There's so much joy in doing comedy work, and that's one of the reasons I like to do it - because it's just a hilarious day at work.
John C. ReillyI view my strongest competition as myself. You're always trying to top yourself, rather than worrying about what other people are doing.
John C. ReillyI hear actors complain about being stereotyped, and a lot of the time, you have yourself to blame. Just don't take the part if you feel like it's a stereotypical part for you. You have control over your life. We don't have the old studio system, where you have to do what they tell you.
John C. ReillyI actually envy actors who have a persona: 'This is the way I am. This is the part I play.' And do it over and over and over. To me, that's a lot easier than trying to reinvent yourself every six months.
John C. ReillyImprovisation, the main thing is it teaches you to be in the moment and present in the moment and be reactive and proactive for what's going on. Someone gives you something - a lot of actors are a little shut off, so they're just doing, "This is my character, these are my lines, I'm going to just send it to you then you send whatever you're sending." Improvisation teaches you to really be listening.
John C. Reilly