--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: When I was growing up in comedy, there…" description: "\"When I was growing up in comedy, there were maybe 10 comics in the whole country. Everyone had a day job. You worked free for years in little clubs, th..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0e7/elayne-boosler-6166_big-break_when-i-was-growing-up-in-comedy-there-we_2995630.jpg" --- # When I was growing up in comedy, there were maybe 10… ![“When I was growing up in comedy, there were maybe 10 comics in the whole country. Everyone had a day job. You worked free for years in little clubs, then you got your big break and became a star.” quote by Elayne Boosler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0e7/elayne-boosler-6166_big-break_when-i-was-growing-up-in-comedy-there-we_2995630.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0e7/elayne-boosler-6166_big-break_when-i-was-growing-up-in-comedy-there-we_2995630.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0e7/elayne-boosler-6166_big-break_when-i-was-growing-up-in-comedy-there-we_2995630.jpg) > “When I was growing up in comedy, there were maybe 10 comics in the whole country. Everyone had a day job. You worked free for years in little clubs, then you got your big break and became a star.” [Elayne Boosler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elayne-boosler/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Early career sacrifices and perseverance are common before achieving success. **In simple terms:** Hard work precedes fame. Key Takeaway Persist through early struggles. Themes career perseverance humor Mood determined inspirational Type motivational practical When to use this quote - stand‑up comedy - startup ventures Key Concepts entrepreneurship creative arts Questions to Reflect On - What sacrifices are you willing to make for your goal? - How can you support others on similar paths? A Different Perspective Success stories often omit systemic barriers faced by many. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [10 Comics](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/10-comics-4730195/) [Big break](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/big-break/) [Bigs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bigs/) [Break](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/break/) [Clubs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/clubs/) [Comedy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/comedy/) [Comedy Maybe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/comedy-maybe-1649099/) [Comics Country](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/comics-country-4730194/) [Country](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/country/) [Growing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/growing/) [Growing Comedy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/growing-comedy-2272342/) [Growing up](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/growing-up/) [Humor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/humor/) [Jobs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/jobs/) [Littles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/littles/) [Stars](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/stars/) [Whole](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/whole/) [Years](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/years/) ## Related quotes > [When I was growing up, I had more comedy albums than musical ones. George Carlin, Cheech and Chong, Steve Martin, Richard Pryor - those…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-bryan/when-i-was-growing-up-i-had-more-comedy-albums-than-musical-ones/) [David Bryan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-bryan/) > [There is that stereotype of a nerd with the high pants and pocket protector and that kind of thing. That can sustain comedy for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johnny-galecki/there-is-that-stereotype-of-a-nerd-with-the-high-pants-and-pocket/) [Johnny Galecki](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johnny-galecki/) > [If I didn't go into comedy... maybe I would've been a funny meter reader.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nate-bargatze/if-i-didn-t-go-into-comedy-maybe-i-would-ve-been-a-funny-meter-reader/) [Nate Bargatze](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nate-bargatze/) > [I've tried to create a comedy that doesn't look like any other comedy. Maybe traditionally in TV there has been a kind of formula…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/melina-matsoukas/i-ve-tried-to-create-a-comedy-that-doesn-t-look-like-any-other-comedy/) [Melina Matsoukas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/melina-matsoukas/) > [There's just something about youth and comedy that go together. Maybe it's that foolishness, that silliness that you can get away with when you're…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-flaherty/there-s-just-something-about-youth-and-comedy-that-go-together-maybe/) [Joe Flaherty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-flaherty/) > [I try to give all my characters a sense of humor, so I guess I feel like I have done comedy, but maybe I'm…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kathy-baker/i-try-to-give-all-my-characters-a-sense-of-humor-so-i-guess-i-feel/) [Kathy Baker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kathy-baker/) > [I'd much rather see Richard Pryor or Jackie Mason in a theater than in a club.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elayne-boosler/i-d-much-rather-see-richard-pryor-or-jackie-mason-in-a-theater-than/) [Elayne Boosler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elayne-boosler/) > [My big break was back in the third grade playing the third monkey in 'Horton Hears a Who.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sebastian-arcelus/my-big-break-was-back-in-the-third-grade-playing-the-third-monkey-in/) [Sebastian Arcelus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sebastian-arcelus/) > [Big breaks come from small fractures.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-kapelos/big-breaks-come-from-small-fractures/) [John Kapelos](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-kapelos/) > [It might sound cliched, but choosing the right script is crucial. I think 'Badmaash Company' was a very big break for me because it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vir-das/it-might-sound-cliched-but-choosing-the-right-script-is-crucial-i/) [Vir Das](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vir-das/) > [I never had a single big break - because few do online.