Quotes from Conchata Ferrell

I used to be asked in interviews what I see for myself 10 or 15 years down the line, and I would say that I see wonderful and interesting things to do.

I went around to see the shows in New York, ending up at the Circle Company one night. I fell in love with the people and started hanging around. It was a family. I liked the way they talked and the quality of work. I learned everything there.

I grew up in Appalachia, and I've seen people milk cows and slaughter pigs and plow with a big-footed horse. It's not like I was a city child.

Some people saw Bobby Kennedy as ruthless. I'm sure he did not see himself as ruthless.

I had wanted to become an actress, but in Cane Fork where I come, from being an actress meant the movies and Kim Novak. So I didn't try.

I don't trip all over my ego. I don't mind being a second banana.

Certainly Roseanne Barr has power, but it seems like it's more acceptable to be heavy if you're lower middle class and blue collar.

Do you know how many overweight women there are in America? There are a lot. And seeing people like me on the tube makes them feel good.

I've never missed a single Christmas with my parents.

When you're carrying weight, you have more power. People certainly don't look at you as a bimbo.

I got into acting because nothing else worked. I have done literally everything. I have sold magazines door-to-door. I've worked on an assembly line in a factory, a restaurant, the desk at a hotel. I've worked in statistical typing, taught school. You name it, I tried it, and nothing worked.

My family was disappointed when I named my child Samantha, but they named one of my cousins Rapunzel, and I just felt that was going too far.

I love playing women who have the nerve to do things that I don't have the nerve to do, and Berta is certainly one of those.

There's nothing so interesting as a steam roller that's about to be derailed.

There are a couple of things I would have liked to have done, but the producer or director couldn't stretch the concept to allow for my size. Whenever that happens, I just say, 'Deal with it, and try to get the weight off, and get on with your life.'

I've always had the laugh. It just happens. It used to embarrass my parents.

The best story about Berta is my audition. I think they wanted her to be the ethnic character. They asked me to come with an Eastern European accent.

Losers don't always know that they are losers.

My mama's name is Mescal.