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David Jason: The Autobiography
by
David Jason
The long-awaited autobiography of one of Britain's best-loved actors.Born the son of a Billingsgate market porter at the height of the Second World War, David Jason spent his early life dodging bombs and bullies, both with impish good timing.
Giving up on an unloved career as an electrician, he turned his attention to acting and soon, through a natural talent for making peo ...more
Giving up on an unloved career as an electrician, he turned his attention to acting and soon, through a natural talent for making peo ...more
Audiobook
Published
October 14th 2013
by Arrow
(first published October 1st 2013)
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Have always loved this man, grew up with him in my house and have continued to watch him as an adult. He has always been a very private man so was intrigued to read about his early life and really wanted to find out more about Only fools and horses, one of my all time favourite shows. This was an amazing read, loved all the anecdotes, so fascinating to find out more about him and other (now famous) people he came across at the time and really lovely to read about his close relationship with Ronn
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David Jason was already a star when I first heard of him, but which character was most like the man himself. The cheeky Del Boy? The slightly gormless Granville? The shabby, sharp, obstreperous detective Jack Frost? As I started to read his autobiography, I realised he had a background in acting covering such a variety of characters in his repertoire that little was beyond him and his ability to perform whatever role was presented. From rep in his early career, through the West End, comedy, dram ...more
I like a biography, I seem to read enough of them lately, so this one seemed like it would provide a little amusement. I did enjoy reading about his normal growing up, and training as an electrician. While at school him and a mate joined a dramatic club as a way to meet girls, and without any formal training he was able to start making his living as an actor in his twenties.
For me the middle part of the book was a bit dry and I guess not knowing all the old actors and actresses of the 60's and ...more
For me the middle part of the book was a bit dry and I guess not knowing all the old actors and actresses of the 60's and ...more
Entertaining autobiography of the life of one of England's most beloved actors.
MY LIFE deals with Jason's early life and his career up until his successes in Only Fools and Horses and A Touch of Frost..
He does talk about these shows but not in as much detail as his earlier life.
It's funny how you form an impression of an actor based on the roles played. Wrong of course. I learned that Jason's real surname is White but when he registered with Actors Equity that name was taken. He chose Jason bec ...more
MY LIFE deals with Jason's early life and his career up until his successes in Only Fools and Horses and A Touch of Frost..
He does talk about these shows but not in as much detail as his earlier life.
It's funny how you form an impression of an actor based on the roles played. Wrong of course. I learned that Jason's real surname is White but when he registered with Actors Equity that name was taken. He chose Jason bec ...more
I listened to the audiobook, David Jason read the first chapter, but no further, this jarred a little bit and I never really got used to the second narrator.
The book itself was an enjoyable read covering David's career from humble beginnings to the pinnacle of fame.
Humorous, at times moving, but no real revelations or deep insight here although Jason comes across as a really nice bloke.
Lubbly-Jubbly !
The book itself was an enjoyable read covering David's career from humble beginnings to the pinnacle of fame.
Humorous, at times moving, but no real revelations or deep insight here although Jason comes across as a really nice bloke.
Lubbly-Jubbly !
I really expected to leave this audiobook with a sense of relaxation and admiration for the life of Mr Jason but I'm left feeling deflated ever so slightly.
To begin with there is only the foreword that is given by David himself, the rest falls to some other geezer who just couldn't pull off the comedic timing or heartfelt dialogue. There are a few "Hmm, I never knew that" moments but honestly not enough...I got the distinct impression that here is a man who is very private and really doesn't wan ...more
To begin with there is only the foreword that is given by David himself, the rest falls to some other geezer who just couldn't pull off the comedic timing or heartfelt dialogue. There are a few "Hmm, I never knew that" moments but honestly not enough...I got the distinct impression that here is a man who is very private and really doesn't wan ...more
I absolutely love David Jason. I got to know him through Open All Hours which I own now. Then I was lucky enough to watch all of the Touch of Frost on Netflix, which I now own them as well. I'm currently working on watching Only Fools and Horses through Netflix. I think he is a great actor and comedian.
