--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I'm an entertainer; I try to give the…" description: "\"I'm an entertainer; I try to give the public what it wants while I'm on the screen, and I'm completely sincere about it. If I don't happen to be a laug..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7a1/johnny-carson-2644_boys_i-m-an-entertainer-i-try-to-give-the-pub_1958077.png" --- # I'm an entertainer; I try to give the public what it wants… ![“I'm an entertainer; I try to give the public what it wants while I'm on the screen, and I'm completely sincere about it. If I don't happen to be a laughing boy off the screen, that doesn't make me a hypocrite or a phony.” quote by Johnny Carson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7a1/johnny-carson-2644_boys_i-m-an-entertainer-i-try-to-give-the-pub_1958077.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7a1/johnny-carson-2644_boys_i-m-an-entertainer-i-try-to-give-the-pub_1958077.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7a1/johnny-carson-2644_boys_i-m-an-entertainer-i-try-to-give-the-pub_1958077.png) > “I'm an entertainer; I try to give the public what it wants while I'm on the screen, and I'm completely sincere about it. If I don't happen to be a laughing boy off the screen, that doesn't make me a hypocrite or a phony.” [Johnny Carson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johnny-carson/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. An entertainer aims to fulfill audience expectations while maintaining personal authenticity, separating on‑screen performance from private identity. **In simple terms:** Balancing public performance with personal truth. Key Takeaway Stay true to yourself while entertaining. Themes entertainment authenticity image Mood lighthearted thoughtful Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - stand‑up comedy - acting - public speaking Key Concepts media studies psychology of fame Questions to Reflect On - How do you keep authenticity under public scrutiny? - What boundaries protect your personal self? A Different Perspective Audience expectations can pressure performers into in personas. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Boys](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/boys/) [Entertainer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/entertainer/) [Entertainers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/entertainers/) [Giving](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/giving/) [Hypocrite](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hypocrite/) [Sincere](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sincere/) ## Related quotes > [What I've always done as an entertainer is try to come up with things that people will find interesting, or compelling, or humorous.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-taylor/what-i-ve-always-done-as-an-entertainer-is-try-to-come-up-with-things/) [James Taylor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-taylor/) > [As a standup, I try to change the world. As an entertainer, I try to entertain. And as a lesbian, I try to pick…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lea-delaria/as-a-standup-i-try-to-change-the-world-as-an-entertainer-i-try-to/) [Lea DeLaria](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lea-delaria/) > [As an entertainer, I try to do projects that reflect a woman having the ability to stand up for herself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/priyanka-chopra/as-an-entertainer-i-try-to-do-projects-that-reflect-a-woman-having/) [Priyanka Chopra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/priyanka-chopra/) > [It's one of those things that gets written off as humorous when you watch a child entertainer try to redefine themselves, but it can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cole-sprouse/it-s-one-of-those-things-that-gets-written-off-as-humorous-when-you/) [Cole Sprouse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cole-sprouse/) > [I play my life straight - the way I see it. I'm grateful to audiences for watching me and for enjoying what I do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johnny-carson/i-play-my-life-straight-the-way-i-see-it-i-m-grateful-to-audiences/) [Johnny Carson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johnny-carson/) > [I'm an entertainer, not a commentator. If you're a comedian your job is to make people laugh.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johnny-carson/i-m-an-entertainer-not-a-commentator-if-you-re-a-comedian-your-job-is/) [Johnny Carson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johnny-carson/) > [I can't say I ever wanted to become an entertainer. I already was one, sort of-around the house, at school, doing my magic tricks,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johnny-carson/i-can-t-say-i-ever-wanted-to-become-an-entertainer-i-already-was-one/) [Johnny Carson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johnny-carson/) > [My goal is go out, try and be an entertainer, try to have the best match I can but be smart about it. If…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-hardy/my-goal-is-go-out-try-and-be-an-entertainer-try-to-have-the-best/) [Matt Hardy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-hardy/) > [But don't call me an actor. I'm just a worker. I am an entertainer. Don't say that what I am doing is art.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/javier-bardem/but-don-t-call-me-an-actor-i-m-just-a-worker-i-am-an-entertainer-don/) [Javier Bardem](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/javier-bardem/) > [Gaga is an entertainer, so a hat for her is part of the illusion of entertaining.