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15 MORE celebrity memoirs read by their authors

Looking for a new favorite audiobook? Try a celebrity memoir read by the author.

I’m a huge fan of audiobooks, and finding a rhythm for listening with my ears has brought great enjoyment to my reading life these past few years. (Thanks to the extra reading time, I also finish more books than I used to. A fun bonus!)

Every reader has their own audiobook style. Personally, I love to listen to great stories, not information. This means that I listen to mostly fiction on audio, saving my nonfiction for print reading. The one exception is memoir. I LOVE to listen to a good memoir on audio. In fact, some of my very favorite listening experiences have been celebrity memoirs. My hunch is that this is because they reliably combine two things I consistently adore: behind-the-scenes stories and author narration.

A few years ago, I shared 20 celebrity memoirs read by their authors, but I’ve enjoyed—or earmarked for later listening—so many good ones since that post was published that it’s time for an update. That’s why today we’re bringing you 15 more celebrity memoir audiobooks narrated by their authors.

This list is far from exhaustive; there are so many more great celebrity memoirs we could have included here! The comments section is open: please stay for a minute and tell us all about your favorite celebrity memoirs read by the author.

15 MORE celebrity memoir audiobooks read by their authors

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As You Wish: Inconceivable Tales from the Making of The Princess Bride

As You Wish: Inconceivable Tales from the Making of The Princess Bride

Author:
Talk about a nostalgia read! Fans of The Princess Bride won’t want to miss Westley—er, actor Cary Elwes—relate how the book was brought to life for the 1987 film. Fans rave that this is one rollicking good time, featuring exclusive stories from cast and crew (Rob Reiner! Robyn Wright! Billy Crystal!), plus answers to questions that have plagued fans for ages. It’s been on my TBR for years and when I finally read it, it'll definitely be via audiobook. 7 hrs 1 min. More info →
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The Office BFFs: Tales of The Office from Two Best Friends Who Were There

The Office BFFs: Tales of The Office from Two Best Friends Who Were There

Will and I really enjoyed The Office back in the day so I was delighted to pick up this memoir from two of its stars who became real life best friends while working together on the show. Their characters couldn’t have been more different but the actresses bonded from the day they met. They share lots of great behind-the-scenes snippets and stories about the show, as well as how their friendship evolved over the years as they became moms and the show ended. It's worth noting that the hardcover contains piles of great pictures, but the audio narration sends the enjoyment factor soaring. 8 hrs 26 mins. More info →
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Not My Father’s Son: A Memoir

Not My Father’s Son: A Memoir

Author:
Team member Ginger Horton has this to say: "File this under: be careful what you wish for. When the popular genealogy show Who Do You Think You Are called, Cumming thought it was the best perk his celebrity had ever offered him, a chance to trace the question of his grandfather Tommy Darling's mysterious death. What he didn't know is that he'd unearth more answers than he'd bargained for, which led to even more questions. I actually forgot at times I was reading a memoir; all the dramatic familial turns could have easily been the latest twisty bestselling novel. Along with his compelling story, Cumming still manages to squeeze in juicy stories about his ever-changing hair styles, television costuming, and Broadway appearances. Even if you're not inclined towards audiobooks typically, Cumming's Scottish brogue is worth the price of admission alone." 6 hrs 28 mins. More info →
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This Will Only Hurt a Little

This Will Only Hurt a Little

Author:
Whether or not you’re familiar with actress Busy Philipps, you’ll be drawn into her engaging, gripping stories about teenage hijinks, past relationships, and the times she performed as a live Barbie for a toy expo. She shares about her postpartum depression and life-long anxiety with refreshing honesty, as well as the fat-shaming and sexism she’s experienced in her career. Team member Leigh Kramer says this funny, moving, and well-written memoir is one of the best audiobooks she’s ever listened to, thanks to Philipps’s excellent narration. 7 hrs 56 mins. More info →
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Becoming

Becoming

Author:
Michelle Obama’s memoir broke literary records and it’s easy to see why. The former First Lady recounts growing up on the South Side of Chicago, meeting her husband Barack, and exactly what it’s like to watch your husband run for and then win the presidency. She shares lighthearted stories, like the details on her Carpool Karaoke appearance, yet doesn’t shy away from the hard parts of her story, such as miscarriage and the racism she’s encountered over the years. Throughout she reflects on how her experiences have shaped her and the woman she’s still becoming. A moving, inspiring, engaging read, and one that's meaningful and FUN to hear in Michelle Obama's own voice. 19 hrs 3 mins. More info →
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I’m Glad My Mom Died

