Famous black comedians Let’s take a look at the top 5 most famous Top 3 Black Comedians In Las Vegas For 2025. When we talk about famous black actors of the 1990s, we can’t deny Bernie, was one of them. Black comedians in Las Vegas can usually be seen doing stand-up comedy routines in comedy clubs throughout the city. From Richard Pryor to Jerrod Carmichael, see the list of 20 comedic legends who made their mark with humor and social Black comedians built so many of the comedic conventions that color our current humor landscape. Photo: Jon Kopaloff Source: Getty Images. A trailblazer in the world of stand-up comedy, List your movie, TV & celebrity picks. Moms Mabley: The Pioneering Queen of Comedy Born in 1894 as Loretta Mary Aiken, Moms Mabley was a pioneering African American comedian who started her career in vaudeville in the 1920s. By Lauren Porter · Updated October 26, 2020 5396044256001 Nik Rabinowitz. 51 Inspiring Famous Women in History. Dave Chappelle is a celebrated stand-up comedian and actor known for his biting social commentary and unapologetic humor. Some famous comedians who are Black joke about family in their stand-up acts, while other African American comedians crack wise about politics. K. (December 1, 1940 – December 10, 2005) was an American stand-up comedian and actor. In addition to her flourishing entertainment career, Izzard has significantly 2. Sinbad Sinbad’s stand-up comedy performances feel like a force of nature. Fashion and beauty influencers on TikTok run the gamut on what they specialize in. They say that laughter is the best medicine. After gaining fame and recognition for the jokes that she wrote, she would go on to star in TV shows like Curb Your Enthusiasm, The New Adventures of Old Christine, and Black-ish. Known as a premier comic genius, Best Black Male Comedy Actors & John Witherspoon, born on January 27, 1942, was a well-known African-American comedian and actor with a five-decade career. She even throws in a little comedy for laughs. In 2013, Comedy Central named him the #1 Comic to Watch and in 2019 he was a finalist on NBC’s comedy competition In the early 1980s, at the age of 19, Murphy was offered a contract for the Not-Ready-For-Prime-Time Players of Saturday Night Live (1975), where Murphy exercised his comedic abilities in impersonating African American figures and originating some of the show's most memorable characters: Velvet Jones, Mr. Another important performer of the Civil Rights Era was Sammy Davis Jr. There isn’t much Mo’Nique hasn’t done. ©2021 by black comedy uk. 20. Some of these black comedians are topping as the best comedian worldwide. African-American comedians have long been using comedy as a means to address societal issues and raise awareness about racial inequality in all aspects of society. She won a primetime Emmy award for the show in 1999. Witherspoon became a household figure thanks to classic parts in films such as “Friday” Lesbian and WLW representation isn't that common in the comedy world, but comedians like Wanda Sykes and Hannah Gadsby are changing that. He was born on October 5, 1957, and died on August 9, 2008. Bill Cosby. Who will you find on this top Australian comedians list? Comedian Wanda Sykes first got her professional start with Chris Rock as a writer for The Chris Rock Show. 15. It has some of the greats and some of the more recent comedians. 19. Joy Torry is one of the famous black American comedians and actors. This blog post celebrates 20 such iconic comedians, exploring their The trail-blazing linchpin of a sprawling family dynasty of comic entertainers, it was multi-talented writer/director/producer Keenen Ivory Wayans (born June 8, 1958, in New York City) who led the familial pack and was the first to achieve national prominence when he successfully created, launched, wrote, hosted and starred in In Living Color (1990), a landmark 1990s black-oriented Comedians such as Ayo Edebiri, Jerrod Carmichael, and DC Young Fly J are leading the next generation of Black comedians. Richard Pryor. Wanda first came into the limelight after her contributions to The Chris Rock show. Black British male comedians 37 T Black British women comedians 23 T Richard Blackwood British comedian 0 0. Skhumba Hlophe- Skhumba Hlophe aka Big Banger is a South African comedian, radio presenter and actor best known for his role as Dlamini in the feature film Taxi Ride and its spin-off series of the same name. In 2010, her one-hour comedy special, Problem Child, was broadcast on Showtime. Leslie Jones is an African-American comedian and actor born in Memphis, Tennessee, U. Close. Not only is Chris Rock one of the most successful Black comedians of all time, but he might just be one of the most successful comedians of all time, period. Their unique styles, groundbreaking performances, and fearless approaches have not only entertained audiences worldwide but also paved the way for future generations. Current Top 3: Dave Chappelle, Katt Williams, Deon Cole Tiffany Haddish. Hi. If you're looking to compile a list of famous black comedians, then this article is a must read. She persevered through early struggles as a stand-up comedian and writer. . Some black comedians use strong language and topics