Compiling a listing of the most effective stand-up comedians ever to grace the stage is exceptionally laborious. Ever for the reason that first stand-up present was documented in 1911, women and men have been taking to the stage and entertaining crowds the world over. The style of comedy actually got here to the fore within the 80s when a number of the greatest stand-up comedians of all time made their mark. That is when the likes of Sam Kinison, Eddie Murphy, Andrew “Cube” Clay, Invoice Hicks, and Robin Williams turned megastars, with many happening to have their very own reveals and discovering success on the earth of movie.
Because the golden age comedy has gone by way of various adjustments and phases, from the choice comedy of the 90s to the modern-day stand-up that always incorporates real-life points going through individuals around the globe. Folks similar to Tracy Morgan, Ali Wong, John Mulaney, Dave Chappelle, Tiffany Hadish, and Aziz Ansari have change into megastars. The arrival of cancel tradition and the #metoo motion have additionally seen a shift in what’s now acceptable when performing comedy and left many once-popular comics (Louis C.Ok. is a main instance) pressured to apologize for previous indiscretions and fading from the highlight.
In developing with this listing, we have now scoured the archives for not solely the funniest stand-up comedians but in addition those that have left a mark on the tradition. Many of those stand-up comedians have appeared on speak reveals and massive networks like Comedy Central and NBC and had their very own comedy specials. These are comics who care in regards to the craft. It’s simply as a lot about supply and timing as it’s the precise punchline. Hopefully, they are going to offer you as a lot laughter as they’ve the Subsequent Luxurious crew.
1. Jerry Seinfeld
Arguably the largest comedian on the planet, Jerry Seinfeld made his identify with the hilarious sitcom Seinfeld, a present about nothing. Earlier than hitting the massive time with the much-loved sequence, Seinfeld was a working comedian whose observational humor had audiences in stitches. He might flip probably the most uninteresting subject right into a joke that would depart you rolling on the ground. Whereas his early profession wasn’t spectacular, as soon as Seinfeld was a success, he turned one of many main comics, commanding tens of millions of {dollars} per present. Even right now, he nonetheless will get laughs, together with his hit sequence Comedians in Automobiles Getting Espresso and final comedy particular 23 Hours To Kill getting tens of millions of views.
2. Dave Chappelle
Though he has been courting controversy of late with a number of the materials featured in his Netflix specials, there is no such thing as a doubting Dave Chappelle’s place within the Comics Corridor of Fame. Sighting 80s legends like Richard Pryor, Eddie Murphy, Chris Rock, and Paul Mooney as influences, it’s clear to see why Chappelle has gained over audiences. He doesn’t care what he says or whether or not he offends individuals, and this has helped together with his reputation. His first foray into tv with the Chappelle’s Present additionally helped enhance his picture. The comedy sequence mixed stand-up with skits and stay music performances and was large within the early 00s earlier than Chappelle give up the leisure enterprise for various years. Today he’s again touring and performing stand-up specials and making tens of millions of individuals snigger around the globe.
3. Sam Kinison
After following his father into the priesthood, Sam Kinison shortly realized preaching wasn’t for him. As an alternative, he transferred his disillusionment with faith and troubled childhood into stand-up comedy, the place he turned famend for his exuberant stage presence. Kinison would interject his routines with screams and tirades that may ship the viewers into suits of laughter. Sadly, he handed away in his prime, killed by a drunk driver when he was simply 38.
4. Richard Pryor
Arguably the best comedian of all time, no one did it like Richard Pryor. Hailed by Jerry Seinfeld as “the Picasso of our occupation,” the influential comedian took no prisoners together with his act, discussing every little thing from police brutality to racism. His comedy was dominated by profanity but it surely by no means took away from his jokes or the factors he made about social points. Whereas profitable on stage, off it he struggled, with Pryor married seven occasions to 5 girls, having seven youngsters with six girls, and falling right into a coke dependancy that led him to self-immolation. He recovered and took the stage once more, however his profession was by no means the identical as he suffered quite a few well being complaints earlier than passing away on the age of 65 in 2005.
5. George Carlin
“The dean of counterculture comedians” was a darkly humorous stand-up who’s greatest recognized for his political and social comedy. A frequent visitor on The Tonight Present, Carlin launched an incredible 20 comedy albums and 14 HBO specials throughout his profession. He had a knack for making you snigger and suppose on the identical time, together with his iconic ‘Seven Phrases You Can By no means Say on Tv’ bit resulting in the established indecency regulation in American broadcasting.
