Top 20 Funniest Comedians Who Started After 2000
Modern comedy wouldn't be the same without these iconic performers. Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we’re counting down our picks for stand-up masters whose careers began after the year 2000.
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00:00 I'm not gonna lie to you, Stephen, I feel like I was made for this."
00:02 Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we're counting down our picks for stand-up
00:06 masters whose careers began after the year 2000.
00:09 "I went to college for the whole time."
00:12 Number 20. Shane Gillis
00:14 Shane Gillis scored what many young comedians worked their entire lives for back in 2019,
00:19 a spot on the Saturday Night Live cast.
00:22 Backlash involving some of Gillis' podcast material resulted in that offer being rescinded,
00:26 but that hasn't stopped the comedian from soldiering on with his work.
00:29 Gillis continued podcasting, co-hosting the massively popular
00:33 Matt and Shane's Secret Podcast alongside fellow comedian Matt McCusker.
00:37 His second special for Netflix, Shane Gillis' Beautiful Dogs,
00:40 debuted in 2023, and his popularity keeps increasing.
00:44 "Greets, brother."
00:45 Number 19. Sam Jay
00:48 The writers' room over at Saturday Night Live received a shot of both brilliance
00:51 and diversity in 2017 when Samaria Johnson, aka Sam Jay, joined the crew.
00:56 Jay was only the second African-American lesbian to work on the show,
01:00 and the first to be a writer, and her creative voice was heard on SNL for over three years.
01:05 Jay has also co-created comedy shows for HBO and Peacock,
01:09 including the talk show Paws with Sam Jay.
01:11 "I order a Macallan 25. Neat. I drink man stuff in this fantasy.
01:16 And as I turn around, Marlon Wayans flails like a divorced man wearing indoor sunglasses and
01:21 spills his wine all over my tux."
01:24 Meanwhile, her observational voice on stage is quirky, funny, and engaging,
01:29 with a smooth delivery and charismatic personality.
01:32 Her career continues to be on the upswing.
01:34 "My love is gonna be easy. 'Cause love is easy. And that's what I believe.
01:39 Like, if it's true love, it's easy, 'cause I was believing Tyler Perry and Disney and s***."
01:43 Number 18. Joel Kim Booster
01:46 Not every stand-up comedian explores personal topics that hit close to home in their work,
01:50 but then again, Joel Kim Booster isn't like every other stand-up comedian.
01:53 "Excuse me, sir. No, no, no. I'm not a bad driver 'cause I'm Asian.
01:57 I'm a bad driver 'cause I won't wear my glasses and I text, okay?"
02:00 Booster's South Korean heritage often comes into play within his material,
02:03 as does his life as a member of the gay community.
02:06 His humor often pokes holes into stereotypes and the struggles of those living within
02:10 these communities, as well as their relationship with the world at large.
02:14 "I mentioned I was adopted. I have two adopted siblings. They're biological to my mom and dad.
02:18 And I have an older brother, and a couple of years ago, he also came out of the closet,
02:22 which is like, 'Mwah!' You know, like, 'Oh, I couldn't have planned a better prank,' you know,
02:27 like that. Oh, you punked him good, Jesus!"
02:30 Yet Booster's work, like the film 'Fire Island' that he wrote and starred in,
02:34 doesn't come across as heavy-handed, but rather engaging, fascinating, and hilarious.
02:39 Number 17. Joe Pera
02:42 There's no denying that the measured delivery of Joe Pera is an intentional gimmick,
02:47 but it's a wonderfully unique gimmick for sure.
02:49 Beyond this, Pera's stylistic approach wouldn't work in a vacuum,
02:53 if he didn't have the jokes to back it up.
02:55 "Just look at these features. They're just waiting to be filled with grief."
03:01 Thankfully, it's a great combination of style and substance, with some solid writing chops
03:08 and an execution that sets Pera apart from many of his peers.
