Top 10 Funniest Female Comedians of All Time

This is the list of the funniest female comics. Some of them don't get the recognition they deserve, so I'm making a list to pay tribute to the many funny female comics.

The Top Ten

Joan Rivers

Joan Rivers was an American comedian, actress, and television host known for her acerbic wit and trailblazing career. She was the first woman to host a late-night talk show with "The Late Show Starring Joan Rivers." Rivers faced numerous setbacks and controversies but remained a key figure in shaping stand-up comedy and television hosting.

What a legend. Joan Rivers has to be named the most resilient female comedian of all time. It is impossible to watch her and not laugh, no matter how rude, crude, and filthy her jokes. You cannot beat Joan Rivers.

Joan was hilarious. Yes, her humor was wicked and cutting, but it was often very accurate. I don't know if she should be number one, but she certainly deserves to be in the top ten.

Not often that a comedian is expected to take over The Tonight Show from Johnny Carson, never mind a woman. Which would have happened if Joan had not gotten her own show and upset Johnny.
Lucille Ball

Lucille Ball was an American actress, comedian, and producer best known for her iconic role in the television show "I Love Lucy," which aired from 1951 to 1957. She was a pioneering figure in the American television industry, co-founding Desilu Productions. Her comedic talent and business acumen have made her one of the most enduring figures in entertainment.

She had the courage and guts to go out there in a male-dominated industry and do her absolute best. She didn't let it intimidate her as it could have. Not only did she succeed in her craft, she excelled and helped others along the way.
She paved the way for other female comedians who would follow.

Lucille Ball started the sitcom. Almost every comedy show we watch on television today owes something to I Love Lucy. She was such a perfectionist and always got everything absolutely right, always the funniest it could be.
I'm only a teenager, yet Lucy is my favorite actress.
Ellen DeGeneres

Ellen DeGeneres is an American comedian, television host, and actress who gained fame as a stand-up comedian before hosting her own talk show, "The Ellen DeGeneres Show." She broke ground in 1997 when her character on the sitcom "Ellen" came out as gay, marking one of the first major television characters to do so. In addition to her comedic work, she is also a prominent LGBTQ+ activist and philanthropist.

Her show is awesome, and she is a very likable person that everyone can relate to. The famous people that go on her show are always open to her because they know she is a professional in everything she does!

She is brilliant and hilariously funny! Also, she has the ability to be completely herself and still be funny. A complete natural. Please put another picture of her though. There are millions of great ones!

If Ellen is not the best, then I do not know who is. She is amazing and hilarious! She has a very positive spirit and really succeeds at making everyone happy. Ellen makes my everyday!
Sarah Silverman

Sarah Silverman is an American comedian, actress, and writer. She gained fame for her television show "The Sarah Silverman Program," which aired from 2007 to 2010. Silverman is known for her irreverent and often controversial style of humor, touching on topics like religion, race, and social issues.

She is not only very funny in every way possible, but she is also very cute. I like her wit and her attitude towards life. She says exactly what is on her mind.
I think she is very real, truthful, and speaks from the heart. I would like to sit down and chit-chat with Sarah, get to know her, and laugh all day for a change.

She might be the funniest human ever, not just female comedian. Her last special, A Speck of Dust, might have been my favorite ever. I hope she never retires from stand-up. I don't think she ever will though, because her jokes are everything to her. So much admiration for her.
What I'm trying to say is, she should probably marry me. Just kidding, I don't know, but okay, I'm done.
Betty White

Betty White was an American actress and comedian whose career spanned more than seven decades. She became known for her roles on The Mary Tyler Moore Show, The Golden Girls, and Hot in Cleveland. She held the Guinness World Record for the longest television career for a female entertainer.

The SNL routine she did about sex and the innuendo is an all-time classic. Her timing and control are unmatched with today's comedians. It will be a long time before her genius is equaled.

Funniest comedienne over the years. She has perfect comedic timing even as she has aged.

Why is she not higher on this list? This woman is walking comedic gold. I love her so much!
Roseanne Barr

Roseanne Barr is an American comedian, actress, and television producer. She became widely known for her sitcom Roseanne, which aired from 1988 to 1997 and returned briefly in 2018. Barr is recognized for her brash comedic style and portrayals of working-class family life, and she has also been involved in several public controversies.

