Top 50 Most Popular Comedy Actors Of All Time

 

They say laughter is the best medicine and making someone laugh is the best gift in the world.

 

Unfortunately, in the stress-filled world that we live in, laughter has become a scarce commodity and the ability to generate laughter is the most precious resource.

 

Thankfully, when laughter is in short supply in our lives, we can always turn to films to fill us in.

 

Hollywood has consistently churned out comedies for all genres. From slapstick to situational comedies, from sarcasm to witty discourses.

 

Hollywood can offer a movie for every taste. They tickle your funny bone and make us laugh till we cry.

 

These comedies are brought to life by the talent and comedic timing of some of the greatest actors, our comedians.

 

The fact that Hollywood greats like Cary Grant, Katherine Hepburn, Frank Sinatra, Robert DeNiro, Meryl Streep, Tom Hanks, Will Smith, etc have all used comedy to make their performance more impactful and relatable to their audiences.

 

They have elevated their acting with some great comedy roles and memorable characters. Who does not remember the daily morning monologue by Robin Williams in Good Morning Vietnam, or the inane ramblings of Eddie Murphy as Donkey in Shrek?

 

The antics of the Monty Python cast made Dark Ages appear lighthearted and funny. Jim Carrey’s Ace Ventura brought laughter to even the toughest critic, they might have cringed, but they laughed nonetheless.

 

ENTOIN has curated a list of the best comedians, funnymen, and laugh doctors who can turn your mood for the better.

 

Hope you enjoy it and if you would like any more details, leave us a message to request any changes.

 

 

 

1. Charlie Chaplin

 

 

 

Charlie Chaplin is the shining star of Hollywood comedies. He is the icon that played a pivotal role in shaping Hollywood in its early days.

 

He was an English comedian, actor, filmmaker, and composer. He is the king of slapstick comedy and created a persona of a poor man struggling against all adversities.

 

In a way, it personified his rise to fame. He has acted, written, directed, produced, and composed music for most of his films over the years.

 

Owing to his deep pockets, he could afford to spend time and money to make perfect movies.

 

He was a perfectionist and took his craft very seriously. Here are just a few works of this genius, The Kid, A Woman in Paris, Gold Rush, City Lights, Modern Times, The Great Dictator, Monsieur Verdoux, A King in New York, A Countess from Hong Kong, LimeLight, etc.

 

 

 

2. Robin Williams

 

 

 

Robin Williams is one of those rare comic geniuses that happen once in a lifetime.

 

He used comedy as a means to get attention from his mother and won the hearts of his friends and teachers at school.

 

While at the College of Marin for political science, Robin Williams impressed his drama teachers with his talent and won a full scholarship to Juilliard School.

 

At Juilliard, Williams was the classmate of Christopher Reeves, William Hurt, Mandy Patinkin, etc. Reeves had fond memories of watching Williams’ acting and accent talent.

 

Williams left Juilliard in his junior year as his teachers felt there was nothing more for Juilliard to offer him.

 

Soon, he started concentrating on his stand-up career. Robin Williams started his journey with the ABC hit comedy Mork & Mindy.

 

He performed in Good Morning Vietnam, Dead Poets Society, Patch Adams, Hook, Aladdin, Jumanji, Mrs.

 

Doubtfire, Birdcage, Good Will Hunting, the Night At The Museum trilogy, etc.

 

 

 

3. Eddie Murphy

 

 

 

Eddie Murphy is an American actor, comedian, and filmmaker. He spent some time in foster care due to his mother’s ill health.

 

This experience inspired him in his stand-up journey. At 15 years old, Eddie was influenced by Richard Pryor’s stand-up routine.

 

He decided to take this route to show business. Eddie Murphy started with the sketch show Saturday Night Live! and simultaneously doing stand-up shows.

 

After creating an extensive fanbase with his comedy, Eddie started acting in films. He appeared in 48 hrs, Trading Places, Dr. Dolittle, and its sequel, Coming to America, Vampire in Brooklyn, the Nutty Professor films, Bowfinger, etc.

 

Eddie Murphy worked in animated films and did voice acting. His repertoire includes Mulan and the Shrek franchise.

 

He won many awards and accolades, including the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor.

 

 

 

4. Adam Sandler

 

 

 

Adam Sandler is an American comedian, actor, and filmmaker. His movies have grossed over $2 billion worldwide.

 

He studied drama at the Tisch School of arts and started as a writer and a stand-up comic.

 

His debut was made in The Cosby Show, but he gained fame for his work at SNL.

 

After SNL, Sandler appeared in comedies like Coneheads, Airheads, Billy Madison, Wedding Singer, Bulletproof, Happy Gilmore, The Waterboy, and more.

 

With his surreal humor and satire, he performed in films including Mr. Deeds, 50 First Dates, The Longest Yard, Click, Grown Ups, Just Go with It, Grown Ups 2, Blended, etc.

 

Sandler also received praise for his dramatic roles in Spanglish, Funny People, Punch Drunk Love, The Meyerowitz Stories, etc.

 

 

5. Will Ferrell

 

 

 

Will Farrell is an American actor, comedian, and writer. He has a natural-born talent for making people laugh.

 

Will discovered this talent early in school and used it to create improvisational comedy skits on the school intercom to entertain his friend.

 

The same trend continued in college as well. After trying his hand at different jobs like sports broadcaster, bank teller, etc., Will Farrel realized his calling was showbiz.

 

He moved to Los Angeles and did many comedy sketches and improv shows. Farrell started working at Saturday Night Live! in 1995.

 

After that, he appeared in many well-received film roles. Will Farrell’s notable film roles include Elf, Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy, Kicking & Screaming, Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby, Semi-Pro, Land of the Lost, The Producers, Stranger Than Fiction, etc.

