Top 10 Greatest Comedic Actors

Some people do drama, some excel at Shakespeare, some are most convincing when blowing things up in action movies, and some actors are at their best making people laugh. This list is for the men and women who do the very best at acting in comedy movies.
The Top Ten
1 Jim Carrey James Eugene "Jim" Carrey is a Canadian American actor, comedian, impressionist, screenwriter, and producer. He is well known for comedic roles in films such as Ace Ventura: Pet Detective, The Mask , Dumb and Dumber, Ace Ventura: When Nature Calls, The Cable Guy, Liar Liar, How the Grinch Stole Christmas,... read more

Jim is such a legend. I can't put my finger on what makes him so good. So good! He does every comedy element so well, so it's hard to put your finger on it. Maybe it's the facial expressions or the slapstick. Whatever it is, I admire him for it.

I also think it's much the improvisation because he does improv so much, and to see the other actors' and actresses' reactions to something they're not prepared for is so funny. Just his stage and screen presence is legendary.

One thing is sure. You will have tears in your eyes after watching Jim Carrey's movies. If you are watching his comedy movies, you will have tears from laughing. And if you are watching his dramatic movies, you will definitely have tears from watching his acting. A great actor, great human being who achieved his dream after a great struggle. I don't want to see him getting older! He is the greatest comedian and a great actor.

2 Will Ferrell John William "Will" Ferrell is an American actor, comedian, producer, and writer. He first established himself in the mid-1990s as a cast member on the NBC sketch comedy show Saturday Night Live.

From Anchorman and Step Brothers to even the children's film Megamind, Will Ferrell is the comedy genius. Every movie he has played in, I have laughed my ass off. Even with a small role in Wedding Crashers, he was funny as hell. Step Brothers was an absolute favorite of mine, for the fact that it was just random and hilarious. Anchorman is basically the best comedy movie of all time. Get Hard was absolutely beautiful. Elf is the gold mine of all Christmas films. Megamind even had my stomach hurting from laughter. And with the constant screaming, Will Ferrell is honestly the best actor of all time.

3 Eddie Murphy Edward Regan "Eddie" Murphy is an American comedian, actor, writer, singer, and producer. Murphy was a regular cast member on Saturday Night Live from 1980 to 1984.

I disagree with him being number 12. He should be in the top 3 for sure.

4 Bill Murray William James "Bill" Murray is an American actor, comedian, and writer. He first gained exposure on Saturday Night Live, for which he earned his first Emmy Award and later went on to star in comedy films, including Meatballs, Caddyshack, Stripes, Tootsie, Ghostbusters, Ghostbusters II, Scrooged, What... read more

He has more comedic range than the other guys on the list (except Steve Martin) or those who should be on this list (like Robin Williams). He can play the side-splittingly funny moron (Caddyshack, What About Bob?) or the class-clown (Stripes, Ghostbusters). He can be hilariously unlikable (Groundhog Day) and can totally inhabit other personas (Where the Buffalo Roam). He was great on SNL, doing signature characters and also filling in the blanks in skits. You watch Bill Murray, and you see comedy gold.

Bill Murray IS the best comedic actor ever. He doesn't take things too far or overdo them, he relies on dry humor alone without having to use gimmicks or anything else, and he's just hilarious!

5 Adam Sandler Adam Richard Sandler is an American actor, comedian, screenwriter, and film producer. After becoming a Saturday Night Live cast member, Sandler went on to star in many Hollywood feature films that combined have grossed over $2 billion at the box office.

No. He relies on gimmicks. I think anyone can make a joke in a stupid voice with potty humor to make teenagers laugh. I'm not saying I haven't had a chuckle or two from him, but I'm pretty sure I was drunk.

He's got great movies that make you smile and plenty of them, and he just generally makes me smile and laugh in a legit way, not make me feel uncomfortable while watching him.

I love Adam Sandler. I think his movies are better than Jim Carrey's and Ben Stiller's. I know most are a little slapstick, but they make me laugh and always make my day.

6 Robin Williams Robin McLaurin Williams was an American actor and comedian. Starting as a stand-up comedian in San Francisco and Los Angeles in the mid-1970s, he is credited with leading San Francisco's comedy renaissance. He died in 2014.

Watch him on the TV show - Inside the Actors Studio. One of the funniest ad-lib routines ever recorded. He was probably one of the funniest human beings ever. The other one is not even in the top 50 (and maybe not at all - at least I did not see him), and he puts everyone else on this list to shame (except maybe for Robin Williams) is Groucho Marx. Steve Carell should not even be on this list. He is probably the most UN-FUNNY human alive. I literally cringe whenever I see him because I cannot get rid of him fast enough.