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philip-treacy/gaga-is-an-entertainer-so-a-hat-for-her-is-part-of-the-illusion-of/) [Philip Treacy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philip-treacy/) > [I find that an entertainer is quite content to sit still, and I think an artist always has a little motion, always going somewhere.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-carlin/i-find-that-an-entertainer-is-quite-content-to-sit-still-and-i-think/) [George Carlin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-carlin/) > [Cher wanted to be an entertainer more than I've seen anybody want to be an entertainer in my life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sonny-bono/cher-wanted-to-be-an-entertainer-more-than-i-ve-seen-anybody-want-to/) [Sonny Bono](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sonny-bono/) > [School bored me. Being educated and being intelligent are two different things. I thought I was smart enough. And I wanted to be an…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/djimon-hounsou/school-bored-me-being-educated-and-being-intelligent-are-two/) [Djimon Hounsou](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/djimon-hounsou/) > [By amusing myself with all these games, all this nonsense, all these picture puzzles, I became famous... I am only a public entertainer who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pablo-picasso/by-amusing-myself-with-all-these-games-all-this-nonsense-all-these/) [Pablo Picasso](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pablo-picasso/) > [My father was the role model I looked up. My dad was an entertainer, too. I patterned my life after him. He wanted me…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tracy-morgan/my-father-was-the-role-model-i-looked-up-my-dad-was-an-entertainer/) [Tracy Morgan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tracy-morgan/) ## More by Johnny Carson > [It's silly to have as one's sole object in life just making money, accumulating wealth. I work because I enjoy what I'm doing, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johnny-carson/it-s-silly-to-have-as-one-s-sole-object-in-life-just-making-money/) [Johnny Carson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johnny-carson/) > [The only issue cash presents you is the independence of not stressing about funds.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johnny-carson/the-only-issue-cash-presents-you-is-the-independence-of-not-stressing/) [Johnny Carson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johnny-carson/) > [ I can empathize with President \[George Bush\]. I know what it feels like having a young guy waiting around for you to keel over. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johnny-carson/i-can-empathize-with-president-george-bush-i-know-what-it-feels-like/) [Johnny Carson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johnny-carson/) > [From the time I was a little kid, I was always shy. Performing was when I was outgoing. So I guess I am a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johnny-carson/from-the-time-i-was-a-little-kid-i-was-always-shy-performing-was-when/) [Johnny Carson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johnny-carson/) > [ I'm often asked, "What is your favorite moment during the 30 years you hosted \[The Tonight Show\]?" I really don't have just one. The… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johnny-carson/i-m-often-asked-what-is-your-favorite-moment-during-the-30-years-you/) [Johnny Carson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johnny-carson/) > [For days after death hair and fingernails continue to grow, but phone calls taper off.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johnny-carson/for-days-after-death-hair-and-fingernails-continue-to-grow-but-phone/) [Johnny Carson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johnny-carson/) > [Money gives me just one big thing that's really important, and that's the freedom of not having to worry about money.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johnny-carson/money-gives-me-just-one-big-thing-that-s-really-important-and-that-s/) [Johnny Carson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johnny-carson/) > [In Hollywood if you don't have a shrink, people think you're crazy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johnny-carson/in-hollywood-if-you-don-t-have-a-shrink-people-think-you-re-crazy/) [Johnny Carson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johnny-carson/) > [Ronald Reagan just signed the new tax law. But I think he was in Hollywood too long. He signed it, 'Best wishes, Ronald Reagan.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johnny-carson/ronald-reagan-just-signed-the-new-tax-law-but-i-think-he-was-in/) [Johnny Carson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johnny-carson/) > [The good news is that the president gets another chance. The bad news is that he'll be two weeks older.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johnny-carson/the-good-news-is-that-the-president-gets-another-chance-the-bad-news/) [Johnny Carson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johnny-carson/) > [Anytime four New Yorkers get into a cab together without arguing, a bank robbery has just taken place.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johnny-carson/anytime-four-new-yorkers-get-into-a-cab-together-without-arguing-a/) [Johnny Carson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johnny-carson/) > [For three days after death, hair and fingernails continue to grow but phone calls taper off.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johnny-carson/for-three-days-after-death-hair-and-fingernails-continue-to-grow-but/) [Johnny Carson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johnny-carson/) > [Democracy means free television, not good television, but free.