--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Like other kids wanted to become firemen…" description: "\"Like other kids wanted to become firemen or astronauts, I wanted to make people laugh.\" — Steven Wright" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/adf/steven-wright-432_astronaut_like-other-kids-wanted-to-become-firemen_2675517.jpg" --- # Like other kids wanted to become firemen or astronauts, I… ![“Like other kids wanted to become firemen or astronauts, I wanted to make people laugh.” quote by Steven Wright](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/adf/steven-wright-432_astronaut_like-other-kids-wanted-to-become-firemen_2675517.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/adf/steven-wright-432_astronaut_like-other-kids-wanted-to-become-firemen_2675517.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/adf/steven-wright-432_astronaut_like-other-kids-wanted-to-become-firemen_2675517.jpg) > “Like other kids wanted to become firemen or astronauts, I wanted to make people laugh.” [Steven Wright](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-wright/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. He pursued humor as his vocation, unlike peers who aimed for traditional heroic jobs. **In simple terms:** He chose to make people laugh instead of becoming a fireman or astronaut. Key Takeaway Embrace your unique passion. Themes career choice creativity humor Mood reflective inspirational Type personal career When to use this quote - stand‑up comedy - career counseling - personal development - creative workshops Key Concepts personal fulfillment identity nonconformity Questions to Reflect On - What unique passion drives you? - How can you nurture it despite expectations? A Different Perspective Not everyone values humor as a serious career, limiting support. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Astronaut](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/astronaut/) [Children](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/children/) [Comedy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/comedy/) [Fireman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fireman/) [Kids](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/kids/) [Laugh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/laugh/) [Making people laugh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/making-people-laugh/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) ## Related quotes > [My buddies wanted to be firemen, farmers or policemen, something like that. Not me, I just wanted to steal people's money!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-dillinger/my-buddies-wanted-to-be-firemen-farmers-or-policemen-something-like/) [John Dillinger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-dillinger/) > [I love to laugh. I love to make people laugh.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dreama-walker/i-love-to-laugh-i-love-to-make-people-laugh/) [Dreama Walker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dreama-walker/) > [I always, always want to make people laugh. In every situation. Even when it's inappropriate.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sharon-horgan/i-always-always-want-to-make-people-laugh-in-every-situation-even/) [Sharon Horgan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sharon-horgan/) > [When I'm doing stand-up, it's just me depending on me. I know how to go out there and make people laugh. I've been doing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eddie-murphy/when-i-m-doing-stand-up-it-s-just-me-depending-on-me-i-know-how-to-go/) [Eddie Murphy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eddie-murphy/) > [What I want to do is to make people laugh so that they'll see things seriously.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-zinsser/what-i-want-to-do-is-to-make-people-laugh-so-that-they-ll-see-things/) [William Zinsser](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-zinsser/) > [I could always make people laugh.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alonzo-bodden/i-could-always-make-people-laugh/) [Alonzo Bodden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alonzo-bodden/) > [It's better to make people laugh than cry.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ronnie-barker/it-s-better-to-make-people-laugh-than-cry/) [Ronnie Barker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ronnie-barker/) > [I love being able to make people laugh.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judith-light/i-love-being-able-to-make-people-laugh/) [Judith Light](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judith-light/) > [I'm there to make people laugh. I'm not trying to come across as sexy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-gaffigan/i-m-there-to-make-people-laugh-i-m-not-trying-to-come-across-as-sexy/) [Jim Gaffigan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-gaffigan/) > [To make people laugh was almost a sickness with me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sholom-aleichem/to-make-people-laugh-was-almost-a-sickness-with-me/) [Sholom Aleichem](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sholom-aleichem/) > [People say I try to be the centre of attention, but I think I just try to make people laugh.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-p-shepherd/people-say-i-try-to-be-the-centre-of-attention-but-i-think-i-just-try/) Jack P. Shepherd > [I don't believe there is any finer mission on Earth than just to make people laugh.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-don-t-believe-there-is-any-finer-mission-on-earth-than-just-to-make/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [The minute you make people laugh, you get them to listen.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/merrie-spaeth/the-minute-you-make-people-laugh-you-get-them-to-listen/) [Merrie Spaeth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/merrie-spaeth/) > [It's so great to be able to make people laugh, because this is so often how we get our selves back.