Acting Quote by Michael Shurtleff
“Humor [in a scene] is not jokes. It is that attitude toward being alive without which you would long ago have jumped off the 59th Street Bridge.”
About This Quote
Source Film: Acting for the Camera, Michael Shurtleff, 1995
Humor is an attitude of embracing life, preventing despair and self‑destruction.
In simple terms: Humor keeps you alive and hopeful.
Cultivate a playful outlook.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- stressful work
- personal crisis
- creative blocks
- mental health challenges
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- How does humor change your perception of hardship?
- When can humor become avoidance?
Humor alone may not solve deep problems.