Top 50 funniest and best stand up comedians of all time

Publish date: 2024-05-05

The best stand up comedians in the world play a significant role in the industry's development. Besides entertaining the masses and relieving their stress, these artists take it upon themselves to make comedy one of the best careers for future generations.

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Comedy is as good as any other renowned profession, and no particular race, religion, or gender dominates the industry in this era. The LGBTQ community is also well represented. Most globally famous and top-rated comedians rose from grass to grace.

50 best stand up comedians in 2022

The stiff competition in comedy puts artists on their toes. Most comedians are now willing to stretch limits with boldness and improve their imagination and skills for writing jokes. Check out this list of the funniest stand up comedians in 2022:

1. Louis C K

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Louis C.K is a celebrated American-Mexican actor, writer, comedian, and filmmaker. He is that guy that does and says what most of us wish we dared to say. The star has won the Grammy Awards for Best Comedy Album twice. Here is a taste of his jokes:

2. Bill Burr

He is a musician, writer, voice actor, and one of the funniest American comedians. He co-founded the All Things Comedy Network and is best known for hosting the Morning podcast. Bill is one entertainer you can rest assured will not mince his words while telling about any issue. Some of his funniest jokes are:

3. Dave Chappelle

David Khari Webber Chappelle is among the world's top five best stand up comedians. He began his film career in 1993. He has managed to position himself as one of the most defining voices of his generation. Here are two of his rib-cracking jokes:

4. Jerry Seinfeld

Jerry comes from America. He is best known for playing himself in the Seinfeld sitcom. Over the years, he has developed a style of stand-up that is not just ridiculously successful but also near impossible to emulate despite its simplicity. Here are hilarious jokes from Jerry's book, Is This Anything?:

5. Chris Rock

Rock's humour revolves around politics, race, and romance. He is among the most prominent and audacious entertainers on the planet. Chris has infections high energy when on stage and uses comedy to criticize the rot in the American political system. Below are two of his jokes:

6. Kevin Hart

Kevin Darnell Hart began comedy in club competitions in New England. Acting has made him even more famous. The star is among the highest-paid stand up comedians on Netflix. Here is a taste of Hart 's comedy:

7. Amy Schumer

Amy is among the most celebrated Comedy Central female comedians. Her career kicked off in the early 2000s. In 2007, she earned the fourth spot on NBC’s Last Comic Standing and released her debut stand-up album, Cutting, in 2011. Here are two sweet jokes from Amy:

8. George Carlin

Carlin will always be among the best stand up comedians of all time. His black comedy and political analyses set him on a level of his own in the industry. The late George's jokes will stay alive for generations to come. People still learn valuable lessons about life from his words.

9. Margaret Cho

Cho has Korean roots since her grandfather was Korean. She performed for Jerry Seinfeld during her early days in comedy before relocating to Los Angeles to advance her career. The lady has unique jokes like:

10. Catherine Tate

Catherine Tate is among the best female comedians the world has ever had. Between 2011 and 2013, she played the role of Eleanor Donna on the hit British sitcom, The Office. In 2013, Tate appeared as Sarah Postern on Big School, a British sitcom. Most of Catherine Tate's jokes are so funny that you cannot hold back your laughter:

11. Eddie Murphy

Eddie is an American actor, singer, comedian, screenwriter and film producer. He embarked on a comedy career soon after graduating from high school. He has never turned back since then. Very few people forget Eddie's jokes.

12. Steve Martin

Martin is one of America's most successful comedians. The celebrity often expresses his vociferously liberal views regarding numerous sensitive issues. Get to understand Martin's sense of humour from these jokes:

13. Rodney Dangerfield

Rodney was recognized for his catchphrase, monologue phrases, and mentoring many upcoming artists. He often complained, "I don't get no respect!" Roy would crack unforgettable jokes like these:

14. Don Rickles

Rickles is also one of the best stand up comedians. He enjoys international exposure as a guest on numerous talk shows. Fans describe his style as an insult comic. Here are some of Rickles' most memorable lines:

15. Lewis Black

Lewis is famous for his Back in Black commentary segment. Lewis delivers hysterical lines about the most annoying things in life. He also mimics characters and facial impressions. Here are some of Lewis' best jokes about American politics.