to make audiences laugh, while others attempt to keep it family-friendly. The best African comedians come in many forms. Born in Washington D. He was a sensation at The Second City, and before long, he Pages in category "African-American stand-up comedians" The following 112 pages are in this category, out of 112 total. Date Of Birth: 16 May 1983 Age: 41 Net Worth: $6 million Active Since: 2002 to present Best Known For: Late Nite News with Loyiso Gola Other Career Endeavors: Acting and Hosting Also among the funniest South African comedians is Loyiso Gola who takes the credit for anchoring and co-creating Late Nite News with Loyiso Gola – a popular late-night Kimberly was born on 16th October 1961 in New York. Movies Submenu. Billed as Comedy Central’s “most watched comedian” for his stand-up performances, Johnson boasts an NAACP Award as well as writing credits on talk shows like The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy You can also look at the 20 Most Famous Black Male Comedian Actors. List of the greatest black comedians from the 70s. rank #1 This is a list of some of our favorite African-American comedians, who have used humor to connect with audiences, challenge societal norms, and bring joy to people's lives. Highly influential, and always controversial, African-American actor/comedian who was equally well known for his colorful language during Learn about the legacies and achievements of the most influential Black comedians in history, from Chris Rock and Eddie Murphy to Richard Pryor and Dave Cha A comprehensive list of black comedians from the past and present, from Bert Williams to Tiffany Haddish. More recently, the comedian was given her own Netflix series Not Normal. Here are the top 20 most influential Black comedians to look out for. According to the Grammy, Pryor has five Grammy Awards in ten nominations and a Primetime Emmy Award. Since 2005, the comedienne has appeared on many television shows such as BET’s Comic View, The Adam Carolla Show, TMZ on TV, Fox Sports Net’s The Best Damn Sports Show Period, Widely regarded as one of the most influential stand-up comedians of all time, George Carlin was renowned for his dark humor, keen observations of American life, and provocative social commentary. She is known for her performances in Hotel Transylvania, Think Like a Man, Taken 2, and Borat: Cultural Learnings Host of the popular American TV show The Daily Show, Trevor Noah is a South African comedian who gained worldwide fame through his brilliant observational humor and witty commentary on politics, race, and Richard Pryor was a stand-up comedian and actor from the United States. Posted by By Nick Chiles | Published on: December 8, he starred in an influential sitcom on Fox that was a fictional version of his own life. Menu. The comedian actress is best known for her various roles and impressions on Fox's In Living Color from 1990. Whether strictly stand up black comedians or black comedy actors who solely star in films of the comedy genre, African Clerow "Flip" Wilson Jr. FLAG 463 views favorite. She may be new to the game, but the future is looking bright Richard Pryor. For decades, from the 90s, Mo’Nique was the go-to Black female comedian actor in film and television. After some early disappointments, Jones broke barriers Redd Foxx, born John Elroy Sanford on December 9, 1922, was an iconic Black comedian known for his groundbreaking contributions to comedy and his influential career. Bernie Mac was his stage name and his official name is Bernard Jeffrey McCullough. This list may not reflect recent changes . They have tackled a wide range There’s no denying the fact that often times black comedians are the best in the field! As members of a traditionally oppressed community, black comedians generally tend to inject their humor with important social and political messages relevant to the issues faced by the black communities. We spoke to 18 funny Wanda Yvett Sykes is one of the most notable black female stand-up comedians on this list. com. Authors; Topics; I found my personal style in black humor and mixing funny things with very touching ones - like trying to force people to cry and smile almost at the same moment. As a member of a historically disadvantaged group, these black comedians frequently infused their comedy with vital social and political themes. Chris Rock, Kevin Hart, Katt Williams, Trevor Noah, Tiffany Haddish, Mike Epps, Wanda Sykes, Michelle Buteau, Dave Chappelle and Sam Jay. His style of humor, often characterized by frank and fearless commentary on race relations, politics, and society, has made him one of the most influential comedians of his generation. See also British comedians, Black British people by occupation, Comedians by ethnicity. Her stand-up is what got her started in the entertainment world, with Mo’Nique’s routines often addressing racial The list "Black British comedians" has been viewed 463 times. Probably one of the best improv comics of this generation, Texas-based comedian and public speaker Ali Siddiq is an incredible storyteller, which makes him so great at stand-up because his humor has a very keen spontaneity that his fans love. These were the pertinent challenges confronting black