I’m Glad My Mom Died

If you know Jennette McCurdy from iCarly and Sam & Cat, you may be surprised like me to learn that behind the scenes the former child star dealt with addiction, disordered eating, and an abusive mother. In her forthcoming memoir, McCurdy details how her mother first pushed her to be an actress, and then introduced her to "calorie restriction" so that she could stay small for as long as possible and therefore win more roles. It wasn't until her mother died of breast cancer that Jennette was able to make decisions about her own life. She quits acting, starts therapy, and begins the extraordinarily difficult process of recovery from bulimia. McCurdy's story is moving, inspiring, unsettling, and darkly humorous. She doesn’t hold back from depicting her difficulties so exercise care if this might be triggering for you. I went in knowing what to expect, and I'm glad I read it, but there is still one scene (with sexual content) I'd love to scrub from my mind. This book releases on August 9. 10 hrs. More info →
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Notes from a Young Black Chef: A Memoir

Notes from a Young Black Chef: A Memoir

Author:
You may recognize Kwame Onwuachi's name from his stint on Top Chef. But before that, he started his own catering company with twenty thousand dollars he made selling candy on the subway in NYC and worked in notable restaurants across the country. By age 27, not only had he competed on Top Chef, he served dinner to President Obama at the White House and closed his fine dining restaurant shortly after opening it. He's honest about his mistakes but he also delves into the racism he's experienced in the various kitchens he’s worked in. His voice is a welcome addition to the food memoir canon. 7 hrs 37 mins. More info →
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One Life

One Life

Author:
Team member Leigh Kramer found this sports memoir to be the perfect road trip accompaniment. She says, “I didn’t know a ton about Olympic gold medalist and two-time Women's World Cup champion Megan Rapinoe before reading this, outside of peripheral soccer coverage. My admiration for her now knows no bounds. I loved learning more about her soccer career, of course, but the best part was hearing about her activism. I highly recommend listening to the audiobook, which she narrates.” 6 hrs 39 mins. More info →
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Crying in H Mart: A Memoir

Crying in H Mart: A Memoir

Author:
“Ever since my mother died, I cry in H Mart.” So begins Zauner’s poignant story. After her mother received a grim cancer diagnosis, Zauner realized her mother’s death would also mean losing her only tie to her Korean heritage, so she sought to shore up stories while she still had time. Whether she writes about the intricacies of preparing traditional Korean dishes or a hurtful misunderstanding, she explores moments from her tumultuous mother-daughter relationship with tenderness and love, often returning to the idea that our experiences of home, family and culture are viscerally rooted in what we taste, see and hear. An honest, lyrical, and life-affirming memoir about grief, growing up, and making amends. 7 hrs 23 mins. More info →
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Broken Horses: A Memoir

Broken Horses: A Memoir

Author:
I've long enjoyed Brandi Carlile's music but knew nothing about her personal life until I gobbled up this memoir. From a chaotic childhood to nearly dying from bacterial meningitis at age 5 to her pastor refusing to baptize her because she was an openly gay teen, Carlile’s honesty about her upbringing was breathtaking. Her life could have gone in so many directions but with the support of her small town, she retained her faith and found solace in music. She shares her musical influences, the inspiration behind her songs, and the highlights of her career, along with how she met her wife and started a family. Each chapter flows beautifully into a song—or more often, two. Because Carlile draws heavily from her life experience when writing lyrics, the exceptional audiobook works beautifully: her stories leave you hungry to hear the music, which often captures the experience she just wrote about in prose. The last 90 minutes consists of all those songs together, as a bonus chapter. 10 hrs 3 mins. More info →
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We’re Going to Need More Wine: Stories That Are Funny, Complicated, and True

