Quotes & anectdotes from
the wise,
the foolish,
the courageous &
the drunk

Henny Youngman Comedian

  • Gender: Male
  • Citizenship: United States
  • Born: Mar 16, 1906
  • Died: Feb 24, 1998

Henry "Henny" Youngman was a British-born American comedian and violinist famous for his mastery of the "one-liner". His best known one-liner was "Take my wife...please".

In a time when many comedians told elaborate anecdotes, Youngman's routine consisted of telling simple one-liner jokes, occasionally with interludes of violin playing. These depicted simple, cartoon-like situations, eliminating lengthy build-ups and going straight to the punch line. He was known as "The King of the One Liners", a title conferred to him by columnist Walter Winchell. A stage performance by Youngman lasted only fifteen to twenty minutes but contained dozens of jokes in rapid-fire succession.

My brother was a lifeguard in a car wash.

I've got all the money I'll ever need, if I die by four o'clock.

I once wanted to become an atheist, but I gave up - they have no holidays.

I played a great horse yesterday! It took seven horses to beat him.

She's been married so many times she has rice marks on her face.

If you're going to do something tonight that you'll be sorry for tomorrow morning, sleep late.

I've been in love with the same woman for forty-one years. If my wife finds out, she'll kill me.

What's the use of happiness? It can't buy you money.

My dad was the town drunk. Most of the time that's not so bad but New York City?

If at first you don't succeed... so much for skydiving.

When I told my doctor I couldn't afford an operation, he offered to touch-up my X-rays.

A self-taught man usually has a poor teacher and a worse student.

The secret of a happy marriage remains a secret.

This man used to go to school with his dog. Then they were separated. His dog graduated!

This man is frank and earnest with women. In Fresno, he's Frank and in Chicago he's Ernest.

Just got back from a pleasure trip: I took my mother-in-law to the airport.