 

He also produced many successful Tv series and films.

 

 

6. Jim Carrey

 

 

 

James Eugene ‘Jim’ Carrey is a Canadian-American stand-up comedian, actor, writer, and producer. He has a trademark style of slapstick comedy and physical comedy.

 

He mentions the British comedy troupe Monty Python as his main inspiration. He started with stand-up routines in Canada and moved to the USA in the 1980s.

 

Jim Carrey struggled in his initial days to get his career started. He worked in comedy clubs and stand-up shows across the United States and performed on In Living Color sketch show.

 

He got his big break in 1994 with Ace Ventura: The Pet Detective. He followed it up with The Mask, Dumb and Dumber, Ace Ventura: When Nature Calls, Batman Forever, etc.

 

He also tried his hand at dramatic acting with great success. But he is remembered for his long list of comedies like Liar Liar, The Cable Guy, Bruce Almighty, How the Grinch Stole Christmas, Lemony Snicket’s A Series of Unfortunate Events, Horton Hears a Who!, etc.

 

 

7. Steve Martin

 

 

 

Steve Martin is an American stand-up comic, actor, writer, musician, and producer. He started his career as a writer for comedy sketch shows.

 

His first gig was with The Smothers Brothers comedy show. It made him a name to watch out for in the 1960s.

 

This led to television roles, most prominently in Saturday Night Live. Steve Martin had an offbeat sense of humor, mixed with physical comedy.

 

He performed live stand-up acts in front of large audiences and sold-out stadiums. He also wrote plays that were adapted on Broadway and composed music for them.

 

After retiring from stand-up comedy, Steve turned his attention to film roles in the 1980s.

 

A few of Steve Martin’s famous works include The Jerk, Dead Men Don’t Wear Plaid, The Man with Two Brains, Three Amigos, Planes, Trains and Automobiles, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, Sgt. Bilko, Bowfinger, Parenthood, the Father of the Bride films, and the Cheaper by the Dozen films

 

 

8. Kevin Hart

 

 

 

Kevin Hart is a stand-up comedian, actor, writer, and producer. He started his career with stand-up comedy shows and continues to do shows despite his acting projects.

 

Speaking about his childhood, Kevin Hart said that his dad was a cocaine addict and a live example against drugs.

 

Drawing inspiration from his life experiences, Kevin derived his style of comedy that has roasting, sarcasm, and satire.

 

He had his breakthrough performance in Judd Apatow’s Undeclared. He followed it up with Soul Plane, Scary Movie 3, Little Fockers, and more.

 

The most memorable performances of Kevin Hart are in Ride Along, Ride Along 2, Central Intelligence, Night School, Jumanji: Welcome To The Jungle, Jumanji: The Next Level, Think Like A Man, About Last Night, The Secret Life of Pets, Real Husbands of Hollywood, etc.

 

 

9. Peter Sellers

 

 

 

Peter Sellers was a British actor and comedian extraordinaire. He was considered the greatest comedian after Charlie Chaplin.

 

His strongest suit was the ability to mold into any character, changing his appearance and his accent to fit the role.

 

He is one of the best at voice and accent modulation in Hollywood. Peter started with the British radio comedy series The Goon Show, with Spike Milligan, Harry Secombe, and Michael Bentine.

 

He worked with the same team on many more radio comedy shows. Peter Sellers had a distinct style of satire and black comedy.

 

It was evident in films such as Dr. Strangelove, Lolita, Being There, etc. His most iconic performances include The Pink Panther series, I’m Alright Jack, What’s New Pussycat, Casino Royale, The Party,  The Running Jumping & Standing Still Film, etc.

 

 

10. Leslie Nielsen

 

 

 

Leslie Nielsen was a Canadian actor, comedian, and producer. He is known for being a prankster outside his films as well.

 

His favorite joke was the fart machine. In fact, on his epithet is written: Let ‘er rip.

 

His deadpan delivery of jokes made him very effective. In Naked Gun, Nielsen is asked: Surely, you are not serious?

 

To this, he gives a straight answer I am serious…..and don’t call me Shirley. This quote is listed among the 100 most famous movie quotes of all time by AFI.

 

Nielsen started his career with dramatic roles. He did not try comedies till 1980 when he met with the filmmaker trio Zuker, Abrahams, and Zucker.

 

They were known for making parodies of famous dramatic movies. Leslie’s first comedy was Airplane, followed by Naked Gun.

 

His notable works include Naked Gun 2 ½, Naked Gun 33 ⅓, Mr. Magoo, Police Squad, Wrongfully Accused, Scary Movie 3, Scary Movie 4, and more.

 

 

11. Steve Carell

 

 

 

Steve Carell is an American actor, comedian, writer, and filmmaker. He is known for playing characters who are odd, quirky, and stuck in embarrassing situations.

 

Carell has a knack for appearing helpless, hopeless, and embarrassed. He has also appeared in a few dramatic roles, for which he was nominated for Academy Awards and Golden Globes, too.

 

Steve Carell started his career as a comedy sketch actor and worked in The Second City comedy troupe.

 

While working as a correspondent for the Daily Show with Jon Stewart, he got an opportunity to play Michael Scott in the remake of the British comedy mockumentary, The Office.

 

Around the same time, he also appeared in Judd Apatow’s 40-Year-Old virgin. The success of the two projects propelled Steve Carell to stardom.

 

Hi mot memorable performances include Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy and its sequel, Evan Almighty, Get Smart, Date Night, Crazy, Stupid, Love, The Way, Way Back.

 

He also voice acted in Over the Hedge, Horton Hears a Who!, and the Despicable Me franchise.

