I don’t think I’m kind of universally known. I think in the indie world I’m probably better known than in some mainstream Hollywood terms. – Steve Coogan
The tabloids operate in an amoral parallel universe where the bottom line is selling newspapers. – Steve Coogan
Hacking into a victim of crime’s phone is a sort of poetically elegant manifestation of a modus operandi the tabloids have. – Steve Coogan
When you see a crowd of people jumping up and down at a pop concert, all gloriously in the moment, I don’t think you’ll ever see a comedian there. They’ll all be standing at the sides, looking at how it all fits together. – Steve Coogan
I always find it easier to portray myself as being unlikeable and idiotic; to actually play a character that is likeable and engages the audience is far more difficult. It’s a more subtle kind of challenge. – Steve Coogan
I did not become successful in my work through embracing or engaging in celebrity culture. I never signed away my privacy in exchange for success. – Steve Coogan
Going to a grammar school, you mixed with all sorts of different types and I used to listen to how they talked. When I did my imitations, I could sound like someone really rough, or I could sound like a cabinet minister. – Steve Coogan
But with comedy it’s a simple premise. If it’s funny, people laugh. If it’s not, they don’t. – Steve Coogan
There is a strong ethical dimension to the best comedy. Not only does it avoid reinforcing prejudices, it actively challenges them. – Steve Coogan
I don’t like new bands. I don’t want to be one of those pathetic old men in their forties who knows exactly what 18-year-olds are into. – Steve Coogan
When I see friends from school I think they’ve all grown old and I’ve stayed the same. – Steve Coogan
I’ve always been drawn to discomfort and that limbo of unease you get between comedy and tragedy. – Steve Coogan
Big comedy is good, I like things that are big, but good comedy has to be truthful I think and has to reflect some sort of reality. – Steve Coogan
If you are a great dramatic actor then you often don’t know if people are enjoying your stuff at all because they are sitting there in silence. But with comedy it’s a simple premise. If it’s funny, people laugh. If it’s not, they don’t. – Steve Coogan
People regurgitate the same old cliches and it becomes like a photocopy of a photocopy of something that’s vaguely interesting. – Steve Coogan
I try to not make safe choices, but I also like to do stuff which is interesting and is sort of exciting in some way and accessible. – Steve Coogan
I am of the very last generation who didn’t have computers at school. As we grow old we’ll become something of an aberration. – Steve Coogan
Actors say they do their own stunts for the integrity of the film but I did them because they looked like a lot of fun. – Steve Coogan
If you are a great dramatic actor then you often don’t know if people are enjoying your stuff at all because they are sitting there in silence. – Steve Coogan
The best feeling in the world is performing in front of a live audience who like what you’re doing. I can understand why people become dictators just because of the thrill they get making the speeches. – Steve Coogan
There’s something quite joyful about doing comedy which doesn’t really need much analysis. I’m not elitist. I like to do crowd-pleasing stuff which is a bit smart, but is just about belly laughs. – Steve Coogan
Most of all I don’t want to be bored. That’s why I’d rather do something that has some sort of ambition, that risks failing, rather than make safer, more comfortable choices. – Steve Coogan
Yeah, all drama teachers are very effusive, very demonstrative, very emotionally open, very big, and gesticulate a lot, and are very physical. – Steve Coogan
