Married to Laughter:
A Love Story Featuring Anne Meara
By Jerry Stiller
Simon & Schuster, $25
ISBN 0684869039

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Title of your new book:
Married to Laughter

Describe your book in 50 words or less:
During the Great Depression, when people laughed their worries disappeared. Audiences loved these funny men. I decided to become one. In attempting to fulfill my dream, I was sandbagged by an ego greater than my histrionic abilities. The book is a humorous look back at my path to enlightenment -- stories include my meeting Anne -- getting married -- raising a family. The Sullivan years. The Seinfeld Phenomenon. It's written solely by me over an 18 year period.

What's your favorite line from your book?
Creative comedy is like growing geraniums in a mine field.

At what point in your career did you determine you'd "made it"?
In our mid-thirties -- when we had earned enough money to think about having kids.

What advice or message would you like to give to newlyweds?
When you wake up in the morning have a cup of coffee or tea together.

Who or what was your biggest influence in developing your sense of humor?
My father and mother -- I figured if I could make them laugh -- they'd stop fighting. I stole all their material

Your most aggravating habit?
I shave without using shaving cream - it drives Anne nuts.

Do you have plans for a future book? If so, what is the subject?
Yes -- explaining this book.

What one thing would you like to learn to do?
Play the piano -- and learn to Jitterbug.

Jerry Stiller is the author of Married to Laughter: A Love Story Featuring Anne Meara. With a career that spans nearly 40 years, Stiller was reunited with television audiences through his recurring role as George's father on Seinfeld. Viewers can catch Stiller on another hit series, The King of Queens.