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.
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, and Bruce Almighty. He is also acclaimed for his serious roles in The Truman Show, Man of the Moon, and Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. He has been nominated for five Golden Globe Awards for Best Actor - Motion Picture Musical or Comedy for The Mask, Liar Liar, Man on the Moon (for which he won), How the Grinch Stole Christmas, and Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. In 1999, he won ...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 much and to see the other actors'/actresses' reactions to something they're not prepared for. It's 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 by laughing... And if you are watching his dramatic movies, you will definitely have tears by watching his acting.
A great actor, great human being who achieved his dream after great struggle... I don't want him to see getting older! He is the greatest comedian and great actor.
No other actor can replace Jim Carrey. After the legendary Robin Williams, it's Jim Carrey for sure, the versatility, effortlessness, voice modulation, classic movies, performances, body language, charisma, energy, screen presence, everything! Whether he has some issues in his personal life or what not, he's still a legend.
A funniest guy I must say he should be number one in spite of Ben Stiller, I do admire Ben Stiller as well but I think Jim has a lot of credit to his acting making funny faces along with words it makes one crazy laughing so much to the scenes. Liar Liar movie should be the example.
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. To Anchorman, Step Brothers, and evenjoy 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 hell. Step Brothers was an absolute favorite of mine, for the fact that it was just random and halarious. 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 stumach hurting from laughter. And with the constant screaming, Will Ferrell is honeslty 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. Ferrel can kick Adam Sandler's ass any day.
Will Ferrell is like the Chuck Norris of comedies! he's never done anything that hasnt been just flat out hilarious! Old School, Talladega Nights, Blades of Glory, Step Brothers, etc... and he has the best quotes of all time!
Anchorman, Talledega nights, step brothers, daddy's home, Anchorman two, blades of glory and even elf. He played some of the most memorable and entertaining characters in movies
- Ron Burgundy
-Buddy the elf
-Ricky Bobby
-Chaz Michael Michaels
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 About Bob? 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 to far or overdue them, he relies on dry humor alone without having to use gimmicks or anything else, and he's just hilarious!
I can't think of a movie where I was disappointed with his performance. Even arguably the worst movie of his career (Garfield) has a hilarious backstory as to why to took the role
He is Bill Murray. Enough said. I doesn't even try to be the best, he's too lazy, but still always on the top.
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 T.V. 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.
His films=instant joy. Period. His passing was a disgrace not just for the filmaking industry/world but for the human race. Something really special was forever lost on 2014. It showed us that even the most noble and brilliant lights of this world can be shut down because of mental illness, people may forget but I don't. RIP legend.
He's on another level to anyone I've ever seen in the way he seems to free roam his comedy on live T.V. and takes the show. His energy is so high people struggle to keep up with him. Such a loveable guy as well. He is very unique and is the funniest actor of all time.
How in the world is he not higher on the list!?!?!
He should easily be number 2 if not better then Jim Carrey!
Between his appearences in Ms. Doubtfire, good will hunting, Aladdin and good morning Vietnam, he's possibly the greatest comedian/actor of all time!
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.
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 has received numerous accolades for his performances in both film and television, including the Golden Globe Award for Best Actor – Television Series Musical or Comedy for his work on The Office. He was recognized as "America's Funniest Man" by Life magazine. ...read more. When it comes to being fun and look casual doing it there is no better man than Steve Carell. He has brought up 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.
I love him he's such a happy dude, nice dude, and his personality is awesome. He is so silly in mostly everything he acts in its hilarious
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. I love Adam Sandler. I think his movies are better than Jim Carrey's and Ben Stiller's.
I know most are little slap stick, but the make me laugh and always make my day
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 lagh in a legit way not make me feel uncomfortable while watching him.
Worst. Actor. Ever. It's a shame that there are people who can watch his movies...
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.
Charlie Chaplin is the first, the last, the everything when it comes to modern Comedy!
He is the most comic actor, I have seen. He, not only made us laugh, but also cry.
He is the best comodian actor he will not speak but we will laugh so much due to his movement.
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.
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. No body 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 ability to give pleasure to all kinds of people.
How is Rowan Atkinson all the way down in 29 he is the best comedy actor of all time. The way he acts is so funny.
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 desensitise the public with 'black humour' 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 Faulty Towers and Monty Python! Great actor.
Jim Carrey and Adam Sandler suck now, this guy was amazing from the start.
Why is Cleese below Adam Sandler?
John Ritter should also be up here if he is on the list
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 great actor. Longevity should count for something.
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.
Why is Chevy Chase so low? Most comedic actors are lucky if they have one film that stands out but Chase has at least 5 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 his comedic talent, reason number two is that after the 90's 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 origional 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 ...more
Caddyshack, National Lampoons Vacation, come on guys he should be in the top 10!
His role in community pushes him way higher.
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 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 Carey is not fit to be mentioned in the same breath!
The Pink Panther, Dr Strangelove, The Mouse that Roared. The Ladykillers, Kind Hearts and Coronets, Heavens Above. Please miss that he ws a fine actor who could take on different roles with perfect accents and not just play himself.
No question he was the best. I've seen his Pink Panther movies dozens of times and laugh till I get short of breath. His French accents alone are worth the price of admission.
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 comedian genius?!?!
Austin powers wasn't a hippie, he was a Mod/swinger. Big difference.
The Love Guru is great and so is he!
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 shortly. 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!
The best actor Ever
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 a recurring role on the TV series Undeclared. 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
This. Guy needs to be 2
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.
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. Deserve to be on top5
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 commercially successful comedies he has starred in, written, and produced. Probably has the funniest role in How I Met Your Mother in my opinion.
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, mainly Your Show of Shows (1950–1954) working alongside Mel Brooks, Carl Reiner, Larry Gelbart, and Neil Simon. He also published several books featuring short stories and wrote humor pieces for The New Yorker. In the early 1960s, he performed as a stand-up comedian in Greenwich Village alongside Lenny Bruce, Elaine May, Mike Nichols, and Joan Rivers. There he developed a monologue style (rather than traditional jokes) and the persona of an insecure, intellectual, fretful nebbish. He released three comedy albums during the mid to late 1960s, earning a Grammy Award for Best Comedy Album nomination for his 1964 comedy album entitled simply Woody Allen. In 2004, Comedy Central ranked Allen fourth on a list of the ...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! "
Jerome Allen "Jerry" Seinfeld is an American stand-up comedian, actor, writer, producer, and director. He was born on April 29, 1954 in Brooklyn, New York. He is known for playing himself in the sitcom Seinfeld, which he created and wrote with Larry David. As a stand-up comedian, Seinfeld specializes in observational comedy; in 2005, Comedy Central named Seinfeld the "12th Greatest Stand-up Comedian of All Time."
Seinfeld produced, co-wrote and starred in the 2007 film Bee Movie. In 2010, he premiered a reality series called The Marriage Ref, which aired for two seasons on NBC. He is the creator and host of the web series Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee. He created the best T.V. show in history