We’re Going to Need More Wine: Stories That Are Funny, Complicated, and True

Author:
Gabrielle Union fearlessly shares stories about race, beauty standards, Hollywood, and her own history of sexual assault. The result is moving in many places and laugh-out-loud funny in others. I haven't yet read this myself but several MMD team members rave about it, including Shannan Malone who loves it because Gabrielle is so honest (some may say a little TOO honest, she says) about her life: she glosses over nothing. She is also hilarious. True story: Shannan read a part of this in a bookstore and kept drawing curious glances from her fellow shoppers because she laughed so hard she snorted! (Her follow-up memoir, You Got Anything Stronger?: Stories, is out now.) 7 hrs 48 mins. More info →
Taste: My Life Through Food

Taste: My Life Through Food

Author:
This was a delight from start to finish; I was hooked from the three-sentence introduction and its promise of plenty of puns to come. From his stories of growing up in a large Italian-American family in New York, to mixing up the perfect martini on set, to falling in love with his wife over a cheese cart, I just ate this up. (Sorry, I couldn't help myself.) I'm sure this is wonderful in hardcover as well, but Tucci narrates his own audiobook and it is superb—I highly recommend this format. (But heads up that it's pretty sweary at times.) 6 hrs 50 mins. More info →
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Finding Me: A Memoir

Finding Me: A Memoir

Author:
An honest, unflinching, and utterly brilliant account of how one of the best actors of our time became who she is today. Davis begins at the beginning: born on a South Carolina plantation (truly), she shortly moved with her mother and alcoholic father to Central Falls, Rhode Island, where she grew up in dire poverty. Her childhood was riddled with trauma: she shares devastating stories of enduring racism, constant hunger, rampant sexual assault by neighborhood men, and constantly reeking because her family couldn’t afford to do laundry. But when she saw Cecily Tyson on TV, she was inspired to take up acting. Davis's own narration is stunning. 9 hrs 15 mins. More info →
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The Storyteller: Tales of Life and Music

The Storyteller: Tales of Life and Music

Author:
My husband Will read this and thoroughly enjoyed Grohl's account of his career from his time in Nirvana to starting the Foo Fighters. Plus, he delves into how he got his start in this industry, the many people he's met along the way, and what this has meant for his family. The audiobook makes you feel like your friend Dave is telling you stories about his life. Entertaining and engaging. 10 hrs 35 mins. More info →
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Ten Steps to Nanette: A Memoir Situation

Ten Steps to Nanette: A Memoir Situation

Author:
Like many, I first learned of Hannah Gadsby through her Netflix special Nanette. It was an incredibly personal show in which the comedian took on homophobia, gendered violence, and more. At the time, she said she was quitting comedy but lucky for us, she didn’t. Here she takes us behind the scenes of establishing her comedy career and creating the show, including what it was like being a queer person from Tasmania, where homosexuality was illegal until 1997, and her decision to tell the truth, no matter the cost. She also shares about being diagnosed with autism and ADHD as an adult and how her relationship to comedy evolved. I especially appreciated her insights into family dynamics and storytelling. 13 hrs 47 mins. More info →
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Have you read any of these celebrity memoirs? What would you add to the list? Tell us all about YOUR favorites in comments!

P.S. 20 celebrity memoirs read by their authors (the original list!), 15 audiobooks read by your favorite celebrity narrators, and Audiophile alert: 13 engaging audiobooks read by their authors.

15 MORE celebrity memoirs read by their authors

53 comments

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  1. Julie says:

    Kate Mulgrew’s Born with Teeth, Tina Fey’s Bossypants and Trevor Noah’s Born a Crime are all excellent memoirs read by the author.

  2. Nikki S says:

    I recommend As You Wish to *everyone* when they ask about audiobooks. So delightful, and I wasn’t even a big fan of the movie when I read it. Fabulous tale well-told by Elwes who does spot-on impressions of many of his costars.

  3. Torrie says:

    Hooked: How Crafting Saved My Life by Sutton Foster is wonderful on audio. Sutton Foster is one of Broadway’s biggest stars, and was the lead in two TV series (Bunheads and Younger). Her memoir covers how she has used hobbies (crochet mostly, but also collage and painting) to get her through some of her toughest times. She’s open about her difficult relationship with her agoraphobic mother, her own anxiety, the pain of ending relationships, and infertility. Plus, lots of insider Broadway stuff, including an interview with Patti LaPone. There are some craft patterns in the print version I hear, but the publisher provides a PDF for audio listeners.

