Margaret Cho

“I can never tell when something is funny. I just have to do it onstage and find out.”

“I do love the road, because for me, the road is very comfortable, and it's very much what I've always wanted to do. It's one of the most appealing things about comedy for me, so I do really have an affection for it.”

“Being called ugly and fat and disgusting to look at from the time I could barely understand what the words meant has scarred me so deep inside that I have learned to hunt, stalk, claim, own and defend my own loveliness.”

“Interventions are really emotionally exhausting and I would never ever want to have one. In the same way, I would never want to have a surprise birthday party. That would be horrible.”

“Try to love someone who you want to hate, because they are just like you, somewhere inside, in a way you may never expect, in a way that resounds so deeply within you that you cannot believe it.”

“Comedy was the key to everything. I grew up fast and controlled my future by bringing it on faster than it naturally unfolded. I cheated myself out of a childhood but then got a running headstart into adulthood that no one else could keep up with.”

“I'm taking a lot of my favorite artists, different people, my favorite music and marrying that with what I do as a comic. It's very collaborative, arty, fun and cool.”

“It is tragic that people who are incarcerated are unable to vote. They are probably the most important voices to listen to because they can tell us what we need to change.”

“My parents are very funny when they have to deal with anything racy or off-color. They usually pretend they don't speak English.”

“I have so much hate that it has turned into love.”

“If we have the opportunity to be generous with our hearts, ourselves, we have no idea of the depth and breadth of love's reach.”

“It's good to be able to laugh at yourself and the problems you face in life. Sense of humor can save you.”

“I think the best way to get over your body issues is to just flaunt your body at every opportunity.”

“I have learned to love that which is meant to harm me, so that I can stand in the way of those who are less strong. I can take the bullets for those who aren't able to.”

“I can't drag myself away from 'Final Cut Pro.' It is a digital video editing system. I am obsessed with it, but I am always away from home, and I can't use it.”

“People are really terrified of me. I don't know why, I'm very nice, but people are very intimidated by me.”

“You don't need people to tell you how beautiful you are on there.”

“I love New York. I love working here.”

“I'm always surprised when I get recognized.”

“The stuff I do and say onstage I can do easily. As a performer, that comes easily. But being social offstage, it's not easy for me.”