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Jim Carrey: The Joker is Wild: The Trials and Triumphs of Jim Carrey
 
 
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Jim Carrey: The Joker is Wild: The Trials and Triumphs of Jim Carrey [Paperback]

Martin Knelman (Author)
4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)


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Book Description

March 4, 2000

This is the absorbing, touching story of a lonely boy from a troubled family who found the secret of making people laugh - and dreamed of becoming a comedy star.

When Jim Carrey's father (himself a frustrated performer) lost his job, the whole homeless family was enlisted to work as night cleaners at a factory in exchange for lodging in a strange suburb. Scrubbing washrooms by night turned Jim Carrey into a desperate and angry school dropout, and made Jim determined to succeed in a new life.

Jim developed a series of celebrity impressions that led to his comedy club breakthrough when he was 19. But his drive for the big time took him to Los Angeles, where he scuffled in comedy clubs and then landed a role in the hip TV series "In Living Color." That paved the way for a phenomenal movie breakthrough with the surprise hit "Ace Ventura", "Pet Detective." More hits followed: "Mask," "Dumb and Dumber" and "Liar, Liar."

Now, after his dramatic performance in "The Truman Show," Jim Carrey's career is taking an intriguing new direction. His role as the late comedian Andy Kaufman in the forthcoming "Man In The Moon" is already being described as Oscar material this March. Hilarious and poignant, Jim Carrey: The Joker Is Wild tells for the first time the full, astounding inside story of Jim Carrey's bumpy rise to stardom.


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Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Despite two unauthorized biographies, the inspired star of Man on the Moon and The Truman Show is still a mystery to his fans. Knelman does a good job of recounting the circumstances of Carrey's rise to fameDfrom the times when money was so scarce that his family was forced to live in a camper to his $20-million-dollar salary for the upcoming Grinch Who Stole Christmas. The star's life is played out here, with parents, agents, producers, and friends making appearances. Unfortunately, Carrey's own voice is missing. Like Roy Trakin's Jim Carrey: Unmasked (St. Martin's, 1995), this biography doesn't give a real sense of what the star is likeDwhich, given Carrey's private nature, may always be so. Nevertheless, fans of the comic actor will want to read Knelman's in-depth account as the best snapshot available of this enigmatic genius. Recommended for all popular and film collections.DKelli Perkins, Herrick D.L, Holland, MI
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review

Fans ... will want to read Knelman's in-depth account as the best shapshot available of this enigmatic genius. (Kelli Perkins Library Journal 20000615)

The fast moving, quote-filled book will engage fans and readers interested in Carrey and show business. (Susan H. Levine VOYA [Voice of Youth Advocates] 20000326)

The reader earns a new found respect for what it took this comedian-turned-actor to become a household name. (Paige Smoron Chicago Sun-Times 19991107)

Deliciously dark ... a must-read for Carrey-holics. (Leatrice Spevak Toronto Star 19991120)

Readers are given backstage passes to witness the genesis of his career. (Glenda Fordham Globe and Mail 19991109)

[Knelman] has pieced together a telling portrait, and written it in a style that's accessible and articulate. (James Muretich Calgary Herald 19991106)

The Joker is Wild digs deeper. (Deirdre Dolan National Post )

Carefully researched. (Wayne Newton London Free Press )

Product Details

  • Paperback: 230 pages
  • Publisher: Firefly Books (March 4, 2000)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 1552095355
  • ISBN-13: 978-1552095355
  • Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 5.9 x 0.8 inches
  • Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces
  • Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #241,627 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

 

Customer Reviews

11 Reviews
5 star:
 (8)
4 star:    (0)
3 star:
 (1)
2 star:
 (1)
1 star:
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Average Customer Review
4.2 out of 5 stars (11 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
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7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Kim's Review, March 20, 2000
This review is from: Jim Carrey: The Joker is Wild: The Trials and Triumphs of Jim Carrey (Paperback)
I thought this was one of the best books I have ever read. I really love and admire Jim Carrey and I thought I knew pretty much everything there is to know about him. I learned so much new stuff and the book never got boring. I read the whole thing in a few days. I couldn't put it down, even for a minute. It's a great book!
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3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
1.0 out of 5 stars If you like good writing . . ., July 13, 2002
By 
"purefilm25" (Vancouver, Canada) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Jim Carrey: The Joker is Wild: The Trials and Triumphs of Jim Carrey (Paperback)
Then find another book. Mr. Knelman seems incapable of painting his prose anything but purple. I couldn't get past the first chapter. There's a good book about Mr. Carrey waiting to be written; but this isn't it.
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3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars One of my new favorites..., January 23, 2001
This review is from: Jim Carrey: The Joker is Wild: The Trials and Triumphs of Jim Carrey (Paperback)
Wow, I just finished this great book, it is very well written, with insights in the world of Jim Carrey. Martin Knelman has written by far one of the best bios that I have ever read. He went into great detail of the feelings that where upon Jim Carrey and the people that surrounded him at the time. Through the begining to the end, you get to read a life of a born jokester, and his rise from poverty and a malnourished life, to a guy who makes a few bucks and makes everyone laugh or cry. The book is only 230 pages, but I guess if Martin Knelman, the author had dragged it on, then it would not of packed such a punch.

I have been a fan of Jim Carrey's since Ace Ventura: Pet Detective, and ever since then I have been emersed in the magic that is Jim Carrey. With only "Earth Girls Are Easy" being the bad movie in his career, which was not horrible, Jim Carrey has had a great life in film in television with a lot more to come. Films like "The Cable Guy" and "Truman Show" were horribly underrated and not given much of a chance. With the dark and witty humor that the "average" Jim carrey fan would not appreciate or enjoy. So to some it all up, a great choice and a great read, "Keep on laughing"...

Thanks for reading!

Ryan

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Inside This Book (learn more)
First Sentence:
PERCY CARREY would have loved spending Oscar night with Jim. Read the first page
Key Phrases - Statistically Improbable Phrases (SIPs): (learn more)
cable guy, comedy business, pet detective, doing impressions, comedy world, rubber face
Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
Jim Carrey, Comedy Store, Los Angeles, Ace Ventura, New York, The Mask, Mark Breslin, Robin Williams, The Truman Show, David Holiff, Fire Marshal Bill, Las Vegas, Percy Carrey, Lauren Holly, Allan Burns, North America, Warner Brothers, Howie Mandel, Jackson's Point, Johnny Carson, Linda Ronstadt, Rodney Dangerfield, Sam Kinison, Steve Oedekerk, United States
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