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We know who to turn to when we need a laugh! Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we’re counting down our picks for the 100 greatest comedic actors and actresses of all time.
Transcript
00:00:00I'm Lucky Dave. I'm the Needle Lander. I'm Dusty Bottoms and together we're The Free Amigos.
00:00:08Welcome to WatchMojo and today we're counting down our picks for the 100 greatest comedic
00:00:13actors and actresses of all time. We'll be focusing exclusively on movies and television
00:00:18and not stand-up comics. It's a big club and you ain't in it. You and I are not in the big club.
00:00:27100. Will Arnett
00:00:43Will Arnett has built a legendary career in comedy thanks to his trademark wit,
00:00:47deadpan delivery, and instantly recognizable voice. His breakout role as the clueless but
00:00:52cocky Job Bluth on Arrested Development became iconic, earning him critical acclaim and a
00:00:57devoted fan base. Arnett has a unique ability to play self-absorbed misguided characters who
00:01:03we somehow still want to root for. One of his best roles was as Bojack Horseman,
00:01:08a washed-up actor and horse. The dark humor belied a surprising and heartbreaking depth.
00:01:14Oh crap, I hate this. Running is terrible. Everything is the worst.
00:01:23His voice work continued with Lego Batman, a showcase for Arnett's impeccable comedic timing.
00:01:29His versatility from TV to film to voice acting sets Will Arnett apart.
00:01:34You know what doesn't matter because I have a double secret super password
00:01:37that unlocks the parental lock. You mean Alfred the Butler with two t's?
00:01:4499. Matt Barry
00:01:46Matt Barry was blessed at birth with a voice that can make the phone book sound funny.
00:01:51Abandon the vessel immediately.
00:01:54Coupled with his eccentric delivery of dialogue and you have the makings of a comedic icon.
00:01:59In the IT crowd, Barry became a favorite as Douglas Renham, a bombastic and absurd boss.
00:02:06I don't think I've ever looked in this drawer.
00:02:09Wow, a gun!
00:02:12His genius then began to shine in Toast of London. His Stephen Toast, a washed-up actor,
00:02:17navigates absurdity with hilarious deadpan arrogance. When Barry was cast as Laszlo in
00:02:23What We Do in the Shadows, he became a sensation. He has the unique ability to deliver mundane lines
00:02:29with completely insane intonations that transform the ordinary into pure hilarity.
00:02:34Go on, bugger off. Quote me.
00:02:36To quote the brothers themselves from episode 113, Mid-Century Mess,
00:02:41this house is all kinds of Frank Lloyd Wrong.
00:02:4698. Chris Elliott
00:02:49I'm sorry, child. Did I frighten you, child? Oh, I'm sorry. Are you scared?
00:02:56Chris Elliott has had a remarkable comedy career as the quintessential
00:03:00that guy from that thing. A journeyman actor whose presence
00:03:03elevates every project he touches. Known for his quirky, offbeat humor, Elliott first gained
00:03:09attention on Late Night with David Letterman, where his ridiculous sketches made him a cult favorite.
00:03:14So here's your letter, man. Here's your letter, man.
00:03:18It's for Dave right here.
00:03:20He later became a familiar face in Groundhog Day and There's Something About Mary,
00:03:24fleshing out the films with his famously awkward vibe.
00:03:27While not always a leading man, Elliott is a consistent scene-stealer in TV shows like
00:03:33How I Met Your Mother and Schitt's Creek. Elliott's enduring appeal lies in his ability to inject an
00:03:38unmistakably weird brand of humor into even the smallest of projects.
00:03:42He's also known for being a great actor.
00:03:44He's also known for being a great actor.
00:03:46He's also known for being a great actor.
00:03:48He's also known for being a great actor.
00:03:50He's also known for being a great actor.
00:03:52He's also known for being a great actor.
00:03:54He's also known for being a great actor.
00:03:56He's also known for being a great actor.
00:03:58He's also known for being a great actor.
00:04:00He's also known for being a great actor.
00:04:02He's also known for being a great actor.
00:04:04He's also known for being a great actor.
00:04:06He's also known for being a great actor.
00:04:08He's also known for being a great actor.
00:04:10He's also known for being a great actor.
00:04:12He's also known for being a great actor.
00:04:14He's also known for being a great actor.
00:04:16He's also known for being a great actor.
00:04:18He's also known for being a great actor.
00:04:20He's also known for being a great actor.
00:04:22She is most well-known as Dee Reynolds
00:04:24She is most well-known as Dee Reynolds
00:04:26on It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia.
00:04:28Sweet Dee is an unapologetically chaotic
00:04:30and self-absorbed character,
00:04:32injecting hilarity straight into the bloodstream
00:04:34of her fans.
00:04:36Well, he got me another gig for tonight, boner.
00:04:38What do you think about that?
00:04:40Pew!
00:04:42What is that?
00:04:44What are you doing?
00:04:46Sound effects.
00:04:48Oh, god damn, Dee.
00:04:50You have no idea what's funny.
00:04:52Don't do sound effects.
00:04:54Olsen expertly mixes witty quips
00:04:56with slapstick physical comedy,
00:04:58holding her own within a strong ensemble cast.
00:05:00In addition to her often unhinged live-action roles,
00:05:02Olsen's versatility extends to voice work
00:05:04with recurring roles in Bob's Burgers.
00:05:06Looks like Larry left you very comfortable.