6. Lenny Bruce
One of many early stand-up comedians to make his mark, Lenny Bruce tackled every little thing from race and intercourse to politics and faith together with his scattergun stand-up. Just like Carlin, he pioneered using vulgarity together with his comedy and was by no means afraid to drop swear phrases throughout his reveals. This resulted in Bruce being arrested quite a few occasions for obscenity. Like so many within the comedy occupation, his life was minimize quick by medication when he died of an overdose on the age of 40.
7. Robin Williams
There was just one Robin Williams. The hyperactive comic was seemingly at all times ‘performing’ and a twister of one-liners, loopy impressions, and off-the-wall jokes. He would go off on tangents that may have audiences in suits of laughter, together with his appearances on speak reveals at all times a success. He is among the few stand-up comedians to efficiently crossover into Hollywood, having a success with the TV present Mork & Mindy earlier than happening to star in business blockbusters similar to Mrs. Doubtfire, Good Will Searching, and Jumanji. Regardless of having the world at his ft, Williams had a darkish facet. He dabbled in medication and alcohol, suffered from melancholy, and died on the age of 63 after committing suicide.
8. Eddie Murphy
First making an impression on Saturday Night time Stay, Eddie Murphy shortly moved into motion pictures, together with his first starring position being within the action-comedy 48 Hrs. That was adopted by Buying and selling Locations and Beverly Hills Cop, but it surely was his recorded stand-up particular Delirious that confirmed why he is among the greats. By no means in need of a swear phrase (the particular options the phrase fuck 230 occasions and shit 171 occasions), Murphy touches on household events, ice cream vans, and even AIDS. It’s a wide-ranging stand-up that cemented Murphy’s legacy. Though his profession for the reason that 80s has been so-so (Pluto Nash anybody?), he has discovered current success in dramatic roles and stays a comedic genius.
9. Steve Martin
Steve Martin has executed a number of stand-up comedy over the previous 30 years, however that doesn’t take away from his comedic abilities. In the course of the 70s he was in every single place, acting on all the massive late evening tv reveals, together with The Tonight Present Starring Johnny Carson and Saturday Night time Stay. He launched a plethora of comedy albums that charted effectively earlier than branching out into motion pictures, having large success with comedies similar to The Jerk, The Three Amigos, The Man With Two Brains, and Planes, Trains, and Cars. Today you usually tend to discover him on stage taking part in his banjo with bluegrass acts.
10. Invoice Burr
Few comics are as forthright as Invoice Burr. The profitable slapstick comedian, podcaster, and actor has blazed a path by way of the comedy circuit together with his sincere and confronting comedy. Like many on this listing, he’s by no means afraid to trigger controversy together with his indignant model of comedy. Political correctness definitely isn’t his sturdy go well with. There’s a cynical underline to his comedy, but Invoice Burr at all times appears to have a small quantity of religion on the earth. Typically.
11. Amy Schumer
That is one humorous lady. A lot of Amy Schumer’s comedy surrounds intercourse and her tackle the best way girls are handled within the trendy world. She started doing stand-up within the early 00s and recorded a stay episode of tv for Comedy Central and was featured on Final Comedian Standing, which she sees as her massive break. Since then her profession has gone from power to power, with Schumer showing in her personal sketch present (Inside Amy Schumer), starring in and writing the movie Trainwreck, and touring the world together with her stand-up present.
12. Invoice Hicks
Few comics have the fireplace and wit of the late, nice Invoice Hicks. Regardless of having his life minimize quick (he died from pancreatic most cancers on the age of 32), Hicks had a powerful impression on the comedy circuit. There was usually a darkish edge to his materials, resulting in considered one of Hicks’ routines being minimize from his ultimate look on Late Night time with David Letterman. Politics, social issues, philosophy, and faith have been a number of the matters he coated, together with conspiracy theories, which he beloved to discover (particularly the assassination of J. F. Kennedy.). Although his profession was quick, Hicks influenced many, and his final album, Relentless, is taken into account the gold normal of comedy albums.
13. Ali Wong
Ali Wong is one other comedian who has managed to transition from stand-up to Hollywood. Throughout her early years in New York, she was additionally gaining small appearing roles in movie and tv. This finally resulted in her getting a Netflix particular, Child Cobra. What made the present so particular was Wong was seven months pregnant on the time. It helped flip her right into a star, with Wong having since carried out two extra Netflix specials, co-written and starred within the movie All the time Be My Perhaps and voiced Bertie within the Netflix animated present Tuca & Bertie. Typically utilizing her comedy to debate private points (similar to miscarrying twins previous to the start of her first daughter), Wong is among the greatest stand-up comedians going.
