Stan Laurel Quotes

Powerful Stan Laurel for Daily Growth

About Stan Laurel

Stan Laurel (June 16, 1890 – February 23, 1965), born Arthur Stanley Jefferson in Ulverston, Lancashire, England, was a legendary comedian and filmmaker who co-founded the iconic comedy duo Laurel and Hardy with Oliver Hardy. Known for his elongated physique, expressive eyes, and comic timing, Stan Laurel left an indelible mark on the world of entertainment. Laurel's early years were filled with hardship; his family was poor, and he lost both parents by the age of 14. He took up performing to support himself, initially as a music-hall comedian in England. In 1910, he moved to the United States, changing his name to avoid being confused with another performer named Arthur Stanley Jefferson. Laurel's big break came when he joined the film industry, working for several studios before meeting Oliver Hardy in 1926. Their first film together was "Putting Pants on Philip" released by Hal Roach Studios. The duo's comedic chemistry was an instant hit, and they went on to create some of the most memorable and beloved comedy shorts in cinema history. Their signature style, characterized by gentle slapstick humor, physical comedy, and wordplay, resonated with audiences worldwide. Some of their most famous films include "Big Business", "Sons of the Desert", and "Way Out West". Laurel and Hardy retired from active filmmaking in 1953 but continued to perform live until Stan's death in 1965. Stan Laurel's influence extends beyond comedy, with his innovative film techniques still studied today. His contribution to cinema was recognized when he received a posthumous Honorary Academy Award in 1960 for "his creative genius in enhancing the cocktail of laughter, romance, and nostalgia which is the unique formula of motion pictures."

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"Life is a storm, my young friend. You will bask in the sunlight one moment, be shattered on the rocks the next. What makes you a man is what you do when that storm comes."

This quote by Stan Laurel suggests that life is unpredictable and can bring both joy and hardship, symbolized by moments of sunshine and being shattered on the rocks. The storm here represents life's challenges. The measure of a person lies in their response to these trials – their resilience and ability to navigate through adversity, demonstrating courage, determination, and personal growth. In other words, it is our actions during difficult times that truly define us as individuals.


"Hardly a day passes but I wonder what I was to the boy who loved Mary Pickford so much."

This quote by Stan Laurel, one half of the iconic comedy duo Laurel and Hardy, expresses deep introspection about his past feelings for Mary Pickford, a prominent silent-film actress whom he had admired deeply. It implies that despite time passing, Laurel continues to ponder over the significance of those youthful emotions, suggesting a profound impact she had on him during their early relationship. This sentiment can be interpreted as a reflection of human nature's ability to retain memories and feelings from formative experiences, even as we grow older and face new challenges in life.


"You can't keep a good man down."

The quote "You can't keep a good man down" by Stan Laurel implies that no matter the obstacles or hardships a person faces, their inherent goodness, resilience, and determination will allow them to rise above adversity and continue moving forward in life. It suggests an optimistic belief in human perseverance and capacity for recovery.


"I never said a word!"

This quote, spoken by Stan Laurel, suggests that he is denying any responsibility or culpability for a situation, possibly one involving mischief or confusion, by asserting that he did not speak (and thereby instigate the issue). It's a humorous way of expressing innocence in a chaotic scenario, a common trope in Laurel and Hardy's comedic performances.


"Well, here's another nice mess you've gotten me into."

This quote by Stan Laurel expresses frustration, sarcasm, and a sense of inevitable chaos in a humorous way. It suggests that the speaker (Stan Laurel's character) has once again found himself in an awkward, troublesome, or messy situation due to someone else's actions – likely his comedy partner, Oliver Hardy – and he is expressing both a witty remark and exasperation about it. The quote implies a long-standing pattern of such events in their comedic duo.


I don't deserve to be mentioned in the same sentence with Charles Chaplin.

- Stan Laurel

Deserve, Sentence, Same, Chaplin

Personally, I think the silent films were more effective for L&H, but the sound was of great value in enhancing the effects - dialog eliminated a lot of action & sight gags - I always feel that 'action' speaks louder than words.

- Stan Laurel

Sound, Feel, I Think, Dialog

Anyone who thinks 'Modern Times' has got a big message is just putting it there himself. Charlie knew that the pressures of modern life and factory life would be good for a lot of laughs, and that's why he did the film - not because he wanted to diagnose the industrial revolution.

- Stan Laurel

Big, Putting, Modern Times, Pressures

It's the one with that panel of ultra-chichi folks. The one called 'What's My Line?' It sends me straight up the wall. I call it 'The Snob Family.'

- Stan Laurel

Line, Straight, Sends, Snob

Babe and I are both great television fans, and we've been planning to do something on TV. But we certainly never intended to start out on an unrehearsed network show!

- Stan Laurel

Been, TV, Certainly, Babe

If you had a face like mine, you'd punch me right on the nose, and I'm just the fella to do it.

- Stan Laurel

Nose, Like, Mine, Fella

A friend once asked me what comedy was. That floored me. What is comedy? I don't know. Does anybody? Can you define it? All I know is that I learned how to get laughs, and that's all I know about it. You have to learn what people will laugh at, then proceed accordingly.

- Stan Laurel

Laughs, Anybody, About, Laugh

We never dealt with satire or suggestive material. Although some of our films were broad parodies or burlesques of popular dramatic themes, there was no conscious attempt at being either sarcastic or offensive.

- Stan Laurel

Some, Offensive, Films, Sarcastic

We did have a script, but it didn't consist of the routines and gags. It outlined the basic story idea and just a plan for us to follow. But when it came to each scene, we and the gagmen would work out ideas.

- Stan Laurel

Work, Ideas, Idea, Consist

What business do we have telling people who to vote for? They probably know more about it than we do.

- Stan Laurel

Business, More, Telling, Vote

Sight gags had to be planned; they required timing and mechanics. Occasionally, spontaneity would arise in the shooting of the scenes.

- Stan Laurel

Timing, Shooting, Arise, Occasionally

I had a dream that I was awake and I woke up to find myself asleep.

- Stan Laurel

Dream, Find, Woke, Awake

Humor is the truth; wit is an exaggeration of the truth.

- Stan Laurel

Truth, Humor, Exaggeration, Wit

You can lead a horse to water, but a pencil must be led.

- Stan Laurel

Horse, Must, Led, Pencil

If any of you cry at my funeral, I'll never speak to you again!

- Stan Laurel

Speak, Never, Again, Funeral

My only opinion on the L&H 'home movie' situation - I regret we have no financial interest in them.

- Stan Laurel

Regret, Interest, Movie, Opinion

We had friendly and pleasant relationships with all that worked in our films - many happy memories.

- Stan Laurel

Relationships, Films, Worked, Memories

Another fine mess you've gotten me into.

- Stan Laurel

Another, Fine, Gotten, Mess

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