30+ Jimmy Durante Quotes From The Classic Entertainer

Martha Martins
Dec 12, 2023 By Martha Martins
Originally Published on Mar 17, 2021
Edited by Luca Demetriou
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Read time: 5.1 Min

The great Schnozzola or the Schnoz is Jimmy Durante's famous nickname, which he also often refers himself to as a joke in regards to his large nose, although now, it is considered offensive.

Durante was born in New York as the youngest son to his Italian immigrant parents Rosa Lemtino and Bartolomeo Durante from Salerno, Italy that makes him an Italian American.

His distinct voice, the lower-side accent, comedic timing and language, influence of jazz, and his large prominent nose from his Italian background made him America's most popular and familiar tv and radio personality from the 1920s till the 1970s.

Jimmy Francis Durante was born on 10 February 1893 in the Lower East Side of Manhattan, New York in the U.S and peacefully passed away on 29 January 1980, in Santa Monica, California after a long and fulfilling life full of laughter.

He was not only a very funny comedian but also a very talented actor, singer, and pianist, his first-ever profession.

His career started when he dropped out of middle school to become a full-time pianist and joined a band called the 'Original New Orleans Jazz Band'  where he was the only one not from New Orleans.

The band went to be renamed later as 'Jimmy Durante's Jazz Band'.

Durante's famous lines were "Good night, Mrs. Calabash, wherever you are", and 'Inka Dinka Doo'. These are what he always says.

By the mid-20s he was already a radio personality, a movie star overall a vaudeville star. In 1921 he first got married to Jeanne Olsen but unfortunately, she died in 1943 and Jimmy married Margie Little in 1960 as his second wife.

He finally retired in 1972 and died on January 29, 1980. Therefore, this list of quotes by America's most popular February-born comedian will make you happy and remember this legendary comedian.

The categories for Jimmy Durante sayings include Jimmy Durante famous quotes, Jimmy Durante I got a million of 'em quotes, Jimmy Durante quotes good night among others.

If you like what you read here, check more similar collections on Sophia Loren quotes and Cary Grant quotes.

Famous Jimmy Durante Quotes

Musician playing violin

These quotes from America's most favorite comedian, singer, actor, and much more will surely bring you joy. Enjoy and share these Jimmy Durante quotes.

1. "Good night, Mrs. Calabash, wherever you are!"

- Jimmy Durante, his famous catchphrase.

2. "UMBRIAGO!"

- Jimmy Durante.

3. "Politics is developing more comedians than radio ever did."

- Jimmy Durante.

4. "I'm mortified!'

- Jimmy Durante.

5. "Man is the only animal that can be skinned more than once."

- Jimmy Durante.

6. "Go or stay, stay or go…"

- Jimmy Durante, 'Schnozzola: The Story of Jimmy Durante'.

7. "Everybody wants ta get inta da act!"

- Jimmy Durante.

8. "All of us have schnozzles...if not in our faces, then in our character, minds, or habits."

- Jimmy Durante.

9. "Start to go again and change your mind again."

- Jimmy Durante.

10. "Surrounded by assassins!"

- Jimmy Durante.

Hilarious Jimmy Durante Quotes

There is no doubt that the actor, the singer was a brilliant comedian with a very quick sense of humor and a very good comedic timing, and his large nose helps a lot on the visual effect. Enjoy and laugh till you lose your breath with these Durante's funniest quotes.

11. "I hate music, especially when it's played."

- Jimmy Durante.

12. "My nose isn’t big I just happen to have a very small head."

- Jimmy Durante.

13. "A duet? But there’s only two of us. We need a third guy."

- Jimmy Durante, 'The Jimmy Durante Show'.

14. "My wife has a slight impediment in her speech. Every now and then she stops to breathe."

- Jimmy Durante.

15. "When we admit our schnozzles, instead of defending them, we begin to laugh, and the world laughs with us!"

- Jimmy Durante.

16. "I’ll tell them to hold their tongue."

- Jimmy Durante, 'The Jimmy Durante Show'.

17. "Do, re, mi, fa, so, la, si, do.

I'll go.

I'll stay."

- Jimmy Durante, 'Schnozzola: The Story of Jimmy Durante'.

18. "Did you ever have the feeling that you wanted to go, and still have the feeling that you wanted to stay?"

- Jimmy Durante.

19. "Home cooking, where a many a man thinks his wife is."

- Jimmy Durante.

20. "If you got me to that, I bet you a thousand dollars and I bet you another thing, I was already saying cuckoo duckoo cuckoo duckoo doo doo…"

- Jimmy Durante, 'The Jimmy Durante Show'.

Motivational Jimmy Durante Quotes

Jimmy Durante quotes are hilarious, agreed, but the actor, comedian, singer, pianist, writer, and more also had a very long and successful career. Durante's a self-made man, so here's a list of Jimmy Durante quotes for you to get inspired with a smile.

21. "Be nice to people on your way up because you meet them on your way down."

- Jimmy Durante.

22. "Start off each day with a song."

- Jimmy Durante.

23. "Food became secondary."

- Jimmy Durante.

24. "That's the conditions that prevail!"

-Jimmy Durante.

25. "Stop da music. Stop da music! You’re supposed to follow da music not chase it all over da place."

- Jimmy Durante.

26. "Nobody realizes that I work 18 hours-a-day for a solid month to make that TV hour look like it's never been rehearsed."

- Jimmy Durante.

27. "You knew it was right, wasn't wrong.

Still, you knew you wouldn't be very long."

- Jimmy Durante, 'Schnozzola: The Story Of Jimmy Durante'.

28. "If I’d known how old I was going to be, I’d have taken better care of myself."

- Jimmy Durante.

29. "I don't know where it's going, but I'm sticking with it."

- Jimmy Durante.

30. "Either you got it or you ain’t."

- Jimmy Durante, 'The Jimmy Durante Show'.

31. "I was hurt so deep that I made up my mind never to hurt anybody else, no matter what."

- Jimmy Durante, 'Schnozzola: The Story Of Jimmy Durante'.  

Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly quotesfor everyone to enjoy! If you liked our suggestions for Jimmy Durante quotes, then why not take a look at James Dean quotes, or Hollywood quotes.

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Written by Martha Martins

Bachelor of Arts specializing in Linguistics

Martha Martins picture

Martha MartinsBachelor of Arts specializing in Linguistics

Martha is a full-time creative writer, content strategist, and aspiring screenwriter who communicates complex thoughts and ideas effectively. She has completed her Bachelor's in Linguistics from Nasarawa State University. As an enthusiast of public relations and communication, Martha is well-prepared to substantially impact your organization as your next content writer and strategist. Her dedication to her craft and commitment to delivering high-quality work enables her to create compelling content that resonates with audiences.

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