 

 

12. Billy Crystal

 

 

 

Billy Crystal is an American actor, comedian, writer, director, and producer. In his long and illustrious career, Crystal has portrayed many comedic roles, written for over thirty movies, and produced twenty-four movies and shows.

 

He has also hosted the Academy award ceremony for the maximum number of times, nine years.

 

Billy appeared in the role of Jodie Dallas in the NBC sitcom, Soap. He also frequently worked in Saturday Night Live!, as a cast member and a host.

 

Crystal performed on Broadway in the two-act play 700 Sundays. He wrote and conceived it about his childhood.

 

He won a Tony Award for the play. The iconic performances of Billy Crystal are Rabbit Test, Running Scared, The Princess Bride, Throw Momma from the Train, Memories of Me, When Harry Met Sally…, City Slickers, Mr. Saturday Night, Analyze This, Parental Guidance, Monster Inc., Cars, etc.

 

 

13. John Cleese

 

 

 

John Cleese is a British actor, comedian, screenwriter, and producer. He is famous for his role as Basil Fawlty.

 

It is the second most loved comedy character in the UK. Cleese is also famous for his satirical comedy and his surreal humor.

 

While doing his schooling, Cleese was a good cricketer and boxer while getting O- levels and A levels in all his subjects.

 

While working at the Off-Broadway show in the USA, Cleese met Connie Booth, his future wife, and created the Fawlty Towers.

 

He also met his collaborators and friend Terry Gilliam, Eric Idle, Terry Jones, Michael Palin, and Graham Chapman to form the Monty Python comedy troupe.

 

This troupe created another iconic series of comedy movies. John Cleese was a part of great comedy movies and shows such as The Frost Reports, The Monty Python series, A Fish Called Wanda, Fierce Creature, Shrek franchise, etc.

 

He also worked as a writer in the Doctor in the House series, Doctor at Large series, and more.

 

 

14.   Jackie Chan

 

 

 

Jackie Chan, a martial arts actor, has carved out a legendary comedy career that combines breathtaking action with a unique blend of physicality, slapstick humour, and charismatic charm.

 

He rose to prominence in the 1970s and 1980s with his distinctive style of action-comedy films, such as the “Police Story” series and “Drunken Master.”

 

He showcased his incredible martial arts skills while infusing his performances with comedic timing and innovative stunts.

 

Chan’s comedic talent and willingness to perform daring and often hilarious physical feats have made him a beloved figure in the global entertainment industry.

 

His ability to entertain audiences through a combination of thrilling action sequences and laugh-out-loud comedy has earned him a dedicated fan base and international recognition as one of the most influential and successful actors in the martial arts and comedy genres.

 

 

15. Chris Rock

 

 

 

Chris Rock is an American stand-up comedian, actor, director, writer, and producer. He grew up in a big family of eight siblings.

 

He faced severe racism and bullying in his high school, so he quit school and earned his GED later.

 

Most of his jokes are based on race relations and black stereotypes. Chris did stand-up shows while working in menial jobs to earn money.

 

He had limited success till Eddie Murphy discovered him and mentored him. Murphy also offered him a role in the film Beverly Hills Cop II.

 

Chris Rock also worked in the sketch comedies on Saturday Night Live and moved to the similar, In Living Color.

 

Chris Rock has appeared in many successful comedies, Down To Earth, Head of State, The Longest Yard, Madagascar film series, Grown-Ups, Grown-Up 2, Everybody Hates Chris, Fargo, and more.

 

Recently, he was in the news because of a joke he made while hosting the Oscars that made Will Smith angry and lose his temper.

 

Will Smith even got up to the stage and slapped Chris Rock. For this, Will Smith got banned from the Oscars for 10 years.

 

Chris Rock has been silent about this since then, and Will Smith has apologized to him publicly.

 

 

16. Paul Rudd

 

 

 

Paul Rudd is an American actor, comedian, screenwriter, and producer. He graduated from the University of Kansas and studied drama at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts.

 

While Paul Rudd appeared in a few dramatic roles, his major success has been in comedic roles.

 

His first major success came with the teen comedy Clueless. He followed it up with roles in The Object of My Affection, Anchorman 2: The Legend of Ron Burgundy, Deadline, Friends, Robot Chicken, Reno 911!, Parks and Recreation, and more.

 

He often collaborated with the filmmaker Judd Apatow and actors Steve Carell and Seth Rogen.

 

His most notable performances include hosting Saturday Night Live!, Antman series, The 40-Year-Old Virgin, Knocked Up, This is 40, Wanderlust, Mute, The Fundamentals of Caring, Ideal Home, etc.

 

He also co-created the show Party Down.

 

 

17. Mel Brooks

 

 

 

Mel Brooks is one of the influential comedians of the early days. He is an American actor, stand-up comedian, writer, and filmmaker.

 

After attending a Broadway show with his uncle, Mel decided to go into showbiz. Due to his short stature, he was always bullied and ridiculed as a child.

 

So he channeled all his anger and pain into comedy and wrote for many successful shows.

 

He started as a writer for various shows on television and then moved on to create his own stand-up routines with his friend Carl Reiner.

 

With the success of these shows, he made television series and movies that were a parody of other shows or farcical comedies.

 

The best-known works of Mel Brooks are The 2000-Year-Old Man, Get Smart, The Producer, Blazing Saddle, Twelve Chair, High Anxiety, Spaceballs, Robin Hood: Men In Tights, etc.

 

He is one of the few celebrities who achieved the EGOT (Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony Award).

 

 

18. Rowan Atkinson

 

 

 

Rowan Atkinson is a British actor, comedian, and writer. He created, played, and immortalized many iconic characters, which are listed among the most loved on television.

 

As a student, Atkinson was a consistent A Grader. He studied electrical and electronic engineering at Newcastle University and did his MSc in electrical engineering from Queen’s College in Oxford.

