--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: My influences as a comedian and filmmaker…" description: "\"My influences as a comedian and filmmaker are Albert Brooks, Lenny Bruce, Woody Allen, Andy Kaufman and John Cassevettes.\" — Sam Seder" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b95/sam-seder-15431_allen_my-influences-as-a-comedian-and-filmmake_2356653.jpg" --- # My influences as a comedian and filmmaker are Albert… ![“My influences as a comedian and filmmaker are Albert Brooks, Lenny Bruce, Woody Allen, Andy Kaufman and John Cassevettes.” quote by Sam Seder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b95/sam-seder-15431_allen_my-influences-as-a-comedian-and-filmmake_2356653.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b95/sam-seder-15431_allen_my-influences-as-a-comedian-and-filmmake_2356653.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b95/sam-seder-15431_allen_my-influences-as-a-comedian-and-filmmake_2356653.jpg) > “My influences as a comedian and filmmaker are Albert Brooks, Lenny Bruce, Woody Allen, Andy Kaufman and John Cassevettes.” [Sam Seder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-seder/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The speaker lists comedic and filmmaking influences, highlighting a blend of satire, boundary-pushing, and observational humor. **In simple terms:** He cites his comedic and film inspirations. Key Takeaway Study the works of these influences for creative growth. Themes comedy film inspiration Mood reflective creative Type inspirational analytical When to use this quote - writing scripts - stand‑up routines - directing - creative workshops Key Concepts satire performance art storytelling Questions to Reflect On - Which of these influences resonates most with you? - How can you innovate beyond them? A Different Perspective Reliance on past icons may limit originality. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Albert Brooks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/albert-brooks-955036/) [Allen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/allen/) [Andy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/andy/) [Andy Kaufman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/andy-kaufman-488099/) [Brooks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/brooks/) [Comedian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/comedian/) [Comedian Filmmaker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/comedian-filmmaker-5756983/) [Influences](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/influences/) [Influences Comedian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/influences-comedian-5756982/) [John](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/john/) [Lenny Bruce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lenny-bruce/) ## Related quotes > [I do strive to be the Andy Kaufman of TV news.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lawrence-o-donnell/i-do-strive-to-be-the-andy-kaufman-of-tv-news/) [Lawrence O'Donnell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lawrence-o-donnell/) > [I watched a lot of old movies, and a lot of Carol Burnett and Andy Kaufman.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/colleen-ballinger/i-watched-a-lot-of-old-movies-and-a-lot-of-carol-burnett-and-andy/) [Colleen Ballinger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/colleen-ballinger/) > [What I always say is that we're the illegitimate children of Andy Kaufman and Jerry Lewis.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-mcdonald/what-i-always-say-is-that-we-re-the-illegitimate-children-of-andy/) [Kevin McDonald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-mcdonald/) > [I really loved Andy Kaufman growing up, like every comedy person does. I like when sometimes the audience isn't quite sure what's supposed to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-o-brien/i-really-loved-andy-kaufman-growing-up-like-every-comedy-person-does/) [Mike O'Brien](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-o-brien/) > [My friends that are snobs think its cool I did a movie with Albert Brooks.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robin-tunney/my-friends-that-are-snobs-think-its-cool-i-did-a-movie-with-albert/) [Robin Tunney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robin-tunney/) > [I love sketch comedy. My real goal is to do something with Albert Brooks. That would be my fantasy. I stay up night and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/illeana-douglas/i-love-sketch-comedy-my-real-goal-is-to-do-something-with-albert/) [Illeana Douglas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/illeana-douglas/) > [I love all of Albert Brooks' work from 'Defending Your Life' back to his first film, 'Real Life', but am sorry that he seems…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/douglas-wood/i-love-all-of-albert-brooks-work-from-defending-your-life-back-to-his/) [Douglas Wood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/douglas-wood/) > [The most fun I ever had on a movie was working with Albert Brooks. He's the caviar of comedy. I mean, nobody's funnier; nobody…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sharon-stone/the-most-fun-i-ever-had-on-a-movie-was-working-with-albert-brooks-he/) [Sharon Stone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sharon-stone/) > [I would love to do a movie with Albert Brooks; we're so different, but I find him so funny, and I can be just…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chevy-chase/i-would-love-to-do-a-movie-with-albert-brooks-we-re-so-different-but/) [Chevy Chase](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chevy-chase/) > [I'm a big fan of Albert Brooks, Nichols and May. I'd like to follow in their footsteps and do comedy films.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/illeana-douglas/i-m-a-big-fan-of-albert-brooks-nichols-and-may-i-d-like-to-follow-in/) [Illeana Douglas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/illeana-douglas/) > [ Albert \[Brooks\] was rare in that he could make adults laugh. He was a prodigy. At age 15 and 16, he could make my… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rob-reiner/albert-brooks-was-rare-in-that-he-could-make-adults-laugh-he-was-a/) [Rob Reiner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rob-reiner/) > [I was offered 'Pretty Woman.' I was offered 'Big' and 'Dead Poets Society.' But what was important to me in those years was to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-brooks/i-was-offered-pretty-woman-i-was-offered-big-and-dead-poets-society/) [Albert Brooks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-brooks/) > [Albert Brooks is definitely one of my biggest influences, for sure.