---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I don't think Aaron Sorkin can write a…"
description: "\"I don't think Aaron Sorkin can write a character who isn't really funny.\" — Clark Gregg"
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/643/clark-gregg-10351_character_i-don-t-think-aaron-sorkin-can-write-a-c_2982482.jpg"
---

#  I don't think Aaron Sorkin can write a character who isn't…

![“I don't think Aaron Sorkin can write a character who isn't really funny.” quote by Clark Gregg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/643/clark-gregg-10351_character_i-don-t-think-aaron-sorkin-can-write-a-c_2982482.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/643/clark-gregg-10351_character_i-don-t-think-aaron-sorkin-can-write-a-c_2982482.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/643/clark-gregg-10351_character_i-don-t-think-aaron-sorkin-can-write-a-c_2982482.jpg)

> “I don't think Aaron Sorkin can write a character who isn't really funny.”

[Clark Gregg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/clark-gregg/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

The speaker doubts Sorkin’s ability to create non‑comic characters, questioning his range

**In simple terms:** A critique of a writer’s limited emotional palette in character creation

Key Takeaway

Consider diverse storytelling techniques beyond humor

Themes

writing character development critique

Mood

skeptical analytical

Type

critical creative

When to use this quote

- screenwriting
- theatre
- creative workshops

Key Concepts

dramatic depth genre versatility

Questions to Reflect On

- What makes a character feel genuinely funny?
- How can humor coexist with seriousness?

A Different Perspective

Sorkin may have hidden depth not recognized

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Aaron Sorkin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/aaron-sorkin/) [Character](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/character/) [Character Isn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/character-isn-790463/) [Funny](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/funny/) [Really Funny](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/really-funny/) [Sorkin Write](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sorkin-write-4341748/) [Thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking/) [Writing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writing/)

## Related quotes

> [I am lucky enough to have Aaron Sorkin write what I have to say.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/allison-janney/i-am-lucky-enough-to-have-aaron-sorkin-write-what-i-have-to-say/)

[Allison Janney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/allison-janney/)

> [I feel like I've had a number of roles in suits, which is hilarious to the people who know me, because it couldn't be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/clark-gregg/i-feel-like-i-ve-had-a-number-of-roles-in-suits-which-is-hilarious-to/)

[Clark Gregg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/clark-gregg/)

> [Character isn't developed when we get what we want. Character is developed when we don't get what we want.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joyce-meyer/character-isn-t-developed-when-we-get-what-we-want-character-is/)

[Joyce Meyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joyce-meyer/)

> [Character isn't inherited. One builds it daily by the way one thinks and acts, thought by thought, action by action. If one lets fear…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/helen-gahagan-douglas/character-isn-t-inherited-one-builds-it-daily-by-the-way-one-thinks/)

[Helen Gahagan Douglas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/helen-gahagan-douglas/)

> [“Character isn’t something that magically appears simply by virtue of having a birthday and a describable physical identity; it is something that is built…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/billy-marshall-stoneking-2/character-isn-t-something-that-magically-appears-simply-by-virtue-of/)

[Billy Marshall-Stoneking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/billy-marshall-stoneking-2/)

> [I have to phrase this perfectly: I'm just not convinced that the attention we give to creating what we think of as a character…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-dillane/i-have-to-phrase-this-perfectly-i-m-just-not-convinced-that-the/)

[Stephen Dillane](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-dillane/)

> [I gauge if I can create a different a woman. But sometimes, you feel the character isn't given enough space to perform.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/supriya-pathak/i-gauge-if-i-can-create-a-different-a-woman-but-sometimes-you-feel/)

[Supriya Pathak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/supriya-pathak/)

> [A Dickens character to me is a theatrical projection of a character. Not that it isn't real. It's real, but in that removed sense.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rex-stout/a-dickens-character-to-me-is-a-theatrical-projection-of-a-character/)

[Rex Stout](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rex-stout/)

> [Scooby's the greatest cartoon character ever. He isn't cute like Mickey or smart like Bugs or fearless like Woody and Buzz - he's a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-gunn/scooby-s-the-greatest-cartoon-character-ever-he-isn-t-cute-like/)

[James Gunn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-gunn/)

> [The leading character isn't always the most important or interesting character; when people think that the protagonist is the character portrayed, it's people who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pilou-asbaek/the-leading-character-isn-t-always-the-most-important-or-interesting/)

[Pilou Asbaek](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pilou-asbaek/)

> [Strength of character isn't always about how much you can handle before you break. It's also about how much you can handle after you're…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/strength-of-character-isn-t-always-about-how-much-you-can-handle-2/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [Strength of character isn't always about how much you can handle before you break, it's also about how much you can handle after you've…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/strength-of-character-isn-t-always-about-how-much-you-can-handle/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [“The presentation of self in everyday life. This guy Goffman had the idea that in different situations, you perform yourself differently. Your character isn’t…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/e-lockhart/the-presentation-of-self-in-everyday-life-this-guy-goffman-had-the/)

