--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I started as a stand-up comedian. I…" description: "\"I started as a stand-up comedian. I wanted to be Carol Burnett when I was growing up.\" — Stephanie Miller" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e0f/stephanie-miller-27396_carol-burnett_i-started-as-a-stand-up-comedian-i-wante_1749403.jpg" --- # I started as a stand-up comedian. I wanted to be Carol… ![“I started as a stand-up comedian. I wanted to be Carol Burnett when I was growing up.” quote by Stephanie Miller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e0f/stephanie-miller-27396_carol-burnett_i-started-as-a-stand-up-comedian-i-wante_1749403.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e0f/stephanie-miller-27396_carol-burnett_i-started-as-a-stand-up-comedian-i-wante_1749403.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e0f/stephanie-miller-27396_carol-burnett_i-started-as-a-stand-up-comedian-i-wante_1749403.jpg) > “I started as a stand-up comedian. I wanted to be Carol Burnett when I was growing up.” [Stephanie Miller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephanie-miller/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. She pursued comedy, inspired by Carol Burnett, illustrating the power of role models. **In simple terms:** She wanted to be a famous comedian. Key Takeaway Seek mentors and emulate their strengths. Themes ambition role models career paths Mood motivational hopeful Type career inspirational When to use this quote - career transitions - stand‑up gigs - media appearances - skill development Key Concepts creative aspiration imitation personal growth Questions to Reflect On - Who inspires your career? - How can you blend influence with originality? A Different Perspective Focusing on imitation can limit original voice. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Burnett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/burnett/) [Carols](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/carols/) [Comedian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/comedian/) [Growing up](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/growing-up/) [Stand up comedian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/stand-up-comedian/) ## Related quotes > [As a kid, I always wanted to be Carol Burnett or Johnny Carson. I love to chat and entertain.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/caroline-rhea/as-a-kid-i-always-wanted-to-be-carol-burnett-or-johnny-carson-i-love/) [Caroline Rhea](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/caroline-rhea/) > [I took my first acting class at age 6 because I found out that's what Carol Burnett was doing - acting. Also she had…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christine-lakin/i-took-my-first-acting-class-at-age-6-because-i-found-out-that-s-what/) [Christine Lakin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christine-lakin/) > [I was in love with a lot of people, because I was a student of the game of comedy - Carol Burnett, Jack Benny,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bernie-mac/i-was-in-love-with-a-lot-of-people-because-i-was-a-student-of-the/) [Bernie Mac](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bernie-mac/) > [Carol Burnett, who played Miss Hannigan in 'Annie', is as funny as it gets.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katherine-parkinson/carol-burnett-who-played-miss-hannigan-in-annie-is-as-funny-as-it-gets/) [Katherine Parkinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katherine-parkinson/) > [Carol Burnett probably had the biggest influence on me as kid. Although I was very young and watched her a lot in reruns, I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christine-lakin/carol-burnett-probably-had-the-biggest-influence-on-me-as-kid/) [Christine Lakin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christine-lakin/) > [I've been in radio, God, twenty years. I started as a stand-up comedian. I wanted to be Carol Burnett when I was growing up.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephanie-miller/i-ve-been-in-radio-god-twenty-years-i-started-as-a-stand-up-comedian/) [Stephanie Miller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephanie-miller/) > [Everybody just told me from the day I went into high school that I looked like Carol Burnett.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vicki-lawrence/everybody-just-told-me-from-the-day-i-went-into-high-school-that-i/) [Vicki Lawrence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vicki-lawrence/) > [So many people: Lucille Ball is the earliest incarnation of a woman I thought was funny, Joan Rivers, Roseanne, Carol Burnett, Gilda Radnor, down…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chelsea-peretti/so-many-people-lucille-ball-is-the-earliest-incarnation-of-a-woman-i/) [Chelsea Peretti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chelsea-peretti/) > [I was obsessed with Carol Burnett and then Tracey Ullman. Like, obsessed with their shows.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lennon-parham/i-was-obsessed-with-carol-burnett-and-then-tracey-ullman-like/) [Lennon Parham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lennon-parham/) > [Making music on TV used to be as common as commercials. In the '60s and '70s, prime time was stuffed with variety shows headlined…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-shales/making-music-on-tv-used-to-be-as-common-as-commercials-in-the-60s-and/) [Tom Shales](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-shales/) > [In terms of comedians, I loved, growing up, Jonathan Winters, Sid Caesar, Jackie Gleason, Phil Silvers, Carol Burnett, all those people.