James Marsden Quotes

I've never thought of myself as a classic leading man. I'm a character actor who happens to play leading roles. Come on, look at me. I'm really Desperate Dan.

I played ball for the Hollywood Blues of the Pacific Coast League, and I thought I was going to be a major leaguer. But I was the only one who seemed to think so.

I was always a character actor. I just looked like Little Red Riding Hood.

Every once in a while I play a true idiot, and they're really fun to play.

I often get sent scripts about little men in big situations. There's a comic element to it, which is forces stacked against this little guy, and how is he going to defeat them?

I think of myself as more of a comic person. I don't know about a comic actor.

I'm a quite serious actor who doesn't mind being ridiculously comic.

I'm very much in denial that I can't dance. I really go for it, which is almost more embarrassing.

I was going to be the next big voice-over thing, of course, in my mind. I didn't.

John Goodman's pretty dark - I love John Goodman.

Even when I think I'm wrong I'm right. I am all-knowing.

I usually play big and mean, big and stupid, or big and funny.

I usually played comic lovers or losers - weak, ineffectual men.

Comedy really is my bread and butter, even when I'm doing a serious character, with the exception of Outcast. I have found very little humor in this character. Most of the time, what I do, somewhere there is comedy in it.

It's not unexpected for me to be in a comedy film anymore; I'm no longer the underdog in that world.

When someone who is known for being comedic does something straight, it's always "a big breakthrough" or a "radical departure." Why is is no one ever says that if a straight actor does comedy? Are they presuming comedy is easier?

The comedy really comes from how badly you want these characters to succeed and with a comedy that's often hard.

It is unpardonable conceit not to laugh at your own jokes. Joking is undignified; that is why it is so good for one's soul. Do not fancy you can be a detached wit and avoid being a buffoon; you cannot. If you are the Court Jester you must be the Court Fool.

I love stand-up more than anything, and I'm so happy to have found a way to use it in the show.

Humor is the contemplation of the finite from the point of view of the infinite.

Humor is a kind of emotional chaos told about calmly and quietly in retrospect.There is always a laugh in the utterly familiar.

I'll do anything to keep everyone laughing. Things get too intense on film sets. I remember on The Elephant Man, I used to imitate a cat without moving my lips. David Lynch would say, "Cut! Sorry, we've got a noise somewhere on set." Everyone would be looking around for this cat.

It's always judged on funny first, then the facts, and the realism, and the points that you're trying to make.

I arm myself with punch lines and a big old water gun.

The audience bursts into laughter. With the tragic gag I don't expect the audience to laugh (if they do, I have failed) but I expect a black silence from them that is almost as violent: as laughter.