Roseanne broke many barriers in comedy. She created a situation comedy that was more realistic than most comedy shows. Her family lived like many real families.
She also broke another barrier. Roseanne was overweight, but that was not the focus of her comedy. For many years, female comedians used their personal appearance as the source of their humor, but Roseanne didn't. She looked like many women and never tried to make people think that was funny.

She was a famous woman who had her own show named after her. It was funny and great while it lasted.
It was cancelled because of all the controversy, including a racist tweet she posted. Donald Trump responded to the cancellation, blaming her tweet on a drug called Ambien. This shows she joined the club of stars who were good but went downhill.
Carol Burnett

Carol Burnett is an American actress, comedian, and singer. She is best known for "The Carol Burnett Show," a comedy variety show that ran for 11 years and won 25 Emmy Awards. Burnett is recognized for her comedic talent as well as her versatility in both dramatic and musical roles.

Carol Burnett is and always will be very funny! Having learned much from the greatest, Lucille Ball, Carol won the hearts of many very quickly! My favorite thing about her is her openness and humility. She truly felt like she was the one who got the most out of her shows.
I love the end of each show where she got the autographs of every person that guest-starred. Lastly, we cannot forget her iconic Tarzan Yell!

I miss Carol Burnett on TV. Her shows were always so entertaining, as well as the male counterparts who shared her weekly shows. The jokes they played on each other were hilarious and even had each other laughing at themselves.
Hope she makes a comeback, including her buddies.
Kathy Griffin

Kathy Griffin is an American comedian and actress best known for her reality series Kathy Griffin: My Life on the D-List, which aired from 2005 to 2010. She has released multiple stand-up specials throughout her career. Griffin has faced several controversies but continues to maintain a dedicated fan base.

What an original. Kathy is fearless and will sacrifice everything to entertain her audience, no matter how non-politically correct it makes her look or sound. Honest, brave, loyal. Some people don't get her, but I do. She's a very compassionate person, and I love her for who she is and all she does. Maggie (her mom) rocks too!

Sure, she is fame-loving and always in front of the camera, but no one makes fun of celebrities better than her!

Kathy Griffin is excellent! I want to be her!
Tina Fey

Tina Fey is an American comedian, actress, writer, and producer. She gained recognition as a cast member and head writer on Saturday Night Live and later as the creator and star of 30 Rock. Fey has received numerous awards, including Emmys, Golden Globes, and the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor.

Tina Fey should be number 1 on this list. What the hell is wrong with you? She is the funniest woman of all time. Ellen isn't even all that funny. No one will remember Ellen and her shows in the future. Tina Fey and "30 Rock" will be remembered, just like "Seinfeld." Both "Seinfeld" and "30 Rock" are timeless classics! The End.

Tina Fey is by far the funniest on this list! Why is she not on top as number one? Perhaps the list is moderated by friends of the others...

While I find this list lame, Tina Fey is absolutely one of the most relevant comedians ever. And her work and writing are timeless.
Margaret Cho

Margaret Cho is an American comedian, actress, and author known for stand-up routines centered on social and political issues, especially those involving race and sexuality. She has appeared in various television series and films. Cho is also an advocate for LGBTQ+ rights and has received multiple comedy awards.

Margaret Cho is by far the most inspirational and butt-bustingly hilarious comedian in our entire species. She is idolized by thousands of fans for her wit and delivery. Most importantly, her beautiful to-the-point message of equality and tolerance.
She personally inspires me every day.

I can listen to her tell stories about her family for hours.

Just funny! Not playing a stupid woman.

The Newcomers

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Estelle Getty
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Rachael MacFarlane

The Contenders

Maria Bamford

Maria Bamford is an American comedian and actress known for her surreal comedic style and voice-over work. She gained attention for her web series The Maria Bamford Show. Bamford often incorporates themes of mental health into her comedy and has voiced characters in animated shows such as Adventure Time and BoJack Horseman.

I first knew who Maria was when I found out that she plays around 25 characters on Adventure Time (my favorite show of all time). I decided to take a look at her stand-up, and she's crazy in all the right ways. It's like she has ten different personalities and a distinct voice and face for each one of them.
Her style of comedy can be hit or miss sometimes, but when she's on, she's REALLY on. I don't think I've ever seen a comedian like her before.

