Who said “The test of a real comedian is whether you laugh at him before he opens his mouth.”?

Verified

George Jean Nathan. A published source records them saying or writing it.

Source"Test of a Comedian", The American Mercury (September 1929)

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Cite this quote

For academic work, cite the original where you can: "Test of a Comedian", The American Mercury (September 1929).

APA

Nathan, G. J. (n.d.). The test of a real comedian is whether you laugh at him before he opens his mouth. [Quotation]. Famous Quotations Network. Retrieved October 24, 2026, from https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/6681-the-test-of-a-real-comedian-is-whether/

MLA

Nathan, George Jean. “The test of a real comedian is whether you laugh at him before he opens his mouth.” Famous Quotations Network, https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/6681-the-test-of-a-real-comedian-is-whether/. Accessed 24 Oct. 2026.

Chicago

Nathan, George Jean. “The test of a real comedian is whether you laugh at him before he opens his mouth.” Famous Quotations Network. Accessed October 24, 2026. https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/6681-the-test-of-a-real-comedian-is-whether/.

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