--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Comics just don't retire. They either die…" description: "\"Comics just don't retire. They either die young or they go to 100.\" — Jeff Ross" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2cb/jeff-ross-7690_comic_comics-just-don-t-retire-they-either-die_1812182.png" --- # Comics just don't retire. They either die young or they go… ![“Comics just don't retire. They either die young or they go to 100.” quote by Jeff Ross](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2cb/jeff-ross-7690_comic_comics-just-don-t-retire-they-either-die_1812182.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2cb/jeff-ross-7690_comic_comics-just-don-t-retire-they-either-die_1812182.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2cb/jeff-ross-7690_comic_comics-just-don-t-retire-they-either-die_1812182.png) > “Comics just don't retire. They either die young or they go to 100.” [Jeff Ross](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeff-ross/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Comics have short careers; they either end early or persist for decades. **In simple terms:** Comedy careers are brief or long. Key Takeaway Plan for longevity or accept early exit. Themes career longevity entertainment Mood reflective realistic Type observational humorous When to use this quote - stand‑up tours - TV shows - film roles - writing contracts Key Concepts comedy life cycles Questions to Reflect On - Will you adapt your style over time? - How do you measure success in comedy? A Different Perspective Not all comics achieve fame; many fade unnoticed. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Comic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/comic/) [Comics](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/comics/) ## Related quotes > [My experience is, people who retire die sooner than they should have.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/f-lee-bailey/my-experience-is-people-who-retire-die-sooner-than-they-should-have/) [F. Lee Bailey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/f-lee-bailey/) > [Blues ain’t football. You don’t have to retire at 30. You can grow and play all your life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elvin-bishop/blues-ain-t-football-you-don-t-have-to-retire-at-30-you-can-grow-and/) Elvin Bishop > [To retire is to die.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pablo-casals/to-retire-is-to-die/) [Pablo Casals](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pablo-casals/) > [As far as artists and musicians, they don't retire. They might tour less.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-hetfield/as-far-as-artists-and-musicians-they-don-t-retire-they-might-tour-less/) [James Hetfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-hetfield/) > [We can all live longer, better, than we ever could before. You don't have to retire.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ellen-burstyn/we-can-all-live-longer-better-than-we-ever-could-before-you-don-t/) [Ellen Burstyn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ellen-burstyn/) > [Retirement is fatal. Luckily, in my profession, you don't have to retire.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joan-hickson/retirement-is-fatal-luckily-in-my-profession-you-don-t-have-to-retire/) [Joan Hickson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joan-hickson/) > [In show business, generally you don't retire. If you love it, that is, you're in it forever anyway.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jimmy-scott/in-show-business-generally-you-don-t-retire-if-you-love-it-that-is/) [Jimmy Scott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jimmy-scott/) > [We are always full of the types of people who retire or die. But they are never saying 'This guy is really unbelievable; we're…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/toto-wolff/we-are-always-full-of-the-types-of-people-who-retire-or-die-but-they/) [Toto Wolff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/toto-wolff/) > [The way I deal with arthritis is to keep moving. As long as I can play hard tennis, as long as I can ski…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-redford/the-way-i-deal-with-arthritis-is-to-keep-moving-as-long-as-i-can-play/) [Robert Redford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-redford/) > [I never think about retiring - because you retire, you die.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/asha-bhosle/i-never-think-about-retiring-because-you-retire-you-die/) [Asha Bhosle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/asha-bhosle/) > [Writers don't retire. I will always be a writer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andy-rooney/writers-don-t-retire-i-will-always-be-a-writer/) [Andy Rooney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andy-rooney/) > [I don't have to retire to be happy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/debbie-reynolds/i-don-t-have-to-retire-to-be-happy/) [Debbie Reynolds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/debbie-reynolds/) > [A lot of people want to retire; I couldn't. You don't retire in our business. What, play golf and watch television? Oh, please.