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonah-hill/albert-brooks-is-definitely-one-of-my-biggest-influences-for-sure/) [Jonah Hill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonah-hill/) > [I've always been obsessed with Albert Brooks. He is my celebrity crush. I'm looking for my Albert Brooks.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alana-haim/i-ve-always-been-obsessed-with-albert-brooks-he-is-my-celebrity-crush/) [Alana Haim](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alana-haim/) > [My favorite movie growing up actually is Defending Your Life because I'm obsessed with Albert Brooks.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alana-haim/my-favorite-movie-growing-up-actually-is-defending-your-life-because/) [Alana Haim](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alana-haim/) ## More by Sam Seder > [Because there is something psychologically wrong with you on some level if you want to be on TV, if the only way you can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-seder/because-there-is-something-psychologically-wrong-with-you-on-some/) [Sam Seder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-seder/) > [I don't have great thoughts about a lot of Republican candidates.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-seder/i-don-t-have-great-thoughts-about-a-lot-of-republican-candidates/) [Sam Seder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-seder/) > [You cannot avoid controversy in this day and age - you really only can pick sides.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-seder/you-cannot-avoid-controversy-in-this-day-and-age-you-really-only-can/) [Sam Seder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-seder/) > [Donald Trump's own intelligence is publicly saying that Russia is actively trying to help him and hurt Joe Biden.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-seder/donald-trump-s-own-intelligence-is-publicly-saying-that-russia-is/) [Sam Seder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-seder/) > [Either you're a political comedian or you're a stand-up. Just talking about politics isn't enough. People who talk about airplane food, you don't call…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-seder/either-you-re-a-political-comedian-or-you-re-a-stand-up-just-talking/) [Sam Seder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-seder/) > [I think there's a real hunger out there for new voices who will speak more truth to power and who are less ensconced in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-seder/i-think-there-s-a-real-hunger-out-there-for-new-voices-who-will-speak/) [Sam Seder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-seder/) > [I mean, the conservative movement in this country has been selling a pack of lies for a long time.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-seder/i-mean-the-conservative-movement-in-this-country-has-been-selling-a/) [Sam Seder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-seder/) > [Listen, as far as the war on Christmas goes, I feel like we should be waging a war on Christmas.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-seder/listen-as-far-as-the-war-on-christmas-goes-i-feel-like-we-should-be/) [Sam Seder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-seder/) > [You know, actors say, 'There are no bad roles, there are only bad actors.' Well, comedians, because they're also writers, believe that there are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-seder/you-know-actors-say-there-are-no-bad-roles-there-are-only-bad-actors/) [Sam Seder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-seder/) > [The mainstream is not the mainstream anymore. We're a lot more niched in our media.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-seder/the-mainstream-is-not-the-mainstream-anymore-we-re-a-lot-more-niched/) [Sam Seder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-seder/) > [My theory about L.A. is that it's almost like you have an allergy that's dormant and just need to be put in the right…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-seder/my-theory-about-l-a-is-that-it-s-almost-like-you-have-an-allergy-that/) [Sam Seder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-seder/) > [I mean, Donald Trump has been able, because of Mitch McConnell, to seat more circuit court judges almost than Barack Obama did in eight…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-seder/i-mean-donald-trump-has-been-able-because-of-mitch-mcconnell-to-seat/) [Sam Seder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-seder/) > [We tune in to news companies for them to give us some sense of grounded assessment of what the truth is.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-seder/we-tune-in-to-news-companies-for-them-to-give-us-some-sense-of/) [Sam Seder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-seder/) > [I mean, what was really interesting is that, you know, Ted Cruz put out this ad with little kids saying that Donald Trump essentially…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-seder/i-mean-what-was-really-interesting-is-that-you-know-ted-cruz-put-out/) [Sam Seder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-seder/) > [I think what should happen is companies should calculate how much money they're getting from people who are celebrating Christmas and provide exactly that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-seder/i-think-what-should-happen-is-companies-should-calculate-how-much/) [Sam Seder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-seder/) [Explore all 43 Sam Seder quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-seder/) ## More Allen quotes > [Being in a Woody Allen film. I cherish it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/parker-posey/being-in-a-woody-allen-film-i-cherish-it/) [Parker Posey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/parker-posey/) > [My older brother took me to Woody Allen double features when I was still teething.