Comedians

A comedian, or comic, is an performer who entertains an audience by making them laugh. This might be through jokes or amusing situations, or acting the fool, as in slapstick, or employing prop comedy. A female comedian may be known as a comedienne although this usage has been deprecated in recent years. A comedian who stands and addresses an audience directly is called a stand-up comedian.

Since the mid-1980s, a new wave of comedy, called alternative comedy, has been gaining popularity and delighting audiences with its offbeat style. This normally involves more experiential, or observational, reporting to get a laugh. Famous comedians often overstep the mark of what the public perceive as acceptable, such as the remarks made by Billy Connolly about the killing of Ken Bigley.

Formats of a comedian's show are flexible and often depend on the type of comedy. Some comedians such as Brian Figarol speak about their own day to day lives, while others like Frank Skinner sing humorous songs.

As far as content is concerned, comedians such as Tommy Tiernan draw on their background to poke fun at themselves, while others such as Bill Hicks have strong political and cultural undertones.

Many comics achieve a cult following while touring famous comedy hubs such as Montreal in Canada, Edinburgh in Scotland and Melbourne in Australia. Often a comic's career is made when they win a notable comedy prize, such as Perrier Award. Comics survive by continuous touring and foray into other areas of entertainment, when they have become famous. These include television (such as with Rowan Atkinson, Bill Cosby, Ellen DeGeneres, Jerry Seinfeld, Tim Allen, Ray Romano and Dave Chappelle), films (such as with Chris Rock, Richard Pryor, Jim Carrey, Whoopi Goldberg, Janeane Garofalo and Robin Williams), radio (such as with Dave Callan, more examples needed) and the usual release of DVDs of live shows.

Famous Comedians

A

• Bud Abbott (1895–1974)
• Roger Abbott (1946–)
• Russ Abbott (1947–)
• Chris Addison (1972–)
• Joe Alaskey (1949–)
• Carlos Alazraqui (1962–)
• Jack Albertson (1907–1981)
• Jason Alexander (1959–)
• Dave Allen (1936–2005)
• Fred Allen (1894–1956)
• Gracie Allen (?1902–1964)
• Steve Allen (1921–2000)
• Tim Allen (1953–)
• Woody Allen (1935–)
• Eddie Anderson (1905–1977)
• Kip Addotta (1954)
• Louie Anderson (1953–)
• Roscoe 'Fatty' Arbuckle (1887–1933)
• Tom Arnold (1959–)
• Gregg Asch (1962–)
• Arthur Askey (1900–1982)
• Rowan Atkinson (1955–)
• Dave Attell (1965–)
• Roy Atwell (1878–1962)
• Dan Aykroyd (1952–)
• Damali Ayo (1972–)
• Richard Ayoade (19??–)
• Hank Azaria (1964–)
• Craig Anton (1965–)

B

• Georgia Backus (1900–1983)
• David Baddiel (1964–)
• Bill Bailey (1964–)
• Nick Bakay (1964–)
• Lucille Ball (1911–1989)
• Jorn 'Google Hat' Barger (1953–)
• Arj Barker (1974–)
• Ronnie Barker (1929–2005)
• Sacha Baron Cohen as Ali G (1971–)
• Drew Barr (19??–)
• Carl Barron (19??–)
• Roseanne Barr (1952–)
• Alistair Barrie (19??-)
• Chris Barrie (1960–)
• Dave Barry (1947–)
• Todd Barry (1964–)
• Alfie Bass (1921–1987)
• Norman Beaton (1934–1994)
• Bill Bellamy (1965-)
• James Belushi (1954–)
• John Belushi (1949–1982)
• Richard Belzer (1944–)
• Mitch Benn (19??–)
• Jack Benny (1894–1974)
• Michael Bentine (1922–96)
• Milton Berle (1908–2002)
• Sandra Bernhard (1955–)
• Danny Bhoy (19??–)
• Mike Birbiglia (1978-)
• Werner Birkner (1968–)
• Des Bishop (19??–)
• Jack Black (1969–)
• Lewis Black (1948–)
• Ben Blue (1901–1975)
• Ray Bolger (1904–1987)
• Fortunio Bonanova (1895–1969)
• Mike Boon (1970-)
• Victor Borge (1909–2000)
• Wolfe Bowart (19??–)
• Wayne Brady (1972–)
• Jo Brand (1957–)
• John Branyan (1965–)
• Rory Bremner (1961–)
• David Brenner (1945–)
• Bernard Bresslaw (1934–1993)
• Jim Breuer (1967–)
• Fanny Brice (1891–1951)
• Marcus Brigstocke (19??–)
• Albert Brooks (1947–)
• Mel Brooks (1926–)
• A. Whitney Brown (1952–)
• Arnold Brown (19??–)
• Joe E. Brown (1892–1973)
• Julie Brown (1958–)
• Roy 'Chubby' Brown (1945-)
• Wally Brown (1904–1961)
• Lenny Bruce (1925–1966)
• Mike Bullard (1957–)
• Carol Burnett (1933–)
• Brendon Burns (19??–)
• George Burns (1896–1996)
• Billy Bush (1971–)
• Brent Butt (1966–)
• Red Buttons (1919–2006)
• Ed Byrne (197?–)
• Jason Byrne (197?–)

