The Long Road To Overnight Success

by Shane Jacobson

After the film ′Kenny′ catapulted him to national and international fame, actor, writer, producer Shane Jacobson was told by people that he had a talent for acting. Which was great news as he′d been on the stage since the age of ten.

Working in musical theatre, stand up comedy, radio, ads, and the occasional Boy Scout review, Jacobson had been in the spotlight and behind the scenes, he had learned how to make people laugh and how to move them and he had felt the allure of the spotlight. He knew this was what he wanted to do, but it would take him years to get there in between his many (very) odd jobs.

Success, when it came, was sweet, but so was getting there. Here Jacobson tells the story of his life in the droll, hilarious way which made him so appealing in Kenny and in films like Charlie and Boots. From a childhood spent among loving but stage-hungry ′carnies′ to an adulthood spent travelling, falling in love, learning to drive every vehicle ever made and generally distracting himself from a serious career path, this is a charming, truly Australian memoir.

Genres: Nonfiction, Autobiography

320 pages, Paperback

First published August 1, 2013

Reviews

[Jenny · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a fun easygoing read.
Reading this book was kind of like listening to Shane Jacobson telling the story. i could imagine him in my mind sitting there telling the tale. Great fun to read

[Sharon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great book in parts, but to be honest, I had thought it would be better.
You can not deny this guy has worked his butt off though, and I have to say I admire his work ethic as well as his attitude to life. He is quite the typical Aussie, or at least what we like to think that a typical Aussie man is like.
He throws in the occasional one liner in this book that is quite amusing. A very funny guy, but we know that anyway by his performances at times.

[Sara · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love Shane Jacobson, he's a great actor and seems really lovely and down to earth was a good read :)

[Cate · Rating 2 out of 5]

I loved the start of this book - about his early life and his family. The Scouting stories were terrific. Some of the Kenny information was interesting, but some was not. Once I got some of the basic facts about is Kenny role the rest felt quite long winded, and very .... (not sure what the word is)... but there was name dropping, everyone has become a great friend for life. I probably thought he was going to be a more discerning person. I did love his love of family. Glad I read it, but it could have been shorter

[Peter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great actor and very entertaining story of his life so far ... I'm expecting a part 2

[Olwen · Rating 4 out of 5]

When ‘Kenny’ was screened I remember a heated discussion with my companion - I was convinced that the film was actually a documentary, that the character Kenny was a real life person. Having read Shane Jacobson’s biography, I can now see why so many other people became convinced that Kenny and Shane were the one person. It’s because Shane is actually very much like the character Kenny: warm, endearing, very likeable. The only disappointment I experienced while reading the book was the discovery that Shane is already spoken for. Sigh.

Within Shane’s story there are many humorous anecdotes that will make you laugh out loud. It’s a great read; not just about Shane Jacobson, but also about the long, winding road towards living your dream.

[Mel · Rating 3 out of 5]

What a great optimist Shane Jacobson is. I love the beautiful way he speaks about his family, it's what I aspire to, with my own family. I was in uncontrollable fits of giggles a couple of times in this book when Shane was rebelling some of the stories of his youth. So much so that my 8 year old boy asks me to repeat the story about Shane and his young friends scaring their mates dressing up as a ghost mother and baby all the time. He now wants to create the same gag when we next go camping with friends, Shane is a great Australian character that is a great role model for us all. If first you don't succeed, try and try again! X

[Loz · Rating 5 out of 5]

A hilarious read. Shane epitomises the Aussie larrikin, and I feel honoured to have read his journey. I could tell he had a great time sharing his story, as his zest for life, and his passion for everything he does flowed from every page.

It's not surprising this book made the '50 books you can't put down' list. I look forward to seeing what Shane Jacobson does next :)

[Kate Drew · Rating 5 out of 5]

Let me start by first saying I have not seen the movie Kenny that I feel really started his career, but having read this book I now want to see it. If you read this book you will feel like your on a tame roller coaster ride which to me is a great thing. I've now fallen in love with Shane Jacobson more then ever. You will be laughing at every page.

[Tegan Rowbotham · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love the character of Kenny, a modest & hardworking Aussie who loves his family & does his job to the best if his ability. Reading this book reminded me a lot of him. Shane is a modest, humble & hardworking Aussie and his book is a great yarn. I really enjoyed it.

[Hayley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Shane Jacobson comes across as warm, funny, compassionate , hard working and a genuine Aussie larrikin. Whilst reading the book I could hear the words in my head as if they were being spoken by Shane himself. A truly enjoyable read.

[Wendy · Rating 2 out of 5]

I didn't get the great read I was expecting. It want that I didn't find his life fascinating, it just wasn't as well written as his stories come across when spoken.

[Leigh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interested yarns about all the things he did before Kenny, and some good stories about making Kenny and all the things that have come along since. Light read but entertaining.

[Tim Magor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great fun read Shane Jacobson is a wonderful example of persistence leading to success...and he had a load of fun along the way

[Terese · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyable read. Loved his stories of his childhood.

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

That was a bit of fun ;) I admit, I've never seen the movie Kenny, but loved Shane Jacobson in Beaconsfield & really enjoy watching him in the current ABC show The time of our lives. Great guy!

[Jo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed reading the stories of his childhood. You can almost hear him as you read along, it is written with that quintessential Aussie vernacular that I remember from my childhood.

[Peta · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not a bad read, I like the way he just gets on with it and actively works towards goals.

[Julie Chettle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyable read with some laugh out loud stories.