Comedy Quote by Anonymous
“Although there have been witty big menOscar Wilde comes first to mindwit and humor seem more in the province of the smaller man. Chaplin, Keaton, the Marx Brothers were all small men. We expect a comedian to be small. He may also be fat. W.C. Fields was fat; so was Oliver Hardy. Fat is funny, small is funny. Lou Costello, of Abbot & Costello, was small and fata winning comic combination. Tall isn't funny, perhaps owing to its being too imposing, even slightly menacing. Tall and handsome conjoined are especially unfunny. One can always fall back on being the tall and silent type, of whom, in the movies, Gary Cooper was the apotheosis. But if oneis small and silent, one is likely merely to be counted shy. Small men are under an obligation to do more talking;perhaps this is why so many of them are always joking.”
About This Quote
The quote suggests that physical stature influences comedic expectations, with smaller or larger bodies often seen as funnier, while tall, handsome types are perceived as less humorous.
In simple terms: Physical size affects how people view humor.
Key Takeaway
Recognize that humor isn’t limited by size.
Themes
comedy
stereotypes
body image
performance
social expectations
Mood
reflective
critical
insightful
Type
observational
analytical
cultural commentary
When to use this quote
- stand‑up comedy
- film casting
- character design
- marketing
- social commentary
Key Concepts
humor perception
social bias
media representation
Questions to Reflect On
- How do stereotypes shape comedic roles?
- Can humor be effective regardless of physical traits?
A Different Perspective
Tall, handsome individuals can also be funny; societal expectations may limit roles.
