Comedy can be a tough industry to break into, and not everyone finds success with just a microphone and some funny jokes. However, some people rise to the top and become the best of the best. Whether they changed the industry forever or simply made people laugh on the way to their acting careers, these are the biggest comedy legends who ever lived...
Margaret Cho
Sometimes described as a mixture of Joan Rivers, Bill Hicks, and Robin Williams, Margaret Cho is one of the most successful comedians and she's only getting bigger. Her material ranges from sexual escapades to her Korean upbringing. She considers herself to be a sex-positive feminist and an advocate for the LGBTQ community, which makes her hugely popular with younger crowds.
Aziz Ansari
Not many in comedy are as excitable and adorable as Aziz Ansari, though he got himself in some hot water a little while back. He was caught in a #MeToo scandal, which almost cost him his career. However, after making some apologies and taking time out of the spotlight, he's working on making things right. He's known for his successful Netflix series, Master of None, and his role as Tom on Parks & Recreation.
Amy Schumer
Amy Schumer rose to fame as one of the most hilarious female comics. Her style is coy and self-deprecating while still taking a humorous tone. She's done stand-up specials, sketch comedy, roasts, and is even an activist for women's rights and body positivity. Her charm makes her sets even more hilarious, earning her a spot on this list as one of the best.
Kevin Hart
Chances are, you've already seen or heard about Kevin Hart. The short-stack comedian has a huge stage presence and is a joy to watch perform. He often talks about his life as a celebrity actor and how it impacts his life, his wife, and his kids. He discusses every part of his life, even parts you wouldn't read in the news, like his failed marriage. He's even sold out Madison Square Garden...twice.
Patton Oswalt
Before he played the rat in the hat in Ratatouille, Patton was diligently working the stand-up scene. He triumphantly celebrates nerdy culture, promoting comic books and other endeavors. This comedian is one of the greats. He's also had several stand-up specials, several television and film roles, and a number of books. He shows no signs of slowing down anytime soon, thankfully!
Sarah Silverman
Sarah Silverman takes special pride in pushing people's boundaries. She touches on everything from the Holocaust to sexual stories. Her delivery is very sharp and concise, making her edgy comedy that much punchier. Her one-liners are her specialty, but all of her acts are worth watching.
Tiffany Hadish
Tiffany Haddish is one of the best-selling comedians and actresses on the circuit right now. She has a blossoming television and film career, but her real sweet spot is her honest and vulnerable comedy. Her most recent special, Tiffany Haddish Presents: They Ready, allows lesser-known comedians to open for the star and potentially get their big break on stage.
Albert Brooks
While some of these comedians had short-lived careers, this is not the case for Albert Brooks. The comic has been working the stand-up scene for several years, appearing on The Dean Martin Show, The Ed Sullivan Show, and The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson regularly for years. He produced two comedy albums and wrote his own feature film, Real Life.
Jonathan Winters
If you like costume comedy or prop work, you have Jonathan Winters to thank. This comedian ushered in the wave of imagination in comedy better than anyone else, using solo characters and small vignettes to get his points across. He was known for his improvisations, impersonations, and unique characters that made his audiences crack up with laughter.
Ellen DeGeneres
Before she had a talk show, Ellen was one of the most famous stand-up comedians on the scene. She came into comedy in the 1980s as one of the bestselling headliners in the country. After coming out of the closet, unfortunately, she lost a lot of fame. With perseverance, she overcame the hate and bigotry that she faced and came out on top better than ever.
David Letterman
The longest tenure on a talk show belongs to David Letterman, who spent 33 years behind the desk on The Late Show, now hosted by Stephen Colbert. Known to be anti-romantic and comically complaining, Letterman made his voice clear in all his works. Described as irreverent and off-beat, this man is one of the most well-known faces in comedy that invited in a new kind of style.
Bob Newhart
Bob Newhart had a deadpan delivery that made every joke seem painfully obvious but also gut-wrenchingly funny. His stammering and stuttering made it seem like all his jokes were improvised, but his silence and staring into space made his timing impeccable, and comics have been trying to recreate it ever since. His first album was so memorable, it knocked Elvis Presley out of the #1 spot on album charts.
Bob Hope
Bob Hope is one of the most iconic stand-ups to ever live, and no one ever left his shows without cramps from laughing so hard. He was one of the most elite comedians of the 20th century due to his high-brow but accessible comedy. He died in 2013 at the age of 100 years old. He worked for almost 80 years straight, whether on the stage or on the screen.
