Madeline Kahn

thumb|Madeline Kahn in 1983 Madeline Gail Kahn (September 29, 1942 – December 3, 1999) was an Academy Award-nominated Jewish American actress of movie, television and theater distinguished by an unusual gift for comedy. Quotes I don't like to be my own audience, I find that being my own audience, being in the audience, makes me self-conscious, basically. So I tune in sometimes, with the sound off, to check it out and I back up to it. In the future I will look at it when some time has passed. Charlie Rose, (December 16, 1996) "Charlie Rose - An interview with Madeline Kahn", Charlie Rose, PBS I can't even really tell a joke. I find being funny very hard work. I am always asked about it and I feel guilty saying that, but it's the truth. I love my work but it ain't easy. Michael Specter, (April 8, 1993) "At Home With: Madeline Kahn; Funny? Yes, but Someone's Got to Be", The New York Times, The New York Times Company Me, as myself, I don't think I'm particularly funny. But I've noticed that people in my life always have found me amusing. Which, when I was little, really bothered me. Joe Brown, (October 26, 1988) "Madeline Kahn, on The Road Back to Broadway; At the National Theatre, Remaking Billie Dawn for A New 'Born Yesterday'", The Washington Post, The Washington Post Company Mel is sensual with me. He treats me like an uncle - a dirty uncle. He's an earthy man and very moral underneath. He has traditional values. Paul D. Zimmerman, (February 17, 1975) "The Mad Mad Mel Brooks", Newsweek Attributed How can I believably be a dumb blonde. I'm the furthest thing from it. I am intelligent. I don't mean I have a great IQ. I just mean there's always an intelligence present in what I do. Reported in Terry Byrne, (December 7, 1999) "Appreciation - Comedy was no laughing matter to Kahn", Boston Herald What's wrong with musicals now is all the gifted men who've died of AIDS—who would otherwise be here today creating great theater. Reported in Boze Hadleigh, (2007) Broadway Babylon: Glamour, Glitz, and Gossip on the Great White Way, Back Stage Books, 0823088308, p. 95. Laughter is a strange response. I mean, what is it? It's a spasm of some kind! Is that always joy? It's very often discomfort. It's some sort of explosive reaction. It's very complex. 1989 interview. Reported in William H. Honan, The New York Times (December 4, 1999) "Madeline Kahn: Funny Actress in 'Blazing Saddles'", Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, p. A-11 About She is one of the most talented people that ever lived. I mean, either in stand-up comedy, or acting, or whatever you want, you can't beat Madeline Kahn. Mel Brooks, reported in Tom Vallance, (December 6, 1999) "Obituary: Madeline Kahn", The Independent External links 0001404 Category:Actresses from Boston Category:Comedians from the United States Category:Singers from the United States Category:Women singers Category:Jewish American actresses Category:1942 births Category:1999 deaths Category:Tony Award winners Category:Daytime Emmy Award winners