03:11 This style of stunt comedy or performance art may not be to everyone's taste,
03:16 but in a world where so much stand-up seems to be pulling from the same creative well,
03:20 Joe Pera's approach feels refreshing and different.
03:23 "Like the casino, it promises good times. But without restraint, I will get ruined."
03:29 Number 16. Stavros Halkias
03:32 The comedy podcast 'Cometown' ended up giving comedy fans a number of talented writers and
03:36 performers. Adam Friedland and Nick Mullin come to mind, as does Stavros Halkias.
03:41 The Baltimore native is adept at improvisation, riffing, and crowd work.
03:45 Although, his comedy has occasionally come under fire by some who take umbrage to Halkias'
03:50 left-leaning politics and rampant vulgarity.
03:52 "And I'm a very emotional eater, you know? Like, I use food as drugs.
03:56 But I also use drugs as drugs, you know what I mean?"
04:01 The hosts of 'Cometown' may have gone their separate ways, but fans of Friedland,
04:05 Mullin, and Halkias continue to follow their work today,
04:07 and anxiously await anything new from these funnymen.
04:10 Number 15. Nikki Glaser
04:13 The stand-up comedy of Nikki Glaser is proudly transgressive,
04:16 defiantly gross, and unapologetically over the line. But that's why we love her so much.
04:23 Glaser's material on stage doesn't care about offending anyone's sensibilities,
04:27 but her delivery belies her degree in English literature.
04:30 This is stand-up that prowls topics like sex, relationships, and our weird bodily functions,
04:35 and does so with a perverse sense of verbose beauty.
04:38 "Because that's the thing, if your girlfriend breaks up with you out of the blue,
04:42 like, when you're like, 'Where did this come from?' It's probably because her friends got
04:44 together and decided that they miss her and they want her back, so they fill her head with lies."
04:51 It never feels forced or corny, but rather the results of smart writing and an easy delivery
04:57 that feels natural and connected with her audience.
04:59 Number 14. Mark Normand
05:02 Mark Normand is another stand-up comedian who has been blazing a hilarious path for over a decade.
05:07 "This is a one-sided conversation that's been pre-written and rehearsed over and over.
05:11 And if you guys talk, you get thrown out. I can't lose."
05:13 He's also a big presence in the comedy podcasting world who's collaborated with a number of other
05:17 funny fellows, like Joe List on Tuesdays with Stories, as well as Sam Morrell on We Might Be
05:22 Drunk. The comedian has also appeared on many high-profile talk shows, while also earning
05:27 rave reviews in comedy clubs across the USA. The best thing about Mark Normand is that while he's
05:33 already a successful comic, he still has some status as an up-and-comer, since his popularity
05:39 keeps increasing.
05:40 "Any gay guys here tonight? Hey, all right. Thanks for coming out."
05:45 Number 13. Anthony Jeselnik
05:50 It takes a certain kind of stand-up comedy fan to appreciate the dark and confrontational style
05:54 of Anthony Jeselnik. His delivery may be low-key and calm, but Jeselnik's choice of topics is
06:00 anything but safe. This is a scorched-earth approach that takes no prisoners with regards
06:05 to its content. Indeed, nobody is safe from Jeselnik or his bleak approach to comedy that
06:10 makes just about everyone uncomfortable. His stand-up specials often lead audiences to certain
06:22 places, only to drop them off in the middle of nowhere, with only hurt feelings and jaws that
06:28 have dropped completely to the floor. Number 12. Michelle Williams
06:35 Michelle Wolf
06:36 Michelle Wolf is an equal-opportunity offender. Her stand-up comedy takes potshots at politics,
06:41 the news, and everyday differences between men and women, but in a way that feels fresh and
06:46 invigorating. Wolf's delivery feels effortless, born from an intelligent wit and a self-awareness
06:52 about finding humor in just about everything. Her performance at the 2018 White House Correspondents
06:56 Dinner earned Wolf both praise and controversy, but it also helped cement her in the public eye.