00:05:08Oh no, you left nearly everything to charity.
00:05:11Ow.
00:05:11Charity.
00:05:13Well, everything except this house.
00:05:14And the place in New York.
00:05:15And Aspen.
00:05:16I'll get by.
00:05:17Olsen's irreverent sense of humor has netted her multiple Emmy nominations
00:05:21and the love of a Rabbit It's Always Sunny fan base.
00:05:24Number 96, Jason Sudeikis.
00:05:27Gravity is what makes our planets...
00:05:29No, stop, stop, stop pushing.
00:05:30Okay?
00:05:31Makes our planets orbit around the sun.
00:05:32If they...
00:05:33Knock it off, okay?
00:05:34Stop it.
00:05:35Jason Sudeikis has had one of the widest ranges of comedic roles of any actor working today.
00:05:40He first gained recognition on Saturday Night Live,
00:05:43where his ability to play anything from arrogant jerks to clueless everymen made him a standout
00:05:48cast member.
00:05:49Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, hey, next time you interrupt a woman in my courtroom,
00:05:53we gonna send you off to a lighthouse crawling with gators.
00:06:00What?
00:06:00Sudeikis transitioned to film with hits like Horrible Bosses,
00:06:04We're the Millers, and The Campaign.
00:06:06He can play absurdity and sincerity with equal aplomb.
00:06:09When he was able to expand his Ted Lasso sketch into a full-blown television series,
00:06:14Sudeikis conquered the world's heart.
00:06:16In the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic,
00:06:18audiences around the world were soothed by Ted Lasso's goofy optimism.
00:06:23MVP! MVP!
00:06:25Left leg!
00:06:26Okay.
00:06:26Right leg!
00:06:27Yes!
00:06:28Okay, thank you, Ted.
00:06:29Sorry.
00:06:30His warmth and kind-hearted humor were a bomb to a generally terrified viewership.
00:06:35Number 95.
00:06:36Rhea Perlman.
00:06:37Forget it, we cannot be bought.
00:06:39I can.
00:06:42Sweetheart, don't you want to be home with your family?
00:06:45Would you?
00:06:46When it comes to playing prickly characters with a heart of gold,
00:06:50few can do it with as much charm as Rhea Perlman.
00:06:53She became a household name in the 1980s as Carla Tortelli,
00:06:56the fiery and sarcastic waitress on Cheers.
00:06:59She won four Emmy Awards, securing her place in sitcom history.
00:07:04Presents are all wrapped, all the kids are in bed,
00:07:08and Eddie's waiting up for me so that we can exchange our goodies in private.
00:07:11You don't wait until Christmas morning to open your presents?
00:07:14Oh yeah, but we like to exchange our goodies in private.
00:07:18Perlman's biting humor set her apart from the rest of the cast,
00:07:21giving her scenes a fierce comedic energy.
00:07:24Beyond Cheers, she continued to shine in both TV and film,
00:07:28with memorable roles in Matilda, The Mindy Project, and Barbie.
00:07:32I can't in good conscience let you take this leap without you knowing what it means.
00:07:40Take my hand.
00:07:42Perlman's enduring appeal lies in her tempering a tough exterior with a deep sense of warmth.
00:07:48She is one of the most beloved comedic actors of her generation.
00:07:52Think any less of me.
00:07:5894. Patrick Warburton
00:08:00What's your name?
00:08:01I kind of think it's Manly Walker.
00:08:03Wheeler?
00:08:03No, Walker.
00:08:04Wheeler?
00:08:04No, you're not hearing me right. It's Walker.
00:08:07Patrick Warburton is blessed with one of the most recognizable voices in modern film and television.
00:08:12He became a fan favorite as the dim-witted but confident David Putty on Seinfeld.
00:08:17His oddball mannerisms and stoic expressions made every scene memorable.
00:08:21Well, she doesn't mean anything to me either. If it were up to me, we'd still be together.
00:08:24Well, maybe I feel the same way.
00:08:26Okay.
00:08:26Okay, so now what?
00:08:28Let's make out.
00:08:29Warburton's comedic brilliance continued in The Tick,
00:08:32where he played the clueless yet heroic blue-suited superhero.
00:08:35He really came into his own deploying his trademark voice in animation.
00:08:38I am a citizen of the moment. I've built my white picket fence around the now
00:08:43with a commanding view of the soon-to-be.
00:08:46Starting with Kronk in The Emperor's New Groove and Joe Swanson in Family Guy,
00:08:50Warburton has become a prolific voice actor.
00:08:53Oh yeah, I thought we'd start off with soup and a light salad
00:08:56and then see how we feel after that.
00:08:58Fans adore his knack for blending warmth with ridiculousness.
00:09:01It is our pleasure to introduce to you your chief flight attendant.
00:09:06Hello.
00:09:12And welcome. Welcome to Soarin'.
00:09:16Number 93, Tiffany Haddish.
00:09:19What? I'm not going to hell. Jesus loves me too.
00:09:24Better recognize your blessings.
00:09:27Tiffany Haddish has started the 2020s on a rocket ship to success,
00:09:31thanks to her bold, unfiltered humor and electric screen presence.
00:09:34She first made a splash in Girls Trip,
00:09:37where her wild and hilarious Dina stole the show despite the rest of the star-studded cast.