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-plummer/a-lot-of-people-want-to-retire-i-couldn-t-you-don-t-retire-in-our/) [Christopher Plummer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-plummer/) > [First of all, you never retire. At least I don't retire.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-w-bush/first-of-all-you-never-retire-at-least-i-don-t-retire/) [George W. Bush](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-w-bush/) > [“Actors don’t retire; people who are in jobs they don’t like retire.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bea-arthur/actors-don-t-retire-people-who-are-in-jobs-they-don-t-like-retire/) [Bea Arthur](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bea-arthur/) ## More by Jeff Ross > [It's very rare that an older comedian sort of slips into an old-school clunker. You know, you don't hear too much of that anymore.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeff-ross/it-s-very-rare-that-an-older-comedian-sort-of-slips-into-an-old/) [Jeff Ross](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeff-ross/) > [You cultural sodomite. You were an aide to Bobby Kennedy, which explains your connection to Hasselhoff. I guess you like to hang around guys…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeff-ross/you-cultural-sodomite-you-were-an-aide-to-bobby-kennedy-which/) [Jeff Ross](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeff-ross/) > [My parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles were all funny, and I felt that energy, that delivery, that timing, that sarcasm. All that stuff seeped…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeff-ross/my-parents-grandparents-aunts-and-uncles-were-all-funny-and-i-felt/) [Jeff Ross](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeff-ross/) > [Last time I was in Canada Celine Dion had just given birth to identical twins. Which is quite an achievement given her age and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeff-ross/last-time-i-was-in-canada-celine-dion-had-just-given-birth-to/) [Jeff Ross](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeff-ross/) > [Comedians second-guessing themselves is scary. Poor taste is not a crime and we can't forget that.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeff-ross/comedians-second-guessing-themselves-is-scary-poor-taste-is-not-a/) [Jeff Ross](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeff-ross/) > [People are roasting each other at parties, at work events, around the fire. It's so fun. People are busting each other's chops, and it's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeff-ross/people-are-roasting-each-other-at-parties-at-work-events-around-the/) [Jeff Ross](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeff-ross/) > [Before you can be all deprecating it's helpful to be self-deprecating.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeff-ross/before-you-can-be-all-deprecating-it-s-helpful-to-be-self-deprecating/) [Jeff Ross](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeff-ross/) > [I don't think you cross the line - I think you move the line.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeff-ross/i-don-t-think-you-cross-the-line-i-think-you-move-the-line/) [Jeff Ross](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeff-ross/) > [Folks, Jerry Stiller has the face of a star and that star is Lassie!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeff-ross/folks-jerry-stiller-has-the-face-of-a-star-and-that-star-is-lassie/) [Jeff Ross](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeff-ross/) > [Some people say Larry the Cable Guys only successful because hes pandering to the lowest common denominator, blatantly and not ironically exploiting peoples racist…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeff-ross/some-people-say-larry-the-cable-guys-only-successful-because-hes/) [Jeff Ross](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeff-ross/) > [Instead of running for President, why don’t you try walking on a treadmill?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeff-ross/instead-of-running-for-president-why-don-t-you-try-walking-on-a/) [Jeff Ross](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeff-ross/) > [I'm a big fan of Courtney Love. I love Hole and I love her acting and I love her attitude. I just hope I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeff-ross/i-m-a-big-fan-of-courtney-love-i-love-hole-and-i-love-her-acting-and/) [Jeff Ross](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeff-ross/) > [You know you're white bread, Carson, right? You shit croutons.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeff-ross/you-know-you-re-white-bread-carson-right-you-shit-croutons/) [Jeff Ross](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeff-ross/) > [You ever had your heart broken, Larry? What was his name?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeff-ross/you-ever-had-your-heart-broken-larry-what-was-his-name/) [Jeff Ross](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeff-ross/) > [Life is tough, and if we don't laugh, we're going to - our head will explode.