  4. Shelby says:

    Canada by Mike Myers is laugh out loud funny and as he says – his love letter to Canada.

    I also enjoyed Rob Lowe’s Stories I Only Tell My Friends. I felt like he was a passenger in my car telling me stories.

  5. Brooke says:

    I’d add Dolly Parton’s “Songteller” to the list. First of all Dolly. Need I say more? Second, she reads the story and adds her own spice to it as well as snippets of her singing the songs. It’s pure delight!

  6. Ann says:

    I also loved Rob Lowe’s memoir—so engaging! And, Trevor Noah’s Born A Crime remains one of my all time favorite listens.

  7. Sandy says:

    Love all these recommendations & I truly enjoyed Will by Will Smith detailing his life from Philly to Beverly Hills & everything in between.

  8. Nancy Willard says:

    Once again, one of my favorites is : Just As I Am, Cecily Tyson’s Memoir. Ms Tyson narrates along with Viola Davis and Robin Miles. It was released in 2021, shortly before Cecily Tysons death at 96. It vividly illustrates the history of Black stage and screen history in the 20th and early 21 century, along with the tumultuous story of Ms Tyson’s marriage to jazz great Miles Davis. While it is long (16+ hours) it seems much quicker.

  9. Camille says:

    So many celebrity memoirs deal with the dark and wounding aspects of childhood stardom. By contrast the following books honor the families that strived to protect them from the dark side of celebrity. The Boys: A Memoir of Hollywood and Family By Ron Howard and Clint Howard is a terrific audiobook listen. The brothers, who grew up on America’s television and movie screens have written a refreshing memoir that is a love letter to their parents. Home: A Memoir of My Early Years by Julie Andrews is also a terrific listen. Forever Young by Hayley Mills is a nostalgic listen for Disney fans who remember the years Walt was alive. Finally, though it is hard to find, Child Star by Shirley Temple Black, details her childhood as the most famous movie star of her time. Not only did this tiny, young child save her own movie studio during the Great Depression but in fact probably saved the movie industry as a whole. I came away marveling at her intellect, her intelligence (she kept her dogs with her to ward off the predations of movie executives) and her capacity for forgiveness towards her parents who squandered her money. Highly recommend.

  10. Cindy says:

    What My Bones Know by Stephanie Foo is a moving and hopeful account of the author’s journey to find healing from complex PTSD. Foo was a producer with This American Life and Snap Judgment. The audiobook includes recordings from some sessions with one of her therapists. One of the best books I’ve read!

  11. Kristy Taylor says:

    Stanley Tucci’s book is so fantastic. And I was surprised how much I loved Minnie Driver reading her memoir, “Managing Expectations.”

  12. Samantha says:

    I LOVED Brandi Carlile’s memoir. Listening to it on audiobook and the way she weaved songs throughout was excellent.

  13. Debbie Shell Hughes says:

    What Falls Away by Mia Farrow. Read it a long time ago and still can hear her voice. I really felt she was talking to me. A great insight to an amazing lady

  14. Meagan says:

    I struggle with audiobooks but I have found that memoirs are able to capture my attention when I listen to them. Maybe because it feels like the author is talking to me/ telling me a story about their lives? I’ve listened to Katie Couric’s book and Seth Rogan’s this year. A warning about Seth’s- if casual drug use and references to it aren’t your thing, this is NOT the book for you.
    An FYI – “Who Do You Think You Are?” is back on Sunday July 10 on NBC!

  15. Nanette says:

    Kate Mulgrew’s memoirs are a lot of fun to listen to. And I second Alan Cummings. I believe he has a newer one out (Baggage) which I haven’t listened to yet. I really do need to listen to Nanette (for obvious reasons). I only became familiar with Hannah Gadsby because she named her famous talk after me (well not after me of course, but it’s a pretty uncommon name).

  16. Rose Villalobos says:

    Thank you for all the great recommendations!
    As a lifelong fan of Michael J. Fox, I really enjoyed Lucky Man and Always Looking Up. Still haven’t listened to No Time Like the Future but it’s definitely on my list. I also really enjoyed Greenlights by Matthew McConaughey!