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johnny-carson/democracy-means-free-television-not-good-television-but-free/) [Johnny Carson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johnny-carson/) > [I know a man who gave up smoking, drinking, sex, and rich food. He was healthy right up to the day he killed himself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johnny-carson/i-know-a-man-who-gave-up-smoking-drinking-sex-and-rich-food-he-was/) [Johnny Carson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johnny-carson/) > [Never ask your wife if she still hears from her old pimp.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johnny-carson/never-ask-your-wife-if-she-still-hears-from-her-old-pimp/) [Johnny Carson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johnny-carson/) [Explore all 156 Johnny Carson quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johnny-carson/) ## More Boys quotes > [Ye youths and virgins, when your generous blood Has drunk the warmth of fifteen summers, now The loves invite; now to new rapture wakes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-armstrong/ye-youths-and-virgins-when-your-generous-blood-has-drunk-the-warmth/) [John Armstrong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-armstrong/) > [Boys and boys' body image and clothes have become just as important an issue for boys as for girls.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rosalind-wiseman/boys-and-boys-body-image-and-clothes-have-become-just-as-important-an/) [Rosalind Wiseman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rosalind-wiseman/) > [Lets face it this world is ruled by girls that why we must away pleases our girls](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mrawesome/lets-face-it-this-world-is-ruled-by-girls-that-why-we-must-away/) MrAwesome > [I grew up in Synagogue in the boys' choir. We didn't listen to music in the house; only at temple. Then I went to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mandy-patinkin/i-grew-up-in-synagogue-in-the-boys-choir-we-didn-t-listen-to-music-in/) [Mandy Patinkin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mandy-patinkin/) > [When it comes to bullying small businesses, Donald Trump is the poster boy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hillary-clinton/when-it-comes-to-bullying-small-businesses-donald-trump-is-the-poster/) [Hillary Clinton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hillary-clinton/) > [When other boys dreamt of going to the moon or becoming doctors, I wanted to be a designer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/olivier-theyskens/when-other-boys-dreamt-of-going-to-the-moon-or-becoming-doctors-i/) [Olivier Theyskens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/olivier-theyskens/) > [In the middle of a play, I go crazy and don't realize what I'm doing. I'll snap back to reality and I realize, 'Hey,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-bosworth/in-the-middle-of-a-play-i-go-crazy-and-don-t-realize-what-i-m-doing-i/) [Brian Bosworth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-bosworth/) > [If Pete’s (Sampras) child is a girl, my son will like her; if he’s a boy, my son will defeat him.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andre-agassi/if-pete-s-sampras-child-is-a-girl-my-son-will-like-her-if-he-s-a-boy/) [Andre Agassi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andre-agassi/) > [The tie's a multi purpose accessory, y'know, belt, school boy, Rambo.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noel-fielding/the-tie-s-a-multi-purpose-accessory-y-know-belt-school-boy-rambo/) [Noel Fielding](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noel-fielding/) > [The reason I went to an all-boys Catholic school was because they had the best football team. We won the state championship my junior…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/theo-rossi/the-reason-i-went-to-an-all-boys-catholic-school-was-because-they-had/) [Theo Rossi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/theo-rossi/) > [Some article called me the most feared man in Silicon Valley. Good Lord! Why? My teenage boys got a kick out of it: 'Dad,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nathan-myhrvold/some-article-called-me-the-most-feared-man-in-silicon-valley-good/) [Nathan Myhrvold](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nathan-myhrvold/) > [She had been dragged in the most humiliating of all dusts, the dust reserved for older women who let themselves be approached, on amorous…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-von-arnim/she-had-been-dragged-in-the-most-humiliating-of-all-dusts-the-dust/) [Elizabeth von Arnim](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-von-arnim/) > [As you'll never hear the thing again, my boy, why not throw in a couple of brass bands?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-beecham/as-you-ll-never-hear-the-thing-again-my-boy-why-not-throw-in-a-couple/) [Thomas Beecham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-beecham/) > [So I was ugly. I was never fat, really, and I never wore headgear or had zits or anything. But I was ugly. I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-green/so-i-was-ugly-i-was-never-fat-really-and-i-never-wore-headgear-or-had/) [John Green](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-green/) > [If a Coach is determined to stay in the coaching profession, he will develop from year to year. This much is true, no coach…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adolph-rupp/if-a-coach-is-determined-to-stay-in-the-coaching-profession-he-will/) [Adolph Rupp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adolph-rupp/) [Browse all 7,168 Boys quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/boys/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I'm an entertainer; I try to give the public what it wants while I'm on the screen, and I'm completely sincere about it. 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