David Steinberg

David Steinberg – Life, Career, and Famous Quotes

David Steinberg — Canadian comedian, writer, director, and author born August 9, 1942 — a pioneer of satirical stand-up and television comedy. Explore his path from rabbinical studies to controversy, his directing in iconic sitcoms, and his memorable insights on comedy.

Introduction

David Steinberg is a celebrated Canadian comedian, actor, writer, director, and author, born August 9, 1942, in Winnipeg, Manitoba. His career spans more than half a century, during which he helped shape modern stand-up and later guided major television comedies behind the camera. Known for his sharp wit, provocative “sermons,” and deep respect for comedy history, Steinberg remains a respected elder statesman in the comedy world.

Early Life and Family

David Steinberg was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada

His older brother Hymie died in combat during World War II at the age of 19.

In his youth, Steinberg studied theology in Israel for a time. Later, while enrolled in English Literature studies at the University of Chicago, he encountered stand-up comedy (notably seeing Lenny Bruce) and decided to shift toward comedy.

His religious upbringing, the weight of familial expectations, and his exposure to sacred text and public speaking influenced his later comedic style—especially his satirical sermons.

Career and Achievements

Beginnings & Second City

Steinberg began his comedy career in the 1960s. In 1964, he joined the famed Second City improv and sketch troupe in Chicago, performing alongside notable names like Robert Klein, Fred Willard, Peter Boyle, and Joe Flaherty.

His early stand-up often intertwined religious imagery, irreverent sermons, and observational satire. One of his signature bits was giving a comedic “sermon” — using religious language for humor, subversion, and social commentary.

Controversy on The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour

One of his most notorious moments came in October 1968, when Steinberg performed a satirical sermon on The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour. The sketch, which poked at religious and cultural taboos, generated a record number of complaints to the network.

CBS later instituted stricter review policies for stations (giving them advance tapes) partly because of the backlash.

Despite—or perhaps because of—this controversy, the sermon has become part of comedy lore, showing how Steinberg challenged boundaries in a time when television was more cautious.

Television & Directing

After establishing himself as a stand-up, Steinberg branched into television, both in front of and behind the camera:

• He created and starred in The David Steinberg Show in the U.S. (1972) and in Canada (1976).

• He directed episodes of many major sitcoms: Seinfeld, Friends, Mad About You, Curb Your Enthusiasm, The Golden Girls, Designing Women, among others.

• From 2005 to 2007, he hosted Sit Down Comedy with David Steinberg, a talk/interview show on TV Land, where he conversed with prominent comedians like Mike Myers, Jerry Seinfeld, Robin Williams, Larry David, Martin Short, and others.

• He authored a memoir, The Book of David (2007), reflecting on his life and the comedy world.

Honors & Later Work

Steinberg has earned multiple Emmy nominations (winning two as a writer for Academy Awards telecasts).

In 2016, he was named a Member of the Order of Canada, one of the country’s highest civilian honors.

He continues to act, direct, write, and share his reflections on comedy, including in the Showtime series Inside Comedy, where he interviews contemporary comedians and explores the craft.

Style, Themes & Influence

• Satirical sermons & sacred language: Steinberg’s early comedy often merged religious diction, rabbinical tone, and comedic subversion. He used the form of a sermon to provoke thought and laughter.

• Boundary pushing & social commentary: He didn’t shy away from topics that challenged norms—in religion, identity, culture.

• Respect for comedic lineage: He sees himself as part of a long tradition; he often emphasizes how earlier comedians shaped him.

• Versatility: His shift from stand-up to television direction shows adaptability. He understood storytelling, timing, pacing—and how to deliver comedy both live and in narrative formats.

• Mentorship & reflection: Through interviews and conversations, Steinberg has become something of an elder chronicler, preserving and interpreting comedy’s history for succeeding generations.

Famous Quotes of David Steinberg

Here are some notable and quoted lines that reflect his comedic philosophy, wit, and experience:

“The thing about stand-ups is you can’t really get good unless you’re failing in front of a large number of people. ... you need a tremendous amount of reserve within you to take the rejection from the audience, and without it, you can’t do anything.”

“I don’t really dissect comedy. Nothing kills off humor more than overanalyzing it.”

“Here’s the rule that I set for myself … the more personal you are, the wider your audience.”

“Silences are the most underrated part of comedy.”

“Your relationship with an agent has got to be mutually beneficial. If you can’t help their careers, then they’re not going to be interested.”

“The odd thing about comedy is that the more personal you are, the larger the audience.”

“We were the guys on the other side. It was hilarious.”

“My father was a rabbi … and had a little synagogue in Canada, so I’m from Canada. I left there at 16.”

These quotes reveal his respect for vulnerability in comedy, his humility about the craft, and his enduring belief that personal voice reaches more people.

Lessons from David Steinberg

1. Harness your roots and voice
   Steinberg shows that starting from a religious, disciplined upbringing needn’t limit you—in fact, you can transform it into artistic power.

2. Experiment with form
   By turning the sermon into comedy, he expanded what stand-up could be—structure, irony, and performance all in one.

3. Embrace failure
   His idea that comedians must endure rejection to grow underscores that resilience and risk are central to creativity.

4. Don’t overanalyze in the moment
   Humor sometimes emerges from spontaneity; over-thinking can deaden it, as he warns.

5. Share history & mentor forward
   His later role interviewing and interpreting the comedic tradition demonstrates that artists can preserve, teach, and energize the next generation.

Conclusion

David Steinberg’s journey is a rich tapestry of risk-taking, boundary-pushing, and reinvention. From a rabbi’s son in Winnipeg to a young provocateur on national television, and later a guiding hand in sitcom directing, he has worn many hats—and carried deep respect for the craft of comedy throughout. His beliefs about vulnerability, history, and creative honesty continue to influence comedians and audiences alike.

If you’d like, I can compile a complete set of David Steinberg quotes (with full sourcing), or compare his comedic style with other satirists like Lenny Bruce or George Carlin. Do you want me to do that next?