Alan King Quotes

Powerful Alan King for Daily Growth

About Alan King

Alan King (born April 30, 1931 - October 4, 2004) was an American stand-up comedian, actor, writer, and producer, best known for his distinctive stage persona, sharp wit, and insightful social commentary. Born in the Bronx, New York City, King grew up in a working-class Jewish family and developed a keen sense of humor as a way to cope with adversity. After serving in the United States Army during the Korean War, King began his career as a comedian in the 1950s, performing in nightclubs and on television shows like "The Ed Sullivan Show." His act was a mix of self-deprecating humor and biting social satire that resonated with audiences and earned him a reputation as one of the most influential stand-up comedians of his time. In the 1960s, King transitioned to acting, appearing in several films and television shows, including "The Andy Griffith Show," "That Was the Week That Was," and "Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In." He also wrote for several popular comedy series, including "Get Smart" and "All in the Family." Throughout his career, King was known for his fearless approach to tackling controversial topics, such as politics, race relations, and sexuality. His humor was often dark and edgy, but it was also deeply thought-provoking and served as a mirror for society's ills. King's major works include the albums "Alan King is Not Nutty" (1960) and "What a Country!" (1964), which are considered classics of stand-up comedy, as well as his memoir "When in Doubt, Tell 'Em You're Jewish: Further Adventures of a Mouthy Kid" (1998). Despite his success, King remained humble and dedicated to giving back. He was a tireless advocate for civil rights and was active in numerous charitable organizations. Alan King passed away from complications due to heart disease on October 4, 2004. His legacy continues to inspire comedians and social commentators alike.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"If you can't be a good example, then you'll just have to be a horrible warning."

This quote suggests that if one cannot serve as a positive role model due to personal behavior or actions, they should instead strive to be a cautionary tale, to warn others about the negative consequences of similar actions. It implies that it's important to set a good example when possible, but if not, then making people aware of the potential pitfalls is an alternative way of using one's experiences to educate and benefit others.


"Everyone has a plan until they get punched in the mouth."

This quote highlights the difference between theory (having a plan) and reality (getting 'punched in the mouth', metaphorically, indicating an unexpected challenge or setback). It suggests that even the best-laid plans can crumble when faced with adversity or unforeseen circumstances, emphasizing the need for adaptability, resilience, and quick thinking in the face of unexpected events.


"The secret of life is this: You must always look ahead, and not behind, otherwise, you will smother in your sorrows."

This quote by Alan King encourages a forward-looking perspective on life. It suggests that dwelling on past mistakes, regrets, or hardships can lead to an overwhelming sense of sorrow, stagnation, and missed opportunities. Instead, the focus should be on looking ahead, learning from the past, and focusing on what can be achieved in the future. Embracing this outlook fosters personal growth, resilience, and motivation for continued progress.


"Life is 10% what happens to me and 90% of how I react to it."

This quote emphasizes that the significant part of our life experiences lies in how we respond to them, rather than the events themselves. In other words, while external circumstances may influence us, our internal reactions and responses ultimately shape our lives more profoundly. It encourages personal responsibility and resilience in the face of adversity or change.


"Success is neither magical or mysterious. Success is the natural consequence of consistently applying the basic fundamentals."

This quote suggests that success is not a result of luck, magic, or mysterious factors but rather a consistent application of fundamental principles. In other words, to achieve success, one should focus on mastering and practicing the core aspects or foundations of their field. Success, therefore, is a natural outcome of persistent effort and diligent adherence to these basics over time.


I can't stay friends with anyone who doesn't have a passion for something; and, generally speaking, artistic people, creative people carry it right into the kitchen, too. They have a zest for life; the excitement of living. All of the great eaters I've known are also men of great wit.

- Alan King

Life, Speaking, Known, Creative People

When I was in the hospital they gave me apple juice every morning, even after I told them I didn't like it. I had to get even. One morning, I poured the apple juice into the specimen tube. The nurse held it up and said, 'It's a little cloudy.' I took the tube from her and said, 'Let me run it through again,' and drank it. The nurse fainted.

- Alan King

Through, Had, Held, Poured

Did you hear the one about the elderly Jew on his deathbed who sent for a priest, after declaring to his astonished relatives that 'I want to convert.' Asked why he would become a Catholic, after living all his life as a Jew, he answered: 'Better one of them should die than one of us.'

- Alan King

Die, Elderly, About, Asked

I'm only... I'm only unhappy when the reviews are bad, but give me a good review and I'm a... I'm just screaming all over the place with joy.