C

• Louis C.K. (1967–)
• Sid Caesar (1922–)
• Frank Caliendo (1974–)
• Rhona Cameron (1965–)
• James Campbell (19??–)
• John Candy (1950–1994)
• Eddie Cantor (1892–1964)
• Scott Capurro (1962–)
• Drew Carey (1958–)
• George Carlin (1937–)
• Alan Carney (1909–1973)
• Jimmy Carr (1972–)
• Jim Carrey (1962–)
• Adam Carolla (1964–)
• Carrot Top (1967–)
• Jasper Carrott (1945–)
• Frank Carson (1926–)
• Johnny Carson (1925–2005)
• Dana Carvey (1955)
• Dan Castellaneta (1958–)
• Adam Cecil (19??–)
• Cedric the Entertainer (1964–)
• Charlie Chaplin (1889–1977)
• Graham Chapman (1941–1989)
• Dave Chappelle (1973–)
• Craig Charles (1964–)
• Charley Chase (1893–1940)
• Chevy Chase (1943–)
• Michael Chiklis (1963–)
• Ted Chippington (c.1958–)
• Margaret Cho (1968–)
• Andrew "Dice" Clay (1958–)
• John Cleese (1939–)
• Jimmy Clitheroe (1921–1973)
• Howard Gerald "Jerry" Clower (1926–1998)
• Jackie Clune (19??–)
• Imogene Coca (1908–2001)
• Wim Coenen (1976–)
• Sacha Baron Cohen a.k.a. "Ali G" (1971–)
• Enrico Colantoni (1963–)
• Stephen Colbert (1964–)
• Kim Coles (1966–)
• Norman Collier (1934–)
• Jerry Colonna
• Billy Connolly (1942–)
• Kenneth Connor (1916–1993)
• Nina Conti
• Tim Conway (1933–)
• Steve Coogan as Alan Partridge and Paul Calf (1965–)
• Dane Cook (1972–)
• David L. Cook aka Mortermer Crabbottom (1968–)
• Peter Cook (1937–1995)
• Tommy Cooper (1921–1984)
• Lizzy Cooperman (1979–)
• Ronnie Corbett (1930–)*
• Charles Correl ("Amos & Andy" "Henry Aldrich")
• Bill Cosby (1937–)
• Lou Costello (1906–1959)
• George Coulouris (1903–1989)
• Wally Cox (1928–2006)
• Mark Critch (19??–)
• Anna Cromy (19??–)
• Norm Crosby (1927–)
• David Cross (1964–)
• Barry Cryer (1935–)
• Billy Crystal (1947–)
• Seán Cullen (1965–)
• Jane Curtin (1947–)

D

• Brian Damage (1950–)
• Rodney Dangerfield (1921–2004)
• Rhys Darby (1974–)
• Jim David
• Larry David (1947–)
• Alan Davies (1966–)
• Danny De Vito (1944–)
• Jack Dee (1962–)
• Ellen DeGeneres (1958–)
• Lea DeLaria (1958–)
• Andy de la Tour
• Dom DeLuise (1933–)
• Hugh Dennis (1962–)
• Les Dennis (1953–)
• Andy Dick (1965–)
• Richard Digance (1949–)
• Horace J. Digby (1950–)
• Phyllis Diller (1917–)
• Omid Djalili (1965–)
• Ken Dodd (1929–)
• Charlie Drake (1925–)
• Ryan Drummond (1973–)
• Jeff Dunham (1974–)
• Jimmy Durante (1893–1980)