[E. Lockhart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/e-lockhart/)

> [Character isn't inherited. One builds it daily by how one thinks and acts.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/helen-gahagan-douglas/character-isn-t-inherited-one-builds-it-daily-by-how-one-thinks-and/)

[Helen Gahagan Douglas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/helen-gahagan-douglas/)

> [The predominant difference between television and film is the pace to which you work, but the development of the character or the process for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elijah-wood/the-predominant-difference-between-television-and-film-is-the-pace-to/)

[Elijah Wood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elijah-wood/)

## More by Clark Gregg

> [There's something about the superheroes and the idea behind their relationship with humans, whether it's a metaphor for the better part of ourselves, or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/clark-gregg/there-s-something-about-the-superheroes-and-the-idea-behind-their/)

[Clark Gregg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/clark-gregg/)

> [I was lucky enough to work a little bit with Steven Spielberg.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/clark-gregg/i-was-lucky-enough-to-work-a-little-bit-with-steven-spielberg/)

[Clark Gregg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/clark-gregg/)

> [The thing is, I love a great death scene - no good actor doesn't. Sorry, any actor, I should say.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/clark-gregg/the-thing-is-i-love-a-great-death-scene-no-good-actor-doesn-t-sorry/)

[Clark Gregg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/clark-gregg/)

> [I'd be just another Marvel fan, only with a little bit bigger smile, when I would get the script and be like, "Oh, my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/clark-gregg/i-d-be-just-another-marvel-fan-only-with-a-little-bit-bigger-smile/)

[Clark Gregg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/clark-gregg/)

> [There's nobody who loves being around actors working more than David Mamet, especially actors bringing his tremendous dialogue to life. I've never seen a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/clark-gregg/there-s-nobody-who-loves-being-around-actors-working-more-than-david/)

[Clark Gregg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/clark-gregg/)

> [Speaking as Coulson, it's unclear. I feel like that are other formidable S.H.I.E.L.D. elements and they don't have Coulson's connection to some of these…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/clark-gregg/speaking-as-coulson-it-s-unclear-i-feel-like-that-are-other/)

[Clark Gregg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/clark-gregg/)

> [I had worked in this New York theatre company for my first eight or nine years out of college, acting and directing there, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/clark-gregg/i-had-worked-in-this-new-york-theatre-company-for-my-first-eight-or/)

[Clark Gregg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/clark-gregg/)

> [I was an 'Ironman' fan. It was in the '70s. I definitely liked comics and drew a lot of panels on my notebook when…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/clark-gregg/i-was-an-ironman-fan-it-was-in-the-70s-i-definitely-liked-comics-and/)

[Clark Gregg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/clark-gregg/)

> [I like anything Jennifer Lawrence is in. She's so beautiful.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/clark-gregg/i-like-anything-jennifer-lawrence-is-in-she-s-so-beautiful/)

[Clark Gregg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/clark-gregg/)

> [I guess what we know about the Avengers is there's a reason why all of the heroes that we've been meeting, from Thor to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/clark-gregg/i-guess-what-we-know-about-the-avengers-is-there-s-a-reason-why-all/)

[Clark Gregg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/clark-gregg/)

> [The great thing about Coulson is that he's a little bit like a party game, where the next person who gets ahold of him…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/clark-gregg/the-great-thing-about-coulson-is-that-he-s-a-little-bit-like-a-party/)

[Clark Gregg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/clark-gregg/)

> [ Because I'm stern and scolding \[the characters\] sometimes, I'm sure I'll get a ton of grief. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/clark-gregg/because-i-m-stern-and-scolding-the-characters-sometimes-i-m-sure-i-ll/)

[Clark Gregg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/clark-gregg/)

> [I feel like every time you think you really understand how deep the seductive power of evil is, it always proves to be one…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/clark-gregg/i-feel-like-every-time-you-think-you-really-understand-how-deep-the/)

[Clark Gregg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/clark-gregg/)

> [One thing I've learned about the Marvel universe is that it's a little bit like God... if you want to make him laugh, just…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/clark-gregg/one-thing-i-ve-learned-about-the-marvel-universe-is-that-it-s-a/)

[Clark Gregg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/clark-gregg/)

> [If the day comes when I'm no longer playing Phil Coulson, I'll very gratefully bid him farewell, because it's been an incredible journey, but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/clark-gregg/if-the-day-comes-when-i-m-no-longer-playing-phil-coulson-i-ll-very/)

[Clark Gregg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/clark-gregg/)

[Explore all 66 Clark Gregg quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/clark-gregg/)

## More Character quotes

> [This may sound strange, but although I feel like I know everything about my characters, the brand of shampoo they use, how many cavities…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gail-honeyman/this-may-sound-strange-but-although-i-feel-like-i-know-everything/)