Rodney Dangerfield
This guy was a guaranteed joke machine, both on and off the screen. He wasn't exactly known for his acting chops and often played the same type of character. He had big bugged-out eyes, wacky head twitches, and a never-ending supply of one-liners that could be plugged into any conversation. It worked every time!
Bill Burr
Once called "the undisputed heavyweight champ of rage-fueled humor" by Rolling Stone Magazine, Bill Burr has made quite a name for himself. He has made his brand the angry man with a microphone, and it's worked out pretty well for him thus far. While most comedians ease into their jokes, Burr jumps right into the tough topics and pulls from them.
Andy Kaufman
Andy Kaufman is credited with introducing the public to anti-comedy, or comedy with a lack of a punchline that is within itself a punchline. He would have certain bits purposefully fall flat or bomb on stage, just to make the next joke that much more impressive. The audience got annoyed, but Andy always thought comedy was more for the comedian's enjoyment than the consumer.
Don Rickles
If you like audience members getting heckled by a comedian, then Don Rickles is the man for you. He found his voice in interacting with the crowds who booed his jokes. These hecklers inadvertently made Rickles' career from nothing. He would belittle people's looks, their spouses, their jobs, their children, and pretty much any other information they offered up to him.
Bill Hicks
This comic focused his talents on dark comedy. Namely, taking a critical look at things that people supposedly were supposed to avoid discussing, such as religion, government, and other audience members. Though he never made it big on the mainstream during his lifetime, he really found success after death. His life ended when he was only 33, but the comedy he left behind is forever.
John Mulaney
If you watch comedy in the 21st century, you've probably already heard of John Mulaney. The baby-faced comedian takes a very family-friendly approach to his work, due in part to his Catholic upbringing. His comedy ranges from wacky bits about pitching movies to comical observations about making birthday cards. No matter what, John Mulaney is always a favorite.
Robin Williams
Whether it was impressions, impersonations, or improvisation, Robin Williams was one of the most talented comedians who ever lived. He could riff on any topic, and is often considered one of the greats. His never-ending bits led to a very successful film career, but the limelight was too much for the naturally gifted actor. He took his own life in 2014 after a battle with drug addiction.
Jay Leno
Jay Leno is a former television host, known for his role behind the desk at The Tonight Show with Jay Leno. Leno began performing in 1973 after graduating from Emerson College with a degree in speech therapy. He got his first television performance on The Tonight Show in 1977, performing a stand-up set. From there, he took several small film roles and substituted hosting for Johnny Carson's show.
Jerry Seinfeld
Almost all of comedy is observational on some level, but no one really honed in on the theme quite like sitcom actor Jerry Seinfeld. He took the craft to new heights and created maybe the most successful television show of all time. Even now, in his 60s, the comedian is still working on tours and a Netflix series where he picks up comedians in fancy cars to get coffee, combining his three favorite things!
Chelsea Handler
This comedian, actress, activist, writer, host, and producer has been performing comedy since she was 21. She was telling a story about her drunk driving to other offenders in a counseling session and noticed the other people thought the story was funny. From there, her comedy career went from small open mics to small television roles, working her way up in the industry.
Eddie Murphy
Inspired by early comedy greats, teenage Eddie Murphy tried his hand at the craft and was instantly successful. The star was on Saturday Night Live at only age 19 and had his own stand-up special by age 22. He commented on his alcoholic stepfather and his wild mother. These commentaries led him into a master of the art form, and a legend to this very day.
Jamie Foxx
Jamie Foxx might have an expansive film career, but not many know that he started in open mic comedy. After a girlfriend dared him to get on stage, he realized his love for performing. He changed his name from Eric Bishop to Jamie Foxx after realizing that female comedians were called to the stage first. He thought a gender-neutral name could remove the biases from the experience.
Johnny Carson
If you know comedy, you know Carson. Johnny Carson led millions of Americans to their TV sets every night and talked them to sleep with his charm and poise on the screen. The likable comedian was quick on his feet, comfortable with guests, and always present in the moment. His interviews and monologues set the precedent for talk shows for years to come.
Larry David
Larry David is a comedy legend, famous for running sitcoms like Seinfeld and Curb Your Enthusiasm. He was in college when he realized he had a knack for making his friends and strangers laugh. He began stand-up open mics while also working as a store clerk, limousine driver, and historian. Eventually, though, he got a gig writing for Saturday Night Live. Only one sketch he wrote aired, and he quit after one season to create Seinfeld.
