Anna Faris would rather be the "butt of the joke" than be involved in "snarky" humour.

The American actress has made her name appearing in comedy movies such as Scary Movie, The House Bunny and What's Your Number.

Scary Movie director Keenan Ivory Wayans gave her some tips on appearing in funny films and they have stayed with her ever since she shot the movie, which was out in the year 2000.

"He gave me the most valuable advice. He said, 'There's no vanity in comedy.' And that was such a liberating thought. I cling to that idea," she told V magazine.

"[I'm] not crazy about snarky or catty humour. I'd much prefer to make myself the butt of the joke."

Anna can soon be seen in Sacha Baron Cohen's new movie The Dictator, about a ruler called General Aladeen who is horrified by the idea of democracy.

Sacha has been giving interviews in character to promote the release, making close to the knuckle remarks about many of the world's most famous leaders including that the Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard should get a boob job.

Anna says he was just as unpredictable on set.

"I've been a part of some crazy movies, but never something quite like this," she laughed. "Sacha is an insane genius. It's exciting to be around him, but also terrifying. You really don't know what he's going to do."