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ed-o-neill/in-terms-of-comedians-i-loved-growing-up-jonathan-winters-sid-caesar/) [Ed O'Neill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ed-o-neill/) > [I think ABC sort of hoped I would be really like Carol Burnett. I mean literally, I think.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dana-carvey/i-think-abc-sort-of-hoped-i-would-be-really-like-carol-burnett-i-mean/) [Dana Carvey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dana-carvey/) > [What would be a show that I would rescue? If I could bring anything back, it would be 'The Carol Burnett Show'. Tim Conway…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tony-hale/what-would-be-a-show-that-i-would-rescue-if-i-could-bring-anything/) [Tony Hale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tony-hale/) > [The reason I do what I do is because I was influenced by Steve Martin, by Woody Allen, by Bob Newhart, by Carol Burnett,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ellen-degeneres/the-reason-i-do-what-i-do-is-because-i-was-influenced-by-steve-martin/) [Ellen DeGeneres](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ellen-degeneres/) > [Well, I'm old enough to remember Carol Burnett, and I would love a variety show type of thing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bianca-del-rio/well-i-m-old-enough-to-remember-carol-burnett-and-i-would-love-a/) [Bianca Del Rio](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bianca-del-rio/) ## More by Stephanie Miller > [Is it possible that more black people hate the President than are actually alive?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephanie-miller/is-it-possible-that-more-black-people-hate-the-president-than-are/) [Stephanie Miller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephanie-miller/) > [Rush Limbaugh, whether you hate him or not, he's a great entertainer; he's a great broadcaster.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephanie-miller/rush-limbaugh-whether-you-hate-him-or-not-he-s-a-great-entertainer-he/) [Stephanie Miller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephanie-miller/) > [This is so sexist. I mean, are we really going to put this as a standard of something we are going to judge our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephanie-miller/this-is-so-sexist-i-mean-are-we-really-going-to-put-this-as-a/) [Stephanie Miller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephanie-miller/) > [I don't know how many times a phone call or e-mail starts with, "I don't agree with anything you say but you're funny as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephanie-miller/i-don-t-know-how-many-times-a-phone-call-or-e-mail-starts-with-i-don/) [Stephanie Miller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephanie-miller/) > [You don't have to think exactly like me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephanie-miller/you-don-t-have-to-think-exactly-like-me/) [Stephanie Miller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephanie-miller/) > [I auditioned for 'Cats' - I didn't sing but I was able to cough up a hairball.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephanie-miller/i-auditioned-for-cats-i-didn-t-sing-but-i-was-able-to-cough-up-a/) [Stephanie Miller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephanie-miller/) > [It's not only progressives who listen to progressive radio.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephanie-miller/it-s-not-only-progressives-who-listen-to-progressive-radio/) [Stephanie Miller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephanie-miller/) > [I was actually abandoned by wolves and then raised by Republicans.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephanie-miller/i-was-actually-abandoned-by-wolves-and-then-raised-by-republicans/) [Stephanie Miller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephanie-miller/) > [I like fighters. That's why I love Russ Feingold. I love Barbara Boxer. And Howard Dean and John Conyers. Democrats I talk to around…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephanie-miller/i-like-fighters-that-s-why-i-love-russ-feingold-i-love-barbara-boxer/) [Stephanie Miller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephanie-miller/) > [It's great to have someone to bounce off of.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephanie-miller/it-s-great-to-have-someone-to-bounce-off-of/) [Stephanie Miller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephanie-miller/) > [Could you do a liberal propaganda tool that would bore the bejesus out of people? No.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephanie-miller/could-you-do-a-liberal-propaganda-tool-that-would-bore-the-bejesus/) [Stephanie Miller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephanie-miller/) > [I didn't start talk radio until '95 in L.A. The show was very successful, and they actually tried to syndicate it nationally, but I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephanie-miller/i-didn-t-start-talk-radio-until-95-in-l-a-the-show-was-very/) [Stephanie Miller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephanie-miller/) > [Based on the overwhelming array of luxury products manufacturers have recently introduced, homeowners want anything that makes their lives more comfortable at home. Whether…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephanie-miller/based-on-the-overwhelming-array-of-luxury-products-manufacturers-have/) [Stephanie Miller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephanie-miller/) > [You don't have to be straight. You just have to shoot straight.