Steve Martin
Whether you know him from stand-up, Saturday Night Live, or his expansive movie career, most everyone knows about this comedic genius. His movies include The Jerk, Cheaper by the Dozen, and many more. He's always seemed to be a lovable old man with snow-white hair, even as a younger man. Plus he plays the banjo, which always adds a comedic element to his acts.
Zach Galifianakis
Galifianakis is a comic performer who came to public fame in 2001 with his first stand-up special. However, this comedy heavyweight took some time to find his footing. He recalled the two weeks he worked at Saturday Night Live as a writer, saying "Britney Spears was the host one week when I was doing it. Wrote a sketch, Will Ferrell was going to play a bodyguard to her belly button [...] she just stared at me after I explained it to her."
Dave Chappelle
Some people have described Chappelle as "the comedic genius of America." His sketch show, The Chappelle Show, was hailed for its groundbreaking topics and hilarity. However, stand-up will always be his first love, usually tackling topics that others are too scared to touch on. Some of these include political correctness, race, sex, gender, and more touchy subjects.
Joan Rivers
When Joan Rivers was coming up in West Village, New York, female comedians were few and far between. The comedian's bold and aggressive style made her a name in the big city, and soon, all over the world. Her self-deprecating jabs and quick wit came through in a raspy voice that attacked the ear. She was born to be a brand, and she lived by that.
Lenny Bruce
Although it's been almost fifty years since Bruce passed away but the comedian is still one of the most famous to have ever lived. He was known for saying pretty much whatever he wanted, which was not allowed most of the time. Lenny Bruce was arrested several times for discussing sex on stage, as well as cursing in his acts. He made comedy seem like the coolest career for outlaws.
Chris Rock
Chris Rock's comedy stylings are some with more intelligence and unconventional thinking than anyone else. His wide grin and easy-going personality make this comedian one of the greats. His social commentary has earned him a place in the spotlight for several years. His 1996 special premiered on HBO and earned high praise from viewers and critics alike. It's considered one of the best of the '90s.
George Carlin
George Carlin is considered one of the best stand-ups who ever lived. His brutal stand-up often required a great amount of skill and risky political commentary. He was also famous for his absolute myriad of obscene words in his acts. His famous set, Words You Can't Say On Television, poked fun at the ridiculous rules set in place for television shows at the time.
Richard Pryor
After surviving a troubling childhood upbringing, Pryor became one of the best and most beloved comics to ever grace the stage. He had a colorful personality that flourished in the public eye until eventually falling into drugs. He became a huge star in the San Francisco comedy scene and is now considered to have changed the way we do stand-up commercially.
Tom Segura
Tom Segura is one of the comedy greats of the last few years. He was born in Cincinnati, Ohio but speaks fluent Spanish, since his mother is from Peru. He fell into a short coma when he was 18 due to an overdose of GHB. Once in college, he began performing stand-up. He is currently married to another stand-up comedian, Christina Pazsitsk, as of November 2008.
Ali Wong
Ali Wong is a powerhouse performer who has done specials in a way no one else has before, even doing one while she was visibly pregnant. Her stand-up hours, Baby Cobra and Hard Knock Wife received a widespread appeal from critics and viewers alike. She was born in Pacific Heights, San Francisco and has written books and movies resembling her experiences there.
Bo Burnham
After finding success on his Youtube channel, Bo Burnham became a household name. His witty songs about love and being a teenager ushered him into the stand-up scene, and he was performing around the world before he even turned twenty. His fun-loving tunes contrasted with dismal and depressing themes made him popular in the industry, but a very welcome change.
Jim Gaffigan
Jim Gaffigan might best be known for his hot pocket jokes and observations about laziness, fatherhood, food, and being a normal person in the world. He's written a few books and starred in a few major flicks, but he is best known for his stand-up. He is also known to be a clean comedian. He uses almost no profanity or explicit themes in his acts, making him very family friendly.
Mike Birbiglia
Mike Birbiglia is one of the most well-respected industry favorites. This actor, director, producer, and writer made his mark in the entertainment business with his wildly successful stand-up routines. He also has a rare sleep disorder that requires him to be strapped down in his sleep. This oddity has become commonly joked about in his acts, which are typically family-friendly.
