--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: When you're a comedian, you're just by…" description: "\"When you're a comedian, you're just by yourself.\" — Maria Bamford" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0d2/maria-bamford-10548_comedian_when-you-re-a-comedian-you-re-just-by-yo_3023437.jpg" --- # When you're a comedian, you're just by yourself. ![“When you're a comedian, you're just by yourself.” quote by Maria Bamford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0d2/maria-bamford-10548_comedian_when-you-re-a-comedian-you-re-just-by-yo_3023437.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0d2/maria-bamford-10548_comedian_when-you-re-a-comedian-you-re-just-by-yo_3023437.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0d2/maria-bamford-10548_comedian_when-you-re-a-comedian-you-re-just-by-yo_3023437.jpg) > “When you're a comedian, you're just by yourself.” [Maria Bamford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maria-bamford/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Comedy isolates the performer, making the act a solitary experience despite audience presence. **In simple terms:** Comedians feel alone on stage. Key Takeaway Seek connection beyond performance. Themes comedy isolation performance Mood introspective humorous Type philosophical personal When to use this quote - stand-up - creative work - mental health support Key Concepts psychology artistic expression Questions to Reflect On - How does solitude affect creative output? - Can comedians find community offstage? A Different Perspective Audience may not perceive the performer’s loneliness. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Comedian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/comedian/) [Comedy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/comedy/) ## Related quotes > [I, myself, have killed six people. All random, all undetected, no way to trace them to me. And, let me tell you, there's nothin'…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-carlin/i-myself-have-killed-six-people-all-random-all-undetected-no-way-to/) [George Carlin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-carlin/) > [For every stand-up comedian, Just for Laughs is our Super Bowl. Every comic in the world goes to Just for Laughs in Montreal. And…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jo-koy/for-every-stand-up-comedian-just-for-laughs-is-our-super-bowl-every/) [Jo Koy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jo-koy/) > [That's one thing about my shows. I tell people, I'm not a comedian, I'm just a really funny reporter. I put my life out…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gabriel-iglesias/that-s-one-thing-about-my-shows-i-tell-people-i-m-not-a-comedian-i-m/) [Gabriel Iglesias](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gabriel-iglesias/) > [I didn't want to be a comedian. I was just funny. I jumped on stage and found out I was good at it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eddie-griffin/i-didn-t-want-to-be-a-comedian-i-was-just-funny-i-jumped-on-stage-and/) [Eddie Griffin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eddie-griffin/) > [I never really saw myself as a standup comedian. I always just thought of myself as someone who used the eight minutes or 10…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kristen-schaal/i-never-really-saw-myself-as-a-standup-comedian-i-always-just-thought/) [Kristen Schaal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kristen-schaal/) > [I'm not a political comedian. That's just not what I do.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louis-c-k/i-m-not-a-political-comedian-that-s-just-not-what-i-do/) [Louis C. K](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louis-c-k/) > [There's a fear when you're a comedian of just being hectoring, so you do try to fight against that.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nish-kumar/there-s-a-fear-when-you-re-a-comedian-of-just-being-hectoring-so-you/) [Nish Kumar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nish-kumar/) > [I'm always trying to find the next comedian that just gives me something a little funny to combine with all of the depressing news…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jesse-williams/i-m-always-trying-to-find-the-next-comedian-that-just-gives-me/) [Jesse Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jesse-williams/) > [My career was exploding at the same time that social media itself was expanding. But when my online videos were taking off, I didn't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bo-burnham/my-career-was-exploding-at-the-same-time-that-social-media-itself-was/) [Bo Burnham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bo-burnham/) > [Whenever I go on a show with a comedian I just counter punch.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-o-reilly/whenever-i-go-on-a-show-with-a-comedian-i-just-counter-punch/) [Bill O'Reilly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-o-reilly/) > [I paid attention to not being a comedian, and just concentrated on being who I was. That is what you have to do. If…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rita-rudner/i-paid-attention-to-not-being-a-comedian-and-just-concentrated-on/) [Rita Rudner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rita-rudner/) > [The comedian just wants to get a laugh.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/casey-wilson/the-comedian-just-wants-to-get-a-laugh/) [Casey Wilson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/casey-wilson/) > [I have comedic things in my stuff, but I don't consider myself a comedian. I'm just a YouTuber, I guess just a personality.