20 Most Funniest Comedians of All Time

20 Most Funniest Comedians of All Time

Comedy has the profound power to lift our spirits and bring joy to our lives, even in the darkest of times. Throughout history, legendary comedians have kept audiences in stitches with their razor-sharp wit, hilarious observations, and masterful comedic timing.

In this article, we have listed the 20 most gifted comedic minds of all time – those rare entertainers who could elicit laughter from even the sourest of souls. Their comedy albums, movies, and television shows have brought tears of laughter and moments of respite to millions around the world. Some of these comedians include George Carlin, Dave Chappelle, Robin Williams, and Jerry Seinfeld among others.

1. George Carlin

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George Carlin was a pioneering stand-up comedian known for his irreverent humor and counter-culture perspective. He rose to fame in the 1970s with his “Seven Dirty Words” routine which tackled taboo language head-on. Carlin is considered one of the most influential comedians ever due to his sharp commentary on politics, religion, and American culture delivered in a biting, satirical style.

His dark humor and witty observations about the absurdities of modern life paved the way for future generations of comedians to address controversial topics. Though he passed away in 2008, Carlin’s legacy as a hilarious social critic lives on through his 25 comedy albums and 14 HBO specials.

2. Richard Pryor

Richard Pryor was groundbreaking as a comedian who drew humor from painful life experiences and opened doors for future black comedians. His completely original style of storytelling comedy was controversial but also hilarious. By finding ways to make people laugh at racially charged topics that others avoided, Pryor proved comedy can be a tool to bring people together.

Though he battled addiction and health issues, his uncensored comedy and n-word-filled routines broke taboos and influenced countless comedians since his rise to fame in the 1970s.

3. Dave Chappelle

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Dave Chappelle is a very funny comedian from America. He tells jokes and stories about his life and things he sees in the world. His comedy makes people laugh hard. He is good at doing voices and characters. Lots of people think he is one of the best and funniest comedians.

His comedy shows sell out very fast because so many people want to see him. Even though some people get mad at his jokes, he still makes people laugh with his comedy. Dave Chappelle seems to enjoy making people laugh through his comedy. That is why many people think he is one of the funniest comedians.

4. Eddie Murphy

Eddie Murphy is considered one of the funniest comedians ever. He started doing stand-up comedy when he was a teenager. Audiences think Eddie Murphy is hilarious because he tells jokes in a lively and energetic way. He makes up very funny characters and voices that make people laugh hard. Some of his most popular comedy skits and movies like Coming to America, The Nutty Professor, and Shrek.

After over 40 years in comedy, Eddie Murphy still sells out huge arenas thanks to his reputation as an extremely funny, talented comedian and comedic actor. Even though his humor can be raunchy, most audiences love laughing at the characters, voices, and physical comedy Eddie Murphy has become famous for.

5. Robin Williams

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Robin Williams was one of the funniest comedians born in Chicago, Illinois, U.S. He could make people laugh so hard with his very quick, high-energy comedy routines. He would jump around and do lots of silly voices and characters. Everything he did was fast, funny, and unpredictable.

Robin Williams always seemed to be on—he was a wild, hilarious ball of comedy energy on stage. Even in serious roles, he would make people laugh. Many comedy fans think Robin Williams was the funniest comedian because he could make almost anything into something hilarious with his fast, frantic sense of humor and limitless funny characters.

6. Chris Rock

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Chris Rock is considered one of the funniest stand-up comedians by many fans. He gets up on stage with just a microphone and starts telling jokes and stories from his life. His comedy style is very energetic, filled with funny voices and faces. Chris Rock makes people laugh hard at his unique views about life as a Black man in America.

His way of taking serious issues like racism and politics and making jokes about them is very clever. Some people think his humor is too harsh, but most fans think Chris Rock is smart and hilarious. After more than 30 years in comedy, he can still surprise fans with new material and sell out huge venues. Chris Rock continues to make audiences roar with laughter with his edgy, insightful, yet funny perspective on life.

7. Jerry Seinfeld

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Jerry Seinfeld is one of the funniest comedians ever because of his hilarious everyday observations about life. He often takes normal things that happen to everyone, like going to the grocery store, and finds clever ways to point out how funny they really are.

Jerry Seinfeld has a unique comedy style – he often just stands still on stage and speaks in a funny voice while cracking jokes about simple mundane topics. Years after his show Seinfeld ended, Jerry is still making fans laugh with his funny takes on the silliness of everyday life.

8. Bill Burr

Gage Skidmore from Peoria, AZ, United States of America, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Bill Burr is a very popular stand-up comedian from the United States. He is known for his edgy comedy style where he talks loudly and says things that make some people uncomfortable.

Bill Burr has performed comedy on television shows, released comedy albums, acted in movies and TV shows, and has had his own comedy specials on streaming services. He is considered one of the top working comedians today.

9. Joan Rivers

Joan Rivers was a very funny lady comedian. She started making people laugh in the 1960s with her jokes about lady things and sex when most women did not talk about that. She had a very sharp tongue and made fun of things other women would not. Joan said shocking things but was always able to make the audience laugh loud even if they felt uncomfortable.

She did comedy shows on stage and also hosted talk shows where she made jokes about fashion and celebrities. Joan made many breakthroughs for lady comedians with her bold jokes. People think nobody was better at stand-up comedy roasts and making even mean jokes so funny. Joan Rivers will always be the funniest!

