There are a lot of questions I keep asking myself about why I do comedy. I guess I laugh to keep from crying. And I guess if you ever get me crying, I might not stop. This is the way I look at tragedy or else I’ll cry.
People with a sense of humor tend to be less egocentric and more realistic in their view of the world and more humble in moments of success and less defeated in times of travail.
I think that what comes through in Chicago humor is the affection. Even though you’re poking fun at someone or something, there’s still an affection for it.
I don’t know how many sacred cows there are today. I think there’s a little confusion between humor and gross passing for humor. That’s kind of regrettable.
I think there’s a little confusion between humor and ‘gross’ passing for humor. That’s kind of regrettable, because they aren’t the same thing.
The schizophrenic has no sense of humor. His world is a constantly daunting, unfriendly place.
Humor is so important to the American scene throughout history.
What you see on stage is pretty much the way I am… a dry sense of humor.
I didn’t know I was cool, but I was very flattered that some of the younger comedy writers came up to talk to me at the Emmys. I found that gratifying.
Sometimes you forget you’re famous. You wonder, ‘Why is that person staring at me?’
I think one reason for a successful marriage is laughter. I think laughter gets you through the rough moments in a marriage.
If you look at Jack Benny, George Burns, or Don Rickles, they’ve all had long, successful marriages. So, I think there’s something about laughter and the durability of a marriage.
I’m most proud of the longevity of my marriage, my kids, and my grandchildren. If you don’t have that, you really don’t have very much.
You shouldn’t get too close to the truth, because then maybe you stop being funny.
This stammer got me a home in Beverly Hills, and I’m not about to screw with it now.
People have told me, ‘My dad passed on, but I have great memories of watching your shows with him.’ It doesn’t get any better than that.