 

While studying at Oxford, he was involved in theater groups and comedy sketches. He also took up radio shows with BBC Radio 3.

 

In television, he starred in the BBC comedy show, Not the Nine O’Clock News. Apart from this, he also did shows at the West End theater that earned him a Laurence Olivier Award.

 

Some of the iconic films of Rowan Atkinson are The Blackadder series, Mr. Bean series, The Johnny English series, Never Say Never Again, Four Weddings and a Funeral, Lion King, Love Actually, The Thin Blue Line, etc.

 

For many of his supporters, he is their idol. Rowan is incredibly talented and diligent. 

 

He genuinely inspires his followers to hone their skills and never stop practicing them.

 

 

19. Seth MacFarlane

 

 

 

Seth MacFarlane is a multi-talented animator, actor, stand-up comedian, writer, director, and producer. He is also well known for his voice acting and his ability to switch between different voices while dubbing.

 

Seth studied at the Rhode Island School of Design and aimed to become an animator.

 

Seth MacFarlane joined Hanna-Barbera cartoons after graduating. He worked on cartoon shows, Johnny Bravo, Dexter’s Laboratory, Cow and Chicken, etc.

 

While working on them, he worked on the story for his most famous show Family Guy.

 

Later, he also created, directed, and starred in other animations like American Dad and The Cleveland Show.

 

Other notable and memorable works of MacFarlane include The Orville, Ted, Ted 2, A Million Ways to Die in The West, Life of Larry, Larry & Steve, etc.

 

He also hosted the 85th Academy Award ceremony.

 

 

20. Marlon Wayans

 

 

 

Marlon Wayans is an American actor, comedian, writer, director, and producer. He is a member of the famous Wayans brothers, who are known for their comedic ability.

 

After graduating from Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts, he attended Howard University, only to drop out after two years.

 

Marlon started work in I’m Gonna Git you Sucka but joined the comedy sketch show In Living Colors with his brothers.

 

Next, he did the Wayans Bros with Shawn Wayans. Tim Burton wanted to cast Marlon as Robin in his Batman movie, but the plan could not work out on both occasions.

 

Marlon Wayans is popular for his roles in such movies as Scary Movie, Scary Movie 2, White Chicks, Little Man, Dance Flick, The Heat, A Haunted House, Sextuplets, On The Rocks, etc.

 

In 2017, he starred in the NBC sitcom Marlon.

 

 

21. Mike Myers

 

 

 

Mike Myers is a Canadian comedian, actor, and filmmaker. He also does voice acting, and he writes film scripts.

 

He attended and graduated from the Stephen Leacock Collegiate Institute. After graduation, he dived into the world of theatre and improv.

 

He went to London to work and train with the Comedy Store Players, which he co-founded.

 

Mike Myers returned to Canada and started to work with Toronto CityTV. He created the character of Wayne Campbell for his comedy sketches, which developed into the movie, The Wayne’s World.

 

His prominent roles include Saturday Night Live!, Wayne’s World, Austin Powers, etc. He made his directorial debut in 2013 with Supermensch: The Legend of Shep Gordon.

 

His most famous work, to date, has been in the Shrek movie trilogy as the titular character.

 

 

22. Ben Stiller

 

 

 

Ben Stiller is an American actor, director, and producer. He is the son of actors Jerry Stiller and Anne Meara.

 

Ben discussed that he had an unusual upbringing that involved late-night parties, frequent visits to film sets, etc.

 

He also appeared in a few shows of his mother at the age of eight.

 

While in school, Ben Stiller formed a band with his friends and performed for a short phase.

 

After high school, Ben Stiller joined college but quit midways to pursue acting. He worked in plays with John Mahoney and created short parodies with the cast and crew.

 

This got him noticed by MTV, which offered the Ben Stiller Show. Some of Ben’s notable performances as an actor and filmmaker include Reality Bites, The Secret Life of Walter Mitty, Zoolander, The Cable Guy, There’s Something About Mary, Tropic Thunder, the Madagascar series, Night at The Museum series, etc.

 

 

23. Chris Tucker

 

 

 

Chris Tucker is an American stand-up comedian and actor. He started his stand-up career with repeated appearances in Def Comedy Jam.

 

He was encouraged to take up a career in comedy based on his successes in his hometown of Atlanta.

 

Tucker’s friends and teachers remember him for his comedic impressions of Eddie Murphy and Michael Jackson.

 

Chris Tucker tasted success with the stoner comedy Friday, alongside Ice Cube. He had also acted in House Party 3, Money Talks, etc.

 

His most prominent roles have been in the Rush Hour trilogy, where he played the LAPD detective, James Carter.

 

Chris Tucker declined to act in the sequels of Friday, as he did not want to promote smoking weed.

 

Tucker also hosted award shows. He was the host of the NAACP Image awards in 2001, 2002, and 2005.

 

He also hosted the 2013 BET Award show.

 

 

24. Terry Crews

 

 

 

Terry Crews is an American footballer, actor, and TV presenter. Crews started his career in football as a linebacker and played for the Los Angeles Rams, GreenBay Packers, San Diego Chargers, and Washington Redskins.

 

After retiring from the NFL, he expressed his longtime desire to act. He appeared in Old Spice commercials and made his film debut in The 6th Day.

 

He worked with Ice Cube on Friday After Next, White Chick, The Longest Yard (with Adam Sandler), Starsky & Hutch, Idiocracy, Get Smart, and more.

 

On television, he was a hit with his performances in Everybody Hates Chris, Brooklyn Nine-Nine, Are We There Yet? etc.

 

Terry also lent his voice to animated films Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs, Cloudy With A Chance Of Meatballs 2, Rumble, and more.

 

He worked as the host for Who Want to be a Millionaire and America’s Got Talent.