07:02 And she's continued to make good on that promise, delivering the hilarious goods each and every
07:15 time. Number 11. Nate Bargettzi
07:21 Nate Bargettzi possesses a lovely Southern drawl and a comedy style to match. This is old-school
07:27 observational stand-up with a cleanliness in the style of Jim Gaffigan, Jerry Seinfeld,
07:32 and Brian Regan. Bargettzi's lack of edgy profanity isn't a drawback at all, however,
07:37 and his conversational approach makes all of his material truly engaging. Audiences are
07:42 continuing to take notice as well, since Bargettzi's popularity is also continuing to skyrocket.
07:48 Proof that he's now a mover and shaker in the comedy world? He hosted Saturday Night Live
07:52 in October of 2023. Number 10. James Acaster
08:11 Comedy nerds take note. If you haven't checked out the work of England's James Acaster,
08:16 then we highly suggest that you give this unique and successful performer and author a chance.
08:21 Acaster is a fantastic wordsmith and storyteller, taking audiences on a journey with a delivery
08:27 that's charming and ridiculously clever. He'll frequently reference older jokes within the course
08:39 of a stand-up special, speak in character, and utilize body language to underline his long-form
08:44 narrative approach. Time will tell if he achieves the same level of success in North America as
08:49 he's garnered across the pond. Number 9. Eliza Schlesinger
09:01 Eliza Schlesinger is a very funny comedian, and is a proudly female-centric performer.
09:07 But this isn't to say that her comedy is exclusive or limited in any way.
09:10 Far from it. Instead, Schlesinger's approach is loud, proud, and in control.
09:16 Enough to make just about anyone laugh. She can be blustery and absurd one minute,
09:25 and insightful the next, but always seems to know just what to say to make her audiences
09:30 lose themselves with laughter. There's no comedian around that's quite like her,
09:34 and she continues to represent the millennial generation's foibles and charms.
09:39 Number 8. Hannibal Burress
09:53 Hannibal Burress has written for a number of different shows over the years, from 30 Rock
09:57 to A Brief Stint on Saturday Night Live. Burress has referenced his time on these shows during
10:02 his stand-up, peeling back the curtains of showbiz in a frequently funny fashion.
10:07 He also was a hilarious presence on The Eric Andre Show.
10:10 His observational approach is smart and inventive, with a unique look on life that
10:24 seems to resonate with his audience. This is a multi-leveled and nuanced style of comedy that
10:30 benefits greatly by Burress' delivery that feels one part unpredictable, one part chaotic, and 100%
10:36 hilarious. Number 7. Aziz Ansari
10:51 A popular television show can be a godsend for an up-and-coming comedian, and Aziz Ansari had
10:56 a great one when he broke out on NBC's Parks and Recreation. However, it was Ansari's
11:06 work on Netflix's Master of None that enabled a deeper and more affecting style of writing to come
11:11 to the forefront. That show balanced drama, humor, and visual style in a great way, and Ansari's
11:17 stand-up continued to thrive, even in the face of controversy. The comedian even referenced his
11:22 public travails during pop-up comedy shows, and his career in comedy continued to progress,
11:27 with the special Aziz Ansari Nightclub Comedian dropping on Netflix in 2022.
11:32 Number 6. Sebastian Maniscalco
11:46 Sebastian Maniscalco worked his way up the stand-up comedy ranks the old-school way.
11:50 The Illinois native started out in 2005, working gigs at the legendary Comedy Store before taping
11:56 shows for Comedy Central and Showtime. Maniscalco proved he wasn't just a funny man either,
12:01 and soon moved into acting roles on such high-profile films as Green Book and The Irishman.
12:05 Meanwhile, Billboard codified the comedian's success when they named Maniscalco their 2018
12:16 Comedian of the Year, validating his work as one of the funniest physical comedians out there today.
12:29 Number 5. Taylor Tomlinson
12:31 There's something to be said about perspective when it comes to stand-up comedy.