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anne-lamott/it-s-so-great-to-be-able-to-make-people-laugh-because-this-is-so/) [Anne Lamott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anne-lamott/) > [The funniest people I know were, not necessarily troubled, but had a harder time in school or were shy or picked on or something…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kaitlin-olson/the-funniest-people-i-know-were-not-necessarily-troubled-but-had-a/) [Kaitlin Olson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kaitlin-olson/) ## More by Steven Wright > [Depression is merely anger without enthusiasm.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-wright/depression-is-merely-anger-without-enthusiasm/) [Steven Wright](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-wright/) > [My dental hygienist is cute. Every time I visit, I eat a whole package of Oreo cookies while waiting in the lobby. Sometimes she…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-wright/my-dental-hygienist-is-cute-every-time-i-visit-i-eat-a-whole-package/) [Steven Wright](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-wright/) > [If lawyers are disbarred and clergymen defrocked, doesn't it follow that electricians can be delighted, musicians denoted, cowboys deranged, models deposed, tree surgeons debarked,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-wright/if-lawyers-are-disbarred-and-clergymen-defrocked-doesn-t-it-follow/) [Steven Wright](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-wright/) > [If I ever had twins, I'd use one for parts.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-wright/if-i-ever-had-twins-i-d-use-one-for-parts/) [Steven Wright](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-wright/) > [Nobody can really compare a relationship in which the victim is 15 years old to one where she's 6. While both criminal, they're very different circumstances.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-wright/nobody-can-really-compare-a-relationship-in-which-the-victim-is-15/) [Steven Wright](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-wright/) > [I saw a tree fall in the woods, and I didn't hear it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-wright/i-saw-a-tree-fall-in-the-woods-and-i-didn-t-hear-it/) [Steven Wright](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-wright/) > [It's very intense to be in front of a live audience. It's just an amazing experience. It's dangerous. Everything out there is heightened. The…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-wright/it-s-very-intense-to-be-in-front-of-a-live-audience-it-s-just-an/) [Steven Wright](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-wright/) > [I got pulled over by a cop, and he said, 'do you know the speed limit here is 55 miles per hour?'. So I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-wright/i-got-pulled-over-by-a-cop-and-he-said-do-you-know-the-speed-limit/) [Steven Wright](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-wright/) > [Babies don't need a vacation, but I still see them at the beach... it pisses me off! I'll go over to a little baby…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-wright/babies-don-t-need-a-vacation-but-i-still-see-them-at-the-beach-it/) [Steven Wright](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-wright/) > [“I just got out of the hospital. I was in a speed reading accident. I hit a book mark and flew across the room.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-wright/i-just-got-out-of-the-hospital-i-was-in-a-speed-reading-accident-i/) [Steven Wright](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-wright/) > [When I'm on stage, it's really intense. My mind is going a million miles an hour, trying to remember my act, trying to say…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-wright/when-i-m-on-stage-it-s-really-intense-my-mind-is-going-a-million/) [Steven Wright](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-wright/) > [I don't like politicians, and I don't like politics. I definitely don't want to be associated with any of them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-wright/i-don-t-like-politicians-and-i-don-t-like-politics-i-definitely-don-t/) [Steven Wright](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-wright/) > [I went to this restaurant last night that was set up like a big buffet in the shape of an Ouija board. You'd think…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-wright/i-went-to-this-restaurant-last-night-that-was-set-up-like-a-big/) [Steven Wright](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-wright/) > [Why isn't the number 11 pronounced onety one?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-wright/why-isn-t-the-number-11-pronounced-onety-one/) [Steven Wright](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-wright/) > [A conscience is what hurts when all your other parts feel so good.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-wright/a-conscience-is-what-hurts-when-all-your-other-parts-feel-so-good/) [Steven Wright](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-wright/) [Explore all 564 Steven Wright quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-wright/) ## More Astronaut quotes > [I went to school at night in L.A. to brush up on my engineering while I applied to the astronaut program. I really did…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mae-jemison/i-went-to-school-at-night-in-l-a-to-brush-up-on-my-engineering-while/) [Mae Jemison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mae-jemison/) > ['You spin in the sky, the world spins under you, and you step from land to land, while we . . .' She turned…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-r-delany/you-spin-in-the-sky-the-world-spins-under-you-and-you-step-from-land/) [Samuel R. Delany](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-r-delany/) > [I think the