E

• Earthquake
• Jenny Eclair (1960–)
• Neil Edmond (1970–)
• Adrian Edmondson (1957–)
• Derek Edwards
• Jimmy Edwards (1920–1988)
• Justin Edwards (19??–)
• Ben Elton (1959–)
• Harry Enfield (1961–)
• Bill Engvall (1957–)
• Lee Evans (1964–)
• Kenny Everett (1943–1995)
• Billy Eakes (1979–)

F

• Bill Fagerbakke (1957–)
• Jimmy Fallon (1974–)
• Chris Farley (1964–1997)
• Wayne Federman (1959–)
• Marty Feldman (1933–1982)
• Graham Fellowes as Jilted John and John Shuttleworth
• Michael Fenton Stevens
• Don Ferguson (1946–)
• Will Ferrell (1967–)
• Tina Fey (1970–)
• Noel Fielding (1973–)
• W.C. Fields (1879–1946)
• Dave Foley (1963–)
• Diane Ford
• Jeff Foxworthy (1958–)
• Pablo Francisco
• Al Franken (1951–)
• Stan Freberg (1926–)
• Dawn French (1957–)
• Stephen Fry (1957–)

G

• Jim Gaffigan (1966–)
• Gallagher
• Gary Le Strange (aka Waen Shepherd)
• Graeme Garden
• Jeff Garlin
• Janeane Garofalo
• Zach Galifianakis
• Ana Gasteyer
• Dustin Gee (1942–1986)
• Ricky Gervais (1961–)
• Rhod Gilbert
• Jackie Gleason (1916–1987)
• Janey Godley
• Freeman Godsen (Amos & Andy)
• Gilbert Gottfried
• Whoopi Goldberg (1955–)
• John Goodman (1952–)
• Ken Goodwin
• Dave Gorman
• Dana Gould
• Luba Goy
• Boothby Graffoe
• Kelsey Grammer (1955–)
• Corinne Grant
• Stephen Grant
• Jeff Green
• Seth Green (1974–)
• James Gregory
• David Alan Grier
• Kathy Griffin
• Christopher Guest
• Deryck Guyler (1914–1999)

H

• Buddy Hackett (1924–2003)
• Brian Haley (1961–)
• Rich Hall
• Neil Hamburger
• Nick Hancock (1962–)
• Tony Hancock (1924–1968)
• Jack Handey a.k.a. Jack Handy
• Chelsea Handler
• Tom Hanks (1956–)
• Terry Hansen
• Malcolm Hardee (1950–2005)
• Mike Harding
• Jeremy Hardy
• Oliver Hardy (1890–1957)
• Otis Harlan (1865–1940)
• Phil Hartman (1948–1998)
• Steve Harvey
• Tony Hawks
• Phil Hayes
• Mike Hayley
• Natalie Haynes
• Goldie Hawn
• Sir Charles Hawtrey (1858–1923)
• Charles Hawtrey (George Hartree) (1914–1988)
• Richard Hearne (1890–1987)
• Mitch Hedberg (1968–2005)
• John Hegley
• Tim Heidecker
• Peter Helliar
• Lenny Henry
• Richard Herring
• Bill Hicks (1961–1994)
• Benny Hill (1924–1992)
• Harry Hill
• Adam Hills
• Jessica Holmes
• Bob Hope (1903–2003)
• Kenneth Horne (1907–1969)
• Jeremy Hotz (1966–)
• Dave Howarth (1986-)
• Roy Hudd
• Dave Hughes
• Sean Hughes
• Stu Hughes
• D.L. Hughley
• Barry Humphries
• Reginald D Hunter

I

• Armando Iannucci
• Eric Idle
• Robin Ince
• Neil Innes
• Scott Innes
• Corinne Irizarry (1978–)
• Eddie Izzard