Gabriel "Fluffy" Iglesias
Gabriel "Fluffy" Iglesias got his name from his first wildly successful stand-up performance, titled I'm Not Fat...I'm Fluffy as well as the follow-up, Hot & Fluffy. Born in California, Iglesias is from Mexican heritage and was the youngest of six children. He worked in stand-up to get some extra cash and found success on the stage. He commonly jokes about his weight in his routine.
Larry the Cable Guy
Born Daniel Lawrence Whitney, Larry the Cable Guy was born in Pawnee City, Nebraska in 1963. He studied drama at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln but dropped out once he perfected his southern accent for an onstage comedy character that would later span his whole career. He is also a close friend of Lewis Black and previously worked in radio for some time.
Joe Rogan
Best known for his wildly successful podcast aptly named The Joe Rogan Experience, Rogan has worked in the industry for years prior to his fame. He also worked in martial arts commentary, television hosting, and acting on occasion. In 2001, the comedian hosted the show Fear Factor, which paused his stand-up, but he returned to the stage after the show's end.
Anthony Jeselnik
Jeselnik is a comedian, writer, actor, producer, and more who takes adark and unsettling approach to his comedy. He is known for an arrogant demeanor, harsh insults, ironic misdirection, and nonsequiturs. His stage persona is one that takes negative and amoral stances. He is originally from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and studied at Tulane University in New Orleans, Louisiana.
Tig Notaro
Mathilde "Tig" O'Callaghan Notaro is a stand-up comedian, actress, radio personality, and writer who is known for her deadpan wit and clever storytelling. She has been very public about her struggles with breast cancer and her LGBTQ status. She has been married to Stephanie Allynne since 2015, and the couple has two children together. She once performed a set topless to promote breast cancer awareness.
Daniel Tosh
Daniel Tosh is the comic speaking to the tough topics, like race, religion, gender, and inequality, but not in the ways you'd expect. The biting comic has hosted his own clip show since 2009. He is incredibly private off stage though, and rarely ever participates in interviews due to an extreme case of social anxiety. Nevertheless, he finds solace on stage, leading to a long career.
Brian Regan
Brian Regan is a family-friendly comedian who refrains from any off-color of profanity. Instead, he employs self-depreciation, observations, childhood stories, and sarcasm above all else. At 61 years old, Brian Regan has been performing comedy for most of his life, beginning in 1997. He is also the brother of comedian Dennis Regan, and one of seven siblings.
Mitch Hedberg
Mitch Hedberg was a comedy legend who was known for his deadpan delivery and his eccentric, often surrealist sense of humor. He usually spoke in one-liners and quick pacing but mixed them with absurdist elements and nonsequiturs. Mitch tragically died in 2005 at age 37 after an overdose on cocaine and heroin. His death on April 1st was misinterpreted by fans as an April Fools joke.
Iliza Shlesinger
Iliza Shlesinger is an American comic and winner of 2008's Last Comic Standing. Her acts typically involve long-form hypotheticals about womanhood and feminity. She has several Netflix and Comedy Central specials as well as bestselling books. She briefly hosted her own television show, titled Truth & Iliza. She is married to chef Noah Galuten and is interested in ornithology.
Ray Romano
Ray Romano has a long-standing career in film, television, and stand-up. His show, Everybody Loves Raymond, made him the highest-paid actor of 2004 earning $3.9 billion for his performances. He has received six Emmy nominations, one win, and five Screen Actors Guild nominations, and two Golden Globe nominations. He also voices Manny in the Ice Age franchise.
Jeff Foxworthy
Jeff Foxworthy is a comedian, actor, TV personality, radio host, and novelist. He is also part of a comedy group consisting of Larry the Cable Guy, Bill Engvall, and Ron White known as the Blue Collar Comedy Tour. His catchphrase, "You Might Be A Redneck..." has led him into a long and successful career and millions of album sales for his debut tracks by the same name.
Jon Stewart
Jon Stewart is a political commentator, producer, director, actor, television host, and stand-up comedian. He was the previous host of The Daily Show from 1999 to 2015, which is now spearheaded by Trevor Noah. He performed at the Comedy Cellar in New York City for several years before writing for Comedy Central and almost won David Letterman's Late Night Spot, but lost out to Conan O'Brien.
