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That straight man character is a short trip between comedy and drama in a project, so I can play the comedic beat on the same page as a dramatic beat. It gives me a lot of freedom as an actor to play scenes in multiple ways because I don't play the clown, nor do I play someone who is particularly maudlin.

If you have a character that doesn't have anything wrong with him, there's nothing funny about it. The idea of the straight man is very important. But I'd rather it be somebody else, because it's not as fun.

I like that kind of 'straight-faced' comedy. I like to be straight-faced and outrageous.

When I talk to Steve Martin, he's joyful when he talks about comedy.

I have never pretended to be any kind of super-religious kind of man, but I feel very strongly that you can be funny without being dirty.

There are certain queer times and occasions in this strange mixed affair we call life when a man takes his whole universe for a vast practical joke.

My father was always a straight-up funny guy. He was silly. He was my inspiration.

I've always just been attracted to comedy.

With comedy, I try to steer toward, you know, talking about people that do crazy things, messed-up things. That's what I like to talk about.