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeff-ross/life-is-tough-and-if-we-don-t-laugh-we-re-going-to-our-head-will/) [Jeff Ross](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeff-ross/) [Explore all 88 Jeff Ross quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeff-ross/) ## More Comic quotes > [Any incarnation of 'Batman' I am delighted to do.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adam-west/any-incarnation-of-batman-i-am-delighted-to-do/) [Adam West](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adam-west/) > [I always loved as a kid reading 'Spider-Man,' and the 'Fantastic Four' would show up... it was all about that larger universe.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peyton-reed/i-always-loved-as-a-kid-reading-spider-man-and-the-fantastic-four/) [Peyton Reed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peyton-reed/) > [One of the key characteristics of the comic book medium is that it is not brought to life by just one voice.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-lee/one-of-the-key-characteristics-of-the-comic-book-medium-is-that-it-is/) [Jim Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-lee/) > [I identify with Superman. I am adopted, I am an only child, and I love the idea that he comes from another world, that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bryan-singer/i-identify-with-superman-i-am-adopted-i-am-an-only-child-and-i-love/) [Bryan Singer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bryan-singer/) > [Before World War II, I was living a very cloistered existence, as most cartoonists do. The work I was pouring out did not come…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/will-eisner/before-world-war-ii-i-was-living-a-very-cloistered-existence-as-most/) [Will Eisner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/will-eisner/) > [If you look at Marvel Comics, there are very few Marvel characters I would like to write.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/garth-ennis/if-you-look-at-marvel-comics-there-are-very-few-marvel-characters-i/) [Garth Ennis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/garth-ennis/) > [The big problem for comic art is you don't want to overwork it. If a drawing is overworked it isn't funny. It's the spontaneity…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-sorel/the-big-problem-for-comic-art-is-you-don-t-want-to-overwork-it-if-a/) [Edward Sorel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-sorel/) > [Leslie Stein's comics give readers privileged access to a complete and wholly original world of gently skewed wonders.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-woodring/leslie-stein-s-comics-give-readers-privileged-access-to-a-complete/) [Jim Woodring](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-woodring/) > [I've certainly seen a lot of my cartoonist friends embrace 'Little Lulu' in a much deeper way because their kids love it so much.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seth/i-ve-certainly-seen-a-lot-of-my-cartoonist-friends-embrace-little/) [Seth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seth/) > [Batman doesn't have any superpowers. He's not superhuman. He's not super. So therefore he can't be a superhero.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/craig-silvey/batman-doesn-t-have-any-superpowers-he-s-not-superhuman-he-s-not/) [Craig Silvey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/craig-silvey/) > [When I was writing 'Black Panther,' on one level, I was angry because DC would never let me write 'Batman,' so I was doing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-priest/when-i-was-writing-black-panther-on-one-level-i-was-angry-because-dc/) [Christopher Priest](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-priest/) > [I was really into the first 'Spider-Man' films with Tobey Maguire, so it's pretty cool how it all came full circle.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jacob-batalon/i-was-really-into-the-first-spider-man-films-with-tobey-maguire-so-it/) [Jacob Batalon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jacob-batalon/) > [Most men are secretly still mad at their mothers for throwing away their comic books. They would be valuable now.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rita-rudner/most-men-are-secretly-still-mad-at-their-mothers-for-throwing-away/) [Rita Rudner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rita-rudner/) > [I'll only diet for a Marvel movie. I will give up bacon and waffles to be Storm.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/janelle-james/i-ll-only-diet-for-a-marvel-movie-i-will-give-up-bacon-and-waffles-to/) [Janelle James](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/janelle-james/) > [You've seen the first issue and what happened in the last page. Some pretty awful stuff. I don't know why I seem to be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/declan-shalvey/you-ve-seen-the-first-issue-and-what-happened-in-the-last-page-some/) [Declan Shalvey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/declan-shalvey/) [Browse all 5,841 Comic quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/comic/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Comics just don't retire. 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