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

Jim Carrey

James Eugene "Jim" Carrey is a Canadian and American actor, comedian, impressionist, screenwriter, and producer. He's 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 Carrey is the absolute best treasure for me. He is also the absolute best at roasting in Liar Liar, and it really cracks me up so much my stomach hurts from laughing.
I am a huge number one fan of Jim Carrey. He has the best sense of humor. Every time he gets an award, Jim Carrey comes up with hilarious speeches.

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.
Will Ferrell

John William "Will" Ferrell (born July 16, 1967) is an American actor, comedian, producer, and writer. He rose to fame as a cast member on NBC's Saturday Night Live in the mid-1990s and became known for his improvisational comedy and memorable characters. Since then, Ferrell has starred in hit comedies... read more

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. With the constant screaming, Will Ferrell is honestly the best actor of all time.

He's so damn talented! He can say the stupidest things with a straight face and make it look hilarious. All his characters are original and awesome. Ferrell could kick Adam Sandler's a any day.
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 helped lead a comedy renaissance in San Francisco. He passed away in August 2014 and is remembered for his improvisational genius, charity work, and heartfelt... read more

If you're a Disney fan, it would be Robin Williams on the job. Watch Aladdin for sure. Robin Williams plays the Genie, and it is really enjoyable.

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.
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. He gained fame through hit films such as Beverly Hills Cop, Coming to America, and The Nutty Professor, and has received numerous awards... read more

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

Adam Richard Sandler is an American actor, comedian, screenwriter, and film producer. He gained fame as a cast member on Saturday Night Live before transitioning to a successful film career. His movies have grossed over $2 billion at the box office worldwide, and he is known for hits like Billy Madison... read more

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. 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.
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 served as an occasional producer, writer, and director. He has... 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.
Bill Murray

William James "Bill" Murray is an American actor, comedian, and writer. He first gained national attention on Saturday Night Live, for which he won his first Emmy Award. He later starred in a series of successful comedies including Meatballs, Caddyshack, Stripes, Tootsie, Ghostbusters, Ghostbusters II... 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!
Charlie Chaplin

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

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, he was a great humanitarian and socialist. He is certainly one of the most recognizable icons of the 20th century all around the world.

Charlie Chaplin is the first, the last, the everything when it comes to modern comedy!
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 are not what they used to be. This guy was amazing from the start.

The Newcomers

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Jørgen Ryg
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Dirch Passer

The Contenders

Ben Stiller

Benjamin Edward Meara Stiller (born November 30, 1965) is an American actor, comedian, and filmmaker. Known for his blend of slapstick humor and sharp wit, Stiller rose to fame through comedies such as There's Something About Mary, Zoolander, and Tropic Thunder.... read more

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.
Steve Martin

Stephen Glenn "Steve" Martin is an American actor, comedian, writer, producer, playwright, author, and musician. He first gained public attention in the 1960s as a writer for "The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour" and later became a popular stand-up comic. Martin is also known for his roles in films such... read more

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.
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, and became widely known for his roles in comedy films like Airplane! and The Naked Gun... read more

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

Michael John "Mike" Myers (born May 25, 1963) is a Canadian actor, comedian, screenwriter, producer, and director who holds British and American citizenship in addition to his Canadian nationality. He is best known for his roles as Wayne Campbell in Wayne's World and as multiple characters in the Austin... read more

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

The Love Guru is great, and so is he!
Peter Sellers

Peter Sellers CBE (born Richard Henry Sellers. September 8, 1925 - July 24, 1980) was an English actor and comedian. He first rose to fame through the BBC Radio comedy series The Goon Show, appeared in numerous hit comedy recordings, and gained international recognition for his film work.... 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!
Chris Farley

Christopher Crosby Farley was an American actor and comedian, known for his loud, energetic comedic style.
He rose to prominence in the early 1990s as a cast member on Saturday Night Live from 1990 to 1995.
Farley also had a brief film career, starring in Tommy Boy, Black Sheep, Beverly... read more

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. I love his movies.

He is hilarious in everything he does!
Kevin Hart

Kevin Darnell Hart (born July 6, 1979, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) is an American actor, comedian, writer, and producer. He won several amateur stand-up comedy competitions across New England before landing his first television role in 2001 on Undeclared, cast by Judd Apatow. He has since released... 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.
Ryan Reynolds

Ryan Rodney Reynolds is a Canadian actor and producer. He played Michael Bergen on the ABC sitcom Two Guys and a Girl and Billy Simpson in the YTV teen series Hillside.
He also portrayed Hannibal King in Blade: Trinity, Wade Wilson in X-Men Origins: Wolverine, and the title role in Deadpool.... 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.
Chevy Chase

Cornelius Crane "Chevy" Chase (born October 8, 1943) is an American comedian, actor and writer. He became the breakout cast member in the first season of Saturday Night Live (1975-1976), where his recurring Weekend Update segment became a staple of the show. As both a performer and a writer on the series... read more

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. 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 to 1990, 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.
Jack Black

Thomas Jacob "Jack" Black is an American actor, singer, musician, and comedian. His acting career spans various genres, though he is best known for his roles in comedy films. Black is the lead vocalist of the comedic rock duo Tenacious D, which he formed in 1994 with friend Kyle Gass.... read more

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

Willard Carroll "Will" Smith, Jr. (born September 25, 1968) is an American actor, producer, and rapper.
He is best known for his acting career, including roles in the Men in Black franchise, The Pursuit of Happyness, I Am Legend, Hitch, Ali, and Bad Boys. He is widely regarded as one of the most... read more

Dude, Will is way funnier than the rest of them lot. He's richer for a reason. And that reason is, well, you know.

Simply one of the best. Can't have enough of him.
Neil Patrick Harris

Neil Patrick Harris is an American actor, writer, producer, comedian, magician, and singer. He is best known for his comedic television roles, including Barney Stinson in How I Met Your Mother, and for his stage performances in musicals such as Hedwig and the Angry Inch. Harris has also hosted several... read more
Graham Chapman

Graham Arthur Chapman was an English comedian, writer, and actor, best known as one of the six members of the surreal comedy group Monty Python. He played lead roles in Monty Python and the Holy Grail and Life of Brian. Chapman was also a qualified physician, although he never practiced medicine.

It's a shame he went so young. He showed real talent.
Woody Allen

Heywood "Woody" Allen (born Allan Stewart Konigsberg. November 30, 1935) is an American film director, writer, actor, and comedian whose career spans more than six decades and multiple Academy Award-winning films. He began his career writing material for television in the 1950s, primarily for Your Show... read more

He's usually the same guy when he does comedy. He is a great writer more than anything else. However, one of the funniest lines ever was written and delivered by Woody Allen: "I was nowhere near Cleveland!"
Mathew Perry