I always say that comedians and actors were all kind of shy when they were young. I was very, believe it or not, kind of embarrassed as a child. But my mother was a very strong lady and she was the one that kept it going when I thought it would be over for me as a performer. She was always my inspiration and she was a big influence on me.

I always rib people, but nobody ever gives me a hard time. I don't know why. Maybe they're afraid of what I might say. There's probably a lesson in that somewhere, but I don't know what it is.

I've never had a writer, and I'm proud of that. Everything I've per­formed has been from my own head.

You got to have a lot of courage. Secondly, whatever it is you're doing you have to believe in it wholeheartedly. Thirdly, you have to be able to stand up in front of people and know that they'll laugh.

Italians are fantastic people, really. They can work you over in an alley while singing an opera.

I have no idea what I'm going to say when I stand up to give a toast. But I do know that anything I say I find funny.

I was sitting in the toilet and I was by myself. I was tired of playing with the roller, so I said I'd better write a book.