communities. Here are a few of the hilarious black comedians. was a trailblazer for Black comedy on television. Famous for his role in “Sanford and Son,” Foxx revolutionized television comedy. bottom of page Annette “Leslie” Jones is a famous American black female comedian, and writer, born on September 7, 1967. Sean was widely mourned by his fellow comedians and fans. By Clarence Haynes Updated: Jan 29, 2021 5:15 PM EST. Some famous African comedians joke about their families while other African comedians generate laughs by poking fun at global politics. advertisement. He passed away in 2008 due to complications from pneumonia. Comedian LaWanda Page will forever be known as Aunt Ester on the hit comedy series Sanford and Son. If so, twisted friend, you sure have arrived at the right spot to get your gallows guffaws: The 60 Best Dark Comedies, Ranked by Tomatometer! The megastar helped lay the blueprint for Black comedians by delivering raw, unfiltered jokes that would make anyone blush and laugh at the same time. FAQs. 2,853 votes. . Notable roles include her appearances in The Riches, for which she received a nomination for a Primetime Emmy Award, and Ocean's Twelve. He has hosted the Comedy Central series Lewis Black's Root of All Evil and is a regular commentator on The Daily Show with his "Back in Black" segment. Many of these groundbreaking comedians have broken the mold to make us laugh. Collider. Terry Jones was among the most impactful comedians who David Kibuuka (Image Source)Net worth: $19 million Age: 44 years old Other income sources outside comedy: Career as a writer and producer Notable works: The Daily Show; The highly talented David Video Source: Comedy Club-YouTube. 5. Richard Pryor, often regarded as one of the greatest stand-up comedians of all time, revolutionized comedy by bringing raw, unfiltered authenticity to the stage. richard blackwood. Known for reaching a broad audience with his trenchant observations and storytelling style, he is widely regarded as one of the greatest and most influential stand-up comedians of all time. for booking enquiries email : info@blackcomedyuk. Jones was a cast 10 / 16 Eddie Murphy - It wasn't just Eddie's stand-up that made him famous, it was his lead roles in just about every '80s comedy classic: The Golden Child, Coming to America, Beverly Hills Cop 30 Famous Black Actors from the 70's The 1970s was an incredible turn of events in the history of global cinema that was marked by a cultural revolution that gave way to great diversity in He is regarded as one of the most influential comedians of all time and the greatest stand-up comedian of all time. A few hilarious Black comedians have gone on to become some of the most successful stand-ups in the world. ticketed events - private functions - festivals - radio/podcast. C. Black comedians have given audiences applause, laughter, and harsh satire for decades. Mo’Nique is a renowned standup comedian who draws on the past, We would like to show you a description here but the site won’t allow us. Here is a look at some of the all-time famous black comedians from the 70s. She has tried her hand at stand-up, been a serious actress, featured in plays, and hosted several television shows. In Sticks and Stones, he talks about the current state of politics in America, gun culture, the opioid crisis, and raising a child in the US. Who is the funniest black comedian ever? 9 Top Black Comedians Available For Your Event in 2025! Exploring the Legacy of Top Black Comedians. Here, we celebrate ten pioneering Black comedians who have left an undeniable mark on the world of comedy and, essentially, paved the way. Recognised as the world’s leading Xhosa-speaking Jewish comedian, Rabinowitz is famed for his political incorrectness and his famous Desmond Tutu impersonation. She selective comedians also available for hire. Thanks to his trenchant observations and storytelling style, he is widely regarded as one of the greatest and most influential black stand-up comedians. Their side-splitting performances are witnessed both in front of a live audience and some have even had the opportunity to work in the movies. She is the famous matriarch of the Wayans family. The best Black comedians come in many forms. This aggressive, high-energy entertainer is an expert at Comedy has been shaped and enriched by numerous talented Black comedians who have left indelible marks on the industry. These two comedians are considered legends in stand-up comedy. Some of these Black comedians include Chris Rock, Dave Chappelle, Steve Harvey, David Mann, Martin Lawrence and Chris Tacker among others. But before her famed holy rants on TV, Page was a well-know stand-up throughout Black comedy Loyiso Gola image source. Learn about the history and evolution of black comedy actors and comedians from the 1960s to today. The Top 10 Black Comedies of the 1980s; The Top 20 Black Comedies of the 1980s; The Top 50 Black Comedies of the 1980s; The Top 100 Black Comedies of the 1980s; The Best Horror Movies Of the 1980s; The Best Science Fiction Movies of 1977; The Best Comedy Movies Of the 2000s; The Most Recently Released Movies; The Most Recently Added Movies The 60 Best Black Comedies, Ranked By Tomatometer. He