7 Steve Carell Steven John Carell (born August 16, 1962) is an American actor and comedian. He played Michael Scott in The Office (2005–2011; 2013), NBC’s adaptation of the British series created by Stephen Merchant and Ricky Gervais, where Carell also worked as an occasional producer, writer and director. Carell... read more

When it comes to being fun and looking casual doing it, there is no better man than Steve Carell. He has brought so much to the comedy industry, and his movies have been absolutely hilarious.

He always adds a very subtle and moving seriousness to incredibly virtuoso playful comic acting. A very legitimate member of this list of giants.

Unlike most of today's comedic actors (*cough* Seth Rogan *cough*), Steve Carell knows it isn't funny to say the word "f**k" every other time.

8 Ben Stiller Benjamin Edward Meara "Ben" Stiller is an American actor, comedian, and filmmaker. He is well known for his roles in various comedies including There's Something About Mary, Zoolander, DodgeBall: A True Underdog Story, and Tropic Thunder.

He is a very good "straight man". He is good when other actors play off of him.

He's a great comic! Big cheers for him!

Hands down, Ben Stiller is the best.

9 Charlie Chaplin Sir Charles Spencer "Charlie" Chaplin, KBE (16 April 1889 – 25 December 1977) was an English comic actor, filmmaker, and composer who rose to fame in the silent era. He is considered one of the most important figures in the history of the film industry.

I can't believe he has not been already mentioned. He was a real genius. He directed, acted, wrote the scripts, wrote the music, and more for most of his films. Movies like 'Modern Times', 'City Lights', 'The Gold Rush', 'The Great Dictator' (not many dared to make fun of Hitler at the time) and many more are timeless classics, influential to most comedies that came after. One of the first to become independent in Hollywood, a great humanitarian and socialist, and he is certainly one of the most recognisable icons of the 20th century all around the world.

10 Rowan Atkinson Rowan Sebastian Atkinson, is an English actor, comedian, and screenwriter best known for his work on the sitcoms Blackadder and Mr. Bean.

He can contort his face as well as Jim Carrey, can handle slapstick as well as John Cleese, and knows how to deliver a funny line. He can make himself look scared, sly, haughty, or whatever the occasion demands. As a history buff, I love the Black Adder series.

He has the best facial expression for comedy. Nobody in this list can do comedy (without uttering a word) as he did in Mr. Bean. British humor at its best.

I think Rowan Atkinson is the best comedy actor in the world. He has the ability to give pleasure to all kinds of people.

The Contenders
11 John Cleese John Marwood Cleese is an English actor, voice actor, comedian, screenwriter, and producer. He achieved success at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe and as a scriptwriter and performer on The Frost Report.

This man, along with the other Monty Pythons, are the only comedians that will be remembered in 50+ years' time. Cleese's effort to desensitize the public with 'black humor' and self-critique is by far and away the most revolutionary facet we will see in years.

John Cleese never fails to make me laugh, especially in Fawlty Towers and Monty Python! Great actor.

Jim Carrey and Adam Sandler suck now, this guy was amazing from the start.

12 Steve Martin Stephen Glenn "Steve" Martin is an American actor, comedian, writer, producer, playwright, author, and musician. Martin came to public notice in the 1960s as a writer for The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour, and later as a frequent guest on The Tonight Show.

No one holds a candle to Steve Martin, certainly not Jim Carrey. So many comedic actors go overboard past the point of being funny. Steve has genuine talent. He stays in character during comedic trysts. Back in a time when less was more.

Pioneer of classic comedy and transitioned to a great actor. Longevity should count for something.

13 Leslie Nielsen Leslie William Nielsen OC was a Canadian actor, comedian, and producer. He appeared in more than 100 films and 150 television programs, portraying more than 220 characters. Nielsen was born in Regina, Saskatchewan.

Just watch Airplane! and The Naked Gun, and you'll see what I mean.

14 Chevy Chase

Why is Chevy Chase so low on the list? Most comedic actors are lucky if they have one film that stands out, but Chase has at least five classic comedic films that will go down in history. He is underrated for a number of reasons: the first being that he is considered by many to be a jerk, and while he shouldn't be a jerk, that doesn't take away from his comedic talent. The second reason is that after the 90s, the quality of his films went down. However, from 1975-90, he was considered by many to be the definition of cool and was one of the most iconic comedic actors out there.