16. Ricky Gervais

Ricky tried his hand in the music industry in the early 80s before turning to comedy. He does not regret being in the industry for over two decades. Most jokes from Gervais are hard to forget, even if you are not his die-hard fan.

17. Steven Wright

Wright has many accolades, including the Academy Award and two Primetime Emmy Awards. Regardless, the artist aspires for more awards and recognitions. Check out some of Wright's genius jokes below:

18. Bill Cosby

Cosby is considered one of the best black stand up comedians. The artist is a force to reckon with in the industry because his age comes with more wisdom and jokes that move masses to tears. In addition, Cosby loves joking about family.

19. Jim Carrey

Carrey is a Canadian-American comedian, producer, and actor. His incredible acting and comedy skills have landed him in numerous well-paying films, such as Dumb and Dumber. Jim Carrey's jokes lighten the saddest hearts:

20. Sarah Silverman

Sarah is among the world's top female comedians on Netflix. After hosting the I Love You America series, the star began to work on the musical adaptation of the 2010 memoir, The Bedwetter: Stories of Courage, Redemption, and Pee. Some of her smartest jokes are:

21. Russell Peters

Russell was born in Toronto, Canada, to immigrant Indian parents. He began performing in Toronto in 1989 and was third on Forbes' 2013 list of the world's highest-paid comedians. The Russell Peters Act Your Age World Tour began in January 2022. The comedian travelled across Asia, Africa, Australia, the Middle East and Canada. Here are some of his best lines:

22. Roseanne Barr

Barr began doing gigs in clubs in Denver and other towns in Colorado. She later joined The Comedy Store in Los Angeles, California, and appeared on The Tonight Show in 1985. She featured in many sitcoms and comedy shows. Barr even hosted Saturday Night Special in 1996. Most of her jokes are about feminine issues like motherhood and women empowerment:

23. Billy Connolly

The retired comedian did many jobs before settling on comedy. He underwent a 5-year apprenticeship as a boilermaker, building an oil platform in Biafra, Nigeria, and forming a folk-pop duo with folk singer Danny Kyle. Connolly takes great pleasure in tearing-up audiences with his rambunctious comedy.

24. Cedric the Entertainer

Cedric Antonio Kyles is best known for co-hosting Steve Harvey's show. The duo makes the African-American comedy community proud. He also hosted Who Wants to Be a Millionaire season 12. Here are two of his famous jokes:

25. Wanda Sykes

After working for the National Security Agency (NSA), Sykes ventured into comedy at a Coors Light Super Talent Showcase in Washington DC in 1987. She then joined the writers of The Chris Rock Show in 1997. Here are some of her best lines:

26. Deon Cole

Deon Cole began doing comedy when a friend bet him $50 that he would not perform on stage in Chicago. He later became a writer for The Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien from 2009 to 2010 and gradually became a master in the industry. His funny side is so evident in these jokes:

27. Steve Harvey

Steve Harvey is a global comedy icon. He first performed stand-up comedy at the Hilarities Comedy Club in Cleveland, Ohio, in 1985. The star has hosted TV shows for ages, including Little Big Shots: Forever Young in 2017. He now produces Family Feud Africa, Steve on Watch, and Judge Steve Harvey. Here are some of his best jokes:

28. Trevor Noah

The American-based Mzansi comedian began hosting The Daily Show in 2014. Before this, he had many achievements in his motherland, including acting in Isidingo, hosting Noah's Ark talk show on YFM, and presenting The Real Goboza on SABC 1. Noah has a witty way of voicing his opinions: For instance;