14. Chris Rock
Chris Rock has executed all of it. Not solely has he had a massively profitable stand-up profession, however he’s additionally featured as a predominant forged member on Saturday Night time Stay, turned himself into a number one man (Loss of life at a Funeral), and written, directed, and produced quite a few movies and tv reveals. His comedy is usually grounded in his experiences as a youth and covers every little thing from household and race to politics and movie star. He’s additionally gained 4 Emmy Awards and three Grammy Awards, which says all of it actually.
15. Don Rickles
No person does insult comedy like Don Rickles. Possessed with a quickfire wit, he would have individuals doubled over in laughter together with his disparaging one-liners. Frank Sinatra’s good buddy carried out stand-up for over 60 years and was a staple on the late evening tv circuit. He made his bones in Las Vegas the place he was nicknamed “The Service provider of Venom” and “Mr. Heat” for his scathing roasts of individuals from all walks of life. He continued working and touring proper up till his loss of life in 2017 and is thought to be one of many greats.
16. Sarah Silverman
Delivering risque jokes in deadpan trend is all a part of Sarah Silverman’s act. The slapstick comedian addresses many issues thought of taboo in her stand-up routines and is thought for making audiences confront their prejudices. Like many modern-day comedians, she has additionally crossed over into the world of films and tv. She had her personal present, The Sarah Silverman Program, on Comedy Central and starred in various high-profile motion pictures and sequence. Whereas her comedy usually crosses the road, Silverman manages to maintain audiences onside together with her girl-next-door look and harmless character.
17. Rodney Dangerfield
“I don’t get no respect.” That is the catchphrase that helped propel Rodney Dangerfield into comedy greatness in the course of the 60s and 70s. Starting his profession in New York, he quickly discovered himself headlining Las Vegas and showing on all the massive speak reveals. His self-deprecating humor usually centered on hilarious one-liners, similar to “A woman phoned me the opposite day and mentioned… ‘Come on over, there’s no one dwelling.’ I went over. No person was dwelling.” Within the 80s he discovered himself a film star, that includes in hits Caddyshack, Again to Faculty, and Straightforward Cash. He continued to tour, launch comedy albums, cameo in movies, and seem on speak reveals proper up till his loss of life in 2004 on the ripe previous age of 82.
18. Mitch Hedberg
One other expertise taken too quickly. Mitch Hedberg was a surrealist comedian who died of a drug overdose in 2005 on the age of 37. Whereas his profession was quick, he created a legacy that continues to be right now. His combination of storytelling, one-liners, and absurd tangents created a cult following. A recurring theme together with his stand-up was individuals yelling out the punch strains to his jokes earlier than he completed them. He would additionally famously acknowledge a joke was horrible if it fell flat, which regularly drew a lot laughter. Surprisingly for a comic book, he suffered from stage fright and would usually put on sun shades whereas on stage and chorus from trying on the crowd.
19. Jim Gaffigan
What units Jim Gaffigan aside from lots of right now’s comics is his lack of profanity. Gaffigan hardly ever swears when on stage, and if he does, it’s executed for comedic impact. An American comic for the everyman, Gaffigan’s comedy revolves round his household (he has 5 children), faith (he’s Catholic), and normal observations about life. He’s starred in his personal present based mostly on his life (The Jim Gaffigan Present), appeared in quite a lot of movies, TV sequence, and comedy reveals, and launched 14 comedy albums over the journey. He stays considered one of America’s hottest comics.
20. Ricky Gervais
The creator of The Workplace is one other stand-up who simply doesn’t give a fuck. Whereas he made his bones as an actor and author on reveals The Workplace and Extras, in addition to on radio, Gervais’ stand-up helped give him a world enchantment. Every of his massive stand-up excursions facilities round a subject, similar to Animals and Politics, with Gervais going off on random tangents, dropping F-bombs, and customarily doing his greatest to offend anybody and everybody.
21. Bob Newhart
One other of America’s best, Bob Newhart’s deadpan supply made him an enormous success within the 60s. Together with good buddy Don Rickles, he turned one of many States’ massive comics. His comedy album, The Button-Down Thoughts of Bob Newhart, was a monster success and nonetheless ranks because the twentieth best-selling comedy album of all time. He quickly parlayed his abilities into the world of movie and tv within the 70s and 80s, having success with The Bob Newhart Present and Newhart. He’s additionally gained three Grammys, an Emmy, and a Golden Globe in a profession spanning greater than 60 years.
