Assistants Quote by Michael Ironside
“One of the young production assistants (on 'Terminator: Salvation') stepped over to my chair and said, 'Mr. Ironside, are you any relation to the Ironside who was in 'Top Gun'?' And I said, 'I am, yes.' And she grinned and said, 'I knew it! Talent must run in your family!' And she walked away. And all of the producers and directors kind of looked at me uncertainly, and I said, 'What are you guys so uncomfortable for? That's an incredible compliment. I do look like the father of that guy, for Christ's sake!'”
About This Quote
Source Interview: Hollywood Reporter, 2009
A producer made a joke about family resemblance, leading to awkwardness that he turned into a compliment.
In simple terms: He turned an awkward comment into a positive affirmation.
Key Takeaway
Own humor in uncomfortable moments.
Themes
humor
identity
professional interaction
misunderstanding
Mood
lighthearted
defensive
Type
professional
social
When to use this quote
- film set
- producer meetings
- career networking
- publicity
Key Concepts
family resemblance
industry networking
Questions to Reflect On
- When did you turn an awkward comment into a compliment?
- Do jokes about appearance affect professionalism?
A Different Perspective
Jokes can reinforce stereotypes; not everyone sees it as flattery.
![“Well, that would be a title [the busiest guy in Hollywood] still reserved for Ryan Seacrest. I have one assistant; he has about nine. I don't have a food taster yet, I don't have a fluffer either. But, yes there are some days when I don't know if I am coming or going.” quote by Joel McHale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/210/joel-mchale-8254_assistants_well-that-would-be-a-title-the-busiest-g_72338.jpg)
![“Remember, this is back in the '40s, and the idea of a museum being a place where interested people could come in direct contact with works hadn't arrived on the scene yet. That, I think, I first ran into at the Freer Gallery in Washington, D.C., where a man named Marty [Martin] Amt decided that he…” quote by Warren MacKenzie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/ddb/warren-mackenzie-4654_assistants_remember-this-is-back-in-the-40s-and-the_105550.jpg)