12:35 Taylor Tomlinson's millennial outlooks on life don't feel exclusive, or only designed to appeal
12:40 to a certain kind of audience. Tomlinson references everyday struggles of love,
12:44 sex, and relationships in a way that's easy to understand and love, no matter what age you are.
12:56 It's clear that these jokes are written with everyone in mind, yet Tomlinson is also very
13:01 open with regards to her own personal struggles with mental health. As a result, her stand-up can
13:06 vary in emotional tone, but always remains consistently engaging and very, very funny.
13:12 Number 4. Ali Wong
13:21 Ali Wong's 2016 Netflix special Baby Cobra was notable for the fact that she was very pregnant
13:26 during filming. However, do not think for a second that Wong is a one-trick pony,
13:31 because this California native has proved time and time again that her wit is razor sharp.
13:36 Her joke arsenal always feels primed and ready, with a quick, fearless approach to storytelling.
13:58 The reactions of her audiences seem to tell the tale. Ali Wong's style of stand-up always feels
14:03 fresh, always seems to connect, and just gets better with age. And she's a talented actress
14:09 to boot, with starring roles in the buzzy series Beef and the hilarious rom-com Always Be My Maybe.
14:15 Number 3. Trevor Noah
14:17 The Daily Show has a long and esteemed history of funny people behind the desk,
14:21 and it was a comedy powerhouse under Trevor Noah's brilliant leadership from 2015 to 2022.
14:28 The comedian's sharp wit and engaging personality made him a perfect fit for The Daily Show,
14:32 yet Noah's pedigree as a stand-up artist also remained secure despite his steady high-profile
14:37 hosting gig. While capable of bringing plenty of belly-busting laughs, Noah also specializes in
14:49 thoughtful, penetrating humor that tackles racism, inequality, and geopolitics, often drawing on his
14:55 South African heritage and upbringing. This is intellectual yet personal comedy with an edge.
15:02 Number 2. Bo Burnham
15:14 The rise of the internet has largely changed how we consume our comedy. Gone, perhaps,
15:19 are the halcyon days of the comedy LP or CD, and in their place has risen YouTube and TikTok.
15:25 Enter the brilliant Bo Burnham, who has made the most of this medium for a long time. Burnham's
15:30 comedic and musical work on YouTube allowed him, eventually, to collaborate with Comedy Central for
15:35 his first album, Bo Fosho. This brought the aforementioned comedy album renaissance full
15:40 circle and helped expose Burnham to new audiences that appreciated his darkly witty musical comedy.
15:46 He's gone from strength to strength, and his incredible Netflix special Bo Burnham Inside
15:51 is perhaps the signature creative work of the pandemic era.
15:54 "Look, I made you some content. Daddy made you your favorite open wipe."
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16:19 Number 1. John Mulaney John Mulaney may have earned rave reviews for
16:24 his collaborations with friend and fellow comic Nick Kroll, but his comedic voice has
16:28 continued to evolve to the point where he's simply one of the best out there, full stop.
16:33 Mulaney's style is witty and subversive, unafraid to lay bare some very personal stuff,
16:38 while remaining scathingly funny throughout. "And my dad pulled into the drive-thru,
16:43 and we started cheering. And then he ordered one black coffee for himself."
16:50 His writing for programs like Saturday Night Live is also layered and smart,
16:54 without having to rely on topical jokes to get laughs. John Mulaney's disarming delivery and
16:59 charm allows him to get away with a lot on stage, and we are always waiting for what
17:04 this comedy icon does next. "If Mick Jagger talked like this, he'd go, 'Yes! Now! Yes!'"
17:12 "I pitched him a joke and he went, 'Not funny!'"
17:17 Who's your favorite stand-up comedian? Let us know in the comments.
17:20 "They'll just be like, 'Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha! Hey, look at that high-waisted man,
17:25 he got feminine hips!' And I'm like, 'No, that's the thing I'm sensitive about!'"
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17:37 [Music]