J

• Hattie Jacques (1924–1980)
• Sid James (1913–1976)
• Eddie Jarvis
• Richard Jeni
• Jimeoin
• Jake Johannsen
• Dom Joly
• Cathy Jones
• Jason Jones
• Milton Jones
• Spike Jones (1911–1965)
• Terry Jones
• Tere Joyce
• John Junkin (1930–2006)
• Joseph 'Greed' Gari' (1972–)
• Jonah Bascle

K

• Andy Kaufman (1949–1984)
• Dan Kaufman
• Danny Kaye (1913–1987)
• Peter Kay
• Phil Kay
• Buster Keaton (1895–1966)
• Michael Keaton
• Peter Kelamis
• Jamie Kennedy
• Mary E. Kennedy
• Tom Kenny
• Laura Kightlinger
• Craig Kilborn
• Jimmy Kimmel
• Sam Kinison (1953–1992)
• Sid Kipper
• Takeshi Kitano (1947–)
• Daniel Kitson
• Robert Klein
• Ernie Kovacs (1919–1962)

L

• Lisa Lampanelli
• Nathan Lane
• Zack Lane
• Chris Langham
• Larry the Cable Guy (Daniel Whitney) (1963–)
• The Laundromats
• Stan Laurel (1890–1965)
• Hugh Laurie
• Doug Lawrence aka "Mr Lawrence"
• Martin Lawrence
• Vicki Lawrence
• Denis Leary (1957–)
• Stewart Lee
• Michael Legge
• John Leguizamo (1964–)
• Wendy Leibman
• Tom Lehrer
• Jack Lemmon (1925–2001)
• Jay Leno
• Jack E. Leonard (1910-1973)
• David Letterman
• Jerry Lewis
• Rich Little
• Little Howard
• Harold Lloyd (1893–1971)
• Sean Lock
• Josie Long
• Andres Lopez
• George Lopez
• Julia Louis-Dreyfus
• The Great LukeSki
• Stephen Lynch
• Paul Lynde (1926–1982)

M

• Bernie Mac
• Norm MacDonald
• Doon Mackichan
• Robert Mackle
• Kathleen Madigan
• Shaun Majumder
• Howie Mandel
• Charlie Manna (1920–1971)
• Bernard Manning
• Cheech Marin
• Pigmeat Markham (1904–1981)
• Bob Marley
• Betty Marsden (1919–1998)
• Demetri Martin
• Steve Martin (1945–)
• Jackie Martling (1948–)
• Chico Marx (1887–1961)
• Groucho Marx (1890–1977)
• Gummo Marx (1892–1977)
• Harpo Marx (1888–1964)
• Zeppo Marx (1901–1979)
• Jackie Mason
• Walter Matthau (1920–2000)
• Ralphie May
• Rik Mayall
• Jack Mayberry
• Ryan McCormick
• Bruce McCulloch
• John McDonald
• Kevin McDonald
• Michael McGaharn
• Roger McGough
• Mark McKinney
• Ed McMahon
• Rove McManus
• Tim Meadows
• Kevin Meaney
• Rick Mercer
• Ethel Merman (1908–1984)
• Paul Merton
• Dennis Miller
• Max Miller (1894–1963)
• Yankel Miller
• Spike Milligan (1918–2002)
• Colin Mochrie
• Jay Mohr
• John Moloney
• Bob Monkhouse (1928–2003)
• Dudley Moore (1935–2002)
• Rudy Ray Moore
• Victor Moore (1876–1962)
• Dylan Moran
• Rick Moranis
• Dermot Morgan (1952–1998)
• John Morgan (1930–2004)
• Tracy Morgan
• Chris Morris
• Garrett Morris
• Vince Morris
• Rory Motion (1956– )
• Martin Mull
• Neil Mullarkey
• Simon Munnery
• Richard Murdoch (1907–1990)
• Eddie Murphy
• Sue Murphy
• Al Murray
• Bill Murray
• Lorenzo Music (1937–2001)
• Mike Myers

N

• Jim Nabors
• Paul Nardizzi
• Rex Navarette
• Henry Naylor
• Kevin Nealon
• Michael J. Nelson
• Bob Newhart
• Laraine Newman
• Rob Newman
• Phil Nichol
• Leslie Nielsen
• Ross Noble
• Henry Normal
• Graham Norton
• Jim Norton
• Don Novello
• Louis Nye

