbusters, SNL, and The Daily Show, her stories are as raw, honest, and brilliantly told as you’d expect. Her performance is engaging and full of emotion—you'll be crying and laughing right alongside her.
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.
In this hilarious and candid memoir, actor and standup comic Jimmy O. Yang writes about his life growing up in California as a Chinese immigrant, the risks he took to pursue a life in Hollywood rather than something more practical, and the many lessons he's learned along the way. His openhearted but wry delivery makes this story really shine in audio.
Steve Martin is easily one of the most iconic comics of all time. He got his start at the age of 10 at Disneyland, and by the late 1970s, had become the most successful comedian in the history of stand-up. Then, at the height of his fame, he quit the scene altogether. In this touching memoir, which he narrates with quiet honesty, he shares the reasons behind the choices he made, both during and after his career on the road.
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.
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.
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.
Phoebe Robinson's brand of comedy is smart, challenging, and always surprising. One minute she's telling a hilarious story about a zipline, and the next she's offering a scathing critique of performative allyship. In this collection of essays, she delves into pop culture, being a woman who doesn't want kids, white guilt, and a whole lot more—with plenty of laughs and timely commentary along the way.
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.
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.
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.
With grace, openness, an unforgettable voice, and her characteristic sense of humor, Molly Shannon shares the heartbreaking story of her early life: growing up with her grieving father after the death of her mother and sister in a car crash. She grapples honestly with the legacy of her childhood, while also telling truly hilarious behind-the-scenes stories about her time on Saturday Night Live and beyond.
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.
Listeners looking for a memoir with a heavy dose of introspection will enjoy this collection of essays by comic Aparna Nancherla, host of the Audible Original The Introvert’s Survival Guide. Nancherla deftly uses humor to explore the phenomenon of imposter syndrome, both in her own life and more broadly. Her insights into mental health, self-doubt, body image, internet culture, and more are as profound as they are witty.
In this incisive collection of essays, W. Kamau Bell takes on a host of issues with nuance, compassion, and illuminative humor. He explores politics, fatherhood, interracial marriage, being a Black nerd, his misadventures in the comedy industry, and a whole lot more. His energetic voice makes for an invigorating listening experience every step of the way.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
The host of The Colbert Report brings his best satire and sarcasm to this hilarious, scathing book. Part memoir, part political commentary, and part musing on a semi-random collection of topics that Colbert finds interesting, this audiobook—the life story of Colbert the character, not the man who portrays him—is chock-full of unbelievable anecdotes and smart takes that will have you laughing out loud.
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 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.
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.
