Tony Rock Quotes

My idol is Bea Arthur. I really tried to follow her example. She is one of my comedy 'she-roes.'

Diane Keaton was a big role model for me.

I always base my characters around Miss Piggy - she's my idol!

Ellen DeGeneres is a huge influence in my life. She's one of the reasons why I wanted to do stand-up comedy. I was a big fan of her stand-up before she even came out of the closet.

Richard Pryor was my hero. Richard Pryor was keeping it 100.

When Richard Pryor did comedy, it was like he was having a conversation.

As a kid, Punky Brewster was my idol. I wanted to dress like her and talk like her.

I saw John Garfield smoke. He was my idol, so I smoked. I even smoked like him.

I think seeing Pryor's first movie, Live In Concert, when I was in high school changed my life. Pryor really put the heart in darkness for me.

Joan Rivers was my hero.

I'm not a role model... Just because I dunk a basketball doesn't mean I should raise your kids.

I've known I wanted to do this ever since I was four years old and watched 'Star Search' for the first time. I mean, Harrison Ford in 'Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark?' My hero.

When someone asks if you want to play Brittany Murphy, who you idolized as a child and grew up loving and who you wanted to be, you can't say no. Even if it's the most terrifying thing someone asks you to do.

Why do people love Richard Pryor so much? 'Cause he had problems.

My celebrity status allows me an opportunity, allows me a pulpit to preach and reach out to the people. Not even always preaching but just leading, motivating them by being a leader.

I wish I was this dark genius artist - like Richard Pryor or something.

If people want a role model, they can have Miley Cyrus.

I hope that somewhere in Small Town, U.S.A., a 15-year-old kid looks to me as a role model the way I looked at the Indigo Girls and Elton John as role models.

Richard Pryor is, in my mind, the most honest comedian. He bared his soul to people. I think that's why everybody loved him so much.

I wouldn't say there is one guy that I would say patterns himself after me.

I like George Carlin's jokes. I like his humor. He's one of my heroes, and I like what he did with talking about everyday things.

Lupe Velez was way before me; Dolores Del Rio was way before me, so I had no one. So the only one I could think of that I identified with was this gorgeous creature named Elizabeth Taylor, so she became my role model.

Willy Wonka's like my Michael Jordan.

Hulk Hogan was my reason for getting into the business. He was this larger-than-life entity.

Sarah Silverman. She's the reason I do comedy. Her DNC speech was my favorite thing I ever heard. Sitting down with her and laughing would be incredible.