[Gail Honeyman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gail-honeyman/)

> [I always like a character who makes me laugh.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachael-stirling/i-always-like-a-character-who-makes-me-laugh/)

[Rachael Stirling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachael-stirling/)

> [Social responsibility above the level of family, or at most of tribe, requires imagination-- devotion, loyalty, all the higher virtues -- which a man…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-a-heinlein/social-responsibility-above-the-level-of-family-or-at-most-of-tribe/)

[Robert A. Heinlein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-a-heinlein/)

> [Reader, if you are gifted with nerves like mine, aspire to any character but that of a wit.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-lamb/reader-if-you-are-gifted-with-nerves-like-mine-aspire-to-any/)

[Charles Lamb](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-lamb/)

> [I'm often moved by the circumstances around some of my characters, but I don't think I've actually cried watching myself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kate-winslet/i-m-often-moved-by-the-circumstances-around-some-of-my-characters-but/)

[Kate Winslet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kate-winslet/)

> [When you're on a daytime drama you get one page, you better damn well know your character. You better know what she would do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-hudgins/when-you-re-on-a-daytime-drama-you-get-one-page-you-better-damn-well/)

[David Hudgins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-hudgins/)

> [It can sometimes make people fold into themselves and kind of run away, but I think in this case these characters are being forced…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emily-deschanel/it-can-sometimes-make-people-fold-into-themselves-and-kind-of-run/)

[Emily Deschanel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emily-deschanel/)

> [If you are well-mannered towards those whose views are similar to yours, you may be said to exhibit a fairly good character. But, if…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/if-you-are-well-mannered-towards-those-whose-views-are-similar-to/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [Democracy is based on the conviction that man has the moral and intellectual capacity, as well as the inalienable right, to govern himself with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harry-s-truman/democracy-is-based-on-the-conviction-that-man-has-the-moral-and/)

[Harry S. Truman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harry-s-truman/)

> [In the fight between biology and morality, biology has commonly won in the end.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/semir-zeki/in-the-fight-between-biology-and-morality-biology-has-commonly-won-in/)

[Semir Zeki](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/semir-zeki/)

> [Your looks don't make you pretty, it's the person inside who makes you pretty!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aaron-chan/your-looks-don-t-make-you-pretty-it-s-the-person-inside-who-makes-you/)

[Aaron Chan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aaron-chan/)

> [I'm not a huge social media kind of guy, so I don't really know, I don't really ever get... at least in real life,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/freddie-stroma/i-m-not-a-huge-social-media-kind-of-guy-so-i-don-t-really-know-i-don/)

[Freddie Stroma](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/freddie-stroma/)

> [If you stood me in a costume next to a computer graphic of the same-looking character, I think there would be a difference. And…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/warwick-davis/if-you-stood-me-in-a-costume-next-to-a-computer-graphic-of-the-same/)

[Warwick Davis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/warwick-davis/)

> [Courage: the most important of all the virtues because without courage, you can't practice any other virtue consistently](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maya-angelou/courage-the-most-important-of-all-the-virtues-because-without-courage/)

[Maya Angelou](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maya-angelou/)

> [I'm a character actor - always have been, always will be - and historically, character actors don't come into their own until later in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/annie-potts/i-m-a-character-actor-always-have-been-always-will-be-and/)

[Annie Potts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/annie-potts/)

[Browse all 32,707 Character quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/character/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "I don't think Aaron Sorkin can write a character who isn't really funny.",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Clark Gregg"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/clark-gregg/i-don-t-think-aaron-sorkin-can-write-a-character-who-isn-t-really/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Character"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/clark-gregg/i-don-t-think-aaron-sorkin-can-write-a-character-who-isn-t-really/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/643/clark-gregg-10351_character_i-don-t-think-aaron-sorkin-can-write-a-c_2982482.jpg",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/643/clark-gregg-10351_character_i-don-t-think-aaron-sorkin-can-write-a-c_2982482.jpg",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/643/clark-gregg-10351_character_i-don-t-think-aaron-sorkin-can-write-a-c_2982482.jpg",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“I don't think Aaron Sorkin can write a character who isn't really funny.” — Clark Gregg",
                "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
                "creator": {
                    "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
                }
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "BreadcrumbList",
            "itemListElement": [
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 1,
                    "name": "Home",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 2,
                    "name": "Quotes",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 3,
                    "name": "Clark Gregg",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/clark-gregg/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "I don't think Aaron Sorkin can...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/clark-gregg/i-don-t-think-aaron-sorkin-can-write-a-character-who-isn-t-really/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/clark-gregg/i-don-t-think-aaron-sorkin-can-write-a-character-who-isn-t-really/#breadcrumb"
        },
        {
            "@type": "WebSite",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "publisher": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "Organization",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "logo": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png",
                "width": 512,
                "height": 512
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
