In comedy, you have to be unafraid to hang from the tree branch naked in the high wind and you have to be absolutely unafraid to look ridiculous and silly.

Meaning of the quote

To be a good comedian, you can't be afraid to do silly and strange things, even if they make you look foolish. You have to be willing to look ridiculous and act in goofy ways, just like hanging from a tree branch without any clothes on while the wind is blowing strongly. Comedians need to be brave and not worry about looking silly, because that's what makes people laugh.

About Matt LeBlanc

Matt LeBlanc is an American actor best known for his role as Joey Tribbiani on the hit TV show Friends. He has also starred in the spin-off series Joey, as well as the comedy series Episodes, for which he won a Golden Globe. LeBlanc has received multiple Emmy nominations and has also co-hosted the popular car show Top Gear.

More about the author

More quotes from Matt LeBlanc

When I was younger and studying acting, I never ever saw myself in the sitcom world; it was drama that really turned me on and still does.

Matt LeBlanc

American actor

Why do you have to break up with her? Be a man. Just stop calling.

Matt LeBlanc

American actor

In comedy, you have to be unafraid to hang from the tree branch naked in the high wind and you have to be absolutely unafraid to look ridiculous and silly.

Matt LeBlanc

American actor

I’ve grown tremendously as an actor by being there. It is comic writing the likes of which I don’t know that I’ll ever see again and it’s been a great, great experience.

Matt LeBlanc

American actor

I am not bisexual. I am not gay. I have never had sex with men.

Matt LeBlanc

American actor

And if you have great writing, it’s really easy, but if it’s not so great and you have to work a little harder, I could tell where the work needed to be done but comedy is just fun.

Matt LeBlanc

American actor

Misery is manifold. The wretchedness of the earth is multiform.

Matt LeBlanc

American actor

Comedy is just to me, maybe it’s a natural knack, if I can see where the joke is in the writing and I can see where the setup is and I can tell this is the way to make it.

Matt LeBlanc

American actor

I don’t like silk underwear. They don’t do the job, you know?

Matt LeBlanc

American actor

The more cynical you become, the better off you’ll be.

Matt LeBlanc

American actor

As an actor, the biggest compliment you can get, in my book is for someone to believe that you’re the character.

Matt LeBlanc

American actor

You basically have a group of four spies who are chosen for a mission they feel for the fact of how competent they are and how their expertise and they’re the right one for the job. But ultimately they find out they’ve been actually chosen for their incompetence.

Matt LeBlanc

American actor

Having kids has been great for me. I have two beautiful step- kids, as well as my own new daughter. They’ve really helped me to keep my feet firmly on the ground, and life is good. I feel like I’m the luckiest guy here.

Matt LeBlanc

American actor

I find the earth to be a place of misery in which I am surrounded by the conformity that kills society.

Matt LeBlanc

American actor

I keep waiting for the roof to cave in. I was raised to follow the Golden Rule, you know, treat people the way you wish to be treated. That’s kind of the way I live my life. Maybe someone up there likes me for that.

Matt LeBlanc

American actor

This whole acting thing was always just for me and was always an absolute shot in the dark. If it didn’t pan out, I had my hammer and tool belt, banging nails again tomorrow if I had to.

Matt LeBlanc

American actor