00:09:42Because I plan on getting white girl wasted this weekend,
00:09:44and I ain't letting none of you bitches kill my vibe, okay?
00:09:48The combination of her crass and outrageous comedy and her relatable vulnerability
00:09:53has made her a household name.
00:09:55Films like Night School and Like a Boss put her larger-than-life energy front and center.
00:10:00Beyond film, her work on TV shows like The Last O.G.
00:10:03and her Emmy-winning turn hosting Saturday Night Live cemented her legacy.
00:10:07Hello. You won't have to worry about shedding with Toby.
00:10:11He shaved everything off for a gay circuit party.
00:10:14Despite some personal issues in 2022, her future as of 2024 looks bright.
00:10:20Number 92. Rick Moranis.
00:10:32Ask any Gen X-er or elder millennial,
00:10:35and they will happily call Rick Moranis a beloved staple of their childhood.
00:10:39He first gained recognition on Broadway in 2012,
00:10:42He first gained recognition on the Canadian sketch comedy show SCTV.
00:10:47There, his brilliant, sharp character work stood out and earned him a career in Hollywood.
00:10:53Oh, Dana, it's you.
00:10:55Hello, Lewis.
00:10:56You gotta come in here. You're missing a classic party.
00:10:59Yes, well, I would, Lewis, but I have a date.
00:11:06You mean a date?
00:11:07Moranis starred in a string of 80s comedies,
00:11:10including Ghostbusters, where he played the adorably awkward Lewis Tully
00:11:14in Spaceballs as the hilariously villainous Dark Helmet.
00:11:24I can't breathe in this thing.
00:11:27His performances in Honey, I Shrunk the Kids and Little Shop of Horrors showcased
00:11:31his ability to play both the bumbling dad and the quirky underdog.
00:11:35His big heart and gentle humor shone out in his every role.
00:11:39Though he stepped back from acting,
00:11:41Moranis' unforgettable roles continue to resonate.
00:11:44That's great.
00:11:45It's not that great.
00:11:46Why?
00:11:46I shrunk the kids.
00:11:48What?
00:11:49And the Thompson kids, too.
00:11:50They're about this big.
00:11:51They're in the backyard.
00:11:52What?
00:11:52Threw them out with the trash.
00:11:58Some men are just threatened by a real woman.
00:12:05I'm afraid I've just been too much of a real woman.
00:12:09I'm afraid I've just been too much of a real woman.
00:12:13Cloris Leachman built an extraordinary comedy career that any actor would envy.
00:12:18A beloved figure in film and television,
00:12:20Leachman was utterly fearless.
00:12:22She first gained widespread acclaim on The Mary Tyler Moore Show
00:12:25as the eccentric and vain Phyllis Lindstrom.
00:12:28Mel Brooks then utilized Leachman's genius to brilliant effect
00:12:31as Frau Blucher in Young Frankenstein.
00:12:34I am Frau Blucher.
00:12:40Steady.
00:12:42Leachman cleaned up at the Emmys in the 1970s and 80s in both comedies and dramas.
00:12:47She spent her matronly years in ridiculous supporting roles in sitcoms and films.
00:12:52What else do the Germans do?
00:12:54They also practice by drinking the urine of a ram.
00:12:58The what?
00:12:59They drink ram's piss.
00:13:00Her quirky, unpredictable characters and unapologetic wit
00:13:04were marketable well into her 80s and 90s.
00:13:07Leachman's commitment to her craft and willingness to embrace the outrageous
00:13:10made her an absolute trailblazer.
00:13:23The history of comedy in Hollywood is one of mentorship,
00:13:26with today's comedy icons learning from those who came before.
00:13:29Mel Brooks, for example, frequently collaborated with younger comedy writers and actors.
00:13:34Few of them were as funny as Dom DeLuise.
00:13:37His infectious energy, larger-than-life persona,
00:13:39and ability to turn any scene into pure laughter made him an instant icon.
00:13:51He worked with Brooks frequently, stealing scenes in Blazing Saddles,
00:13:55Silent Movie, and History of the World Part I.
00:13:58DeLuise was a slapstick savant, meshing his inherent sweetness with utter chaos.
00:14:03In the mid-1980s, DeLuise lent his voice to classic animated films
00:14:07like An American Tale and The Secret of NIMH.
00:14:16Do you have any idea what it's like, Tim, to be up to your elbow
00:14:20in a zebra's vagina and feel life, new life, fresh life?
00:14:28No, I don't.
00:14:30You should try it, Tim. It's magical.
00:14:33I don't know exactly what is going on with me,
00:14:37but I do know one thing for sure,
00:14:39and that is that a bunch of mama's boys don't get to decide if I'm crazy.
00:14:44So, thank you. I'm out of here.
00:14:50I was wondering if you are available tomorrow to go down to Mexico.
00:14:54I need two drivers.
00:14:55Alas, I have two shows tomorrow, where I'm on standby for the Blue Man Group.
00:14:59Might as well keep this makeup on,
00:15:01since it takes so f***ing long to get off.
00:15:06You can't discourage me, Alice.
00:15:08I don't care if you've got any confidence,
00:15:10because I have enough confidence in me for the both of us.
00:15:15You've got enough everything in you for the both of us.
00:15:23Pop, haven't you ever seen that bumper sticker that says,
00:15:25Good Neighbors Come in All Colors?
00:15:27And you'll come in all colors, too, if I put my button up on the table.
