All comedians are, in a way, anarchists. Our job is to make fun of the existing world.
The greatest comedian I've ever seen is Jack Benny. He wasn't afraid of the silences.
Comedians are never really on vacation because you're always at attention... that antenna is always out there.
I really don't know what makes a comedian. I think it's a family background and environment. Yet if you put the same ingredients in another person, he may never utter a funny line.
It was a decision to work clean. I just prefer to work that way. I have no problem with comedians who don't work that way. There was a temptation in the early '70s to reconsider. I decided against it.
I think there's a part, just a part of comedians, that is still childlike.
I was influenced by every comedian I ever saw work. That's the only way you learn how to do it.
One of the first things you ever learn as a stand-up is don't show fear.