Wanda Sykes Quotes

When I was about 12 and first started wearing lipstick, my dad would ask, 'Are you wearing makeup?' I would say back, 'You're wearing more makeup there than I am!'

I grew up as one of six kids.

Mum and Dad paid me 50 pence, which was a lot of money when I was 8 years old, not to dye my hair.

Everyone has a crazy old lady in their family like 'Mama.' No one ever comes up to me and says 'Mama' is just like them, so no one is ever offended by her. Even young people like to laugh at her. I think she helps kids appreciate their own grandmothers more.

When you become a parent, you look at your parents differently. You look at being a child differently. It's an awakening, a revelation that you have.

I was an only child. I hung out with my parents.

We have a snap of my dad wearing blue eye shadow, which I would always make fun of. When I was about 12 and first started wearing lipstick, my dad would ask, 'Are you wearing makeup?' I would say back, 'You're wearing more makeup there than I am!'

I was raised by extremely strict - but also extremely loving - Chinese immigrant parents, and I had the most wonderful childhood! I remember laughing constantly with my parents - my dad is a real character and very funny. I certainly did wish they allowed to me do more things!

I have been grateful for the influence of my grandmother and my grandfather in my life. I remember my grandmother as a queenly woman. My father could be stern, and my grandparents would remind him that we were just boys.

I always wondered what it would be like to have a normal childhood.

As a child, I perceived my mother as an old woman.

I grew up in a family with five kids.

I hated that the soldier doll had my name. I mean, please. I didn't play with him much. He was another Christmas present from my clueless grandparents. One time when they were visiting, my grandpa asked me if G.I. Joe had been in any wars lately. I said, "No, but he and Ken got married last week." Every Christmas since then, my grandparents have sent me a check.

When I was a kid I got no respect. When I went on the roller coaster, my old man told me to stand up straight.

Making my family laugh when I was little - it became an addiction. It was a kind of survival.

I grew up as the youngest child in a big, noisy family, and there was always someone around to hang out with.

My parents have always been very honest with me.

When I was growing up, my mom didn't let me watch a lot of TV. She said I couldn't watch 'Friends' or that era of sitcoms.

I had two amazing parents, two younger brothers, grandparents, a supportive community. Really loved.

I never wanted my kids to feel about me the way I felt about him.

It's weird to not know what a family is. Not know what a mother's love is. And not really know what a hug is or anything.

When I was a kid we'd go and visit my grandmother, and my dad is one of eight so they'd all be sitting there updating everyone on the good things but also on the fact that so and so had cancer or had lost their job, and people would make jokes.

My parents certainly didn't understand TV comedy. They wouldn't turn on 'Married... With Children' and laugh.

I had that extroverted energy, and I always involved myself in quite adult conversations. My mum never hid us from that. There was never a kids' table; we were never treated as kids, per se, because I don't think she believes in that.

I can imagine Dad joking about how hard it'd be to get an actor to give back when it's hard enough to ask them to give a good performance.