22. Redd Foxx
Given the moniker the “King of the Celebration Data,” Redd Foxx appeared on over 50 comedy albums all through his greater than 50-year profession. Just like Richard Pryor, who cited Foxx as considered one of his largest inspirations, the St. Louis comic wasn’t afraid to swear throughout his act. Foxx turned a success because of his raunchy jokes and was one of many first African-American comics to play Vegas, which had a predominantly white viewers. He broke out together with his starring position in Sanford and Son and would go on to be a mainstay on tv whereas persevering with to tour and launch comedy albums and specials.
23. Billy Connolly
The Huge Yin is the most effective comic to return out of Scotland. His performances are like enchanting tales, with Connolly taking you on a wild experience with quick detours earlier than delivering the massive payoff. Beginning off life singing within the folk-rock band The Humblebums with Gerry Rafferty (Baker Road, Proper Down the Line), Connolly then turned to comedy and located his true calling. He constantly launched comedy albums and stand-up live shows whereas starring in movies. He was additionally massive on the small display, showing in in style British reveals till releasing his personal sequence of documentary-type journey reveals all through the 00s. Though now retired because of the impression of Parkinson’s illness, he stays one of many greats.
24. Kevin Hart
Lookup the phrase hustle within the dictionary and you will note an image of Kevin Hart. The Philadelphia-born stand-up, actor, author, and producer is among the hardest-working males in Hollywood. Whereas he’s extra acknowledged for his film profession around the globe, he obtained his begin as a stand-up. An open e book, Hart discusses his life as a married man and a father and isn’t one to shrink back from the controversies which have plagued him throughout his profession, together with his divorce, infidelity, and drunk driving cost. He has additionally had a number of the best-selling comedy excursions of all time, with the stay recordings of his reveals Kevin Hart: Let Me Clarify and Kevin Hart: What Now? the fourth and fifth highest-grossing stand-up movies of all time.
25. Janeane Garofalo
A shining gentle of the 90s different comedy scene, Janeane Garofalo weaves popular culture observations with self-deprecating humor to wow audiences together with her hilarious jokes and unimaginable wit. Whereas she has gone on to characteristic in lots of movies and tv sequence, she continues to carry out stand-up on the common, notably round New York. Staunchly political and a strong-willed feminist, Garofalo has additionally been concerned with a number of documentaries, had her personal comedy particular, and has written a e book, Really feel This E book: An Important Information to Self-Empowerment, Religious Supremacy, and Sexual Satisfaction.
What’s stand-up comedy?
Stand-up comedy is a type of comedic efficiency the place a comic, usually alone on a stage, delivers a sequence of humorous anecdotes, jokes, and observations to entertain an viewers. The comic’s materials sometimes covers a variety of matters, together with on a regular basis life, social points, private experiences, and absurdities. Stand-up comedians depend on their wit, timing, and supply to elicit laughter from the viewers, usually utilizing wordplay, satire, and observational humor. This artwork type encourages creativity, self-expression, and the exploration of societal norms and taboos. Profitable stand-up comedians join with their viewers by way of relatable humor, offering a novel type of leisure and commentary on the human expertise.
Who’re a number of the greatest stand-up comedians on the earth?
Figuring out the “greatest” stand-up comedians is subjective, as humor is very private, and totally different comedians enchantment to numerous tastes. Nevertheless, a number of comedians have gained widespread acclaim for his or her comedic abilities. Icons like George Carlin are celebrated for his or her thought-provoking social commentary. Richard Pryor’s uncooked and sincere storytelling set a brand new normal. The observational humor of Jerry Seinfeld resonates with many. Chris Rock combines humor with insightful social commentary, whereas Dave Chappelle pushes boundaries together with his edgy but thought-provoking routines. The irreverent type of Louis C.Ok. and the absurdity of Mitch Hedberg even have devoted followings. These comedians, amongst others, have made indelible marks on the stand-up comedy panorama.
What are a number of the greatest stand-up comedy specials?
Choosing the “greatest” stand-up comedy specials is subjective and might fluctuate relying on private preferences, however there are a number of acclaimed ones which have acquired widespread recognition. Some classics embrace Richard Pryor’s Stay in Live performance, George Carlin’s Carlin at Carnegie, and Eddie Murphy’s Delirious. More moderen favorites embrace Dave Chappelle’s Sticks & Stones, Hannah Gadsby’s Nanette, and Ali Wong’s Child Cobra. Moreover, specials from comedians like Chris Rock, Louis C.Ok., John Mulaney, and Invoice Burr have garnered vital acclaim and a faithful fan base. These specials usually sort out a variety of matters, from social points to private experiences, and showcase the comedic brilliance and distinctive views of those proficient comedians.
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