00:15:31Every once in a while,
00:15:32a comedian makes a huge splash and revolutionizes the world of comedy.
00:15:37Few had as great a groundbreaking impact as Redd Foxx.
00:15:41He first gained fame in the 1960s as a stand-up comedian.
00:15:44His blue comedy albums broke taboos and pushed boundaries.
00:15:48He transitioned to television with one of a wave of 1970s-era black sitcoms, Sanford and Son.
00:15:54His character, the cranky yet lovable Fred,
00:15:57introduced Foxx to both black and white America.
00:16:00Mr. Sanford, I have decided that maybe you're not such a bad chamaco.
00:16:04Who you calling a chamaco, you chamaco?
00:16:06His cantankerous junk dealer won over the country's hearts
00:16:09with catchphrases like, I'm coming, Elizabeth.
00:16:11He introduced trenchant and biting social commentary
00:16:14through crass humor and slapstick comedy.
00:16:16Foxx's influence on future black comedians is immeasurable.
00:16:20He inspired generations with his unapologetic approach to comedy.
00:16:24Am I the fire?
00:16:28Or just another play?
00:16:34I swear no more cheating.
00:16:35I promise.
00:16:37I'll do anything.
00:16:37I'll do penance.
00:16:38Give me penance.
00:16:38But make that guy go away.
00:16:40No way.
00:16:49Dude.
00:16:54Please.
00:16:56I'm really not in the mood for this.
00:17:00Okay, enough.
00:17:05This is exactly what I look like when I jam out, mama.
00:17:08When I jam with my boss.
00:17:13Slappin' the bass, mama.
00:17:15Slappin' the bass, mama.
00:17:20Perhaps to Halloween.
00:17:24Oh, oh, oh.
00:17:26The practice.
00:17:29Oh, my jaw.
00:17:31Oh, sometimes the truth is painful, Frank.
00:17:35But it's made your cheeks all rosy and your eyes bright as stars.
00:17:40Number 80, Steve Buscemi.
00:17:42Are you sick?
00:17:46Why do you ask?
00:17:47You look sick.
00:17:50I am sick.
00:17:52You take medicine?
00:17:54There is no medicine for what I have.
00:17:56Steve Buscemi, once an FDNY firefighter, transitioned into acting and became an unexpected
00:18:02comedic force.
00:18:03Known for his distinct look and offbeat delivery, Buscemi made his mark in films like Fargo
00:18:08and The Big Lebowski.
00:18:09His quirky, nervous energy adds a unique layer to every Steve Buscemi scene.
00:18:14His brilliance is particularly evident in his frequent collaborations with Adam Sandler.
00:18:19His small roles in Billy Madison and The Wedding Singer were huge highlights in already
00:18:23successful comedies.
00:18:35On TV, Buscemi showcased his versatility in 30 Rock as the bizarre private investigator
00:18:40Lenny Wozniak.
00:18:41His unique look has allowed Buscemi to establish a distinctively offbeat brand of dark yet
00:18:47vulnerable humor.
00:18:48I was part of a special task force of very young-looking cops who infiltrated high schools.
00:18:54How do you do, fellow kids?
00:18:56What?
00:19:00Well, you've just inspired me to hire a DJ.
00:19:04So thank you.
00:19:06Oh.
00:19:07Well, good luck finding a DJ who can move and shake like this.
00:19:18How much for a order of ribs?
00:19:20Uh, $2.50.
00:19:21$2.50?
00:19:24How many ribs do I get with that?
00:19:26Uh, about five.
00:19:28Five?
00:19:30So I guess that's about 50 cents a rib, huh?
00:19:34Yeah, about.
00:19:35Okay, let me get one.
00:19:37Right on.
00:19:44The price is wrong, bitch.
00:19:48I like your style, young man, so I'm gonna propose you a proposition.
00:19:52You cover my bill so I don't have to run back upstairs, get your waitress to wrap your dinner
00:19:56picnic style, and we shall retire to more private environs where I will tell you how
00:20:01there are vast amounts of money to be made in the service of God Almighty.
00:20:08Hi, Betty.
00:20:09How are you?
00:20:11Uh, Brian.
00:20:13Brian, my name's Ryan.
00:20:15Get me a cup of coffee.
00:20:16No, my name's Ryan.
00:20:17We've been working together for weeks.
00:20:19Months, actually.
00:20:20Betty White had one of the greatest careers in the history of Hollywood, spanning more
00:20:25than seven decades.
00:20:27Famously older than sliced bread, White died as an icon at 99.
00:20:31She had the singular ability to be both incredibly sweet and wildly sassy.
00:20:36When Betty White says she wants a cup of coffee, you get her a cup of coffee.
00:20:42White's earlier work on The Mary Tyler Moore Show as the sharp-tongued Sue Ann Nivens showed
00:20:46her ability to master both innocence and cunning.
00:20:49You know you're in love when you totally screw up Hungarian goulash.
00:20:56I tried it the other day and I was all thumbs.
00:20:58A simple thing like that.
00:21:00I mean, who could be bothered?
00:21:01A half cup, a whole cup.
00:21:02My cup is running over.
00:21:05She finally and deservedly became a household name with her portrayal of the lovable, naive
00:21:10Rose Nylund on The Golden Girls.
00:21:11White collaborated with Bea Arthur, who played the sarcastic and strong-willed Dorothy
00:21:16Zbornak.