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ryan-higa/i-never-had-a-single-big-break-because-few-do-online/) [Ryan Higa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ryan-higa/) > [ Innovation is not a big breakthrough invention every time. Innovation is a constant thing. But if you don't have an innovative company \[team\], coming… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-welch/innovation-is-not-a-big-breakthrough-invention-every-time-innovation/) [Jack Welch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-welch/) > [My big break down here was working with Steven Spielberg in '1941.' It was a very small role, as Corporal Foley, who was part…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-candy/my-big-break-down-here-was-working-with-steven-spielberg-in-1941-it/) [John Candy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-candy/) > [I got my big break in the semi-final as a young kid against Real Madrid.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/owen-hargreaves/i-got-my-big-break-in-the-semi-final-as-a-young-kid-against-real/) [Owen Hargreaves](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/owen-hargreaves/) > [“You think I’m sixteen, so I don’t know what love is, right?” She shakes her head, sad smile on again. “Sometimes I wonder if…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/swati-avasthi/you-think-i-m-sixteen-so-i-don-t-know-what-love-is-right-she-shakes/) [Swati Avasthi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/swati-avasthi/) ## More by Elayne Boosler > [Guys wake up at your place and they expect breakfast. They don't eat bagels and M&M's in the morning. They want things like toast.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elayne-boosler/guys-wake-up-at-your-place-and-they-expect-breakfast-they-don-t-eat/) [Elayne Boosler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elayne-boosler/) > [I always had a running commentary in my head that was extremely funny and off-center, but I never said it to anyone.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elayne-boosler/i-always-had-a-running-commentary-in-my-head-that-was-extremely-funny/) [Elayne Boosler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elayne-boosler/) > [I have six locks on my door all in a row. When I go out, I lock every other one. I figure no matter…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elayne-boosler/i-have-six-locks-on-my-door-all-in-a-row-when-i-go-out-i-lock-every/) [Elayne Boosler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elayne-boosler/) > [The thing about breaking up when you get older, you just don't have the steam anymore. "Oh, that's it. I can't start shaving my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elayne-boosler/the-thing-about-breaking-up-when-you-get-older-you-just-don-t-have/) [Elayne Boosler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elayne-boosler/) > [I'd much rather see Richard Pryor or Jackie Mason in a theater than in a club.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elayne-boosler/i-d-much-rather-see-richard-pryor-or-jackie-mason-in-a-theater-than/) [Elayne Boosler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elayne-boosler/) > [Now that the Court has declared money to be speech, I say we replace the current Court with some Ben Franklins, Thomas Jeffersons, George…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elayne-boosler/now-that-the-court-has-declared-money-to-be-speech-i-say-we-replace/) [Elayne Boosler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elayne-boosler/) > [People are giving birth underwater now. They say it's less traumatic for the baby because it's under water. But it's certainly more traumatic for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elayne-boosler/people-are-giving-birth-underwater-now-they-say-it-s-less-traumatic/) [Elayne Boosler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elayne-boosler/) > [President Reagan is a lot like E.T. He's cute, he's lovable, and he knows nothing about how Americans live.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elayne-boosler/president-reagan-is-a-lot-like-e-t-he-s-cute-he-s-lovable-and-he/) [Elayne Boosler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elayne-boosler/) > [When women are depressed, they eat or go shopping.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elayne-boosler/when-women-are-depressed-they-eat-or-go-shopping/) [Elayne Boosler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elayne-boosler/) > [I deliver very traditionally, and people aren't threatened. I think if I cursed or seemed wilder, I couldn't get away with the amount of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elayne-boosler/i-deliver-very-traditionally-and-people-aren-t-threatened-i-think-if/) [Elayne Boosler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elayne-boosler/) > [There's only one difference between Jews and Catholics. Jews are born with guilt, and Catholics have to go to school to learn it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elayne-boosler/there-s-only-one-difference-between-jews-and-catholics-jews-are-born/) [Elayne Boosler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elayne-boosler/) > [Men put all kinds of expectations on you. They want you to scream 'You're the best' while swearing you've never done this with anyone…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elayne-boosler/men-put-all-kinds-of-expectations-on-you-they-want-you-to-scream-you/) [Elayne Boosler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elayne-boosler/) > [I think when you take off that jacket and they see that ‘I LOVE GRANDMA’ T-shirt, they’re going to rip your heart out.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elayne-boosler/i-think-when-you-take-off-that-jacket-and-they-see-that-i-love/) [Elayne Boosler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elayne-boosler/) > [My breakup with AT&T is final, and I'm done with Skype as the rebound guy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elayne-boosler/my-breakup-with-at-t-is-final-and-i-m-done-with-skype-as-the-rebound/) [Elayne Boosler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elayne-boosler/) > [I love my parents and they're wonderful people, but they were strict, and I still look for ways to get even. When I got…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elayne-boosler/i-love-my-parents-and-they-re-wonderful-people-but-they-were-strict/) [Elayne Boosler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elayne-boosler/) [Explore all 98 Elayne Boosler quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elayne-boosler/) ## More Big break quotes > [“You think I’m sixteen, so I don’t know what love is, right?” She shakes her head, sad smile on again. “Sometimes I wonder if…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/swati-avasthi/you-think-i-m-sixteen-so-i-don-t-know-what-love-is-right-she-shakes/) [Swati Avasthi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/swati-avasthi/) > [I got my big break in the semi-final as a young kid against Real Madrid.