I second Maria Bamford. She is the only comedian who actually does edgy, original, dice-rolling comedy. Every other female comedian basically talks about how weird or stupid men are.
Whoopi Goldberg

Whoopi Goldberg is an American comedian, actress, and television host. She is one of the few entertainers to have won an Emmy, a Grammy, an Oscar, and a Tony Award. Goldberg is also known for her co-host role on The View and for her performances in films such as The Color Purple and Sister Act.

Whoopi is so talented she was cast in movie after movie. However, her roots began with comedy. The "One Woman" shows she wrote and performed were brilliant.
Serious subjects masked in comedic performances brought you from unstoppable laughter to tears streaming down your face. I don't know how she is so far down, but then I have yet to see Lily Tomlin's name, so I most certainly disagree with these rankings.

Funny, very good acting in movies, but also her stand-up comedy has very funny jokes and tricks!
Whitney Cummings

Whitney Cummings is an American comedian, actress, and producer known for her stand-up work and for creating the television series 2 Broke Girls and Whitney. Her comedy frequently focuses on modern relationships and social expectations. Cummings has also written books and supports various animal welfare causes.

I have watched several comics and I have never laughed so hard as I did when I watched her! She's awesome!

Whitney is the queen of female comedians. Nobody else even comes close to her wit.

She is hilarious! Very real too.
Wanda Sykes

Wanda Sykes is an American comedian, actress, and writer known for her sharp comedic style. She first earned recognition as a writer for The Chris Rock Show, which won her a Primetime Emmy Award. Sykes has appeared in numerous television series and films and is an advocate for LGBTQ+ rights.

Wanda Sykes is hands down the funniest female comedian of all time. She can work clean and blue, she can adlib, and she can do television comedy. I think she could come through on the screen with the right vehicle. She is a great interview. I rate my comedians on how hard they can consistently make me laugh in a short period of time, and hands down, she is the one.
Phyllis Diller is second. The reason that crazy laugh worked so well was because it was her real laugh. Totie Fields, quick-witted and funny, is not as well known and died young. Lucille Ball, although Lucy only had one character, it was one of the best ones of all time. Moms Mabley, funny as hell, was way before her time. Too bad.
Amy Schumer is one of a kind. Although not just a comedienne, you can't go wrong with Bette Midler. Minnie Pearl could make me laugh, and she didn't have much to work with, keeping it country clean. Roseanne Barr probably would have been closer to the top, but I'm not changing now.
Now, I really screwed up. Carol Burnett hasn't even made my chart yet. These are my top 10 comediennes of all time, in any order, with Sykes on top.
Phyllis Diller

Phyllis Diller was an American stand-up comedian and actress known for her eccentric stage presence, including her signature wild hair and exaggerated outfits. She began performing in the 1950s and helped pave the way for future generations of female comedians. Diller was also an accomplished pianist and author.

I was a stand-up comedian and ran two comedy clubs. I gave Bill Hicks his first gig and had a close relationship with Sam Kinison at the start of his career. In all my years, I have never seen a comedian, male or female, tighter than Phyllis Diller. I actually timed her performances, and she would consistently get strong laughs every four seconds.
I've had the opportunity to see most of the stand-up greats perform live. While there were other comedians I personally preferred over Phyllis (perhaps because they made me think more), when it comes to delivering solid laughs, I don't think it's humanly possible to find a much stronger act than hers.
Speaking of stand-ups, the list seems to be missing some notable names such as Lily Tomlin, Whoopi Goldberg, Elayne Boosler, Moms Mabley, and to not include Gracie Allen is simply criminal. These women have made significant contributions to the world of stand-up comedy and deserve recognition alongside the others.
Lisa Lampanelli

Lisa Lampanelli is an American comedian known for her edgy, controversial humor. Often dubbed the "Queen of Mean," her stand-up routines often involve insulting humor directed at many different social and ethnic groups. Lampanelli has been a regular on Comedy Central Roasts and has released several comedy albums.

The queen of mean, none other than Lisa Lampanelli! In my opinion, she's the only funny female comedian out there. Not only is she the funniest female comedian, but she's also one of my top ten favorite comedians of all time!

I think Lisa Lampanelli is the funniest female comic today. This list is whack. Where are Margaret Cho and Wanda Sykes? Ellen DeGeneres is not funny, but she is a good talk show host.