00:21:16Arthur, a legend in her own right, brought gravitas and wit to the show, perfectly complementing
00:21:22White's lighthearted humor.
00:21:23Listen, if there's ever a night where you can't sleep, I'll come to your room and sing
00:21:27Kumbaya.
00:21:30Rose, I don't know what to say.
00:21:33Yes, I do.
00:21:36Don't ever do that.
00:21:46You'll have to excuse her.
00:21:52She has a UTI.
00:21:54It's fine.
00:21:55Oh, and her father just died.
00:21:57Oh my god, I'm so sorry.
00:21:58Are you okay?
00:21:59Me?
00:22:01Thrill.
00:22:04This job really isn't how, you know, shows like CSI make it out to be.
00:22:08And when I first joined the force, I assumed there was semen on everything, and there was
00:22:13some, like, huge semen database that had every bad guy's semen in it.
00:22:17There isn't.
00:22:17That doesn't exist.
00:22:21Cheer up, Brian.
00:22:23You know what they say?
00:22:25Some things in life are bad.
00:22:28They can really make you mad.
00:22:31Other things just make you swear and curse.
00:22:35When you're chewing on life's gristle, back, Grumble.
00:22:39Give a whistle.
00:22:43What do you love?
00:22:45I love poetry.
00:22:46And a glass of scotch.
00:22:48And, of course, my friend Baxter here.
00:22:51Well, guess what?
00:22:52Now this is happening.
00:22:54Excuse me.
00:22:55Excuse me.
00:22:56What are you doing?
00:23:01That's how I roll.
00:23:05Daniel, you may want to stay seated for a second.
00:23:08Some really messed up stuff happened, and there were a lot of fatalities.
00:23:12Oh, really?
00:23:13You're putting your serious voice on, Jonah?
00:23:15Okay, tell me about these fatalities.
00:23:17When it comes to playing characters who are equal parts hilariously overconfident and broken,
00:23:22nobody can compete with Danny McBride.
00:23:24In 2006, he broke onto the scene with his role in The Foot-Fist Way,
00:23:28a low-budget comedy that showcased his knack for blending unearned arrogance with sheer insanity.
00:23:34I'm gonna warn you, I don't think you're gonna like how this ends, hot shot.
00:23:37Face your partner.
00:23:38That singular voice found even wider acclaim on HBO's Eastbound and Down.
00:23:42Where he played the egotistical and foul-mouthed ex-baseball player Kenny Powers.
00:23:47I'm in the darkest third world hole I've ever been in in my entire life.
00:23:51About a thousand hundred million miles from where I should be.
00:23:55And the only way for me to get back there is for us to join forces.
00:23:59His work in movies like Pineapple Express, Tropic Thunder, and This Is The End
00:24:03further demonstrated his fearlessness in embracing the absurd.
00:24:06In The Righteous Gemstones, McBride continues to push boundaries
00:24:10as the greedy, hypocritical son of a televangelist.
00:24:13Jesse, would you like to tell our friends in here the experience you had?
00:24:18Uh, yes, Daddy.
00:24:19The most amazing experience was just looking into the eyes of those people.
00:24:24Number 69.
00:24:25Glenn Howerton.
00:24:27God damn it!
00:24:29Shit!
00:24:30Well, now this is an interesting development.
00:24:48Number 68.
00:24:49Amy Poehler.
00:24:50I'm barely 34, and I've already landed a Parks Department exploratory subcommittee.
00:24:55I'm a rocket ship!
00:24:57We kind of follow her journey of realizing how good intentions are often not enough.
00:25:07That was really good.
00:25:08Number 67.
00:25:10Sid Caesar.
00:25:12Hey, what is he eating?
00:25:13I'll have that, that spaghetti.
00:25:14I'll have that, yeah.
00:25:15That's not spaghetti, sir.
00:25:16That's spaghetti.
00:25:19Cabbage extract and cauliflower derivative.
00:25:22It looks like spaghetti, so we call it spaghetti.
00:25:27Well, I'll have a veal kitlet with some ravioli on the side.
00:25:32Number 66.
00:25:33Vince Vaughn.
00:25:35Janice, I apologize to you if I don't seem real eager to jump into a forced,
00:25:39awkward, intimate situation that people like to call dating.
00:25:42I don't like the feeling.
00:25:43You're sitting there, you're wondering, do I have food on my face?
00:25:45Am I eating?
00:25:45Am I talking too much?
00:25:46Are they talking enough?
00:25:47Am I interested?
00:25:47I'm not really interested.
00:25:48Should I play like I'm interested?
00:25:49But I'm not that interested.
00:25:50But I think she might be interested.
00:25:51But do I want to be interested?
00:25:52But now she's not interested.
00:25:53So now, all of a sudden, I'm starting to get interested.
00:25:56Number 65.
00:25:57Leslie Nielsen.
00:26:12There are comedy actors, and then there are comedy legends.
00:26:16Leslie Nielsen firmly falls into the latter category.
00:26:19Starting as a dramatic character actor, Nielsen found his second act in comedy.
00:26:24In Airplane, his straight-faced performance as Dr. Rumack turned every line into comedic gold.
00:26:30This woman has to be gotten to a hospital.
00:26:31A hospital? What is it?
00:26:33It's a big building with patients, but that's not important right now.
00:26:36He took that vibe and ran with it.