- Alan King

Give, Bad, Over, Reviews

We get the worrywart, the hypochondriac, the money-grubbing miser, the intractable negotiator... Some would say certain of these refer to the stereotypical, or 'stage' Jew. But objectively speaking, the only crime in humor is an unfunny joke.

- Alan King

Say, Some, Hypochondriac, Joke

I learned to cook in self-defense. My wife doesn't know what a kitchen is. In the first month of our marriage, she broiled lamb chops 26 nights in a row. Then I took over. I used to mind her not caring about food, but no more - as long as I can eat what I want.

- Alan King

Used, Self-Defense, About, Chops

I had a sympathetic role in 'thirtysomething,' and in two weeks I'm going to do the role again. But in the movies, I just love the heavies. It's much more fun. Villains are a ball. People have been laughing at me for 50 years, so I love to sit in the back of the theater and listen to them hate me.

- Alan King

Love, Role, Been, Two Weeks

Comedy is a reflection. We create nothing. We set no styles, no standards. We're reflections. It's a distorted mirror in the fun house. We watch society. As society behaves, then we have the ability to make fun of it.

- Alan King

Reflection, Mirror, Set, Behaves

Banks have a new image. Now you have 'a friend,' your friendly banker. If the banks are so friendly, how come they chain down the pens?

- Alan King

Money, New, Image, Pens

I just never saw my mother in any other room but the kitchen. There were always pots going.

- Alan King

Always, Other, Going, Kitchen

Comedy is an amazing calling. Once you get that first laugh, it's hard to turn away. Then, of course, you're hooked and you have to learn how to survive in the business.

- Alan King

Business, Survive, Away, To Survive

That's the great thing about New Year's, you get to be a year older. For me, that wasn't such a joke, because my birthday was always around this time. When I was a kid, my father used to tell me that everybody was celebrating my birthday. That's what the trees are all about.

- Alan King

Birthday, Year, Everybody, Celebrating

It's not easy being a father, but I've been allowed a comeback.

- Alan King

Father, Been, Allowed, Comeback

I made it, Ma - Carnegie Hall. And I didn't have to practice.

- Alan King

Practice, Made, Ma, Carnegie

Age, style, where you come from, where you were born, it's different every time, which, to me, is refreshing because it says that there isn't any one thing, one formula or kind of character that makes a great comedian. Everybody has had a different approach.

- Alan King

Everybody, Approach, Had, Every Time

Larry David finds a way to make jokes about the Holocaust. It would never have occurred to me. And it was funny.

- Alan King

Way, About, Occurred, Jokes

As you get older, as you become more sensitive, feel more, it becomes harder to make jokes. You censor yourself.

- Alan King

Sensitive, More, Feel, Jokes

When I read Dickens for the first time, I thought he was Jewish, because he wrote about oppression and bigotry, all the things that my father talked about.

- Alan King

Thought, Read, Wrote, Dickens

When I was a kid, I used to send away for those ventriloquist kits on the back of comic books.

- Alan King

Ventriloquist, Comic Books, Send

Museums are good things, places to look and absorb and learn.

- Alan King

Learn, Places, Museums, Good Things

Let's face it: It's difficult enough to be funny without worrying about what is going to offend whom.

- Alan King

Face, Going, Worrying, Offend

Performing is just standing up there and doing something. Performance takes on an edge to it. It has a more dramatic context.

- Alan King

Doing, More, Standing Up, Context

My wife is a very attractive woman, and she's always worried about her diet. But she doesn't pay attention to me, and I don't pay attention to her. She's a vegetarian, and it drives me crazy.

- Alan King

Always, Attractive, Very, Worried

Ed Sullivan brought me to TV first in 1952, then Garry Moore's program gave me a lot of confidence and freedom.

- Alan King

TV, Ed Sullivan, Brought, Garry

I don't mind being 65, but nobody is gonna tell me to come in at 5:30 to have the early bird special.

- Alan King

Mind, Early Bird, Gonna, Early

Milton took vaudeville, which, if you look up 'vaudeville' in the dictionary, right alongside of it, it says 'Milton Berle' - and he made it just a tremendous party.

- Alan King

Which, Took, Alongside, Vaudeville

The ability to absorb a book and make someone else's words and story your own was exactly was I was doing on stage.

- Alan King

Book, Doing, Own, Absorb

I think one of the big things about comedy is the ability for the audience to identify.

- Alan King

Think, Big, Audience, Big Things

The world is full of little dictators trying to run your life.

- Alan King

World, Trying, Run, Dictators

My mother's sister was killed in a trolley car accident, so I was raised as one of eight with my sister and six male cousins.

- Alan King

Accident, Raised, Six, Sister

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