astronaut job is the best job in the world. I realized when I was older and started applying for it that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-j-massimino/i-think-the-astronaut-job-is-the-best-job-in-the-world-i-realized/) [Michael J. Massimino](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-j-massimino/) > [NASA is developing space taxis to shuttle astronauts to the International Space Station. And just like New York taxis, they're all going to be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jimmy-fallon/nasa-is-developing-space-taxis-to-shuttle-astronauts-to-the/) [Jimmy Fallon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jimmy-fallon/) > [I stayed in the astronaut program until 1993. People ask me why I left. I thought I had a lot of things to contribute…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mae-jemison/i-stayed-in-the-astronaut-program-until-1993-people-ask-me-why-i-left/) [Mae Jemison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mae-jemison/) > [“Sometimes when people find out I’m an astronaut, they ask, “So what do you do when you’re not flying in space?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-hadfield/sometimes-when-people-find-out-i-m-an-astronaut-they-ask-so-what-do/) [Chris Hadfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-hadfield/) > [Rugby has surprisingly helped me a lot as an astronaut and when I'm training in the space suit.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anne-mcclain/rugby-has-surprisingly-helped-me-a-lot-as-an-astronaut-and-when-i-m/) [Anne McClain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anne-mcclain/) > [As a former Apollo astronaut, I think it's safe to say that SpaceX and the other commercial developers embody the 21st century version of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rusty-schweickart/as-a-former-apollo-astronaut-i-think-it-s-safe-to-say-that-spacex-and/) [Rusty Schweickart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rusty-schweickart/) > [My optimism and confidence come not from feeling I'm luckier than other mortals, and they sure don't come from visualizing victory. They're the result…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-hadfield/my-optimism-and-confidence-come-not-from-feeling-i-m-luckier-than/) [Chris Hadfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-hadfield/) > [“My experiences in the Astronaut Corps had taught me that you never know what will happen from day to day. It’s best to experience…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leland-melvin/my-experiences-in-the-astronaut-corps-had-taught-me-that-you-never/) [Leland Melvin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leland-melvin/) > [As a kid, I knew I wanted to be either a cartoonist or an astronaut. The latter was never much of a possibility, as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-watterson/as-a-kid-i-knew-i-wanted-to-be-either-a-cartoonist-or-an-astronaut/) [Bill Watterson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-watterson/) > [I think it's good to have competition. Now we have a third country that can launch astronauts, so it's good for all of us.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leroy-chiao/i-think-it-s-good-to-have-competition-now-we-have-a-third-country/) [Leroy Chiao](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leroy-chiao/) > [I was told when I grew up I could be anything I wanted: a fireman, a policeman, a doctor – even President, it seemed.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-hicks/i-was-told-when-i-grew-up-i-could-be-anything-i-wanted-a-fireman-a/) [Bill Hicks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-hicks/) > [The Earth was small, light blue, and so touchingly alone, our home that must be defended like a holy relic. The Earth was absolutely…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexey-leonov/the-earth-was-small-light-blue-and-so-touchingly-alone-our-home-that/) Alexey Leonov > [“Whilst my mother couldn't give me access to the world, she at least made sure to let me know it existed. A kid cannot…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/trevor-noah/whilst-my-mother-couldn-t-give-me-access-to-the-world-she-at-least/) [Trevor Noah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/trevor-noah/) [Browse all 463 Astronaut quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/astronaut/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Like other kids wanted to become firemen or astronauts, I wanted to make people laugh.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Steven Wright" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-wright/like-other-kids-wanted-to-become-firemen-or-astronauts-i-wanted-to/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Astronaut" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-wright/like-other-kids-wanted-to-become-firemen-or-astronauts-i-wanted-to/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/adf/steven-wright-432_astronaut_like-other-kids-wanted-to-become-firemen_2675517.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/adf/steven-wright-432_astronaut_like-other-kids-wanted-to-become-firemen_2675517.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/adf/steven-wright-432_astronaut_like-other-kids-wanted-to-become-firemen_2675517.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Like other kids wanted to become firemen or astronauts, I wanted to make people laugh.” — Steven Wright", "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": "Steven Wright", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-wright/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Like other kids wanted to become...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-wright/like-other-kids-wanted-to-become-firemen-or-astronauts-i-wanted-to/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-wright/like-other-kids-wanted-to-become-firemen-or-astronauts-i-wanted-to/#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 } } ] } ```