How Comedy Saved My Life

My Wild Journey of Addiction, Recovery & Making the Ultimate Comeback - Tales of a Navy Sailor, Prison Guard, Stand-Up Comic & Father

De: John Perrotta

Narrado por: John Perrotta

How Comedy Saved My Life is the brutally honest, darkly funny, and ultimately redemptive story of John Perrotta—a Rhode Island prison guard by day, stand-up comic by night.

For decades, John lived two lives. On stage, he was a relentless crowd-work master, booking gigs with rising legends like Bill Burr, Lenny Clarke, Tammy Pescatelli, and Tom Cotter. Off stage, he was drowning in booze, gambling, and drugs, hitting rock bottom more times than he can count—until a near-death experience forced him to make the biggest comeback of his life.

This memoir pulls no punches, from high-speed chases through Providence to performing at bachelor parties and sold-out comedy clubs, all while battling addiction, bankruptcy, and his own worst impulses. But it’s also about second chances. About clawing back from the edge. About how comedy, family, and sheer stubbornness kept him alive when the odds said he shouldn’t be here.

Told with raw honesty and razor-sharp wit, How Comedy Saved My Life is proof that sometimes the funniest stories come from the darkest places—and that laughter truly can be the cure-all.

©2025 John Perrotta (P)2025 John Perrotta

Raw, gritty, and surprisingly uplifting

John's story is bruttally honest but told with such sharp humor that you can't help but laugh even in the darkest moments. You really feel like you're sitting across from him, hearing war stories from both prison life and the comedy scene. What stood out most is how real he is. It's not just about addiction or comedy. It's about resilience, second chances, and finding something worth fighting for. Loved it and highly recommend it!

Laughter on the Edge

How Comedy Saved My Life is a brutally honest, darkly funny, and ultimately uplifting memoir by John Perrotta—who balances life as a Rhode Island prison guard by day and a stand-up comic by night. With raw wit and unflinching candor, Perrotta recounts his battles with addiction, gambling, and bankruptcy, taking listeners from high-speed chases across Providence to sold-out comedy clubs. His near-death experience marks the turning point in this gritty yet redemptive story of second chances, resilience, and how laughter—and stubborn determination—can truly pull someone back from the edge.

Life Saved

This book was something else, this is not the type of book that I typically choose to read but I was intrigued by the topic. The author had a tuff life, I bet most people don't come out from that but he did.
The stories shares are unbelievable sand scary, they almost sound like fiction but I know that they are not. I always stayed clear of drugs and after reading this bool I am glad I did. A family member is experiencing something similar to what the author share in this book. Wow, I glad he is OK and thank God he had someone that cared for him because that is a lonely road to travel. If you are think you are having it tough, the author has it tougher, and he can come out of a whole so can you; it hat sense this book provides some inspiration.

Powerful Listen

John Perrotta’s story is raw, inspiring, and filled with the perfect mix of humor and honesty. His narration brings every moment to life, making the journey through addiction, recovery, and comedy deeply engaging. A powerful listen that proves laughter can truly be life-saving.

Talk About and Amazing Comeback!

I found this book really heartfelt, this man has been through a LOT! And he has landed on his feet time and again. More than once I said to myself, He did WHAT?! It's a true story of some very hard times, and an amazing recovery. Kudos for sharing it all for us, John.

Not Scared Anymore

After listening to this story, I wanted to give John a hand shake and a big hug. Here is a man who had a pretty rugged up bringing, with an alcoholic father helping his son go down the same road. But the one thing that has stood out to me was the resiiience that John had as he went through one addiction after another. It was the addiction of comedy that saved him. He always had a dream and no matter how messed up his life became, he came back to it. A story I recommend to anyone who thinks they are not good enough to get through their troubles. It was a wild journey, so funny in spots my side hurt, and so heart rendering in others, I had tears in my eyes. You will not be disappointed when you take the time to listen.

Real-life experiences

Usually, when we see people in the job of a comedian, their lives are always positive and humorous. However, behind that laughter and humor, they are also living their own lives, just like all of us, experiencing joys and sorrows, as well as ups and downs. On the other hand, the hardships and crises they had to go through to gain that popularity and wealth are no different from ours. This book, which recounts the author's real-life experiences, enables us to reorganize our perspective while empathizing. I didn't know who the author was before I found this book, but even with all those titles, I see and hear about another life of one person. This book touches our hearts and makes us look back on ourselves with wit and honesty, even revealing our weaknesses and shortcomings, through the comedic talent that he possesses. One of life's stories that will give courage and hope to someone who is wandering and suffering in an unwanted life.

Intriguing Story

I had the opportunity to listen to this audiobook and with not really knowing how well I would relate, it turned out to be just the book I needed to listen to. I, too, juggle two lives... not to the extreme of John but still. This is an empowering listen that is brutally honest and and I have no doubt most people would be able to relate to the struggles to some degree. This is a fantastic listen! If nothing else, the story of someone who was a Navy sailor and prison guard is interesting in itself.

Laughing Through Life's Dark Turns

I just finished How Comedy Saved My Life on audio, and man, John Perrotta's story is a wild ride that hits you in the gut while making you crack up! As a guy who's battled his own demons, I connected hard with John's raw tales, from Navy days to guarding Rhode Island prisons, all while chasing stand-up gigs and hiding addiction. His journey through rock bottom, recovery, and comeback as a comic dad is brutally honest, blending dark humor with real redemption that left me inspired.

The narration's gritty and authentic, like John's telling it over beers, pulling you into every laugh and low. If you love memoirs that mix grit, laughs, and hope, this audiobook’s a must-listen as it is uplifting and unfiltered!

Honestly, This Made My Day a Whole Lot Lighter

I was having one of those days, and I hit play on How Comedy Saved My Life hoping for something to lift the mood—and it completely delivered. The stories are as funny as they are grounded, mixing personal highs and lows with punchlines that feel earned—not forced. I laughed out loud more than once, but I also caught myself reflecting on how humor can be a lifeline in hard moments. It’s not just comedy—it’s real, heartwarming storytelling that reminds you: sometimes, a bit of laughter is the best medicine.