Author Steven Dupin shares stories of hellraising, Hollywood and health scares
PRLog - Apr. 30, 2014 - LOS ANGELES, Calif. -- In his new book The Trans Am Diaries: A Hillbilly’s Road Trip from Stand Up Comedy to Cancer…and Back Again (Headline Books), author Steven Dupin is brutally honest about the choices he made in life, as well as mistakes made by others that nearly cost him his life.
Whether recalling his days growing up in a dysfunctional Kentucky household or describing the physical challenges related to his prostate cancer and recovery from it, Dupin (known professionally as Stevie D.) shares surprisingly intimate details—usually with a hefty dose of self-deprecating humor—never sugar-coating his version of the truth about himself, his family, friends, doctors and celebrities with whom he has worked.
Born in Owensboro, Kentucky, Dupin moved to Los Angeles in his early 20s to pursue his dream of working in show business. After struggling for a few years, he began to be noticed in the world of standup, becoming one of the most popular comics at Hollywood's most famous clubs, and even starring in his own shows at The Comedy Store and The World Famous Laugh Factory. Dupin also became a regular on E! Network clips shows, and hosted for other cable networks, including the automotive network MavTV.
Then, at the age of 44, Dupin was diagnosed with prostate cancer, a potentially fatal illness that is usually associated with much older men. It was during his lengthy recovery from surgery that he decided to write a book about his experiences.
“Dealing with cancer was a scary time in my life,” Dupin said. “I know that laughter heals, therefore, while my body healed, my brain worked. I spent the next two years working on this book. I hope others are inspired and amused by my crazy stories.”
Written in a conversational, stream-of-consciousness style Dupin describes as “Hillbilly Ebonics,” the book is more hilarious than serious. Among experiences he shares are:
• Fleeing from Kentucky cops while joyriding with his dad
• Getting into a brawl with a crazed motorist in the middle of a busy Hollywood intersection
• Being a white deejay at a racially tense, all-black hip-hop party during the OJ trial
• Golfing with rock star Eddie Van Halen
• Becoming deathly ill after eating undercooked chicken at a posh wedding reception
• Opening for comedian Chris Rock in a 60 Minutes segment
• Executive producing the successful DVD concert Rockstars of Comedy with Whitney Cummings (NBC’s Whitney) and Steve Burns (TBS’ Sullivan & Son).
Dupin is now president of Blue Media Group, a television production company specializing in reality-based program development. He is also the host of The Stevie D. Show, a weekly podcast on the Actors Entertainment Channel (www.actorsentertainment.com), which has featured such guests as Suli McCullough, Jon Reep, David Lloyd Glover, Troy Ladd and others. http://youtu.be/esWAkM1nfac
As a result of his work in comedy and now television, Dupin has gotten to know many well-known figures in Hollywood, some of whom are praising The Trans Am Diaries.
"Stevie and I were partners in crime,” said Academy Award-nominated producer Brian Oliver (Black Swan, Ides of March). “We raised a lot of hell, but we both survived somehow. This book rocks!”
Actress and producer Arleen Sorkin calls Trans Am Diaries a must-have for anyone who is being tested. “I call Stevie a machine gun of ideas, all of them good, all of them funny,” she said.
“Stevie's book is hilarious, entertaining, uplifting and inspirational,” said Troy Ladd, legendary hot rod builder and owner of Hollywood Hot Rods.
The Trans Am Diaries: A Hillbilly’s Road Trip from Comedy to Cancer…and Back Again is published by Headline Books, the 2013 Independent Publisher of the Year. More information is available at www.steviedrocks.com and www.headlinebooks.com.
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Wild Child, Devoted Dad, Cancer Survivor: Comedian’s ‘Trans Am Diaries’ is Funny and Uplifting
April 30, 2014 at 13:00 PM EDT
