Jim Norton grew up in the suburbs of New Jersey, in a family where his mother worked as a librarian and his father was a postal worker for the military. From a young age, Norton admired comedians like Richard Pryor and realized he wanted to pursue a career in comedy by the time he was 12. Despite having a relatively positive childhood, Norton struggled with low self-esteem, which led him to excessive alcohol consumption at an early age. At 18, Norton experienced a tumultuous period, culminating in a suicide attempt that he later described as more of a cry for attention than a serious attempt to end his life. This incident prompted him to enter rehab for alcohol abuse, where he successfully completed the program and has remained sober since. Following his rehab stint, he earned his GED, as he'd missed his high school graduation, and lived with his parents while working on a forklift in a warehouse. Norton ventured into stand-up comedy in 1989, stepping on stage for the first time at an open mic event at the Varsity Pub in central New Jersey. Although performance anxiety made him hope for cancellations, he persevered. Fellow comedian Jim Florentine, known for his work in "cringe" comedy, got Norton his first paid gig, which started a long friendship and even a period as roommates. Together, they collaborated on projects, such as the web series "Good Side Of Bad News" for Super Deluxe. While performing in Los Angeles, Norton had a chance encounter with Andrew Dice Clay, who asked him to fill in for an opening act. This opportunity turned into a regular gig, with Norton frequently opening for Clay on tour. Norton's comedy is marked by an unfiltered honesty about his personal life, particularly his sexual experiences, which include candid admissions about past encounters with escorts. He is currently in a relationship and claims to have moved past those experiences. A familiar face on television, Norton appeared frequently on "Tough Crowd with Colin Quinn," a late-night roundtable where comedians, including Patrice O'Neal and Nick Di Paolo, debated topical issues with humor. He also gained recognition as a semifinalist on the second season of NBC's "Last Comic Standing," though he had to withdraw due to a prior commitment with MTV. Norton became a popular figure on "The Opie and Anthony Show," often joining the show several times a week when not touring. He attributes much of his success to the exposure and support from the show's hosts, who were present during his HBO specials. In 2006, he played a key role in organizing "Opie and Anthony's Traveling Virus Comedy Tour," working alongside comedians like Bill Burr, Rich Vos, and Bob Saget. In 2007, Norton published his first book, "Happy Endings: The Tales of a Meaty-Breasted Zilch," which climbed to #4 on the New York Times Non-Fiction Bestseller List. The foreword was penned by Colin Quinn, further cementing their collaborative relationship. That year, Norton also released his first HBO one-hour special, "Monster Rain," recorded at The Lincoln Theatre in Washington, D.C. The special's title referenced a playful yet provocative childhood memory, showcasing Norton's signature blend of humor and raw honesty.