Are You Anybody?

A Memoir

By: Jeffrey Tambor

Narrated by: Jeffrey Tambor

You know him from his breakout role as Hank Kingsley on The Larry Sanders Show, his outrageous turn as George and Oscar Bluth on Arrested Development, and his Emmy Award-winning performance as Maura Pfefferman on Transparent. A Broadway star, a television legend, an accomplished screen actor whose singular wit and heartrending performances have been entertaining audiences for more than four decades, but the question remains: Who the hell is Jeffrey Tambor?

In his illuminating, often hilarious, and always honest memoir, Tambor looks back at the key moments in his life that taught him about creativity and play and pain and fear. The son of what you might call "eccentric" Russian and Hungarian Jewish parents, Tambor grew up in San Francisco a husy kid with a lisp, who suffered in his "otherness" and found salvation in the theater.

While he learned his art from the best of the best—Al Pacino, George C. Scott, Garry Shandling, Mitch Hurwitz, Jill Soloway—he also introduces his many unexpected teachers, from the nameless man in a Detroit bookstore who gave him the love of reading, to his young children who (at this ridiculously late stage in his life) have reintroduced him to play, bravery, and the simple joy of not giving a shit.

Tambor shares the triumph of landing his first Broadway role, but not before experiencing the humbling that is commercial work (and how even saying "my socks don't cling" can prove a challenge). He invites you behind the scenes of his wildly successful television shows, but he doesn't leave out the pit stops he made at addiction, Scientology, and what it feels like to get fourth billing after Sylvia the Seal on The Love Boat.

At last, Tambor answers the question "Are you anybody?" with a promise that success doesn't mean perfection and failure most definitely is an option.

Jeffrey, You Are Somebody

A surprisingly "enthralling" (read to find out why I chose that word), personal, and loving memoir, "Are You Somebody" is a tale of life lessons, triumphs, and failures generously shared by Jeffrey Tambor. Jeffrey provides deep insight into the career path of a real actor, and lovingly reflects on the positive and negative influences in his life. A difficult family life, stage mishaps, and an unfortunate stint with Scientology, all shaped his craft and his perspective.

Jeffrey provides a sincere narration that made it impossible for me to stop listening, and so I did a rare thing - and listened straight through to the end. Looking for my next memoir / bio to read, but knowing I will be slightly disappointed after being treated to Are You Anybody.

Great Listen

Really interesting to have Jeffrey explain his experiences. It was funny and involving I loved hearing about all the people he's worked with.

Amazing!

Tambour's life is filled with hilarity, angst, a horrible mother and great stories. I highly recommend this book. Fantastic.

A well read biography

I found this book to be heartfelt and bittersweet. it is well read by Jeffrey Tambor. I can hear the sadness, the smiling, the fuckem, and the admiration he has for those who taught and/or inspired him in his craft.
Thank you, Kasha, for keeping him around for us. Jeffery, Mr. Tambor (the auto correct keeps correcting to Talbot, FYI), thank you for the work you've done these many years. You are an icon.

Beautiful

What a beautiful, honest, funny life story. One of the best memoirs I've listen to in a long time, full of life lessons, although the author my cringe to hear me say so because he's a humble guy.