Best Comedic Performers
of the subject is thin and such a list would be short. Thus, I decided to extend the list to “comedic performers,” any artist who display exceptional talent in public displays of comedy across a variety of formats. I like this list better as its more diverse and showcases all types of comedy. The only requirement was that the artist had to be a “performer” rather than just a writer or author. This would exclude people like Mel Brooks, Neil Simon, Salvador Dali, or Carl Reiner.
1.
Jim
Gaffigan
Nobody makes me laugh harder than this
comic, probably because as a Catholic food loving father of five, he is the
most relatable.
2.
Weird
Al Yankovic
I’ve been listening and loving Weird Al
since Elementary School. Seriously, how many musical artists have a successful
career that spans five decades?
3.
Craig
Ferguson
My favorite Late Nite talk show host. His
chemistry with Geoff Peterson and Secretariat was some of the greatest comedic
bander of all time.
4.
The
Cast of MST3K
They invented riffing. Always hilarious.
5.
John
Stewart
Probably the best political comedian. Not
always right, but frequently insightful.
6.
Triumph,
the Insult Comic Dog
Somehow the puppet makes it not only ok,
but insanely funnier.
7.
Flight
of the Conchords
My favorite deadpan comedians. Also the
best musical comedy folk duo in the world…or at least Wellington.
8.
Matt
Stone and Trey Parker
The genius of these two is nearly
unmatched. South Park was supposed to be just gross and offensive, but it
become a touchstone of the cultural zeitgeist.
9.
The
Muppets
There’s real something for everyone here.
Consistently funny for decades.
10.
Monty Python
The original skit-based comedy team.
Launched some amazing careers.
11.
Dave Chappelle
This generations greatest griot. Look it
up.
12.
Ronan Atkinson
Mr. Bean had probably the best physical
comedy of the latter 20th century.
13.
The
Lonely Island
I’m a sucker for great comedy music, and
this is Weird Al with an edge.
14.
Randy Feltface
Not only is it great comedy, but how does
he get that much expression with a puppet. Imagine how hard it is to do stand
up for an hour. Then imagine doing it without seeing the audience with your
right hand erect the whole time.
15.
Bill Burr
Your wicked smart but perpetually angry
uncle from Boston.
16.
The Marx Brothers
Their witty dialogue is unparalleled.
17.
Tina Fey
Who think that women aren’t funny? I mean,
seriously. She carried multiple movies and shows.
18.
Nick Offerman
Don’t think Nick Offerman is funny. He
doesn’t care. And you’re wrong.
19.
Conan O’Brian
The oddball of Late Nite outlasted his
nahsayers.
20.
Lucille O’ Ball
The first great female television star.
Perhaps the first great television star.
21.
Nikki Glaser
Nikki is very crude but in a clever and
honest manner.
22.
Jeff Dunham
Incredibly talented ventriloquist who is
also pretty funny.
23.
Dick Van Dyke
A great master of physical comedy.
24.
Edger Bergman
The first great ventriloquist who created
iconic characters.
25.
Aubrey Plaza
Expert in deadpan humor
26.
Ryan Long
One of the best commenters on the current
political zeitgeist
27.
Charlie Chaplin
Probably the best silent era film comedy
star
28.
Bill Cosby
Fantastic stand-up artist who seamlessly
transferred to television
29.
Amy Poehler
Classic veteran SNL player who shone on Parks
and Recreation
30.
Melissa McCarthy
Underrated comedienne, great with dialogue
and physical comedy
31.
Russel Peters
Great observer of culture
32.
Stephen Colbert
The Colbert Report was comedy gold.
His current “Meanwhile” segment is great too, although he’s gotten preachy and
mean in his later years.
33.
Dane Cook
Boundless energy. Few comics can pull off
360̊ comedy.
34.
Bill Maher
Frequently obnoxious but sometimes
incredibly insightful.
35.
George Carlin
His “baseball v. football” bit is one of
my favorites.
36.
Leslie Nelson
Hollywood’s parody straight man
37.
Jay Leno
In world where everyone must be political
all the time, his ability to find comedy in simple things is incredibly
refreshing.
38.
Kevin Hart
Amazing timing and uses his disadvantages
and advantages.
39.
Jimmy Fallon
Nice guys don’t finish last. They get to
host the #1 late night show and have an amazing career.
40.
Johnny Carson
He created late night comedy.
41.
Chris Rock
Loud, direct, and hilarious
42.
Steve Carrell
He has an amazing ability to use awkward
situations to his advantage.
43.
Kumail Nanjiani
He has a great way of observing things
most people miss.
44.
Kelsey Grammar
Great highbrow comedian
45.
Rainn Wilson
Takes the weird, geeky friend to the
extreme
46.
Carol O’ Connor
Everyone’s favorite offbeat dad
47.
Craig Robinson
An underappreciated talent with great
presence
48.
Chris Pratt
A ball of cuddly, goofy fun
49.
Ricky Gervais
Deadpan and fearless
50.
Mike Myers
Versatile and hilarious
Honorable
Mention:
Woody Allen, Aziz Ansari, Adam Corella, Bill Hader, Neil Patrick Harris, Buster
Keaton, Eugene Levy, Joel McHale, Kate McKinnon, Bill Murray, David Hyde
Pierce, Don Rickles, Jason Segel, Peter Sellers, Keenan Thompson, Ron White,
and Kristen Wiig
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