10. Bernie Mac

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Bernie Mac was a very popular American comedian and actor. He started performing stand-up comedy in clubs in the late 1980s. Audiences loved his sharp, honest humor and loud, memorable catchphrases. Bernie Mac became even more famous in the 2000s from his own sitcom TV show and roles in major movies.

His comedy came from his tough life experiences growing up poor in Chicago. Bernie Mac continued entertaining audiences with his original comedic voice right until his untimely death in 2008 at age 50. He left a lasting legacy as one of the funniest, most beloved comedians of his era.

11. Mitch Hedberg

Mitch Hedberg was an American stand-up comedian known for his memorable one-liner jokes and deadpan delivery. He became very popular in comedy circles in the late 1990s. In many of his routines, Mitch would take an ordinary observation and then cleverly twist it into unexpected humor.

Some examples of his classic one-liners are “An escalator can never break, it can only become stairs,” and “I bought a doughnut and they gave me a receipt for the doughnut. I don’t need a receipt for the doughnut. I give you money, you give me the doughnut – end of the transaction!”

Even though Mitch struggled with substance abuse and died at age 37, he developed a dedicated following as a master of comedic brevity whose influence continues to leave an impression on comedians today.

12. Sarah Silverman

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Sarah Silverman is a funniest stand-up comedians born back on December 1, 1970. She first got attention in the 1990s for her acts that shocked people with vulgar but clever jokes about taboo topics. Sarah told these edgy jokes in an innocent voice that made them even funnier.

Though some found her humor offensive, most praised her smart writing and skill. Her comedy specials, movie, and TV roles have showcased her hilarious, satirical take on issues. Many rank Sarah Silverman among the greatest comedians for her fearless jokes that push boundaries but keep audiences laughing hard.

13. Jim Gaffigan

Jim Gaffigan is one of the funniest stand-up comedians we have today. He is known for his routines joking about food, laziness, and his high-pitched “inner voice”. Jim often pokes fun at his pale skin and weight as well. His comedy is very clean and family-friendly. Some of his works include Mr. Universe, Obsessed, and Cinco among others.

He draws big audiences for his simple but clever jokes told in a silly voice. Though he jokes about everyday topics, his smart writing makes mundane things seem hilarious. Jim Gaffigan’s unique style of humor has earned him huge success and many fans.

14. Bob Newhart

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Bob Newhart is regarded as one of the funniest and most influential comedians ever. He first became famous in 1960 with his comedy album that featured him playing one side of a comedic phone conversation.

Though Bob never told typical jokes or one-liners, his subtle humor, and excellent timing always left audiences laughing hard. His huge success led to his own popular sitcoms showing off his humor. Decades later, Bob Newhart’s trademark stammering routine that could turn mundane topics into hilarity still delights fans and cements his status as a comedy icon.

15. Rodney Dangerfield

Rodney Dangerfield was a very funny comedian. He told jokes that made people laugh very hard. His jokes were about how he got no respect. He would tug on his collar and make funny faces.

His comedy movies like Caddyshack and Back to School were big hits.  He knew how to make people laugh with his self-deprecating humor about getting no respect. Rodney left a legacy behind.

16. Redd Foxx

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Redd Foxx was a very funny comedian. He was the star of the sitcom Sanford and Son in the 1970s. On the show, he played Fred Sanford, a junk dealer with a very funny personality. Redd Foxx made people laugh with his hilarious facial expressions and slick ways of insulting others.

His comedy routines were considered risky at the time because he used curse words and raunchy humor about sex. Redd Foxx is one of the funniest comedians in history because of his streetwise comedy style and gravelly voice were unique. Even though his jokes were considered edgy, Redd Foxx had a talent for making people laugh at things they found taboo.

17. Phyllis Diller

Phyllis Diller was a pioneering female comedian who made people laugh with her outrageous sense of humor. She was known for wearing wacky outfits and wild hairdos while telling jokes that poked fun at domestic life and her fictional husband “Fang.” Diller got big laughs just by the way she laughed – her cackling chuckle became famous.

Her self-deprecating jokes about how ugly she was stood out at a time when such brutal honesty was rare for women. She broke down barriers for female comics by showing the world how funny women could be.

18. Jonathan Winters

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Jonathan Winters was a very funny improvisational comedian. He could make up jokes and characters right on the spot. Winters had lots of funny voices and facial expressions that made people laugh hard. He would pretend to be different people like a grumpy old lady or a wacky gas station attendant.

Many comedians say Jonathan Winters inspired them with his hilarious improvised routines. Many people think Jonathan Winters was one of the funniest comedians ever because of his quick creative mind and zany sense of humor despite not telling regular jokes.

19. Whoopi Goldberg

Whoopi Goldberg is one of the funniest comedians by many people. She first became famous for her hilarious one-woman comedy shows where she played outrageous characters like the “Junkie from New York”. Audiences cracked up at her funny accents and edgy humor.

Whoopi went on to star in hit movies like Sister Act and showed her talent for physical comedy too. Fans love Whoopi because she has always made people laugh hard by being an original, groundbreaking comedian with a funny fearless style unlike anyone else.

20. Paul Reiser

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Paul Reiser is one of a beloved American actor, writer, and comedian. He first found fame by joking about everyday married life on the hit show Mad About You. Reiser’s jokes often poke gentle fun at little things couples argue about.

Reiser also acted in films, bringing his quiet, sarcastic approach. While not the flashiest or edgiest comic, many fans connect with Paul Reiser’s humorous observations about relationships and daily frustrations. His likable persona and gentle wit made him one of the most popular stand-up comedians of his time.