I've never done an improvised movie as a fictitious character. I think that's the challenge.

My mother was the concert master of the symphony. Absurdity and eccentricity were not criticized.

People do think I'm Jewish. But we're Irish Catholic. My father had a brogue.

Someone once asked me what was the weirdest question I was ever asked. And I was stymied.

Sometimes people get passionate about the obscure jokes.

What's great about being a character actor is you know that you can survive forever. It's not about the gloss of your eyebrows.

I think I'm funny because my family, my siblings were funny.

What I learned, a little too late, was that the 'traditional' Martin Short target viewer weighs under 300 pounds. Unfortunately, I was on during daytime.

All you're trying to do in an improvisation is get as much material as possible for the editing room.

I've chosen to treat my life more like a party than something to stress about.

Being the youngest of five, you're adored, you're fueled with confidence.

David Lynch and I almost made a movie together in the late '80s. We had lots of dinners and lunches. He's a very cool, hip guy. This film, let's face it, is like an homage to him, I would imagine he'd find it funny.

I hate to lull the audience into letting them think that something is something. It's always fun to defy expectations.

I have sometimes imagined my own death and brought myself to tears.

I know if I were to drop dead now, people would probably write nice things in the obit.