 

 

25. Sacha Baron Cohen

 

 

 

Sacha Noam Baron Cohen is a British comedian, actor, writer, and producer. He is famous for his creating and portraying satirical characters that push the envelope.

 

Sacha Baron Cohen has received multiple nominations and awards from Primetime Emmys, Golden Globes, Academy Awards, etc.

 

Despite the many controversies, Baron Cohen puts on accents and disguises to interview and interact with people.

 

They are set up to unsuspectingly express views on different controversial topics. Some of the most successful movies and characters created by Sacha Baron Cohen are Ali G, Borat Sagdiyev, Admiral General Aladeen, Bruno Gehard, etc., in movies like Borat, The Dictator, Bruno, Talladega Night: The  Ballad of Ricky Bobby, etc.

 

 

26. Jack Black

 

 

 

Jack Black is an American comedian, actor, musician, and songwriter. After high school, Jack joined UCLA but dropped out during his sophomore year to pursue acting.

 

He had always been interested in drama and excelled at it. Jack also appeared in a few commercials and acted as a child actor.

 

In 1992, Tim Robbins, Jack’s UCLA friend offered him a role in Bob Roberts. From here on, he acted in side roles in Demolition Man, Dead Man Walking, The Cable Guy, Mars Attacks, etc.

 

In 2000, Jack was cast in High Fidelity in his breakthrough role. After that, he appeared as the leading man in Shallow Hal, Orange County, School of Rock, Gulliver’s Travels, etc.

 

The Kung Fu Panda and Jumanji franchises proved to be his most successful films. Jack Black voiced the main character of Kung Fu Panda, named Po. He did a fantastic job and made Po an iconic character.

 

Jack Black is the lead singer of the music group Tenacious D. His band won a Grammy Award for a comedy rock duo with Kyle Gass.

 

 

27. Seth Rogen

 

 

 

Seth Rogen is a Canadian stand-up comedian, actor, and filmmaker. He grew up in a family that encouraged his comedic talent, and Rogen did stand-up routines since his school days.

 

He practiced his jokes and stand-up style in bar mitzvahs, family gatherings, camp Miriam, etc.

 

By the time Seth was 16 years, his parents had lost their jobs, so he had to quit school.

 

Seth took up acting jobs in LA with Judd Apatow’s Freaks and Geeks. Simultaneously, he also worked as a writer for other shows like Undeclared, Da Ali G Show, Superbad, Drillbit Taylor, Pineapple Express, etc.

 

While he is famous for writing and producing rib-tickling comedies, he has also acted in quite a few movies himself.

 

His notable roles include 40-year-old Virgin, Funny People, Knocked Up, The Interview, This is the End, the Preacher, KungFu Panda trilogy, Horton Hear a Who, Spiderwick Chronicles, and more.

 

 

28. Ed Helms

 

 

 

Edward Parker Helms is an American actor, comedian, and writer. He studied at the Interlochen Center for Arts and entered Oberlin College to study Bachelor of Arts in film theory and technology.

 

He worked at a New York City sketch comedy band as a writer and actor.

 

He also studied improvisation at the Upright Citizens Brigade troupe. On television, Ed Helms started as a correspondent for the Daily Show on Comedy Central.

 

He did small roles in shows before he was cast as Andy Bernard in The Office.

 

His other TV roles include Family Guy, Funny or Die Presents, Children’s Hospital, Brooklyn Nine-Nine, The Mindy Project, Saturday Night Live!, etc.

 

Ed also worked in films. His notable film roles are in the Evan Almighty, Confession of a Shopaholic, Harold & Kumar: Escape from Guantanamo Bay, The Night at The Museum and its sequel, The Hangover trilogy, etc.

 

 

29. Keegan-Michael Key

 

 

 

Keegan-Michael Key is an American comedian, actor, screenwriter, and filmmaker. He is most famous for being one half of the comedy sketch pair Key & Peele.

 

He studied at the University of Detroit Mercy for his bachelor’s in Fine Arts and got his master’s in Fine Arts from The Pennsylvania State University.

 

Keegan-Michael Key came to prominence with his role in Mad TV. On this show, Key impersonated many celebrities like Ludacris, Tyler Perry, Snoop Dogg, Al Roker, Keith Richards,  Eddie Murphy, Charles Barkley, Kobe Bryant, etc.

 

He met his future collaborator Peele on this show, and they moved out to create the sketch comedy show Key & Peele on Comedy Central.

 

Some of Keegan-Michale Key’s most memorable performances are Playing House, Whose Line is it Anyway, Fargo, Parks and Recreations,  Planet’s Funniest Animals, Pitch Perfect 2, Dolemite is my Name, etc.

 

He also did voice work for The Lego Movie, the Hotel Transylvania franchise, The Angry Birds Movie, The Star, The Lion King, etc.

 

 

30. Ricky Gervais

 

 

 

Ricky Dene Gervais is a British stand-up comedian, actor, director, producer, writer, etc. He wears many more hats as a musician, TV host, radio host, podcaster, and more.

 

He studied philosophy at the University of London. While at the university, he worked as an assistant events manager and met his future collaborator Stephen Merchant.

 

Together, both of them created many comedy sketch shows, hosted radio talk shows, and co-wrote, directed, and performed in successful TV series as well.

 

Some of the most notable works of Ricky Gervais include The Office, Extras, and his turn as a host at Golden Globes Award show for four years.

 

He also acted in films, The Special Correspondent, Night At The Museum trilogy, Muppets Most Wanted, For Your Consideration, etc.

 

He also hosted the shows Meet Ricky Gervais, The 11 O’clock Show, The Ricky Gervais Show, and more.

