I'm an entertainer. I don't go round saying I'm a paragon of virtue, so that is clearly not in the public interest. Steve Coogan More Quotes by Steve Coogan More Quotes From Steve Coogan I knew lots of Irish ladies in my life who would say daft things and then would just say something incredibly truthful in a very simple way with simple language - a few well chosen words that would take an intellectual five minutes to express. I like that. Steve Coogan intellectual simple way If you are a great dramatic actor then you often don't know if people are enjoying your stuff at all because they are sitting there in silence. But with comedy it's a simple premise. If it's funny, people laugh. If it's not, they don't. Steve Coogan simple laughing people Me, myself, personally, I like to keep myself private. I have never said I am a paragon of virtue, a model of morality. I simply do what I do. Steve Coogan morality virtue said I've always been drawn to discomfort and that limbo of unease you get between comedy and tragedy. Steve Coogan discomfort comedy tragedy In England, I've done a whole bunch of stuff where I just make a complete ass of myself. I've been doing it for 20 years, so I just gravitate toward it anyway. I'd rather do that than do the stuff where I'm supposed to be trying to look cool in some way. It's more interesting to me. Steve Coogan done trying interesting Even great people are always slightly disappointing, which is generally what makes them interesting. Steve Coogan disappointing people interesting If you start to disrespect the character you're playing, or play it too much for laughs, that can work for a sketch, it will sell some gags, but it's all technique. It's like watching a juggler - you can be impressed by it, but it's not going to touch you in any way. Steve Coogan play character laughing I don't think there's anything outside what comedy can address. Steve Coogan addresses comedy thinking I think if you try to look for something to show off as an actor, vanity can get the better of you. Steve Coogan vanity trying thinking What I don't like is dance music or hip hop or any of that sort of thing. Steve Coogan hips hip-hop hops There is a strong ethical dimension to the best comedy. Not only does it avoid reinforcing prejudices, it actively challenges them. Steve Coogan strong challenges doe It is not true that sex degrades women... if it is any good. Steve Coogan degrade ifs sex You really have got lots of issues! Yeah, of 'What Car Magazine'! Steve Coogan issues car funny If you do something very successful, you will then be defined by it. Steve Coogan defined successful ifs I think it's always funny when you see kids do Shakespeare. Steve Coogan kids thinking I have never wanted to be famous, as such - fame is a by-product. Steve Coogan products wanted fame I happen to have a public profile. Ditto newspaper editors. It's a result of what I do, not an end. Steve Coogan profile editors ends I like comedy, but I like comedy as a device in drama. It's more interesting for me to use comedy to seduce people into thinking about something serious. If you want to hit a beat in a drama, you can distract people with a little comedy, and you can punch them in the gut with some emotion. Steve Coogan drama people thinking There's never any graffiti in the hotel. Although in the Gents a couple of weeks ago I did see someone had drawn a lady's part. Quite detailed. The guy obviously had talent. Steve Coogan guy couple funny I find impressionists slightly annoying, really. Steve Coogan impressionists annoying