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephanie-miller/you-don-t-have-to-be-straight-you-just-have-to-shoot-straight/) [Stephanie Miller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephanie-miller/) > [You can't be twenty-four hours of just Bush-bashing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephanie-miller/you-can-t-be-twenty-four-hours-of-just-bush-bashing/) [Stephanie Miller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephanie-miller/) [Explore all 20 Stephanie Miller quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephanie-miller/) ## More Burnett quotes > [“You'd better be careful, they are going to revoke your vampire license if you get any more romantic and mushy." "Don't worry," Burnett said,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/c-c-hunter/you-d-better-be-careful-they-are-going-to-revoke-your-vampire-license/) [C.C. Hunter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/c-c-hunter/) > [I took my first acting class at age 6 because I found out that's what Carol Burnett was doing - acting. Also she had…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christine-lakin/i-took-my-first-acting-class-at-age-6-because-i-found-out-that-s-what/) [Christine Lakin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christine-lakin/) > [Making music on TV used to be as common as commercials. In the '60s and '70s, prime time was stuffed with variety shows headlined…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-shales/making-music-on-tv-used-to-be-as-common-as-commercials-in-the-60s-and/) [Tom Shales](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-shales/) > [I could not see myself going back into the studio without Tommy Dowd, our beloved producer who passed away in 2002. Then in 2009,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gregg-allman/i-could-not-see-myself-going-back-into-the-studio-without-tommy-dowd/) [Gregg Allman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gregg-allman/) > [So many people: Lucille Ball is the earliest incarnation of a woman I thought was funny, Joan Rivers, Roseanne, Carol Burnett, Gilda Radnor, down…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chelsea-peretti/so-many-people-lucille-ball-is-the-earliest-incarnation-of-a-woman-i/) [Chelsea Peretti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chelsea-peretti/) > [Woosah... -Marcus Burnett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bad-boys-2/woosah-marcus-burnett/) [Bad Boys 2](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bad-boys-2/) > [Everybody just told me from the day I went into high school that I looked like Carol Burnett.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vicki-lawrence/everybody-just-told-me-from-the-day-i-went-into-high-school-that-i/) [Vicki Lawrence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vicki-lawrence/) > [What would be a show that I would rescue? If I could bring anything back, it would be 'The Carol Burnett Show'. Tim Conway…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tony-hale/what-would-be-a-show-that-i-would-rescue-if-i-could-bring-anything/) [Tony Hale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tony-hale/) > [David Burnett was the son of Martha Foley, who edited the Best American Short Stories series. She hired me to work with David and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terry-southern/david-burnett-was-the-son-of-martha-foley-who-edited-the-best/) [Terry Southern](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terry-southern/) > [Carol Burnett, who played Miss Hannigan in 'Annie', is as funny as it gets.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katherine-parkinson/carol-burnett-who-played-miss-hannigan-in-annie-is-as-funny-as-it-gets/) [Katherine Parkinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katherine-parkinson/) > [I was obsessed with Carol Burnett and then Tracey Ullman. Like, obsessed with their shows.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lennon-parham/i-was-obsessed-with-carol-burnett-and-then-tracey-ullman-like/) [Lennon Parham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lennon-parham/) > [I think ABC sort of hoped I would be really like Carol Burnett. I mean literally, I think.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dana-carvey/i-think-abc-sort-of-hoped-i-would-be-really-like-carol-burnett-i-mean/) [Dana Carvey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dana-carvey/) > [“Holiday leaned her elbows on her desk. "You can't find one thing that points to his guilt." "He slept with your sister!" Burnett roared.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/c-c-hunter/holiday-leaned-her-elbows-on-her-desk-you-can-t-find-one-thing-that/) [C.C. Hunter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/c-c-hunter/) > [“The bell from the restaurant doors chimed behind them and Blake walked out. He stopped beside Holiday. "Is everything okay?" He cut his gaze…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/c-c-hunter-2/the-bell-from-the-restaurant-doors-chimed-behind-them-and-blake/) c.c hunter > [Anyone who picks up a Compton-Burnett finds it very hard not to put it down.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ivy-compton-burnett/anyone-who-picks-up-a-compton-burnett-finds-it-very-hard-not-to-put/) [Ivy Compton-Burnett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ivy-compton-burnett/) [Browse all 30 Burnett quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/burnett/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I started as a stand-up comedian. 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