 

 

31. Jordan Peele

 

 

 

Jordan Peele is an American actor, writer, director, and producer. He started his career with comedy sketches and movies.

 

However, in recent times, he has forayed into the horror genre and made the Academy Award-nominated films Get Out, Blackkklansman, and Us.

 

Jordan attended Sarah Lawrence College, but he quit it to start his career with his collaborator Rebecca Drysdale.

 

He joined the Fox show MADtv and met Keenan-Michael Key. They both formed a great friendship and quit MADtv to start their own comedy-sketch show, Key and Peele, at Comedy Central.

 

Peele’s other notable works include Fargo, The Last O. G., Storks, Captain Underpants, Keanu, The First Epic Movie, Big Mouth, Toy Story 4, etc.

 

 

32. Bill Murray

 

 

 

Bill Murray is an American actor and comedian par excellence. He has received the esteemed Mark Twain Prize for American Humor.

 

He was nominated for an Academy Award, won a Golden Globe Award from seven nominations, four Primetime Emmy nominations, and more.

 

He rose to fame with Saturday Night Live and the National Lampoons Hour radio show.

 

He acted in such comedies as  Meatballs, Caddyshack, Stripes, Tootsie, Ghostbusters, Scrooged, Ghostbusters II, Groundhog Day, The Man Who Knew Too Little, Kingpin, Osmosis Jones, Rushmore, Hyde Park on Hudson, St. Vincent, etc. Bill Murray did voice acting for animated films like Garfield: The Movie, Garfield: A Tail of Two Kitties, Fantastic Mr. Fox, Isle of Dogs, and Jungle Book.

 

 

33. Owen Wilson

 

 

 

Owen Wilson is an American actor and screenwriter. He is known for his trademark style of speech with a soft and mellow voice.

 

He completed his bachelor’s of arts degree in English at the University of Texas, Austin.

 

He met his good friend and frequent collaborator Wes Anderson here. Owen Wilson has a long list of successful collaborations with actors and directors.

 

With Ben Stiller, he worked in Zoolander, Starsky, and Hutch, Night At The Museum and its sequel, etc.

 

With Jackie Chan, he worked in Shanghai Noon, Shanghai Knights, Around The World in 80 Days, etc.

 

With Wes Anderon, he collaborated in Bottle Rocket, The Royal Tenenbaums, The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou, The Darjeeling Limited, The Grand Budapest Hotel, and The French Dispatch.

 

His most recent appearances include Mobius M. Mobius in the Disney+ series Loki. His character was loved by the viewers and gained a huge fan following amongst the Marvel community.

 

 

34. John C. Reilly

 

 

 

John C. Reilly is an American character actor, screenwriter, musician, and producer. He made his debut in films playing dramatic roles in films including, Casualties of War, Days of Thunder, What’s Eating Gilbert Grape?, Hard Eight, The Thin Red Line, etc.

 

He got his Academy Award nomination for Chicago and appeared in other nominated films, Gangs of New York, The Aviator, etc.

 

Being a character actor, John Reilly made a smooth transition to comedy. He starred in such comedies as Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story, Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby, Step Brothers, Wreck-It Ralph, Guardians of the Galaxy, The Lobster, Stan & Ollie, Moonbase 8, etc.

 

John Reilly has multiple award nominations under his belt. He has an Academy Award nomination, a Grammy nomination, a Tony nomination, four Golden Globes, four Screen Actors Guild awards, etc.

 

 

35. Craig Robinson

 

 

 

Craig Robinson is an American musician, stand-up comedian, actor, and singer. He is the son of a music teacher and an attorney, so Craig has a natural talent for music.

 

He attended Saint Xavier University for his Master of Education. He worked in multiple schools as a music teacher.

 

Craig began his acting career with stand-up shows while still in college. His performances at his shows were noticed, and he was offered small roles in TV shows, including The Bernie Mac Show, Arrested Development, Friends, etc.

 

He frequently collaborated with Seth Rogan on films like Knocked Up, Pineapple Express, This is The End, Sausage Party, etc.

 

Craig enjoyed most of his success in The Office, as Darryl Philbin. He also appeared in LeVar Brown in The Cleveland Show and Doug ‘The Pontiac Bandit’ Jones in Brooklyn Nine-Nine, Hot-Tub Time Machine, Dolemite is my Name, etc.

 

 

36. Ken Jeong

 

 

 

Ken Jeong is the most unique comedian on this list as he epitomizes the proverb, ‘Laughter is the best medicine.’ He is an American comedian, actor, producer, and physician.

 

He was interested in acting and comedy from a young age but pursued medicine while doing stand-up routines and improv theater.

 

While doing his residency in internal medicine, Dr. Jeong participated in the Big Easy Lay Off and was discovered by NBC president and the founder of Improv, who advised him to move to LA.

 

From here, his acting career and his medical practice grew steadily. Some of the notable works of Ken Jeong are The Hangover series, Community, Dr. Ken, Knocked Up, Role Models, Furry Vengeance, The Duff, Crazy Rich Asians, Ride Along 2, etc.

 

 

37. Jason Bateman

 

 

 

Jason Bateman is an American actor, director, and producer. He started his career from a young age, playing a child in the series Little House on the Prairie.

 

He also appeared in commercials. Jason is well known for his dry comedy style and self-effacing humor.

 

In the early days of his career, Bateman appeared in sitcoms, including Silver Spoons, It’s Your Move, Mr. Belvedere, The Hogan Family, etc.

 

His film credits include Teen Wolf Too, Necessary Roughness, The Sweetest Thing, Starsky and Hutch, The Break-Up, Dodgeball: The True Underdog Story, Forgetting Sarah Marshall, Tropic Thunder, etc.

 

Jason’s most memorable performances have been in Arrested Development, Horrible Bosses, Up In The Air, Juno, Office Christmas Party, This is Where I Leave You, Game Night, etc.

