Richard Lewis

I read somewhere that when I go on stage, people realize that they're not me and they feel better. When I walk off the stage, people know who I really am. I'm not saying it's great comedy, cool comedy or better comedy - but that's what I do, and I do it first for myself.

When I was younger, I listened to the greats: Winters, Mel and Carl, Nichols and May, Pryor, Carlin, Klein, Berman and lots of Lenny Bruce albums. But once I started doing fairly well, I didn't want to hear anybody's jokes or premises.

There's a thin line between narcissism, even if it's a healthy narcissism, and entertainment.

My wife's hip, beautiful and independent and never jealous.

My family - it wasn't an abusive family - they meant well, but they were in their own world.

I didn't ever feel close to my real family. I didn't feel validated; I never felt right because I was always wrong.

When you do something in the moment, it may just be for that stage, that audience, that head space that you're in.

My act is always a work in progress. I pray I have a bad day before a show.