  17. Kathy says:

    A few older celebrity memoirs that I’ve enjoyed: My Wild Kingdom by Marlin Perkins, One More Time and This Time Together-both by Carol Burnett, Dear Cary : My Life with Cary Grant by Dyan Cannon and Joni Eareckson Tada’s 3 autobiographies.

  18. Teresa Ahrenholtz says:

    Every Good boy does Fine is a fun listen especially for those who had taken piano lessons as a kid. The author plays the music in the audio book and it adds so much to the story. Don’t know if he qualifies as a celebrity or not.

  19. Adrienne S. says:

    I loved the audiobook for As You Wish. I would also recommend Home: A Memoir of My Early Years by Julie Andrews — the audiobook is great

  20. April says:

    I read Mox by Jon Moxley, a professional wrestler for AEW. Reading it sounded like you were having a chat with him at a bar. The audiobook just came out and I look forward to hearing it in his voice because I think it will confirm what I thought reading it.

  21. Suzy Bennett says:

    I enjoyed Crying in H Mart – very sweet book about growing up in two different cultures and losing her mother, her connection to her Korean part. Her band, Japanese Breakfast, which is mentioned in the book was featured on Saturday night Live a few weeks ago.

  22. Susan Baum says:

    Memoir is my favorite genre, and I read it almost exclusively on audio. I adored All About Me! by Mel Brooks (director of Blazing Saddles, Young Frankenstein, The Producers and more). What an amazing life and career this dear sweet HILARIOUS humble man has had! Another fave was Left on Tenth by Delia Ephron…where she writes about the loss of her husband and life afterwards. I realized how cathartic it must be to be a writer, and share your frustrations with the unfairness of life.

    • Laura says:

      I really liked both of those! Mel’s life story and Delia’s audio was so good. I learned a lot about new treatments for leukemia. I need to sign up to be a blood marrow donor now that it’s a far simpler blood donation process than it used to be.

  23. Casey says:

    I loved My Own Devices by Dessa, a Minnesota rapper, singer, writer, and BBC podcast hostess. I suppose the level of her fame is debatable (perhaps she is more of a public figure than a true celebrity?), but her voice is AMAZING and her mind is fascinating.

  24. Dee says:

    I have generally not been successful at audiobooks, but I love all of Shauna Niequist’s books on audio. They are more personal essay than memoir, but after having just finished her latest, I think I might try some of these because they might just fit in the same vein. (Like I need *another* subscription and *another* way to read books! LOL)

  25. Marie says:

    My latest memoir read was this summer by Minnie Driver, Managing Expectations: a Memoir in Essays. I knew she was a talented actress but dang she can write words, good words, long words. She’s such a talented writer. I loved how at the end of this she recommends memoirs by peers who are also readers and regards very highly. She narrates the audio beautifully. Drivers talks about her contribution to the Malibu fires recovery. Such a badass.

  26. Karla says:

    I haven’t seen mentioned a couple that I’ve loved: Unbearable Lightness: A Story of Loss and Gain by Portia de Rossi, and Martin Short’s I Must Say: My Life as a Humble Comedy Legend. One was excellent, yet painful. The other was very good, and lighthearted.

  27. Melanie says:

    Born Standing Up by Steve Martin is a wonderful listen. Anything by Nora Ephron, especially, I Feel Bad About My Neck. Most recently, I really enjoyed Dave Grohl’s book, I listened and loved his authenticity.

  28. Sara Trapp says:

    You HAVE to listen to Will Smiths memoir Will on audio. I’m sure reading the book would be great too, but it’s one of those audiobooks that significantly raises the reading experience!

  29. kara owen says:

    If you listen to and love Dave Grohl’s book you HAVE to listen to his mother (Virginia Hanlon Grohl)’s book, From Cradle to Stage: Stories from the Mothers Who Rocked and Raised Rock Stars. It’s not all about the Grohls but is like a bunch of mini-biographies all in one. It’s so good.

  30. Jan says:

    Surrender: 40 Songs, One Story by Bono is, hands down, THE BEST audiobook I’ve ever listened to. The memoir itself is a fascinating story, but Bono reads the audiobook himself (and obviously doesn’t take himself too seriously), and it has integrated snippets of music and soundbites that enhance the narration. Highly recommend!

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