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/doug-liman/my-older-brother-took-me-to-woody-allen-double-features-when-i-was/) [Doug Liman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/doug-liman/) > [I don't know enough about Woody Allen to be a fan of him.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/guy-ritchie/i-don-t-know-enough-about-woody-allen-to-be-a-fan-of-him/) [Guy Ritchie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/guy-ritchie/) > [I would like to work with people whose films I really like: Walter Salles, Woody Allen, Julio Medem.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/audrey-tautou/i-would-like-to-work-with-people-whose-films-i-really-like-walter/) [Audrey Tautou](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/audrey-tautou/) > [I know that this sounds grand, but I don't try to compete with other people. I like to think there's enough pie for everyone.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-merchant/i-know-that-this-sounds-grand-but-i-don-t-try-to-compete-with-other/) [Stephen Merchant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-merchant/) > [When you win, everything is everything. But when you lose, it's all about Allen Iverson and Larry Brown. When we win, I know that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/allen-iverson/when-you-win-everything-is-everything-but-when-you-lose-it-s-all/) [Allen Iverson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/allen-iverson/) > [Obviously, if Woody Allen calls and says he wants you to read a script, of course you read it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cate-blanchett/obviously-if-woody-allen-calls-and-says-he-wants-you-to-read-a-script/) [Cate Blanchett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cate-blanchett/) > [Some people said my acting was a cross between Euell Gibbons, Rodney Allen Rippy and Sheena, Queen of the Jungle.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wolfman-jack/some-people-said-my-acting-was-a-cross-between-euell-gibbons-rodney/) [Wolfman Jack](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wolfman-jack/) > [While filming 'Annie Hall,' I never really hung out with Woody Allen.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carol-kane/while-filming-annie-hall-i-never-really-hung-out-with-woody-allen/) [Carol Kane](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carol-kane/) > [First off, I love Woody Allen. His early movies, like 'Hannah and Her Sisters,' are incredible. I also love anything by Billy Wilder, Ron…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-story/first-off-i-love-woody-allen-his-early-movies-like-hannah-and-her/) [Tim Story](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-story/) > [I'm so from the Woody Allen/Spike Lee school.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/m-night-shyamalan/i-m-so-from-the-woody-allen-spike-lee-school/) [M. Night Shyamalan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/m-night-shyamalan/) > [When I worked with anybody like Woody Allen, there's the name, and your understanding of who they are before you meet them, that stays…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alden-ehrenreich/when-i-worked-with-anybody-like-woody-allen-there-s-the-name-and-your/) [Alden Ehrenreich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alden-ehrenreich/) > [I'm very physical. I'm extremely active, and I would love to do something a little more sexy and dangerous, a la Sophia Loren, or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/azita-ghanizada/i-m-very-physical-i-m-extremely-active-and-i-would-love-to-do/) [Azita Ghanizada](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/azita-ghanizada/) > [When television began, it modeled itself after radio. Many early television programs were radio programs first. 'My Favorite Wife,' 'The Jack Benny Show,' 'Burns…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-gerrold/when-television-began-it-modeled-itself-after-radio-many-early/) [David Gerrold](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-gerrold/) > [Woody Allen's movies are so much a part of me. I grew up watching them over and over and would read all his comic…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noah-baumbach/woody-allen-s-movies-are-so-much-a-part-of-me-i-grew-up-watching-them/) [Noah Baumbach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noah-baumbach/) [Browse all 105 Allen quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/allen/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "My influences as a comedian and filmmaker are Albert Brooks, Lenny Bruce, Woody Allen, Andy Kaufman and John Cassevettes.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Sam Seder" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-seder/my-influences-as-a-comedian-and-filmmaker-are-albert-brooks-lenny/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Allen" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-seder/my-influences-as-a-comedian-and-filmmaker-are-albert-brooks-lenny/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b95/sam-seder-15431_allen_my-influences-as-a-comedian-and-filmmake_2356653.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b95/sam-seder-15431_allen_my-influences-as-a-comedian-and-filmmake_2356653.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b95/sam-seder-15431_allen_my-influences-as-a-comedian-and-filmmake_2356653.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“My influences as a comedian and filmmaker are Albert Brooks, Lenny Bruce, Woody Allen, Andy Kaufman and John…” — Sam Seder", "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": "Sam Seder", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-seder/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "My influences as a comedian and...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-seder/my-influences-as-a-comedian-and-filmmaker-are-albert-brooks-lenny/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-seder/my-influences-as-a-comedian-and-filmmaker-are-albert-brooks-lenny/#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 } } ] } ```