 

He made his directorial debut with the black comedy Bad Words.

 

 

38. David Spade

 

 

 

David Spade is an American actor, stand-up comedian, writer, and TV host. He uses self-deprecating humor and sarcasm to create maximum laughs and giggles.

 

He attended Arizona State University and started his stand-up career in the university’s sketch comedy show, Farce Side Comedy Hour.

 

He joined the cast of Police Academy 4 after a talent agent watched him perform.

 

There was no looking back. His acting credits include Tommy Boy, Joe Dirt, Dickie Roberts: Former Child Star, Black Sheep, The BenchWarmers, and more.

 

His fame reached greater heights with television shows like Just Shoot Me!, Rules of Engagement, 8 Simple Rules, etc.

 

He also did voice acting in The Emperor’s New Groove,  Ice Age franchise, The Rugrats Movie, Hotel Transylvania, etc.

 

 

39. Simon Pegg

 

 

 

Simon Pegg was born Simon John Beckingham in Gloucestershire, England. He is an actor, screenwriter, director, and producer.

 

He graduated from the University of Bristol with a degree in theatre, film, and television.

 

In his initial days, he performed with the comedy troupe David Icke and The Orphans of Jesus.

 

Pegg started acting in comedy series and sketch shows, including Asylum, Faith in Future, Hippies, etc.

 

In 1999, he co-wrote the sitcom, Spaced. His writing credits include the comedies Asylum, Truth Seekers, Shaun of the Dead, Hot Fuzz, Run Fatboy Run, The World’s End, and more.

 

Simon Pegg has the singular credit of starring in all the best sci-fi blockbusters, the Star Trek franchise, Star Wars: The Force Awakens, Doctor Who, Mission Impossible franchise, and The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance.

 

He was also part of the Ice Age franchise as the iconic Buck.

 

 

40. Andy Samberg

 

 

 

David A. J. ‘Andy’ Samberg is an American actor, comedian, writer, musician, and producer. He graduated from the New York University’s Tisch School of Arts with a Bachelor’s in fine arts.

 

Since childhood, he had an affinity for writing, and this became his strong suit in his acting career.

 

Andy and his friends Akiva Schaffer and Jorma Taccone wrote, created, and acted in comedy videos online.

 

Based on the success and popularity of his comedy shorts, he was welcomed at Saturday Night Live!

 

And he worked there till 2012, popularizing their SNL digital shorts. As part of his music group The Lonely Island, Andy created and starred in many comedy sketches.

 

Some of Andy Samberg’s credits include  Hot Rod, I Love You, Man, That’s My Boy, Celeste and Jesse Forever, Brooklyn Nine-Nine, Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping, and Palm Springs.

 

Samberg did voice acting in Space Chimps, the Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs film series, the Hotel Transylvania film series, and Storks.

 

 

41. Seann William Scott

 

 

 

Seann William Scott is an American actor and comedian. He is known for his roles as the generally clueless or stupid friend in movies.

 

Seann studied at the Park High School in Minnesota and was active in sports. He played for the varsity football and the basketball teams.

 

Seann William Scott moved to Los Angeles to pursue acting and worked at Home Depot between his auditions and TV commercials.

 

After struggling for a while in small roles, he was cast in the movie American Pie.

 

It was his breakthrough role, and he followed it up with hits like Road Trip, Dude, Where’s My Car? Evolution, American Pie 2, etc.

 

His acting credits include notable performances in Bulletproof Monk, Goon, Goon: Last of the Enforcers, Dukes of Hazzard, Mr. Woodcock, Role Models, the Ice Age series, etc.

 

 

42. Russell Brand

 

 

 

Russell Brand is a British comedian, TV and radio host, and actor. He is famous for his verbosity and ability to deliver soliloquies.

 

He started as a television actor, a stand-up comedian, and an MTV presenter. However, his drug abuse problem and his propensity to push the limits created problems for him.

 

Soon, Russell cleaned up his drug problem and maintained sobriety. He gathered all his controversies and experiences to create stand-up routines and did many shows across the UK and the US.

 

He has turned into an activist and speaks on political and cultural issues, including wealth disparities, addictions, corporate capitalism, climate change, etc.

 

Russell Brand’s notable works include Big Brother’s Big Mouth, St Trinian’s, Forgetting Sarah Marshalls, Get Him to the Greek, Despicable Me, Despicable Me 2, Hop, Arthur, etc.

 

He also hosts podcasts that speak on wide-ranging issues with experts on the subject.

 

 

43. Jason Segel

 

 

 

Jason Segel is an American actor, screenwriter, musician, and producer. He grew up in Pacific Palisades and studied at St Matthew’s Parish School and Harvard-Westlake School.

 

Due to his staggering height of 6ft 4ins, he was one of the star players on the basketball team.

 

He was the backup for center Jason Collins, who went on to play in the NBA.

 

After high school, in 1998, Jason Segel starred in comedy films Can’t Hardly Wait, Deadman on Campus, and SLC Punk!

 

However, he got noticed with his role as the stoned teen in Judd Apatow’s Freak and Geeks.

 

Segel continued his association with Apatow in more projects like Undeclared and Knocked Up. Segel’s most famous role is that of Marshall Erikson in How I Met Your Mother.

 

His other notable appearances include Forgetting Sarah Marshalls, I Love Your Man!, Despicable Me, Gulliver Travels, Bad Teacher, Friends with Benefits, etc.

 

He also co-wrote the film Get Him to The Greek.

 

 

44. Zach Galifianakis

 

 

 

Zachary Knight Galifianakis is an American actor, comedian, musician, and writer of Greek descent. Zach attended North Carolina State University to complete his major in communication.