00:26:38A master of the deadpan delivery in the middle of an absurd world,
00:26:42Nielsen was a serious face with a silly soul.
00:26:45He helped usher in the resurgence of slapstick comedy in the 1970s and 80s.
00:26:49Nielsen's role as the bumbling detective Frank Drebin in the Naked Gun series
00:26:53solidified his place in comedy history.
00:26:55His ability to deliver ridiculous dialogue with unwavering sincerity became his signature move.
00:27:16Number 64.
00:27:17Ryan Reynolds.
00:27:23No, right?
00:27:24Whose balls did I have to fondle to get my very own movie?
00:27:28Number 63.
00:27:29Katherine Hahn.
00:27:30You've seen my kid? He's like nine feet tall and all he cares about is baseball.
00:27:34Do you go to all of his games?
00:27:36No.
00:27:37No, I don't.
00:27:38The last game I went to was six hours long and the final score was one to two.
00:27:42So, I'd rather go to Afghanistan than another kid's baseball game.
00:27:46Number 62.
00:27:47Eugene Levy.
00:27:48You know your Uncle Mort?
00:27:49He pets the one-eyed snake five, six times a day.
00:27:52It's like practice for the big game, you see?
00:27:57And it's like banging a tennis ball against a brick wall, which can be fun.
00:28:04Number 61.
00:28:06Bill Hader.
00:28:06What the hell are these?
00:28:08What the hell are these?
00:28:09These are dozer pads.
00:28:10Each one is equipped with a GPS system and a countdown clock to remind you to complete a task
00:28:15every 55 minutes.
00:28:17It also has backgammon on it, which I could not delete, but you are not allowed to play.
00:28:22Number 60.
00:28:23Tracy Ullman.
00:28:24Observational humor and impressions have been cornerstones of modern comedy since the 1950s.
00:28:30Few have mastered both with the level of precision and incisiveness of Tracy Ullman.
00:28:34It began with the Tracy Ullman Show.
00:28:36Her ability to embody a wide range of characters made her an impressionist savant.
00:28:41I feel charming, oh so charming.
00:28:44It's alarming how charming I feel.
00:28:47I'm so pretty.
00:28:49Miss America can just resign.
00:28:52While the show jump-started The Simpsons, Ullman's performances were the main attraction.
00:28:57She seamlessly shifted from outrageous to heartfelt at will.
00:29:00Her character-driven comedy continued with Tracy Takes On, earning her multiple Emmys.
00:29:06Ullman's gift for impersonation and satire continued in Tracy Ullman's show,
00:29:10where her takes on public figures were sharp and hilarious.
00:29:13Sorry about that, there must be something wrong with the security camera.
00:29:15Yes, well they can be temperamental.
00:29:18I loved you in James Bond.
00:29:20Oh, we just try to tell a good story.
00:29:23Her fearless, chameleon-like approach to comedy has made her one of the most
00:29:27inventive and enduring talents in the industry.
00:29:30Number 59.
00:29:31Fred Armisen.
00:29:33Bicycle race!
00:29:34Bicycle race!
00:29:34Bicycle race!
00:29:35Bicycle!
00:29:36I'm on a bike!
00:29:37I'm on a bike!
00:29:37I'm on a bike!
00:29:38You're gonna turn, you gotta tell me!
00:29:40Watch out, bike, bike, bike, bike, bike!
00:29:42Ugh, cars, man, why?
00:29:45Number 58.
00:29:46Jane Lynch.
00:29:52The moment I put that tracksuit on, the world bowed before me.
00:29:56I had one made in every color.
00:29:58Number 57.
00:29:59Simon Pegg.
00:30:00Okay, everyone just stay where they are, I'm gonna check if the coast is clear.
00:30:10Is it clear?
00:30:15No.
00:30:16Number 56.
00:30:17Albert Brooks.
00:30:18I don't care anymore about school, senior vice president and vice president.
00:30:22I'm sick of being programmed like a stupid robot.
00:30:25Phil Schiavone.
00:30:26Why?
00:30:27Phil Schiavone!
00:30:27I don't know why, the underqualified son of a bitch!
00:30:30Number 55.
00:30:31Mike Myers.
00:30:35Okay.
00:30:36Hey, are you through yet?
00:30:37Because I'm getting tired of holding this.
00:30:39Yeah, that's what she said.
00:30:41Since its debut in 1975, Saturday Night Live has been a vessel for multiple generations
00:30:46of comedy actors to launch into superstardom.
00:30:49In the 1990s, it was Mike Myers' turn.
00:30:52His character work there proved that Myers was a chameleon and a master of both sarcasm
00:30:57and the absurd.
00:30:58Myers found success when his SNL sketch Wayne's World became a pair of successful films.
00:31:03When he followed them up with Austin Powers, his career took off like a rocket and he was
00:31:07catapulted to international fame.
00:31:16He played multiple characters with a mix of slapstick humor and sharp parody.
00:31:20His voice work too met with unparalleled levels of success when his lovable green ogre in
00:31:25Shrek generated multiple sequels, a Broadway musical and billions at the box office.
00:31:38Oh, no.
00:31:40Oh, no.
00:31:44The tradition of Festivus begins with the airing of grievances.
00:31:49I got a lot of problems with you people.
00:31:52Now you're gonna hear about it.
00:31:57The only way to really live in this is to embrace the fact that nothing matters.
00:32:02Well, then what's the point of living?