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/owen-hargreaves/i-got-my-big-break-in-the-semi-final-as-a-young-kid-against-real/) [Owen Hargreaves](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/owen-hargreaves/) > [My big break down here was working with Steven Spielberg in '1941.' It was a very small role, as Corporal Foley, who was part…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-candy/my-big-break-down-here-was-working-with-steven-spielberg-in-1941-it/) [John Candy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-candy/) > [ Innovation is not a big breakthrough invention every time. Innovation is a constant thing. But if you don't have an innovative company \[team\], coming… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-welch/innovation-is-not-a-big-breakthrough-invention-every-time-innovation/) [Jack Welch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-welch/) > [I never had a single big break - because few do online.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ryan-higa/i-never-had-a-single-big-break-because-few-do-online/) [Ryan Higa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ryan-higa/) > [It might sound cliched, but choosing the right script is crucial. I think 'Badmaash Company' was a very big break for me because it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vir-das/it-might-sound-cliched-but-choosing-the-right-script-is-crucial-i/) [Vir Das](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vir-das/) > [Big breaks come from small fractures.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-kapelos/big-breaks-come-from-small-fractures/) [John Kapelos](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-kapelos/) > [My big break was back in the third grade playing the third monkey in 'Horton Hears a Who.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sebastian-arcelus/my-big-break-was-back-in-the-third-grade-playing-the-third-monkey-in/) [Sebastian Arcelus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sebastian-arcelus/) > [Everyone in America (according to my generalizations) is a potential millionaire waiting for his or her big break. I was astonished lately to realize…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roseanne-barr/everyone-in-america-according-to-my-generalizations-is-a-potential/) [Roseanne Barr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roseanne-barr/) > [“The big break from the past may come when speech recognition software is perfected. At that point we'll be able to write simply by…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-maguire/the-big-break-from-the-past-may-come-when-speech-recognition-software/) [James Maguire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-maguire/) > [“I want a big breakfast," said Fuchsia at last. "I want a lot to eat, I'm going to think today.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mervyn-peake/i-want-a-big-breakfast-said-fuchsia-at-last-i-want-a-lot-to-eat-i-m/) [Mervyn Peake](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mervyn-peake/) > [I modeled for 4 years before I felt like I had my big break.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erin-heatherton/i-modeled-for-4-years-before-i-felt-like-i-had-my-big-break/) [Erin Heatherton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erin-heatherton/) > [My first big break was with the Ted Fio Rito band. Fio Rito had a bunch of record hits in the 1930s and did…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louie-bellson/my-first-big-break-was-with-the-ted-fio-rito-band-fio-rito-had-a/) [Louie Bellson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louie-bellson/) > [I’ve always said to my agents and stuff, like, it’s going to be 10 years before people forget about Twilight, And that’s totally understandable.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-pattinson/i-ve-always-said-to-my-agents-and-stuff-like-it-s-going-to-be-10/) [Robert Pattinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-pattinson/) > [Big breakthroughs happen when what is suddenly possible meets what is desperately needed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-friedman/big-breakthroughs-happen-when-what-is-suddenly-possible-meets-what-is/) [Thomas Friedman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-friedman/) [Browse all 154 Big break quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/big-break/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "When I was growing up in comedy, there were maybe 10 comics in the whole country. Everyone had a day job. You worked free for years in little clubs, then you got your big break and became a star.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Elayne Boosler" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elayne-boosler/when-i-was-growing-up-in-comedy-there-were-maybe-10-comics-in-the/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Big break" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elayne-boosler/when-i-was-growing-up-in-comedy-there-were-maybe-10-comics-in-the/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0e7/elayne-boosler-6166_big-break_when-i-was-growing-up-in-comedy-there-we_2995630.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0e7/elayne-boosler-6166_big-break_when-i-was-growing-up-in-comedy-there-we_2995630.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0e7/elayne-boosler-6166_big-break_when-i-was-growing-up-in-comedy-there-we_2995630.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“When I was growing up in comedy, there were maybe 10 comics in the whole country. Everyone had a day job…” — Elayne Boosler", "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": "Elayne Boosler", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elayne-boosler/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "When I was growing up in...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elayne-boosler/when-i-was-growing-up-in-comedy-there-were-maybe-10-comics-in-the/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elayne-boosler/when-i-was-growing-up-in-comedy-there-were-maybe-10-comics-in-the/#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 } } ] } ```