You never saw Peter Sellers the actor trying to make you laugh. All he was doing was the character. What I'm saying is that I don't think you should know you're in a movie. I don't like it when actors are winking at the audience and saying, 'Right, isn't this funny? Are you with me?'

The quote "You never saw Peter Sellers the actor trying to make you laugh. All he was doing was the character. What I'm saying is that I don't think you should know you're in a movie. I don't like it when actors are winking at the audience and saying, 'Right, isn't this funny? Are you with me?'" by Steve Carell reflects his perspective on acting and comedy. Carell admires actors like Peter Sellers, who were able to perform without consciously trying to elicit laughter from the audience. For Carell, the best performances are those where the actor fully embodies the character and allows the humor to emerge naturally, rather than overtly signaling to the audience that something is meant to be funny.

Carell contrasts this with the approach where actors seem to wink at the audience or break the fourth wall, reminding them that they are watching a movie. He dislikes this style because it undermines the immersion of the performance. When actors draw attention to the fact that they are acting, it can disrupt the authenticity of the experience and take the viewer out of the story. For Carell, the goal of comedy and acting is to make the audience forget they are watching a performance, allowing them to become fully engaged in the character's world.

The mention of Peter Sellers is important because Sellers was known for his mastery of character work, creating iconic roles that were entirely believable and genuine, even in outlandish or comedic situations. Sellers never overtly sought to make the audience laugh; instead, his characters and the situations they found themselves in were funny because of how he played them. Carell values this approach to acting, where the character is the focus and the humor emerges naturally through the character’s actions and personality.

Ultimately, Steve Carell’s quote reflects his belief in the power of subtlety and authenticity in comedy. He advocates for performances that are grounded in the character rather than in trying to elicit direct laughs from the audience. This perspective emphasizes that the best humor comes from real, relatable characters who don’t need to announce their humor—it’s simply a byproduct of their behavior and interactions.