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Most Celebrated Comedians of All Time

Most Celebrated Comedians of All Time

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No two people have an identical sense of humor, but there are some who are just plain funny, no matter which way you slice it. And they’ve received the critical and popular acclaim to back it up. So before there’s outcry at omitting some of the more current popular comedians, remember that it takes a while to be considered one of the greats. With that said, behold a completely arbitrary listing of the most celebrated comedians of all time!

SebastienSanon.Blogspot.com
SebastienSanon.Blogspot.com

Robin Williams
He’s the Genie from “Aladdin,” as well as the endearingly disturbed Batty from the lesser-known “Fern Gully.” But it’s Robin Williams’s start as a stand-up comedian that puts him on the list, as his unique brand of high-energy hilarity is one of the more memorable styles in history. Though it was well known that much of Williams’s energy was slightly (or more than slightly) chemical-induced, his mile-a-minute routines and spot-on impersonations were nothing short of comedy perfection.

TVtropes.org
TVtropes.org

Steve Martin
Steve Martin was never the most controversial comedian, but his silly and oftentimes irreverent routines earned him popularity with his excellent timing and an endearing quirkiness. He’d incorporate all manners of things from songs and magic to straight stand-up, but he and his goofball ways will always be loved.

En.Wikipedia.org
En.Wikipedia.org

Bob Newhart
Slightly stammering and awkward, Bob Newhart would go down in history for his perfectly delivered punchlines and oddball ideas – many of which, while cutting edge at the time, have aged very well with new audiences. He embodied deadpan comedy, and his 1960 album, “The Button-Down Mind of Bob Newhart,” went straight to No. 1 on the charts, beating out Elvis and the cast of “The Sound of Music.” Now that’s impressive.

En.Wikipedia.org
En.Wikipedia.org

Lenny Bruce
Lenny Bruce was a comedy artist who wasn’t afraid of serving jailtime for his craft (which he did, on more than one occasion, on charges of obscenity). He continually brought up sex and drugs at a time where they weren’t discussed openly, and cursed in public more than anybody had in history. He is credited with trailblazing for more controversial comedians to come, but died at age 40 before he could benefit from the same.

LaughStub.com
LaughStub.com

Eddie Murphy
Eddie Murphy isn’t necessarily remembered for his stand-up comedy career in light of his success in movies, but he should be. A skilled impersonator with impeccable timing, Murphy was a hit on stage as soon as he began his career at 18. His star power and unabashed swagger made him a delight to watch on stage (not to mention the red leather suits…), and his take on humanity was always delivered with a giant grin.

En.Wikipedia.org
En.Wikipedia.org

George Carlin
George Carlin was one of the most famous dark comedians of all time, looking at aspects of life often overlooked and turning them into predictions of doom and destruction that also managed to be hilarious. He’d talk about war, religion, discrimination and philosophy, but you’d still leave with an ache in your stomach from laughing too hard. His most famous “Seven Words You Can Never Say on Television” manages to get cheap laughs with dirty words while still making a poignant point about society.

Biography.com
Biography.com

Richard Pryor
The most descriptive word one can use to describe Richard Pryor is just “raw.” Pryor lived on the edge and incorporated would-be solemn personal events such as a suicide attempt into his routines with ease. He’d talk about freebasing cocaine in the same breath as a trip to Africa, and had no problem touching on usually off-limits topics such as race. Also, he helped write “Blazing Saddles.” End of story.

TrueSlant.com
TrueSlant.com

Bill Hicks
Bill Hicks wins the prize for most antagonistic towards his audiences while still making them laugh. He’d rail on listeners for their adherence to a culture of corporations, commercialism, and consumerism, but his rants managed to be both spot-on and hilarious. He promoted drug use as a way to reach one’s full potential, and his cynical approach to life resonated with audiences across the world even after his death in 1994.

S1ZetaBoards.com
S1ZetaBoards.com

Mitch Hedburg
Hedburg’s style differed from many of his comedic colleagues in that he often went for the one-liners rather than weaving stories. A Hedburg set was recognizable by complete non sequiturs and acknowledging when a joke flopped, and of course by his iconic sunglasses and long hair in the face (he admitted himself that he suffered from stage fright, hence the glasses). His frequent mentioning of his drug use, and his desire to die of an overdose once he was famous, was realized in 2005 when he ODd at the age of 37.

ThatsaWrapShow.com
ThatsaWrapShow.com

Woody Allen
Last but certainly not least, Woody Allen had an illustrious stand-up career before he made the move to movies – and was arguably much more likable and less stiff on stage than on screen. Allen was a hipster before hipsters existed, and his self-deprecating brand of humor earned him many, many fans.