O

• Dara Ó Briain
• Conan O'Brien
• Donald O'Connor (1925–2003)
• Ardal O'Hanlon
• Ed O'Neill
• Bill Oddie
• Bob Odenkirk
• John Oliver
• Patton Oswalt
• Otto Osworth
• Cheri Oteri

P

• Jack Paar (1918–2004)
• Frankie Pace
• Michael Palin (1943–)
• Trey Parker (1969–)
• Sarah Jessica Parker (1965–)
• Andy Parsons
• Wild Willy Parsons (The Original Biker Comic) (1959–)
• Joe Pasquale (1961–)
• Rob Paulsen (1956–)
• Pat Paulsen (1927–1997)
• Sue Perkins (1969–)
• Russell Peters
• Dat Phan
• Emo Philips (often misspelled as Phillips)
• Nigel Planer
• Mike Pollock
• Kerri Pomarolli Kerri Pomarolli - www.myspace.com/kerripom
• Larry Poon
• Lucy Porter
• Tom Poston
• Paula Poundstone
• Marcus Powell (aka Roy Diamond)
• Freddie Prinze (1954–1977)
• Greg Proops
• Paul Provenza
• Richard Pryor (1940–2005)
• Steve Punt
• The Pinhook Creek Troubador (1958–)

Q

• Randy Quaid
• Colin Quinn

R

• Gilda Radner (1946–1989)
• Ted Ray (1905–1977)
• Al Read
• Howard Read
• Vic Reeves
• Brian Regan
• Carl Reiner
• Roy Rene (1892–1954)
• Tony Rey
• Rick Reynolds
• Michael Richards
• Don Rickles
• Joan Rivers
• Rowland Rivron
• David Rob as 'Chester Gray'
• Tony Robinson as Baldrick
• Chris Rock
• Paul Rodriguez
• Will Rogers (1879–1935)
• Henry Rollins
• Ray Romano
• George Roper (1934–2003)
• Jeffrey Ross
• Jonathan Ross (1960–)
• Patsy Rowlands (1934–2005)
• Rita Rudner
• Maya Rudolph
• William Rushton (1937–1996)
• Mark Russell
• Nipsey Russell1925–2005

S

• Ernie Sabella
• Jerry Sadowitz
• Bob Saget (1956–)
• Adam Sandler
• Erskine Sanford (1885–1969)
• Martin Sargent
• Jennifer Saunders
• Alexei Sayle
• Lewis Schaffer
• Mark Schiff
• Gus Schilling (1908–1957)
• Art Paul Schlosser
• Harald Schmidt
• Rob Schneider
• Richard Schull
• Richard Schumm
• Harry Secombe (1921–2001)
• Jerry Seinfeld
• Peter Sellers (1925–1980)
• Mack Sennett (1880–1960)
• Paul Shaffer
• Ari Shaffir
• Garry Shandling
• Harry Shannon (1890–1964)
• Molly Shannon
• Harry Shearer (1943–)
• Waen Shepherd (Gary Le Strange)
• Scott Shields
• Ken Shimura (1950–)
• Pauly Shore
• Martin Short
• Sarah Silverman
• Phil Silvers (1911–1985)
• Joan Sims (1930–2001)
• Sharon Simon
• Sinbad
• Johnny Ska
• Jimmy Ska
• Red Skelton (1913–1997)
• Frank Skinner
• Tony Slattery
• Brendon Small
• Robert Smigel
• Linda Smith (1958–2006)
• Margaret Smith
• Will Smith (1968–)
• Paul Stewart (1908–1986)
• Dana Snyder
• David Spade (1964–)
• Ron Sparks
• Dave Spikey (1950–)
• Arnold Stang
• Doug Stanhope
• Vivian Stanshall (1943–1995)
• Mark Steel
• Jovanka Steele
• Steve Steen
• Pamela Stephenson
• Jon Stewart
• Ryan Stiles
• Ben Stiller
• Matt Stone
• Ryan Stout
• Jud Strunk (1936–1981)
• Jolene Sugarbaker
• Swami X
• David Swanner
• Nick Swardson
• Jim Sweeney
• Julia Sweeney
• Eric Sykes
• Wanda Sykes

