I think I grew up with the idea that God was a punishing being, constructed around rules. Jim Gaffigan More Quotes by Jim Gaffigan More Quotes From Jim Gaffigan I've always wanted to be an actor. I've never planned on the acting and the stand-up feeding each other; they've always been separate desires. Jim Gaffigan actors acting desire I'm closer to Bob Newhart than Rodney Dangerfield. Jim Gaffigan bob I am a guy who talks about bacon and escalators. Stand-up comedy is very much a conversation. It's very personal, stylistically. Jim Gaffigan guy humor funny It's like in most parts of America, where there was industry and there is no longer; there is cynicism mixed with sarcasm and some optimism. That's how my background influenced my comedy. Jim Gaffigan optimism sarcasm america Not that I don't think irreverent humor and someone being filthy is funny, I just do what I do. Any comedian would admit throwing an f-bomb in there would help get a reaction. ... I'm not on a Puritanical pursuit, but when I would curse in a joke, I believe I'm not done writing it. Jim Gaffigan writing believe thinking As an actor, you deal with so much rejection and humiliation. When the good things come around, you tend not to trust your instincts. Jim Gaffigan instinct rejection actors I'd been acting and doing stand-up in New York about eight years, getting rejected, and I finally got the opportunity to do stand-up on Letterman, which holds even more importance for me. With comedians, that's definitely the pinnacle, but being from Indiana, it was a big to-do. Jim Gaffigan eight new-york opportunity In Indiana, I wasn't anything special. But in New York, I've gone out with girls with purple hair who go out with me because I'm exotic! Jim Gaffigan girl new-york hair I didn't realize how much of a Hoosier or a Midwesterner I was until I moved to New York. It's weird - growing up in Indiana, I wanted to get out, and now I completely romanticize Indiana. It just seems like there's a greater focus on family back there, which I suppose is something that kind of stayed with me. Jim Gaffigan growing-up focus new-york Stand-up is an amazing art form, I think, because it's all about you having complete control of the situation, but absolutely none. Jim Gaffigan form art thinking On MySpace ... the whole demographic of the stand-up comedy fan has changed. It's like an indie band thing. People think they've discovered you. Jim Gaffigan fans people thinking Yeah, I am a character actor. Jim Gaffigan yeah actors character I curse in everyday life, but usually when I stub my toe. The topics I'm discussing, it's not necessary to curse. I found [cursing] is a sign that a joke is not finished or well-written. Jim Gaffigan topics toes everyday I talk kinda slow, especially for the Northeast, so it was a way to beat [would-be hecklers] to the punch. Jim Gaffigan hecklers would-be way I was the youngest of six kids, so yeah, feeding myself was important, but it's not like I was obsessed with food growing up. Jim Gaffigan growing-up important kids I try to only eat animals that are vegan. I'm probably the opposite of a vegan. Jim Gaffigan opposites animal trying I just want to be known as funny. Jim Gaffigan known want But in Indiana it's not like New York where everyone's like, 'We're from New York and we're the best' or 'We're from Texas and we like things big' it's more like 'We're from Indiana and we're gonna move. Jim Gaffigan new-york funny moving Comedians kind of write what comes to them. You can give yourself little assignments, but it's what inspires you. Jim Gaffigan writing giving inspire All I want to do is be a good dad, but I'm pretty bad at it. Jim Gaffigan good-dad dad want