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ryan-higa/i-have-comedic-things-in-my-stuff-but-i-don-t-consider-myself-a/) [Ryan Higa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ryan-higa/) > [Every comedian is just doing the comedy they find funny. This is me and it's not clean in any way. I could get a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-jefferies/every-comedian-is-just-doing-the-comedy-they-find-funny-this-is-me/) [Jim Jefferies](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-jefferies/) > [Never really intended to be a comedian, just sort of fell into that, but always wanted to be in show business, or something to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/doug-benson/never-really-intended-to-be-a-comedian-just-sort-of-fell-into-that/) [Doug Benson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/doug-benson/) ## More by Maria Bamford > [I feel bad about that, that I worship celebrities... but their moods create weather.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maria-bamford/i-feel-bad-about-that-that-i-worship-celebrities-but-their-moods/) [Maria Bamford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maria-bamford/) > [In L.A., a lot of comics live here, but we don't get to spend that much time together because we've got to drive 45…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maria-bamford/in-l-a-a-lot-of-comics-live-here-but-we-don-t-get-to-spend-that-much/) [Maria Bamford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maria-bamford/) > [Sometimes I worry I don't want to get married as much as I'd like to be dipped in a vat of warm, rising bread…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maria-bamford/sometimes-i-worry-i-don-t-want-to-get-married-as-much-as-i-d-like-to/) [Maria Bamford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maria-bamford/) > [I'm not an extroverted person, nor am I hyper-confident in my point of view. I just don't have that personality.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maria-bamford/i-m-not-an-extroverted-person-nor-am-i-hyper-confident-in-my-point-of/) [Maria Bamford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maria-bamford/) > [I like all kinds of comedy. I like comedy that doesn't talk about real beliefs or serious thoughts, but then I also like the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maria-bamford/i-like-all-kinds-of-comedy-i-like-comedy-that-doesn-t-talk-about-real/) [Maria Bamford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maria-bamford/) > [I think I, like a lot of people, have that type of brain where I find it interesting or fulfilling to worry about something.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maria-bamford/i-think-i-like-a-lot-of-people-have-that-type-of-brain-where-i-find/) [Maria Bamford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maria-bamford/) > [I have trouble watching singers because they are so sincere.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maria-bamford/i-have-trouble-watching-singers-because-they-are-so-sincere/) [Maria Bamford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maria-bamford/) > [Even if you're disgusting, and everyone is creeped out by you and thinks you're gross, you know, keep doing what you love!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maria-bamford/even-if-you-re-disgusting-and-everyone-is-creeped-out-by-you-and/) [Maria Bamford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maria-bamford/) > [Some of my friends and family have tried to challenge me to do jokes that aren't as self-deprecating, where I genuinely express my own…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maria-bamford/some-of-my-friends-and-family-have-tried-to-challenge-me-to-do-jokes/) [Maria Bamford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maria-bamford/) > [I can't stand makeup commercials. 'Do you need a lipstick that keeps your lips kissable?' No, I need a lipstick that gets me equal…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maria-bamford/i-can-t-stand-makeup-commercials-do-you-need-a-lipstick-that-keeps/) [Maria Bamford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maria-bamford/) > [I have a comic character - my sister said that I'm the victim of every joke I tell.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maria-bamford/i-have-a-comic-character-my-sister-said-that-i-m-the-victim-of-every/) [Maria Bamford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maria-bamford/) > [Schizophrenia is hearing voices, not doing voices.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maria-bamford/schizophrenia-is-hearing-voices-not-doing-voices/) [Maria Bamford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maria-bamford/) > [It's always the compliments from people you love that mean so much.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maria-bamford/it-s-always-the-compliments-from-people-you-love-that-mean-so-much/) [Maria Bamford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maria-bamford/) > [I express things through characters because I have a fear that my own voice is irritating because that's been said to me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maria-bamford/i-express-things-through-characters-because-i-have-a-fear-that-my-own/) [Maria Bamford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maria-bamford/) > [In my stand up, I think I try to be less energetic because I feel embarrassed about how much enthusiasm I have. There's something…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maria-bamford/in-my-stand-up-i-think-i-try-to-be-less-energetic-because-i-feel/) [Maria Bamford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maria-bamford/) [Explore all 65 Maria Bamford quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maria-bamford/) ## More Comedian quotes > [I would say most comedians have a very cynical worldview of the way the world can work. It's almost like if you didn't, you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/colin-quinn/i-would-say-most-comedians-have-a-very-cynical-worldview-of-the-way/) [Colin Quinn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/colin-quinn/) > [At one point when I was very young, when I was first starting out, I thought, 'Well, one day I'll be able to put…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bo-burnham/at-one-point-when-i-was-very-young-when-i-was-first-starting-out-i/) [Bo Burnham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bo-burnham/) > [I like to turn up my collar when I'm leaving the theatre and feel like I'm some heroic comedian figure.