I think there's a part, just a part of comedians, that is still childlike.
One of the first things you ever learn as a stand-up is don't show fear.
I didn't need the elf outfit to play an elf; I could just play an elf.
One of the first things that you learn as a stand-up is, you're the boss. It's your stage, and don't screw with me because I'll make you look bad, which I had to do, because you wind up with drunks and loud people.
You never know when you'll come upon something and it's going to be fodder for new material.
There's a lot of cynicism. Let's really enjoy Christmas, with all that's going on in the world.
I've been married forty-five years. I think laughter is the secret.
The reason I'm a psychologist is based in part on my telephone routines. Much of my humor comes out of reaction to what other people are saying. A psychologist is a man who listens, who is sympathetic.
Television series are like the stock market. There's room for bears and bulls but no room for pigs.
I love portraying the totally indifferent person.
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.
I think there are still words you can't use in family entertainment that you can use in a sitcom today.
The first time I got up in front of an audience was terror, abject terror, which continued for another four or five years. There still is, a little bit.
Well, my career choice made a difference because I never would have met my wife, Jenny. I met her through comedian Buddy Hackett. He set us up on a blind date and then we got married.
I don't have a show anymore. I don't have a check coming in every week. This is important to me, I got to score a million tonight or it could all be over.
You may not think I'm a sex symbol, but I became a father at the age of 48. Now young people think of me as a mini-folk hero because it's difficult for them to believe a man of my age is sexually active.
I was not influenced by Jack Benny, and people have remarked on my timing and Jack's timing, but I don't think you can teach timing. It's something you hear in your head.
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 don't have a stack of scripts...
I never had an aversion because I was active in the drama club. If I had that aversion I certainly wouldn't put myself in the position of being on stage. Of course, in the drama club you're hiding behind a character.
I've been a very lucky actor.
I feel more comfortable in comedy.
Well I was much too practical to presume to have a career in comedy.
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.
As an actor, you generally want to see the other actor's face.