I was surprised to learn he had a baby at age 60 with Gill with her age being 40. They had little Sophie. There is the sweetest picture of David and her in the book. There are a good bit of pictu ...more
I was surprised to learn he had a baby at age 60 with Gill with her age being 40. They had little Sophie. There is the sweetest picture of David and her in the book. There are a good bit of pictu ...more
David Jason is one of those actors that it feel like you know. He has seeped into our consciousness through decades of portraying memorable characters and always comes across as an affable, charming man in interviews. I was really looking forward to finding out more about him through his long awaited autobiography My Life.
The title is not a misnomer, this truly is a book about David's life from his childhood in London in and immediately after the second world war to becoming a household name. I ...more
The title is not a misnomer, this truly is a book about David's life from his childhood in London in and immediately after the second world war to becoming a household name. I ...more
David Jason has always been very present in my house on the television throughout my whole life. All of it - Only Fools & Horses, Open All Hours, Porridge, Darling Buds of May and A Touch of Frost. He is without doubt my favourite comedy actor and this autobiography didn't disappoint. However, it focuses mainly on his theatre career and only mentions the "big ones" until about three-quarters of the way through. It is interesting, though. And his close shaves with Monty Python and Dad's Army
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You can actually hear Sir David's voice (or rather Del's Boys) as you read this book, lovely and funny insight to a very private man. On my list of favourite actors and great to read about other stars and all the plays/tv Sir David has been connected too, especially the "governor" Ronnie Barker. So glad I got to see both George Cole and David Jason on stage (sadly in different plays).
I have always been a big fan of David Jason and I love an autobiography. This one was a fabulous read, it made me chuckle, it my eyes well up in all the right places and whilst I was reading, I couldn't help but imagine him reading it to me. For a man that doesn't do a lot of interviews and is very private, he gives away just the right amount of personal details whilst still holding on to his privacy.
Very well written and highly recommended to all David Jason fans.
Very well written and highly recommended to all David Jason fans.
Ima ljudi za koje, kad ih gledam/slušam kako rade svoj posao, o čemu god se radilo, poželim saznati i kakvi su i izvan tog posla. Odakle su potekli, što ih zanima, kakvi su im stavovi, pa i mogu li se i osobno pronaći u njima, makar malim dijelom. David Jason je većini ljudi kod nas poznat kao Del Trotter iz serije "Only Fools And Horses" (iliti "Mućki"), kao Pop Larkin iz "Dražesnih pupoljaka svibanjskih" ili, kasnije, kao ozbiljni detektiv Frost iz "Frostovog pristupa". Zanimalo me što ima za
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I'm not much of a David Jason fan. This book was a gift. Something to read while i'm off recovering from an operation. I have to say, with all honesty, that I LOVED THIS BOOK! It's so fascnating. He truly is a funny and interesting guy with a really interesting life. I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and would recommend it to anyone, fan or not, of David Jason.
Im a fan of most of David Jason's tv work and loved the behind the scenes insight into the industry, who helped him along the way and the juicy gossip of who was a pain to work with. This book includes the early days of amateur dramatics and theatre work, and his quite late break into the bigtime. Infact it was quite a revelation that he had a regular job and was a trained electrician before finding fame. His personal life is glossed over a bit too much and there is a real sense that huge chunks
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You can hear David Jason's voice as you read about his life in the theatre and television. It makes a change to read an autobiography of an actor who doesn't place himself on a pedestal, but just gets on with his story in a matter-of-fact way. All too often in this type of book, the author is keen to sing his or her praises and to tell us what a star they are. Not so in the case of David Jason. Here is someone who shares his story, with all of its ups-and-downs without going over the top to to t
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This is a highly-entertaining account of his life by one of the most versatile and endearing actors on British television, who has deservedly achieved world-wide acclaim. David - Sir David - gives a 'warts and all' account of his life, from humble beginnings which will resonate with many of us, through a love of amateur dramatics, professional theatre and, eventually, to stardom, via some hiccups where promising openings were not followed through. David Jason learned his craft by instinct, drawi
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Sep 23, 2014
Simon
added it
Great book, and a really nice bloke!