29. Tiffany Haddish

Tiffany's father had Ethiopian-Jewish heritage and was a refugee from Eritrea, while her mum was African-American. Additionally, coming from a broken home never broke her determination. Tiffany's first breakthrough was at Bill Bellamy's contest, Who's Got Jokes? Some years later, she launched a show called Tiffany Haddish Presents: They Ready on Netflix. Tiffany speaks the truth and shares her experiences with the world through comedy:

30. Jamie Foxx

Eric Marlon Bishop told jokes at a comedy club's open mic night for the first time in 1989 after his girlfriend dared him. He chose Jamie Foxx as his stage on stage to pay tribute to the late black comedian Redd Foxx. The comedian had a sitcom called The Jamie Foxx Show from 1996 to 2001. Here are some of his memorable jokes:

31. DC Young Fly

The rapper is also good at stand-up comedy. You should watch his performance on Steve Harvey's Show and other platforms. Most of DC Young Fly's comedy videos are on YouTube.

32. Whoopi Goldberg

American actress Whoopi Goldberg was a comedian in the 80s and 90s. Most people who watched Sarafina, a South African-themed movie, assumed Whoopi was from Africa. Besides starring in films, she also hosted numerous shows, including The Whoopi Goldberg Show in 1993 and Wake Up with Whoopi (2006 - 2008). Some of her best lines when delivering jokes were:

33. Katt Williams

Katt's comedy began in his hometown before going to clubs nationwide. He became one of the best stand up comedians in the US and was able to work for The Improv, The Ice House, The Comedy Club, and The Hollywood Park Casino. Williams makes good jokes out of anything and everything. For instance:

34. Leslie Jones

Leslie was part of the Saturday Night Live show's writers and cast from 2014 to 2019. She currently hosts the Supermarket Sweep game show. The celebrity started her journey in comedy in 1987 after a friend signed her up for the Funniest Person on Campus contest. She makes fun of herself and also spews wise pieces of advice in her jokes:

35. Ellen DeGeneres

Ellen is a natural when it comes to comedy. She started as an actress in a sci-fiction movie named Coneheads and Ellen's Energy Adventure show while doing comedy at small clubs and coffee houses. Ellen appeared in Netflix's 2018 stand-up special called Relatable. The Ellen DeGeneres Show began in 2003 and will end on 26th May 2022. Here are some of her cutest jokes:

36. Kathleen Madigan

Kathleen has a journalism degree. Her first job in the profession was at the St. Louis-area Suburban Journals newspapers, and her debut on TV as a comedian was on NBC's Last Comic Standing, I Love the 90s: Part Deux show. Some of the funniest things Kathleen has said on camera:

37. Hannah Gadsby

Hannah Gadsby entered the Raw Comedy contest in 2006 while visiting her sister in Adelaide. After winning the show, she participated in So You Think You're Funny? and received the second award. The star has released several shows in her name, including Hannah Gadsby: Renaissance Woman. Hannah also uses comedy to advocate for the LGBTQ people.

38. Whitney Cummings

Whitney is also one of the best female stand up comedians. Shortly after graduating from college in 2004, she got a job at Punk'd on MTV. In addition, the lady has been on numerous sitcoms, including hosting HBO's Crashing comedy show in 2018. Cummings' jokes instantly hit the nail on the head:

39. Lilly Singh

Lilly Singh's Vlogs are famous on YouTube. In addition, the Indian-Canadian comedian has a massive following on her other social media pages. Lilly's parents migrated from Hoshiarpur, Punjab, India, to Canada. They raised her as a Sikh, but religion has nothing to do with why the masses adore her jokes:

40. Sindhu Vee

Sindhu Venkatanarayanan uses the name Sindhu Vee on stage. The Indian stand-up comedian lives and performs in the UK. She left her investment banking for comedy. Sindhu received the Edinburgh Comedy Award for Best Newcomer in 2018 after her debut on Sandhog. Here are some of her best jokes from the Apollo live performance:

41. Jimmy O Yang

Jimmy O Yang's emigrated from Shanghai, China, to Hong Kong. He learnt about stand-up comedy when his family moved to the US and decided to pursue it despite his parents' objections. The Economics graduate turned comedian speaks Shanghainese, Cantonese, and Mandarin Chinese. Here are some of Jimmy's jokes about his family and ethnicity:

