I found out tonight that the man who played Inspector Dreyfus in the Pink Panther movies, Herbert Lom, passed away at the age of 95. He was so funny in those movies. Who could forget all the ways he tried to kill Inspector Clouseau in those movies? "Kill Clouseau!" Those are some of the funnies movies ever made. Peter Sellers was a comedic genius, but he had some really good cast members around him as well. Some of my favorite lines in those movies:

"Special delivery: a bomb. Were you expecting one?"

"My watch has stopped. Probably due to the explosion."

"I always fail where others have succeeded."

"You said your dog didn't bite." "That is not my dog!"

And of course, all the misunderstandings that ensued because of Clouseau's accent: "Do you have a rrrrooom?" A what? "A rrrrooom? Oh, you mean a room!" Yes, of course you fool, that is what I have been saying."

And you know, upon reflection, it's not easy to be that funny. You have to have the gift for knowing what works comedically. What does this have to do with joy? Well, the more one laughs in life, the more joyful one tends to be, I think. Laughter is good for the cardiovascular system, reduces stress, and just feels good. I'll have to watch one of the Pink Panther movies this week. Here's to Herbert Lom.