Really enjoyed this book. Having been a big fan of Only Fools and Horses i was interested to find out more about 'Del Boy' and this book really did the trick. Great to understand more about David and his life which is so much more than Only Fools and Horse .. loved hearing about his early days in theatre, and his friendships with the likes of Bob Monkhouse and of course the governor, Ronnie Barker.
Really enjoyed this book. Having been a big fan of Only Fools and Horses i was interested to find out more about 'Del Boy' and this book really did the trick. Great to understand more about David and his life which is so much more than Only Fools and Horse .. loved hearing about his early days in theatre, and his friendships with the likes of Bob Monkhouse and of course the governor, Ronnie Barker.
My My David, what an interesting life you have had. I thoroughly enjoyed his autobiography. I'm not sure whether he wrote this for himself, or whether he had a ghost writer, but whatever, it was so well written and David's voice comes through good and clear. I admire his zest for life and his enthusiasm to follow his dream, and at times was willing to work for very little just to be able to act. I loved knowing how he moved through his acting career and found his stories warm and amusing, and ev
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I enjoyed this interesting and often humorous autobiography written by David himself. It covers his life from his earliest days right up until 2014. One of our most loved actors, here is the inside story of how he made it. His story clearly shows his ability to turn his hand to any type of character acting as well as comedic work, though I think he is perhaps most loved for "Only Fools and Horses" with Inspector Frost running second. His delightful personality shines throughout his book and the
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Despite the slow start, I have still given this book 5 stars. The first few chapters were a bit slow but I am so glad I persevered with it. What a lovely man and his stories of his times on television and the people he meets are so interesting. The friendship he had with Ronnie Barker was very special and there are some funny and very touching moments. I really loved this book.
if you love David Jason and let's face it who doesn't, whether it's Del Boy, Frost or Pop Larkin, or even Danger mouse or Count Duckula this book is for you. It's honest it's heart warming and it's very funny in places. David is a very sincere humble gentleman and however bonkers his escapades get you can't help but love him. I have to say this book nearly had me in tears at the end. Hrs made it, but isn't at any pains to announce this to anyone, he just happens to be the boy from Lodge Lane who
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I enjoyed this as i have always been a fan,a large portion of the book deals with his life before he came into the public eye, I was hoping for more stories from the only fools and horses days and his relationship with Ronnie Barker. still an enjoyable read and a lovely way to end it with the poem from Ronnie.
David Jason has been my all-time favourite actor for many years, for me he is fabulous in every programme he stars in - especially A Touch of Frost and the wonderful Only Fools and Horses which often has me in hysterics. I don't often read biographies or auto-biographies however. I thought this was a wonderful listen - Jason with the introduction, and then the other narrator. Totally fascinating, learning about his early life, and the actors and actresses he has worked with through the years. I'
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Excellent read for anyone who grew up on Only Fools and Horses, Open All Hours and that whole era of British comedy. Some really funny incites into the Two Ronnies, Fawlty Towers and other shows of the era also. Best of all, he comes across as a hell of nice fella and very funny. Which is kind of how you want the man who played Del Boy to be...
Very good introduction sets the book off to a good start, very easy to read, enjoyable and is very interesting to learn about his tenacity to succeed and about the cross section of people he has met during his career, worth a try
I learnt a lot about David Jason through this book that I wasn't aware of before. I loved him as Del Boy but there is so much more to him than that. A very talented actor who went through the lows and highs of his career with a calm and accepting attitude. I'm so pleased he found the success he deserved. One of the nice guys!
David Jason on the page is much like the public impression of him. He's a nice guy and always has been, and has done a lot more than the stuff than for which he's famous.
If you like David Jason then you will certainly enjoy this interesting read.
I enjoyed learning about this popular actor who has become a national treasure.
I enjoyed learning about this popular actor who has become a national treasure.
First autobiography i have read and found myself living every emotion with david, laughing, crying and hoping a great life store told very well.
I enjoyed this because it was written in David Jason's voice. What a lovely, clever but very modest man behind Del Boy,Insp Frost, Granville and Pa Larkin. I didn't realise how famous he was before I was born, and I'm also surprised to learn he was the BFG as well as Danger Mouse and Count Duckula! He obviously admired Ronnie Barker- they type of comedien/personality who I think David Jason ranks alongside. He doesn't think much of Eric Idle,like.
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