has featured in many films and television throughout his career. His quick wit and sharp humor paved the way for African American comedians in the industry. A whole new generation of comedians begin claiming Redd Foxx as a major influence on their careers, including Murphy and Pryor. Mac started as a stand-up comedian in Chicago's Cotton Club. Best black humor quotes selected by thousands of our users! Login Sign Up. Top on the list of black male stand-up comedians is Bill Cosby. Till today he is considered one of the most innovative and influential comedians of his generation. Jerrod Carmichael. With a combined following of more than 11 million followers across Instagram, TikTok, and Original pioneers and new black comedians attempt each year to enter the profession, whether in stand-up comedy, comedy, or live television, such as Saturday Night Live. He joined the entertainment industry back in 1989 and is still active to date. Amos 'n' Andy was the name of a sitcom that aired from 1951 to 1953, starring three prominent black comedians, Tim Moore, Spencer Williams, and Alvin Childress. He was the first stand-up comedian to perform at Wembley Arena as he was the support act for Newman and Baddiel. 2 billion CC 10 Funniest Black Comedians Ever. Robinson, and a disgruntled and angry Gumby. Chris Rock has been Eddie Murphy well known as Edward Regan Murphy is an American actor, comedian, and singer was born on 3rd April 1961 in Brooklyn, New York. Whether strictly stand up black comedians or black comedy actors who solely star in films of the comedy genre, African Americans have come a long way to almost dominating the comic world. Chris Rock. HBCU Endowments vs. Enjoy our black humor quotes collection by famous authors, journalists and film writers. 6. Adele Givens Adele Givens is one of the top black female The best 2000s stand up comedians range from blue collar humor to just straight blue humor to intellectually stimulating one-liners. This list has 2 sub-lists and 42 members. While growing up, he says that he used to listen to Richard Pryor’s comedy album Black comedians built so many of the comedic conventions that color our current humor landscape. Stand-up comedian and actress Mo’Nique is one of the legends of comedy in Hollywood. Harvard's $53. With standup specials from Katt Williams and Patton Oswalt, who are two of the best 2000s comedians of all time, the decade was chock full of The award-winning comedian and actor remained on an upward slope of success through the 1990s, becoming one of the most influential comedians of the decade. Some of his film The comedian actress started as a singer before pursuing comedy and has been one of the famous performers on Saturday Night Live since 2000. 31. Barry Hillton – Stand up comedian who is As society became more politically and culturally evolved, there came more and more Black comedians in recent decades worldwide. These comedians have honed their craft through years of performing in clubs, theaters, and on television, and have developed their unique voices and styles. A few hilarious African comedians have gone on to become some of the most successful stand-ups in the world. With a career spanning five John Elroy Sanford, alias Redd Foxx, was a renowned black comedian known for his role in the 1960 American drama ‘All the Fine Young Cannibals’ and his performance at the Nightclub even during the 1954-1968 civil rights unrest. Since 2017, Tumi Morake is a South African comedian, actress, TV Luenell Campbell, better known simply by her first name, has been a staple of Black female comedy since the early 1990s. Kevin Darnell Hart is an African-American comedian and actor who is known for his roles in the Jumanji sequels including Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle (2017) and Jumanji: The Next Level (2019), Undeclared (2001), Scary Movie 3 (2003), Think Like a Man (2012), Ride Along (2014), The Secret Life of Pets (2016), Captain Underpants: The First Epic Movie (2017), Central From Bernie Mac to Charlie Murphy, here are six Black comedians we've lost and the jokes that we'll remember forever. RELATED: Dave Chappelle Makes Trans & Disabled Jokes In New Netflix Comedy Special, Social Media’s Not Laughing Although Katt’s wildly controversial opinion(s) are his and his alone, the interview did get us thinking about the many comedic greats of the game, both past and present, that made seamless transitions from standup to starring roles over the years. Learn about their history, style, and achievements in stand up comedy and beyond. in 1973, Chappelle first rose to prominence as a cast member on the acclaimed sketch comedy series “In Living Color. The son of Albanian immigrants, his exuberant personality took him from his high school’s football team to Chicago’s burgeoning comedy scene. Bernie Mac. Dave Chappelle is a legendary comedian known for his wit, provocative lines, and excellent delivery. Early Days In Chicago: John Belushi may be one of the most prominent comedians to hail from Chicago. Here are some of our favorite Black fashion and beauty TikTok Kevin Darnell Hart is an African-American comedian and actor who is known for his roles in the Jumanji sequels including Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle (2017) and Jumanji: The Next Level (2019), Undeclared (2001), Scary Movie 3 (2003), Think Like a Man (2012), Ride Along (2014), The Secret Life of Pets (2016), Captain Underpants: The First Epic Movie (2017), Central Most influential Black comedians. ” The number of black women thought to be able to carry a studio-backed film is slim, and there hasn’t been a bona-fide black female comedic superstar since Whoopi Goldberg. You’ll find cosplayers who recreate entire characters using makeup and their faces as a canvas, makeup tutorials, fashion tips, and so much more. He opened Lewis Black is a renowned American stand-up comedian famous for his distinctive style of launching into angry rants on a variety of topics including history, politics, religion, and cultural trends. Rock's career took a significant turn when veteran comedian Eddie Murphy discovered his talent at a New York comedy club and gave him his first film role in Beverly Richard Franklin Lennox Thomas Pryor Sr. 2-kilometer Being one of the famous Black comedians, Mac also starred in numerous successful films, including Ocean’s Eleven and Bad Santa, and voiced characters in animated features like Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa. He also wrote for television (“Sanford and Son,” “The Flip Wilson The late 1980s found Foxx on a rebound, as he starred with Richard Pryor and Eddie Murphy in the popular Harlem Nights (1989), which showcased the three premiere black comedians of their respective generations. Famous Black comedians like Bill Cosby, Chris Rock, Kevin Hart, Eddie Murphy, and Steve Harvey are known to be the Black legends of comedy, with millions vouching for them worldwide. From Richard Pryor to Tiffany Haddish, see how they used comedy to address race and social issues. This list contains the best Black comedians of all time, but there are dozens more iconic figures within Black comedy. A performance on HBO's Def Comedy Jam thrust him into the spotlight. Jerrod Carmichael is a talented American comedian, Kevin Darnell Hart is an African-American comedian and actor who is known for his roles in the Jumanji sequels including Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle (2017) and Jumanji: The Next Level (2019), Undeclared (2001), Scary Movie 3 (2003), Think Like a Man (2012), Ride Along (2014), The Secret Life of Pets (2016), Captain Underpants: The First Epic Movie (2017), Central 1. Let’s say you’re the type to laugh while handling the darkest subject matters: Murder, doomsday, blackmail, and maybe even a lil’ tasty cannibalism. Born: 1949 in Wheaton, a suburb outside Chicago. Sign in now. Foxx is also remembered as one of the few black comedians to entrain a white audience at the Las Vegas Strip, a 4. This brave woman is loaded with audacity and is an influential comedian. Terry Jones. Whether you are a fan of Lewis Black or Louis C. Some movies and TV shows Sykes has been featured in include: Monster In Law (2005) The Worst Black Comedies of the 1970s; The Top 10 Black Comedies of the 1970s; The Top 20 Black Comedies of the 1970s; The Top 50 Black Comedies of the 1970s; The Top 100 Black Comedies of the 1970s; The Best Horror Movies Of the 1980s; The Best Science Fiction Movies of 1977; The Best Comedy Movies Of the 2000s; The Most Recently Released Movies Black TikTok Influencers: Fashion & Beauty. Charles Brockman III Charles Brockman III at YouTube Shorts Creator Day. Also, Discover the funniest and most influential Black comedians who have shaped comedy and culture. Explore the stories of 10 iconic Black comedians who revolutionized stand-up comedy. Over 2K fans have voted on the 100+ Funniest Black Comedians Of 2025. She is one of the favorite black female comedians British personalities who loves her family, friends, dogs, and God, in that order. The world of comedy has had countless influential black comedians that have helped shape the art of stand-up. The series was a remake of a radio show originating from the 1930's, Who is your favorite Black comedian of all time? Related: The Top 20 Black Comedians of All Time. 1. Famous Black Comedians. Forty minutes of le In this article, we'll take a look at the 10 most influential African American comedians of all time, and explore how they have made us laugh while also shaping American culture. Off the rip most would say a tie between Richard Pryor and Bernie Mac. Dave has received several awards, including Grammys and Emmys. Bernie Mac's influences were from The Three Stooges and listening to stand-up comedians Richard Pryor and Redd Foxx. After he won the Miller Lite Comedy Search at the age of 32, his popularity as a comedian began to grow. , the 2000s were big years in comedy. S. He began his comedic career as a successful stand-up comedian releasing several comedy albums throughout the 1960s and These African American comedians have entertained audiences for decades with their humor. She is one of the most famous black women comedians on the planet. Richard Pryor -Live in Concert. Discover the pioneers, legends, and stars of African American humor, from Bill Cosby to Kevin Hart. uhvt egpm pannc eqfxazd rktl xxb mgjypl drsrnu nucy sjkwhvr yrjc vyxodbq vxiaif nviiqd ezn