Michelle Wolf
Michelle Wolf is a comedian, writer, producer, and TV host. She's worked on Late Night with Seth Meyers and The Daily Show with Trevor Noah. She also hosted the 2018 White House Correspondents Dinner, which earned her a lot of criticism for her aggressive takes. She also has several stand-up specials and has a background performing improv with the Peoples Improv Theater.
Trevor Noah
Born in South Africa, Trevor Noah is a comedian, producer, writer, political commentator, TV host, and actor. He is also currently the host of The Daily Show on Comedy Central. He toured with comedians like Gabriel Iglesias, Russell Peters, Darren Simpson, Nik Raninowticz, and many more. He also has performed in some Comedy Central Roasts, which hurl insults at celebrities.
Marc Maron
Marc Maron is a stand-up comedian and podcaster, known for his popular podcast titled WTF With Marc Maron. On this show, he interviews professionals in the industry, talking about their past careers and stories from the road. Before this though, Marc spent several years performing comedy and as a radio personality, as well some small roles in films like Almost Famous and Joker.
Daniel Sloss
Daniel Sloss, born and raised in Fife, Scotland, is a comedian, actor, and writer. He is well known for becoming a comedic success while still only a teenager, though he is now 29. He got his first comedy writing gig when he was only 16, which he credits as the reason for his success. From there, it became easier to find work and make a name for himself on the stage.
Taylor Tomlinson
Originally from a devoutly religious household, Taylor Tomlinson began performing her stand-up at the age of 16 in her local church after encouragement from her father. Since then, she has become a rising comedy star in the 2020s. Her recent Netflix special, Quarter Life Crisis, focuses on topics related to her religious upbringing, strict parenting, and a failed engagement.
Chelsea Peretti
Chelsea Peretti is an American comedian, writer, actress, and stand-up performer. She is married to fellow comedian and horror-thriller director Jordan Peele. She befriended comedian Andy Samberg while in college, who helped her break into the spotlight. She's best known for her role as Gina Linetti on Brooklyn-99, but also has her own stand-up specials available on Netflix.
Joel Kim Booster
Best known for his stand-up, Joel Kim Booster is an actor, writer, and performer. He was born in South Korea but was adopted by a white couple when he was a baby and raised in Plainfield, Illinois. He grew up in an Evangelical household and recited Bible verses competitively. He was homeschooled in his youth but remembers being a class clown in public school. He is in the LGBTQ community.
Sam Morril
Sam Morril is a stand-up comedian, actor, and writer who has appeared in several Comedy Central projects. He regularly performs in New York City's famous comedy venue, The Comedy Cellar. He has specials that have debuted on Comedy Central. He previously worked for Stephen Colbert in college, but has since appeared on Conan, Jimmy Fallon, and appeared as himself in Joker.
Whitney Cummings
Whitney Cummings is an actress, producer, writer, director, podcaster, and stand-up comedian. She has produced one stand-up album, four specials, three Comedy Central Roasts, and several television shows in a variety of roles. After graduating from the University of Pennsylvania, Whitney moved to LA to become a comedy celebrity. Her most recent special premiered in 2019.
Natasha Leggero
Natasha Leggero is a comedian, writer, actress, stand-up, and television host. She was raised Catholic but converted to Judaism for her husband, fellow comedian Moshe Kasher. She moved to LA after graduation to pursue a career as an actress. She describes her themes as relating to celebrity culture and class distribution. She wears costumes on stage to display "an air of mock-refinement and elitism."
Katherine Ryan
Katherine Ryan is a comedian, actress, writer, presenter, and host, based out of the United Kingdom, despite growing up in Canada. She was fired from a waitressing job for writing "club sandwiches not seals" on the specials board. Around these service industry years, she began performing at open mics as a form of personal entertainment, but soon she found mainstream success.
Chris D'Elia
Originally only a stand-up comedian, Chris D'Elia has recently become an actor appearing in shows like You, The Good Doctor, and Undateable. He has also appeared in Whitney, the show made by girlfriend Whitney Cummings. He began in the industry after dropping out of college and filling his spare time with open mics and scriptwriting. it wasn't long until Chris found his voice and commercial success.
Moshe Kasher
Married to fellow comic Natasha Leggero, Moshe Kasher is a comedian and writer. He has written books about his tumultuous life, one titled Kasher in the Rye: The True Tale of a White Boy from Oakland Who Became a Drug Addict, Criminal, Mental Patient, and Then Turned 16. Kasher is also the child of deaf parents and is fluent in American Sign Language. He also suffers from Gaucher's Disease.