Kevin Pollak rose through the comedy club ranks at the feet of Don Rickles and Bill Cosby, Johnny Carson and George Carlin. Named one of Comedy Central’s Top 100 Stand-Up Comedians of All Time, he’s a killer impressionist—Falk, Shatner, Walken, Nicholson—a versatile actor with one of the most respected filmographies around, and an Internet pioneer. He’s done it all, and now he’s ready to spill the beans.
Ballsy, hilarious, and revealing, How I Slept My Way to the Middle winningly combines never-before-heard stories featuring A-list entertainers with fan favorites and Kevin’s own thoughts about how he made it. He turned down his first invitation to do stand-up on The Tonight Show because he knew that he’d make a bigger splash if he sat on the couch next to Johnny. That huge risk—which paid off in spades—was just the beginning. Find out how he brought John Belushi to his knees, tortured Paul Reiser (twice), bamboozled Larry King, stole Alan Arkin’s soul, almost killed Warren Beatty, and sucked face with Robert De Niro’s girlfriend. Now a new media entrepreneur, Kevin is laughing proof that if you follow your gut and believe in yourself, you can do anything you want—except have a rational conversation with Rip Torn, who’s an evil, paranoid $#!%.
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"Kevin Pollak is delightful and this is just confirmation of that. This is full of funny anecdotes from his career, as well as quotes from some of the hilarious people he's worked with. I definitely recommend this book for celebrity/movie buffs like myself."
— Briana (5 out of 5 stars)
“Kevin Pollak is a mastermind of smart and funny. He attacks my funny bone the way a pit bull attacks my anklebone.”
— Steve Martin“Kevin Pollak is one of those guys who shows up in every corner of the Business of Show—hit TV programs, award winning movies, radio shows of every kind, and benefit dinners for worthy charities. I once saw him in the parking lot at Cirque du Soleil and hollered, ‘Hey! Kevin!’ but he didn’t hear me. Like you, I wonder how he’s made it to the Big Time. This book brings that mystery to a close.”
— Tom Hanks“Kevin Pollak does it all: He does impressions, he acts, he writes, he produces. He continues to impress with his unique and unabashed ability to use his friends’ names for his sole benefit. A true Renaissance man.”
— Tom Cruise“It’s great stuff…This is a very funny, real insider look at the ‘business.’”
— AmericasComedy.com“Brilliant…The shrimpy kid who started out imitating Bill Cosby grew into a funny man with a yen for acting in movies, a journey his side-splitting memoir recounts in hilarious detail. ... There's so much dirt Pollak could have dished, but he keeps it positive with feel-good, riotous stories, and fascinating Hollywood lore.”
— Shelf Awareness“The book is full of funny or surprising stories (sometimes they’re both) and plenty of self-deprecating humor. Pollak is a working actor, not a star, and his book is all the more likable for it. A genuinely entertaining movie memoir.”
— Booklist“Pollak, the busy character actor and comedian, recounts his career in show business …Despite the salacious title, Pollak is unfailingly inoffensive and upbeat in this collection of anecdotes detailing his film career and friendly working relationships with such luminaries as Tom Cruise, Bruce Willis, and Jack Nicholson, all of whom are lauded as wonderfully kind, supportive, consummately professional peers…Pollak is an engaging raconteur on the page.”
— Kirkus Reviews" This book completely surprised me. I didn't know much about Kevin Pollak before but his stories are laugh-out-loud funny and he's dished some great dirt about very famous actors. It's a quick read that I highly recommend. "
— Grier, 1/27/2014" I think Pollak purposely sets the bar low, and he meets that low bar. I wish it had some bigger takeaways than Pollak's OMG-ish, I just interacted with this celebrity. If anything, Pollak's a model for sometimes you just have to say "Whatever, I am going to do X anyway." "
— Colin, 1/17/2014" Kevin Pollak's book is amazing. He is a master storyteller who imbues each tale with genuineness and humor. The stories he tells are from his point of view but he never gets in the way of the reader seeing what he saw. Amazing talent. Great book. "
— Chris, 1/3/2014" I love books by comedians, even more, books by comedians that can do voices and even more ones in which the comedians read the book in audio format and do the celebrity voices of all the people they write about. This is one of those books. "
— David, 1/3/2014" As funny and charming as you'd expect. He is just gossipy enough to pull you in, and discreet enough to keep working in Hollywood. "
— Kari, 12/5/2013" Very funny book even better to listen to book on cd since he narrates and does the impressions of celebrities. Thought this would be fluff but really enjoyed it "
— Ramble, 9/29/2013" Funny book by Kevin Pollack, who started out as a comedian and almost got typecast as a heavy in dramas. Lots of name dropping (in an adorable way) and dish on co-stars on set. I liked it. "
— Valerie, 9/16/2013" Some great Hollywood stories. Pollak is one of my favorite comedians, and does some of the best impressions in the game. The fact that he's also been in some amazing movies and worked with some of the most famous screen stars lends to a fascinating read. "
— Ron, 9/13/2013" Kevin Pollak is hilarious. I enjoyed the audiobook version of this and don't think reading it would have done it justice. Kevin does some amazing impressions and has some really funny stories. Definitely a good listen... "
— Bob, 8/31/2013" Very funny. Always been a purist and said I wouldn't listen to an audio book. But with this one it wouldn't have been nearly as enjoyable if I hadn't "heard" the book. "
— James, 8/14/2013" Great read....Really funny and honest book about the road to Show Business and he holds nothing back when he talks about other stars, comedians, etc. I might read it again! "
— Michelle, 5/25/2013" a really good book, very funny and if your into comedy and want to pursue it, this book has some great advice. "
— Matt, 5/25/2013" This book should absolutely not be read in print! Hearing Kevin read the audiobook himself gives you all those great impressions he's famous for. "
— TheSaint, 4/29/2013" I actually listened to this book on Audible. I loved it, I think it made it so much better being able to hear him actually read the story & being able to hear his impressions. "
— Jennifer, 4/28/2013" There are some funny stories in the book, however it is mostly Kevin Pollak name dropping and being in awe of all the Hollywood stars that he has worked with. "
— Ron, 4/25/2013" Really funny book....potty talk spoiler....about Hollywood and a man losing his hair. "
— Blake, 1/19/2013" Great insights and quirky stories about his stand up and film career. I found myself reading it and thinking: Oh yeah, he was in that film too. Great stories about Bruce Willis, Don Rickles, Sophia Loren, Jack Nicholson etc. "
— Chris, 1/19/2013" My secret shame is inside Hollywood stories and he is a master storyteller. "
— Smaluck, 12/13/2012" Of the two comic memoirs I have read (Steve Martin's Born Standing Up) this certainly ranks in the top two. "
— Matthew, 12/7/2012" A lot of fun, if slightly inconsequential. Interesting inside stories about "A Few Good Men" and "The Usual Suspects." Enough to make you seek out some Kevin Pollak movies to see what else he's done. "
— Meg, 11/18/2012Kevin Pollak has appeared in over sixty-five films, including A Few Good Men, The Usual Suspects, and Casino, in addition to numerous television shows. Named one of Comedy Central’s Top 100 Comedians of All Time, he lives a short bike ride from Venice Beach in Southern California.