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-skinner/i-like-to-turn-up-my-collar-when-i-m-leaving-the-theatre-and-feel/) [Frank Skinner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-skinner/) > [The only difference between a comedian and someone else? We need to make people laugh more.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/greg-davies/the-only-difference-between-a-comedian-and-someone-else-we-need-to/) [Greg Davies](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/greg-davies/) > [When a soldier of the night's watch dies they say, "And now his watch is over." That's what they say when a comedian dies.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brad-williams/when-a-soldier-of-the-night-s-watch-dies-they-say-and-now-his-watch/) [Brad Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brad-williams/) > [My mom is two people to me. She's my mom number one, and then she's this lady most comedians know as being a legendary…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pauly-shore/my-mom-is-two-people-to-me-she-s-my-mom-number-one-and-then-she-s/) [Pauly Shore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pauly-shore/) > [If I had a choice, I would rather watch a comedian not involve themselves in politics at all but be hilarious than someone who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jon-richardson/if-i-had-a-choice-i-would-rather-watch-a-comedian-not-involve/) [Jon Richardson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jon-richardson/) > [I wouldn't mind gigging around the same era as Jesus, after he gives his speech about the meek and how blessed they are and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-jefferies/i-wouldn-t-mind-gigging-around-the-same-era-as-jesus-after-he-gives/) [Jim Jefferies](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-jefferies/) > [If someone doesn't like a comedian that's fine; a lot of people probably don't like my standup, and that's fine. But I think that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-norton/if-someone-doesn-t-like-a-comedian-that-s-fine-a-lot-of-people/) [Jim Norton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-norton/) > [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/) > [I was a kid, and I would watch standup comics do the 'Tonight Show,' and if Johnny Carson liked you, he'd wave you over…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jo-koy/i-was-a-kid-and-i-would-watch-standup-comics-do-the-tonight-show-and/) [Jo Koy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jo-koy/) > [Gary Greenberg is a thoughtful comedian and a cranky philosopher and a humble pest of a reporter, equal parts Woody Allen, Kierkegaard, and Columbo.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gideon-lewis-kraus/gary-greenberg-is-a-thoughtful-comedian-and-a-cranky-philosopher-and/) [Gideon Lewis-Kraus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gideon-lewis-kraus/) > [For me, comedians are like the epitome for everything great, and they terrify me. I just want to be them. I want to be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tatiana-maslany/for-me-comedians-are-like-the-epitome-for-everything-great-and-they/) [Tatiana Maslany](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tatiana-maslany/) > [No matter what town we went to, if there was a comedian playing, I'd go watch.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-waltrip/no-matter-what-town-we-went-to-if-there-was-a-comedian-playing-i-d-go/) [Michael Waltrip](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-waltrip/) > [I'm a comedian who happens to be Latino. What's the difference? The difference is, my special will air on Comedy Central, not Telemundo.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gabriel-iglesias/i-m-a-comedian-who-happens-to-be-latino-what-s-the-difference-the/) [Gabriel Iglesias](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gabriel-iglesias/) [Browse all 1,775 Comedian quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/comedian/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "When you're a comedian, you're just by yourself.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Maria Bamford" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maria-bamford/when-you-re-a-comedian-you-re-just-by-yourself/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Comedian" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maria-bamford/when-you-re-a-comedian-you-re-just-by-yourself/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0d2/maria-bamford-10548_comedian_when-you-re-a-comedian-you-re-just-by-yo_3023437.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0d2/maria-bamford-10548_comedian_when-you-re-a-comedian-you-re-just-by-yo_3023437.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0d2/maria-bamford-10548_comedian_when-you-re-a-comedian-you-re-just-by-yo_3023437.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“When you're a comedian, you're just by yourself.” — Maria Bamford", "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": "Maria Bamford", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maria-bamford/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "When you're a comedian, you're just...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maria-bamford/when-you-re-a-comedian-you-re-just-by-yourself/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maria-bamford/when-you-re-a-comedian-you-re-just-by-yourself/#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 } } ] } ```