Should those bad films destroy at least 15 years of quality entertainment? No! Should Chase be number 1? No! There are a few comedic actors who should be ahead of him, but he should definitely be in the top 10. He has had the most successful career of any of the original SNL cast members and one of the most successful post-SNL careers in the history of SNL. Despite his faults, he was a quality entertainer, and I have always enjoyed his films.

15 Peter Sellers Peter Sellers CBE (born Richard Henry Sellers; 8 September 1925 - 24 July 1980) was an English actor and comedian. He first came to prominence performing in the BBC Radio comedy series The Goon Show, featured on a number of hit comic songs and became known to a worldwide audience through his many film... read more

There is no comparison. Peter Sellers is the greatest of all time, save for maybe Charlie Chaplin. His performances in Dr. Strangelove alone are enough to top this list. Many of the people on here are very funny. Even gifted. Sellers, however, possessed a singular genius. Unparalleled. Adam Sandler?! Come on...

Peter Sellers was, without any doubt, the greatest comedy actor ever. He was also a brilliantly versatile actor who could have played any role. To have him at number 38 in this list is an insult! Jim Carrey is not fit to be mentioned in the same breath!

16 Mike Myers Michael John "Mike" Myers is a Canadian actor, comedian, screenwriter, director, and film producer, who also holds British and American citizenship.

Austin Powers, Wayne's World. Has the world forgotten this great comedic genius?!?!

Austin Powers wasn't a hippie, he was a Mod/swinger. Big difference.

The Love Guru is great, and so is he!

17 Chris Farley Christopher Crosby Farley was an American actor and comedian. Farley was known for his loud, energetic comedic style.

This guy's life was like a firecracker compared to a candle. The other comedians on here have led fairly long, bright lives, while his was a short, lively explosion that ended too soon. He was able to make an entire audience laugh without even telling a joke. Something not many people can do. I miss him and wish he was still around, but damn, did he leave behind a legacy.

So much energy and hilarious. Love his movies.

He is hilarious in everything he does!

18 Kevin Hart Kevin Darnell Hart is an American actor, comedian, writer, and producer. Born and raised in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Hart began his career by winning several amateur comedy competitions at clubs throughout New England, culminating in his first real break in 2000 when he was cast by Judd Apatow for... read more

I always have a laugh with Kevin. I couldn't stop laughing in Jumanji: The Next Level.

This guy is HILARIOUS. In lots of funny movies, maybe a little crude, but very funny.

19 Ryan Reynolds Ryan Rodney Reynolds is a Canadian actor and producer. He portrayed Michael Bergen on the ABC sitcom Two Guys and a Girl, Billy Simpson in the YTV Canadian teen soap opera Hillside, as well as Marvel Comics characters Hannibal King in Blade: Trinity, Wade Wilson / Weapon XI in X-Men Origins: Wolverine,... read more

His performance as Deadpool was stunning and funny as hell. He has to be on the list!

Deadpool and The Adam Project are so hilarious.

20 Jack Black Thomas Jacob "Jack" Black is an American actor, singer, musician and comedian. His acting career has been extensive, starring primarily in comedy films. Black is the lead vocalist of the comedic rock group Tenacious D, which he formed in 1994 with friend Kyle Gass. They have released the albums Tenacious... read more

This guy is the best in Brutal Legend, hands down.

21 Graham Chapman Graham Arthur Chapman was an English comedian, writer, actor, and one of the six members of the surreal comedy group Monty Python.

Shame he went so young. He showed real talent.

22 Vince Vaughn Vincent Anthony "Vince" Vaughn is an American actor, producer, screenwriter, and comedian. Vaughn began acting in the late 1980s, appearing in minor television roles before attaining wider recognition with the 1996 comedy-drama film Swingers.

His rants are second to none. I will see any movie with him in it. Plus, he loves the Fighting Irish!

23 Neil Patrick Harris Neil Patrick Harris is an American actor, writer, producer, comedian, magician, and singer. He is known primarily for his comedy roles on television and his dramatic and musical stage roles.
24 Zero Mostel
25 Jason Segel Jason Jordan Segel is an American actor, comedian, screenwriter, and producer. He is known for his role as Marshall Eriksen in the CBS sitcom How I Met Your Mother, as well as for his work with producer Judd Apatow on the television series Freaks and Geeks and Undeclared, and for the critically and... read more

Probably has the funniest role in How I Met Your Mother, in my opinion.

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