00:32:03Well, we kind of have no choice but to live.
00:32:07So I think your best bet is just to learn how to suffer existence.
00:32:15I'm new here, too.
00:32:16Where do you work?
00:32:18Downstairs.
00:32:20In the morgue?
00:32:21That's right.
00:32:23Yes, yes, yes.
00:32:25How did he?
00:32:26Coffee.
00:32:27Too much coffee.
00:32:28I'm just taking him out for some air.
00:32:30I mean, some fresh air for me.
00:32:31He's just coming along for the ride.
00:32:33Don't you dare laugh.
00:32:47OK, I can not wear this dress.
00:32:53Yes, you bet.
00:32:54I'm my name is Borat.
00:32:56I like you.
00:32:57I like sex.
00:33:00It's rare in the comedy world for an actor to bring something new to the table.
00:33:03Enter Sacha Baron Cohen, a comedian who has redefined modern comedy.
00:33:08His fearless boundary-pushing approach to character work has challenged social norms
00:33:12and political correctness.
00:33:14His outrageous humor delivers a healthy dose of sharp social commentary.
00:33:18Cohen first gained fame in the UK with The Ali G Show.
00:33:21His alter egos, Ali G, Borat and Bruno, conducted biting and satirical interviews
00:33:26that exposed the absurdities of his subjects.
00:33:28And what date does you hold the 4th of July on?
00:33:31Yeah, usually the 4th of July.
00:33:33Why?
00:33:34Well, that's why we call it that, I think.
00:33:36Yeah.
00:33:36He then took Borat to the big screen, becoming a global phenomenon.
00:33:40He continued this provocative style in films like Bruno and the Dictator,
00:33:44using comedy to explore uncomfortable truths about politics, fame and culture.
00:33:49We are two months away from enriching weapons-grade uranium.
00:33:54To be used for peaceful purposes.
00:34:00Number 49, Ben Stiller.
00:34:02What is this?
00:34:07A center for ants?
00:34:10What?
00:34:15How can we be expected to teach children to learn how to read
00:34:18if they can't even fit inside the box?
00:34:20How can we be expected to teach children to learn how to read
00:34:24if they can't even fit inside the building?
00:34:27Number 48, Jason Alexander.
00:34:30Name one thing I have that puts me in a position of advantage, huh?
00:34:33There was a guy that worked at the Yankees, no arms!
00:34:36He got more work done than I did, made more money, got a wife, a family,
00:34:41drove a better car than I did.
00:34:42He drove a car with no arms.
00:34:45Alright, I made up the part about the car, but the rest is true.
00:34:49And he hated me anyway!
00:34:51Come taste the difference good fruit can make in your wine.
00:34:55You'll remember the experience and you'll remember the name.
00:34:59Herb Ervlinger.
00:35:02Bert Herngreif.
00:35:03Erv Hermlinger.
00:35:06Bing Livehanger.
00:35:08Number 46, Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy.
00:35:11What does he want?
00:35:12We didn't advertise for two.
00:35:14Oh, but we can do the work of one.
00:35:15Well, you see, it just so happens that our business takes us today.
00:35:18Then I thought that-
00:35:19We'll see.
00:35:19Come in.
00:35:23Number 45, Danny DeVito.
00:35:26Listen, I got an idea.
00:35:27We should go into business together.
00:35:29You could be a boxer, I could be a manager.
00:35:31Oh, I don't think I could fight for money.
00:35:34No problem.
00:35:34You do all the fighting, I'll keep all the money.
00:35:37Danny DeVito is one of those actors who can do anything.
00:35:40Heartfelt dramas, silly comedies, none are beyond his abilities.
00:35:44He did, however, find a niche for himself in comedy,
00:35:47with decades of shows and films under his belt.
00:35:50Despite his diminutive stature, his characters tend to be quirky and larger than life.
00:35:55DeVito's success began in the 1970s with Louis de Palma on Taxi.
00:35:59The short-tempered, scheming cab dispatcher earned him an Emmy.
00:36:02It's Christmas Eve.
00:36:04What the hell?
00:36:04I'm gonna let you go home early.
00:36:06Come on, get out of here.
00:36:07Merry Christmas.
00:36:08Louis, I get off in six minutes.
00:36:13Well, go, enjoy them.
00:36:15In the 80s and 90s, DeVito kept the momentum going with movies like Twins,
00:36:19Batman Returns, and Get Shorty.
00:36:21Modern audiences, though, know Danny DeVito as Frank Reynolds
00:36:24on It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia.
00:36:26Frank is a depraved lunatic whose hilarious antics
00:36:30have delighted audiences for nearly 20 years.
00:36:33No hesitation, no surrender, no surrender, no surrender, no surren-
00:36:38No!
00:36:40Oh, shh.
00:36:43Oh, shit.
00:36:46Surrender.
00:36:47Number 44, Mary Tyler Moore.
00:36:50Look, let's just cut this dumb talk right now, all right?
00:36:53Okay.
00:37:02You are despicable.
00:37:05Number 43, Dana Carvey.
00:37:08And who could have led us into that chasm, Jimmy?
00:37:11Who was behind the wheel of our Lincoln Town Car
00:37:13when we drove into the Crazy 8 Motel?
00:37:16Who could it be?
00:37:17Who could it be?
00:37:18I just can't imagine.
00:37:19Who could it be?
00:37:22Satan!