 

Subsequently, he worked in a public access station and as a waltz instructor for a while.

 

He got his first break on the sitcom Boston Common. After working on a couple of other projects, Zach got a chance to host Late World with Zach on VH1.

 

This opened the doors to his comedy genius. He appeared in movies including the Hangover trilogy, Due Date, The Campaign, Birdman, Masterminds, etc.

 

He did voice acting for Puss in Boots, The Lego Batman Movie, Missing Link, Ron Gone Wrong, etc.

 

On television, Zach worked in the comedy-drama Baskets, Saturday Night Live! He also hosted the award-winning talk show Between Two Ferns.

 

 

45.   Jerry Seinfeld

 

 

 

Jerry Seinfeld, an iconic American comedian and actor, has had a groundbreaking comedy career that has left an indelible mark on the industry.

 

Best known for creating and starring in the critically acclaimed sitcom “Seinfeld,” he redefined television comedy with his observational humour and knack for finding hilarity in the mundane aspects of everyday life.

 

Seinfeld’s sharp wit, impeccable timing, and ability to connect with audiences made the show a cultural phenomenon and one of the most successful sitcoms of all time.

 

His stand-up comedy, characterized by his signature style of analyzing and deconstructing social norms and human behavior, has earned him widespread acclaim and numerous accolades.

 

Seinfeld’s enduring influence on comedy, both on and off the stage, solidifies his status as a comedy legend and an influential figure in the entertainment industry.

 

 

46. Tim Allen

 

 

 

Tim Allen is an American stand-up comic, actor, and racing enthusiast. He grew up in Colorado and Michigan, where he developed a love for theatre and music.

 

He attended Western Michigan University to gain a degree in Science specializing in communication, with radio and television production.

 

Tim Allen started his career as a comedian as part of a dare and quickly garnered a following for his style of comedy.

 

He appeared in small shows and TV commercials too. In 1999, he started his most famous role as Tim ‘The Toolman’ Taylor in the ABC series Home Improvement.

 

This role solidified his reputation as a strong comic. Tim’s other major appearances include Last Man Standing, Toy Story series, Santa Claus trilogy, Tropical Snow, Galaxy Quest, Joe Somebody, Wild Hogs, Six Wives of Henry Lefay, and more.

 

 

47. Eugene Levy

 

 

 

Eugene Levy is a Canadian actor, writer, and filmmaker. He studied at McMaster University and was the vice-president of their film board.

 

This enabled interaction with a few future filmmakers and comedians like Ivan Reitman. After graduation, he moved to Toronto and worked with the Royal Alexandra Theater.

 

While performing musicals for the Royal Alex, Eugene worked with many great Canadian performers and his experience helped his work at the Second City, an improvisational comedy enterprise.

 

As part of his comedy sketches, he parodied many renowned personalities with aplomb. His work at SCTV gave him the necessary visibility.

 

Eugene Levy worked with his friend Christopher Guest to perform and co-write many comedies like Waiting For Guffman and Almost Heroes.

 

He appeared in other hits like the American Pie series, Holy Man, Bringing Down The House, Dumb and Dumber: When Harry Met Lloyd, etc.

 

 

48. Jonah Hill

 

 

 

Jonah Hill is an American actor and filmmaker. He is the son of Sharon Lyn, a costume designer, and Richard Feldstein, the tour accountant of Guns N Roses.

 

He had a privileged childhood but always had a burning passion for acting and showbiz.

 

After meeting Dustin Hoffman, he auditioned for I Heart Huckabees. The role that established Jonah’s illustrious comedy journey was Superbad by Judd Apatow.

 

This movie began his career in comedy roles. He appeared in many comedies like Knocked Up!, Forgetting Sarah Marshall, Funny People, Get Him To The Greek, 21 Jump Street, 22 Jump Street, The Sitter, This is the End, etc.

 

Most of Jonah’s comedies revolve around his weight and his overweight physique. This topic has been a sensitive issue for him, and in 2011, he took up a special diet to lose weight.

 

He requested his fans to stop discussing the issue and decided to take up more dramatic roles henceforth.

 

 

49.   Chris O’Dowd

 

 

 

Chris O’Dowd, an Irish actor, has established himself as a prominent figure in the comedy world with his exceptional talent and distinct comedic style.

 

He gained widespread recognition for his role as Roy Trenneman in the hit British sitcom “The IT Crowd,” where his deadpan delivery and impeccable timing garnered critical acclaim.

 

O’Dowd’s comedic prowess extended to the big screen with notable performances in films like “Bridesmaids,” where he showcased his ability to seamlessly blend humor with genuine warmth.

 

He continued to excel in comedy with projects such as “The Sapphires” and “Moone Boy,” the latter of which he created and starred in.

 

O’Dowd’s charm and comedic sensibilities have made him a sought-after actor, earning him a dedicated fan base and cementing his status as a talented and versatile comedian.

 

 

50. Jason Biggs

 

 

 

Jason Biggs is an American actor who is famous for his buddy comedy and sex comedy roles.

 

He got the taste for acting as a young teenager in a TV film about a children’s book.

 

Biggs was cast in the soap opera, As The World Turn, and this got him an Emmy nomination for Outstanding young actor.

 

The role was a dramatic role, and he followed it up with similar roles in The Boy Who Cried Bitch, Camp Stories, and Total Security.

 

In 1999, he had his first successful hit with American Pie. He reprised this role in two more sequels.

 

After finding his sweet spot in comedy movies, Jason Biggs appeared in many more comedies, sitcoms, and rom-coms, including  Boys and Girls, Loser, Saving Silverman, Anything Else, Jersey Girl, Eight Below, Over Her Dead Body, and My Best Friend’s Girl.

 

He also worked in Orange Is the New Black.