T

• Masashi Tashiro (1956–)
• Jacques Tati
• Paul Telner
• Judy Tenuta -- http://www.judytenuta.com
• Danny Thomas (1914–1991)
• Dave Thomas
• Mark Thomas
• Terry-Thomas (1911–1990)
• Greg Thomey
• Scott Thompson
• Paul Tonkinson
• Kai Tier
• Tommy Tiernan
• Christopher Titus
• Sandi Toksvig
• Lily Tomlin
• Barry Took (1928–2002)
• Seppe Toremans (1976–)
• Daniel Tosh
• Tommy Trinder (1909–1989)
• Chris Tucker (1972–)
• Ben Turpin (1869–1940)

U

• Tracey Ullman
• Stanley Unwin (1911–2002)
• John "Johnnyman" Ulvang (1958-)

V

• Johnny Vegas
• Billy Van (1934–2003)
• Colin Van Benga
• Thomas Vitale
• Brandon Villarreal

W

• Christopher Walken
• Max Wall (1908–1990)
• Ruth Wallis
• Greg Walloch
• Bradley Walsh
• Mary Walsh
• Eric Wareheim
• Mike Warnke
• Ruby Wax
• Damon Wayans
• Keenan Ivory Wayans
• Morgan Webb
• Frank Welker
• Werner
• Ron White (1956–)
• Paul Whitehouse
• June Whitfield
• Daniel Whitney (Larry the Cable Guy) (1963–)
• Gene Wilder
• Bert Williams (1874–1922)
• Harland Williams (1962–)
• Kenneth Williams (1926–1988)
• Robin Williams
• Bobbie Willis (1941-2005)
• Dave Willis (1895-1973)
• Denny Willis (1920-1995)
• Jonathan Winters
• Norman Wisdom
• Victoria Wood
• Glenn Wool
• Harry Worth (1917–1989)
• Steven Wright

Y

• "Weird Al" Yankovic
• Gina Yashere

Z

• Andy Zaltzman

Groups of comedians

• Abbott and Costello
• Amos & Andy
• The Art Stars
• Beyond the Fringe
• Bloodhound Gang
• Bob and Ray
• Brown and Carney
• The Bonzo Dog Doo-Dah Band
• Broken Lizard
• Buck and Bubbles
• Les Charlots
• Cheech and Chong
• The Comedy Store Players
• The Comic Strip
• The Consultants
• Corky and the Juice Pigs
• The Crazy Gang
• The Firesign Theatre
• French and Saunders
• Gallagher & Shean
• Gazebo Pals
• The Goons
• Gröûp X
• The Grumbleweeds
• Hale and Pace
• The Holy Ghost Players
• Isaac Air Freight
• Laurel and Hardy
• The League of Gentlemen
• The Marijuana Logues
• The Marx Brothers
• The McKenzie Brothers (Bob & Doug)
• The Minnesota Wrecking Crew
• Monty Python's Flying Circus
• The O'Debra Twins
• Upright Citizens Brigade
• Morecambe and Wise
• Pete and Dud
• Punt and Dennis
• The Royal Canadian Air Farce
• The Smothers Brothers
• This Hour Has 22 Minutes
• Not Ready for Prime-Time Players (Saturday Night Live)
• The Three Stooges
• Tim and Eric
• The Trap
• Reeves and Mortimer
• Rowan and Martin
• Smothers Brothers
• Wayne and Shuster
• Lano and Woodley

Comedy writers

• Fred Allen
• Woody Allen
• Chesney and Wolfe
• Roy Clarke
• Dick Clement and Ian La Frenais
• David Croft
• Harry Driver
• Esmonde and Larbey
• W. S. Gilbert
• Galton and Simpson
• Willis Hall
• Antony Jay
• Carla Lane
• Jeremy Lloyd
• David Nobbs
• Frank Muir
• Denis Norden
• S. J. Perelman
• Jimmy Perry
• David Renwick
• Jack Rosenthal
• Johnny Speight
• John Sullivan
• James Thurber
• Peter Tinniswood
• Keith Waterhouse