42. Ronny Chieng

Ronny was born in Malaysia, grew up in Singapore, studied law in Australia, and began to pursue his passion in the US in 2009. The Chinese comedian performed with Trevor Noah in 2013 at a comedy festival in Melbourne, Australia. Here are his best jokes:

43. Chris Tucker

Chris' career began in local Atlanta comedy clubs. He later relocated to Los Angeles to advance it and made his TV debut on the HBO comedy series Def Comedy Jam. The stand-up performer frequently appeared on the show throughout the 1990s. Here are two of Tucker's unforgettable jokes:

44. Eddie Izzard

Izzard is genderfluid, meaning the celebrity calls is somewhat boyish and girlish. Pronouns "he" or" she" is suitable depending on whether the Yemen-born comedian is in boy mode or girl mode. Here are two famous lines from Eddie:

45. Patton Oswalt

Patton's stand-up comedy began in July 1988. He also wrote for MAD TV while starring in his own 1996 comedy special for HBO. In addition, the comedian's younger brother, Matt Oswalt, is a comedy writer. Below are some of Oswalt's thrilling jokes.

46. Nick Cannon

The teenage Nick did comedy on his father's local cable access program and release several tracks before hosting the Wild 'N Out comedy series on MTV improv in 2005 and 2016, TeenNick in 2010, and Caught on Camera with Nick Cannon on NBC in 2014.

The star featured on the Ellen DeGeneres Show severally. Since he carefully chooses his words before joking about anything, his jokes are ideal for anyone uncomfortable with curse words.

47. Amanda Seales

Her first stand-up comedy performance on TV was on HBO's I Be Knowin' special in January 2019. Amanda also participated in Bring the Funny contest in the same year. Before this, she had featured in several films, including a 1993 short movie called Cop and a Half and Nickelodeon's My Brother and Me in 1994. Two notable quotes from Amanda that come out comically are:

48. Woody Allen

The retired comedian's career spans more than six decades. Woody is also an actor, film director, and scriptwriter. He began writing jokes at age 15 and sent them to Broadway writers. They made Allen the NBC Writer's Development Program in 1955 and offered him a job at The NBC Comedy Hour in Los Angeles.

Afterwards, Allen received more well-paying jobs, including writing scripts for The Ed Sullivan Show and The Tonight Show. Some of his brilliant jokes are:

49. Tig Notaro

Tig is a radio host, actress, and comedian. She was a singer before trying out comedy in the 90s. She performed on Comedy Central Presents. The star also co-hosted the Professor Blastoff podcast between 2011 to 2015. HBO released her first stand-up one-hour special in 2015. Here are some of her jokes:

50. Jo Koy

Joseph Glenn Herbert Sr's jokes are mostly inspired by how his Filipino mother raised him and what he encounters while raising his kids. The comedian has featured in several Comedy Central and Netflix specials. He was also a regular panellist on E! 's late-night show called Chelsea Lately. Here is a taste of Jo Koy's humour:

Who are the best stand up comedians today in 2022?

If you have been wondering, "who is the number 1 comedian in the world?" You have no reason not to watch these best stand up comedians on Netflix specials and other platforms they are on from Facebook, YouTube, to Instagram:

Who is the richest comedian in the world in 2022?

Jerry Seinfeld is considered the richest comedian in the world, with a net worth of $950 million. He has starred in several shows, including Frankie on Benson and The Tonight Show.

Who is the no 1 comedian in India?

Kapil Sharma is India's funniest man. However, he is not known to the rest of the world as much as he should be because his jokes are primarily made for the Indian audience.

Who are the best female Jewish stand up comedians?

The top Jewish female comedians are:

What is the best advice for someone who wants to be a stand up comedian?

Anyone who wants to do comedy as a side hustle or full-time career can use these tips:

You can enjoy all the laughter from the best stand up comedians across the globe for the best stand up comedy. Always stay entertained!

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