Lisa is funny and knows how to cheer up someone who had a bad day! And she can burn you with words, so watch out. We loved her on Celebrity Apprentice.
Amy Poehler

Amy Poehler is an American actress, comedian, and writer known for her work on Saturday Night Live and as co-creator and star of the television show Parks and Recreation. She has received numerous awards for her comedic performances. Poehler is also involved in philanthropic work, including the organization she co-founded, Smart Girls at the Party, which aims to empower young women.

Amy Poehler continues to be one of the funniest women on television. Everything she does is great, and Parks and Rec is one of the funniest shows on.
Loni Love

Loni Love is an American comedian, television host, and actress. She gained fame as a regular panelist on the talk show Chelsea Lately and later co-hosted The Real. Love's comedy often explores themes of relationships, social issues, and her own experiences, and she has received multiple awards for her comedic and hosting work.
Judy Gold

Judy Gold is an American stand-up comedian, actress, and writer. She has won two Daytime Emmy Awards for her work as a writer and producer on The Rosie O'Donnell Show. Gold's comedy often addresses her Jewish background, LGBTQ+ rights, and family life, and she has appeared in a variety of comedy shows and Broadway productions.

She is so funny, she makes plain old stuff hilarious, especially mom humor.
Tracey Ullman

Tracey Ullman is a British-American comedian, actress, and singer. She gained fame for her television series "The Tracey Ullman Show," which was one of the first programs to feature a sketch comedy format. Ullman is known for her ability to impersonate various accents and characters, and she has won multiple awards throughout her career.

She had the insight to see the genius of The Simpsons and to have them introduced to us on her show.
Janeane Garofalo

Janeane Garofalo is an American comedian, actress, and writer. She gained prominence in the 1990s with roles in Reality Bites and The Truth About Cats & Dogs and as a cast member on The Ben Stiller Show. Garofalo's comedy is often self-deprecating and political, and she has been active in political advocacy.

Janeane Garofalo is my favorite comedian - male or female. She is smart and funny. She doesn't have to resort to being crass or gross to get a laugh. She makes you think when she's up there talking about her life and relationships and doesn't rely on cheap jokes about sex or body parts.
She may drop the f-bomb during her set, but only when it's appropriate for the situation. I consider her an intellectual humorist. Love, love, love her!

A legend, kind of like a female Bill Hicks. I just wish she would move to England and stop letting the stupid Yanks bother her. I don't get how they pretend she is the crazy one.
Bea Arthur

Bea Arthur was an American actress and comedian best known for her roles on the TV shows "Maude" and "The Golden Girls." She had a deep voice and a deadpan comedic style that became her signature. Arthur won multiple awards for her performances, including Emmys and a Tony Award.

How this woman is not higher on the list, I don't know! She had such a dry and sarcastic sense of delivering comedic lines.

Such deadpan and sardonic humor. No one could do it like Bea!
Miranda Hart

Miranda Hart is a British comedian and actress best known for her semi-autobiographical BBC sitcom "Miranda." Her quirky humor and physical comedy have made her a household name in the United Kingdom. Hart has also authored books and appeared in various British dramas and comedies.
Natasha Leggero

Natasha Leggero is an American comedian, actress, and writer known for her stand-up comedy that often focuses on issues of class and materialism. She has appeared on various television shows and comedy specials, including her own Comedy Central series "Another Period." Leggero has also been a frequent panelist on comedy roast shows.

She's fantastic! She should be higher up the list than this.

Agreed, she IS fantastic. Her delivery is spot-on!
Melissa McCarthy

Melissa McCarthy is an American actress and comedian known for her roles in television shows such as Gilmore Girls and Mike and Molly and films like Bridesmaids and Spy. Her physical comedy and bold characters have made her a standout performer. McCarthy has earned numerous awards and nominations, including an Academy Award nomination for her role in Bridesmaids.

She'll forever be Sookie to me. I don't watch anything else of hers, but her role as Sookie on Gilmore Girls earns her a spot at the top for me.

There's a Hidden Valley Ranch party in my mouth! - Melissa McCarthy, one of the funniest women alive, in SNL's super funny awesome skit, Taste Test. I'm pretty sure that was mostly improv.

Deserves top ten just for her Spicer skits.