Like Brothers

By: Mark Duplass, Jay Duplass, Mindy Kaling - introduction

Narrated by: Mark Duplass, Jay Duplass

The multitalented writers, directors, producers, and actors (as seen on The League, Transparent, and The Mindy Project) share the secrets of their lifelong partnership in this unique memoir.

“A book that anyone will love . . . You can enjoy it even if you have no idea who the Duplass brothers are.”—Janet Maslin, The New York Times

Whether producing, writing, directing, or acting, the Duplass Brothers have made their mark in the world of independent film and television on the strength of their quirky and empathetic approach to storytelling. Now, for the first time, Mark and Jay take readers on a tour of their lifelong partnership in this unique memoir told in essays that share the secrets of their success, the joys and frustrations of intimate collaboration, and the lessons they’ve learned the hard way.

From a childhood spent wielding an oversized home video camera in the suburbs of New Orleans to their shared years at the University of Texas in early-nineties Austin, and from the breakthrough short they made on a three-dollar budget to the night their feature film Baghead became the center of a Sundance bidding war, Mark and Jay tell the story of a bond that’s resilient, affectionate, mutually empowering, and only mildly dysfunctional. They are brutally honest about how their closeness sabotaged their youthful romantic relationships, about the jealousy each felt when the other stole the spotlight as an actor (Mark in The League, Jay in Transparent), and about the challenges they faced on the set of their HBO series Togetherness—namely, too much togetherness.

But Like Brothers is also a surprisingly practical road map to a rewarding creative partnership. Rather than split all their responsibilities fifty-fifty, the brothers learned to capitalize on each other’s strengths. They’re not afraid to call each other out, because they’re also not afraid to compromise. Most relationships aren’t—and frankly shouldn’t be—as intense as Mark and Jay’s, but their brand of trust, validation, and healthy disagreement has taken them far.

Part coming-of-age memoir, part underdog story, and part insider account of succeeding in Hollywood on their own terms, Like Brothers is as openhearted and lovably offbeat as Mark and Jay themselves.

“Wright. Ringling. Jonas. I’m sure you could name a bunch of famous brother teams. They’re all garbage compared to Mark and Jay. I can’t wait for you to read this book.”—from the foreword by Mindy Kaling

Loved Like Brothers!!!

Loved every chapter and how they were told by the Duplass Brothers. Did I LIKE the book LIKE BROTHERS? I LOVE it!

Proposed Position for Hire: Jay & Mark's sidekick

What a treat to listen to Jay and Mark not only reveal the trials and tribulations of being creative brothers making media, but also their sage advice and impressions of the film and television biz!

This book is an independent filmmaker's fantasy dream come true.
PS- Jay & Mark on YouTube ten years ago taught me basic filmmaking. At 45 years old.
Thank you Jay and Mark.

A Great Listen

The stories are fun and funny and you really feel love put into their relationship and the telling of their history.

I loved them before but now I know why

This is an endearing and entertaining memoir, full of love and incredible loyalty. The truth of their relationship rings consistent and enviable throughout their childhood, creations and careers. Well done, brothers.

Twice is nice

So good! I'll listen again! I have two boys and I want them to hear it too.