First published 1967
Robert Lewis Taylor brings W.C. Fields to life in this biography that became a classic soon after its 1949 publication. The Pulitzer Prize winning author examines the legendary comedian who made audiences laugh helplessly for decades. Taylor approaches his subject with both comedic sensibility and deep emotional understanding. He reveals the contradictions that defined Fields: the performer who charmed millions while remaining perpetually difficult in person. The book includes sixteen pages of photographs that document Fields' career and personal life. Taylor balances the humor that made Fields famous with the sadness that drove much of his comedy. He shows how Fields developed his distinctive persona and why that character resonated so powerfully with American audiences. The biography demonstrates how Fields' cantankerous stage presence reflected genuine aspects of his personality while also serving as carefully crafted entertainment. Taylor's treatment captures both the public figure who became an icon and the private man behind the performances.
Genres: biography, 20th-century, american, comedy
Vibes: emotional, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: contradictions, persona, public-figure
Period: 1949
16 pages · Paperback · St Martins Press