10 Hilarious Memoirs by the World's Funniest People

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It's probably no surprise that comedians are unparalleled when it comes to writing about their lives and finding the funny side in even the darkest of moments. This unique knack for storytelling is exactly what makes memoirs and biographies written by comedians great options to add to your read list. Regardless of whether or not you're a fan of stand-up comedy, these 10 biographies by comedians will have you laughing and reflecting on your own journey through life.

We've rounded up unmissable memoirs from some of the world's comedy greats, many of who aren't afraid to dive into how their careers started, and to get raw about the highs and lows of their lives. From Steve Martin's unmatched rise to fame in the late '60s and early '70s to Kevin Hart's persistence as a touring comedian, these memoirs speak of unprecedented success. If you're ready for a book that will make you laugh while providing introspection and inspiration, add these 10 memoirs and biographies to your reading list.

'I Can't Make This Up: Life Lessons' by Kevin Hart

Kevin Hart's comedy career truly went stratospheric, but as he details in his memoir, success wasn't instantaneous. In I Can't Make This Up: Life Lessons, Hart reflects on his early life, his first marriage, and the sacrifices he made in order to pursue a career as a stand-up comedian. He may be a major movie star now, but he relentlessly toured his comedy routine all over the United States for years before he broke into acting. Inspirational, hilarious, and completely candid.

'Leslie F*cking Jones' by Leslie Jones

Leslie Jones is an undisputed queen of comedy, having been a regular Saturday Night Live cast member from 2014 to 2019. Hosting stints on Supermarket Sweep and The Daily Show, and acting roles in movies like the 2016 all-female Ghostbusters remake, cemented her status as one of the funniest comedians of the 21st century.

In Leslie F*cking Jones, the eponymous author revisits her childhood, her introduction to the entertainment industry, and the challenges she faced as a Black woman in the comedy space. Not to be missed.

'Born Standing Up' by Steve Martin

With Only Murders in the Building, Steve Martin has found himself in the zeitgeist once again, but it's far from the only time he's been there. The accomplished comedian, actor, author, screenwriter, and musician has had an incomparable career spanning six decades.

Born Standing Up is an intimate portrait of Martin's comedy career, from his childhood, which involved working at Disneyland, to his decision to quit stand-up despite being ridiculously successful. If you've ever wondered how Martin came to prominence, Born Standing Up is the book for you.

'All About Me!: My Remarkable Life in Show Business' by Mel Brooks

Mel Brooks' impact on the world of comedy can't be overstated. Long-awaited memoir All About Me!: My Remarkable Life in Show Business was nominated for a Goodreads Choice Award and documents Brooks' amazing career.

The book covers everything from his youth in Brooklyn during the Great Depression to the Broadway projects, TV series, and movies that proved he was an unrivaled talent. The recipient of a plethora of awards, from a Kennedy Center Honor to a BAFTA Fellowship, Brooks' memoir is a hilarious reflection on an impeccable career.

'The Last Black Unicorn' by Tiffany Haddish

Whether she's talking about the poverty she experienced as a child or her difficult marriage, Tiffany Haddish manages to be endlessly endearing and genuinely funny.

The Last Black Unicorn tells Haddish's extraordinary story, revealing how she discovered her love of comedy and the steps she took to build an incredible career. Haddish also addresses the hurdles she faced when she started finding success, and the way that impacted the close relationships in her life. Haddish will have you laughing from the first page.

'Dear Girls: Intimate Tales, Untold Secrets & Advice for Living Your Best Life' by Ali Wong

Ali Wong struck a chord with audiences thanks to her brutally personal comedy and ability to make fun of the lowest moments of her life. Dear Girls is a collection of letters to her daughters, exploring everything from her marriage to the failed romantic relationships of her youth. Rather than shying away from the more uncomfortable moments, Wong leans into the awkwardness of life, resonating with readers and audience members alike.

Basically, regardless of whether you've enjoyed Wong's work onstage or onscreen, you'll devour Dear Girls.

'Rebel Rising' by Rebel Wilson

Rebel Wilson made headlines with her memoir Rebel Rising because she wasn't afraid to discuss the worst moments in her career, along with personal details she hadn't shared before.

From her alleged experience working with Sacha Baron Cohen to the difficulties she faced with her fertility, Wilson's decision to be so honest with her fans hasn't gone unnoticed. The Pitch Perfect star took to her teenage diaries to find inspiration for her memoir, and she overcame a sense of shyness to open up in such a public way.

'How to American: An Immigrant's Guide to Disappointing Your Parents' by Jimmy O. Yang

Jimmy O. Yang came to prominence in his scene-stealing roles on HBO's Silicon Valley and the hit movie Crazy Rich Asians. But the comedian's path to fame was far from easy, and neither was the road to becoming an American citizen, either.

Having moved to Los Angeles from Hong Kong as a teenager, Yang had a deportation scare during a trip to Mexico before becoming an American citizen in his twenties. After defying his parents' wishes to pursue a sensible career, Yang followed his dream of being a stand-up comedian, and it certainly paid off.

'Challenge Accepted!: 253 Steps to Becoming an Anti-It Girl' by Celeste Barber

Praised by Hollywood superstars like Reese Witherspoon and Gwyneth Paltrow, Celeste Barber's book is the perfect introduction to one of Instagram's funniest influencers. Known for recreating famous people's Instagram pictures with extreme realism, Barber's brand of comedy has always felt unique.

Instead of trying to portray a perfect social media image, Barber has no qualms looking less than graceful online, which is completely refreshing. Challenge Accepted!: 253 Steps to Becoming an Anti-It Girl is the perfect comedy memoir, and might even inspire your internet activity.

'I'm Just a Person' by Tig Notaro

Tig Notaro went viral after revealing her cancer diagnosis onstage during a comedy routine, which was subsequently nominated for a Grammy. Notaro's candor about a sequence of devastating events that had led to the moment rightly garnered her a passionate fan base.

Since then, she's appeared in films like Instant Family and Army of the Dead and co-created One Mississippi, a TV series based on her life.

In I'm Just a Person, Notaro opens up about her life, including all of the difficult and challenging moments that inspired her heartbreaking yet hilarious stand-up routine.

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