Rodney Dangerfield, aka Jacob Rodney Cohen, started his entertainment-career with stand-up comedy. He got his first break on ‘The Ed Sullivan Show’ (1968), followed by several appearances on the same show as well as on ‘The Dean Martin Show,’ and ‘The Tonight Show.’ He also appeared on the TV-series ‘That’s Life’ (1968-1969).
He appeared in an uncredited part in the 1956 film ‘The Killing,’ while the comedy-film ‘The Perfectionist’ (1970) is considered as Dangerfield’s debut film. In the golf-comedy ‘Caddyshack’ (1980), he played an insufferable nouveau riche businessman, a small part which was later expanded, bringing him much appreciation. This popularity earned him main roles in comedy-films ‘Easy Money’ (1983) and ‘Back to School’ (1986, also as co-writer).
During the 1980s, Dangerfield had his own successful TV-shows, including ‘Rodney Dangerfield: It’s Not Easy Being Me,’ ‘Rodney Dangerfield: I Can’t Take it Anymore,’ ‘Rodney Dangerfield: Nothing Goes Right,’ and more.
Dangerfield co-produced, wrote and voiced the animated musical-comedy ‘Rover Dangerfield’ (1991), followed by a starring role as ‘sponsor of girl-soccer team’ in ‘Ladybugs’ (1992). Next, he essayed a dramatic role as ‘offensive father’ in ‘Natural Born Killers’ (1994).
Dangerfield appeared in several episodes of ‘The Simpsons’ (1996), ‘Suddenly Susan’ (1996), ‘Home improvement’ (1997), ‘Still Standing’ (2004), and also made frequent appearances on ‘The Tonight Show with Jay Leno’ (1995-2004).
After featuring as himself in ‘Casper’ (1995), Dangerfield co-wrote and played the title role in the comedy-film ‘Meet Wally Sparks’ (1997). He was ‘Rodfather’ in the parody of ‘The Godfather’ franchise ‘The Godson’ (1998). In 2000, he starred in the comedy-film ‘My 5 Wives’ and the fantasy-comedy ‘Little Nicky’ as ‘Satan’s father Lucifer.’ Thereafter, he wrote and starred in the comedy-film ‘The 4th Tenor’ (2002).
‘Back by Midnight,’ ‘Angels with Angels,’ and ‘The Onion Movie’ were released posthumously.
