Eddie Izzard Quotes

What I actually do put much more weight on, in all honesty, is not being critically acclaimed - it's being respected by my OGs. When I talk to E-40 on the phone, every time I talk to him, I'm like, you know, if he tells me I'm doing good, I'm doing good.

I was scared to death because for the comics of my generation, HBO specials are like the pinnacle. I'm thinking of all these unbelievable comedians I've seen on HBO: Chris Rock, George Carlin, Damon Wayans, Richard Pryor and Billy Crystal. I started having a panic attack seeing my name in that list of people. It was pretty overwhelming.

The greatest way for people to experience a comedy is to go in not knowing anything about it. But because of marketing, it's impossible. Marketing meaning that in order to get people to come you can't just go, 'Hey, there's a great movie - we're not going to show you anything from it but trust us!'

My friends and family always thought I was pretty funny, but I don't know if they thought I was get-my-own-show funny.

Ricky Gervais would have you believe otherwise, but Sacha Baron Cohen is the most successful British comedian in the world.

I walk by studio heads and they actually look and put their hand out now, like maybe I should be on their radar.

Obviously those who burn to be professional jesters mean that they want to be successful comedians. And those are always an elite, microscopic portion of the population. But oh, how they try.

I wanted to be acknowledged as an artist, not just some kiddie-book artist.

I wanted to make a living, but I really was not interested in money at all. I was interested in being a great comedian.

Most painters want recognition, especially by their peers.

Sometimes it irks when people come up in the street and say, 'Oh I'm a huge James Bond fan' - when you obviously want them to be a fan of your work in particular.

It's always impressive when talented comedians are easy laughers or generous with their laughs.

When it comes to English stand-up comedy, Indians have only seen the best - Jerry Seinfeld, Bill Cosby and the like. So, when someone claims to be an English stand-up comedian in India, he'd better be very good if he's going to make a life of it.

The economics favour one-man comedy shows: all you need is one person, a microphone and a PA system. But I'm pleased so many people are making a living out of comedy - it's a wonderful business to be in.

When I started auditioning, I'd take any audition I could get. The more dramatic ones didn't go as well as the comedic.

Tons of comedians have said, 'I grew up learning from Bill Cosby. He's great.' But that respect doesn't mean much to the young people. They like their ginger ale with hot sauce.

It's nice that the independent scene is taken seriously, and has been.

This joy of discovery is real, and it is one of our rewards. So too is the approval of our work by our peers.

People weren't even aware that I wrote my own songs. The media just promoted me as a female body. It's like I've had to prove that I'm an artist.

I was considered by my peers to be a good comedian. So that's all I ever strived to do was get some recognition from my peers.

I personally find it difficult to accept that there could be anyone on earth insensitive to the comic abilities of Laurel and Hardy, Sid Caesar, Woody Allen, Mel Brooks, or Martin Short. But no matter who the comic entertainer is, there is always at least a minority prepared to say, 'What's all the excitement about? He doesn't seem funny to me.'

I just knew that I was funny, and I knew that it was just a matter of time. I didn't know what was going to actually happen - this is definitely way bigger than I thought - but I knew there was no way I was going to be that funny, and nobody was going to notice it.

I've tried very hard to be thought of as a serious actor.

People used to say I'm weak in comedy. But, with 'Mahesh Khaelja' and 'Dookudu,' I have proved that I am good at comedy.

It always feels good when you hear another guy in your industry give you praise.