00:37:24Number 42, Jack Lemmon.
00:37:27You call yourself a friend?
00:37:28You bastard.
00:37:29Hey, watch your mouth, you dumb friggin' Swede.
00:37:32Look, don't tell me what to do, huh?
00:37:34Yeah, yeah, big man with the action.
00:37:36The action?
00:37:37All right, fine.
00:37:37You want to clock me?
00:37:38You think you can take me?
00:37:39Come on.
00:37:40Number 41, Phil Hartman.
00:37:43All right, boys.
00:37:45Let's stop in here for a second.
00:37:47I'm a little parched from the jog.
00:37:49Oh, sir, we've only been jogging for three blocks.
00:37:52Besides, Mrs. Quinn asked us not to let you
00:37:53into any more fast food places.
00:37:55Well, I just want to mingle with the American people,
00:37:57talk with some real folks,
00:37:58maybe get a Diet Coke or something.
00:38:01Number 40, Bud Abbott and Lou Costello.
00:38:04Abbott and Costello became one of the most iconic comedy duos in history,
00:38:08trailblazing silly but intellectual humor
00:38:11layered into more traditional slapstick.
00:38:13They skyrocketed to fame in the 1940s
00:38:15with their legendary routine, Who's on First,
00:38:18which remains one of the most famous comedy sketches of all time.
00:38:22You know the fellow's name?
00:38:23Yes.
00:38:24Well, then who's playing first?
00:38:25Yes.
00:38:25I mean, the fellow's name on first base.
00:38:26Who?
00:38:27The fellow playing first base for St. Louis.
00:38:29Who?
00:38:29The guy on first base.
00:38:30Who is on first?
00:38:32Well, what are you asking me for?
00:38:33I'm not asking you.
00:38:34I'm telling you who is on first.
00:38:36Their success extended to radio, film, and television,
00:38:39with films like Buck Privates,
00:38:41Hold That Ghost,
00:38:41and Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein.
00:38:44Put your shoulder to the head.
00:38:45Hold it tight.
00:38:45Barricade it.
00:38:46He can't get in here.
00:38:53Their slapstick vibe meshed with fast-paced banter
00:38:55set the standard for comedic partnerships.
00:38:58Abbott's straight man role perfectly complemented
00:39:00Costello's bumbling childlike persona,
00:39:02creating a dynamic that brought out the best in both.
00:39:05Whether in classic vaudeville routines
00:39:07or monster movie spoofs,
00:39:08Abbott and Costello's chemistry made them
00:39:10a timeless force still lauded today.
00:39:13Now that we've seen the last of Dracula,
00:39:14the wolfman, and the monster,
00:39:16there's nobody to frighten us anymore.
00:39:18Oh, that's too bad.
00:39:19I was hoping to get in on the excitement.
00:39:21Who said that?
00:39:24Oh, that's invigorating.
00:39:31Oh, that's terrific.
00:39:36Oh, I'm going to have a great deal of fun with this,
00:39:40I can tell.
00:39:45Yes, I did it.
00:39:46I killed Yvette.
00:39:47I hated her so much, it, it, the, it, flame, flames,
00:39:54flames on the side of my face.
00:40:03Hey, not-Air Marshal John,
00:40:05you want to get back in that restroom and not rest?
00:40:08No, I have to get back to my seat.
00:40:09Yeah, you got to get back on my seat.
00:40:14You get it?
00:40:18Personally, I like the university.
00:40:19They gave us money and facilities.
00:40:21We didn't have to produce anything.
00:40:22You've never been out of college.
00:40:23You don't know what it's like out there.
00:40:25I've worked in the private sector.
00:40:27They expect results.
00:40:31Finished?
00:40:32Just.
00:40:32Thank you so much.
00:40:33Not at all.
00:40:34Charmed, I'm sure.
00:40:35Ingrown toenail, right foot.
00:40:36You'll find it on the end of the leg.
00:40:39John Cleese is a towering figure in British comedy,
00:40:42known for his sharp wit and intellectual humor.
00:40:45He first made his mark with Monty Python's Flying Circus,
00:40:48where he and fellow Python members like Graham Chapman and Michael Palin
00:40:51created groundbreaking surreal sketches that reshaped television comedy.
00:41:04Cleese's deadpan delivery in classics like The Ministry of Silly Walks
00:41:07and The Dead Parrot Sketch became instant classics.
00:41:10Chapman, often Cleese's writing partner, had a brilliant knack for absurdity,
00:41:14while Palin's warm, likable persona balanced Cleese's more cutting style.
00:41:18Cleese went on to star in and co-write Fawlty Towers,
00:41:21playing the bumbling and irritable hotel owner Basil Fawlty.
00:41:25His work in films like A Fish Called Wanda further cemented his legacy as an all-time great.
00:41:34Don't forget that report, Bill.
00:41:39Yes, sir.
00:41:40Merry Christmas.
00:41:41Merry Christmas.
00:41:41Merry Christmas.
00:41:43Merry Christmas.
00:41:43Kiss my ass.
00:41:45Kiss his ass.
00:41:46Kiss your ass.
00:41:47Happy Hanukkah.
00:41:50Yes, cake is my weakness.
00:41:53Along with speed and strength.
00:41:56Strength is my weakness.
00:41:59Hey, can I...
00:42:00Quick question.
00:42:01How is strength my weakness?
00:42:04Jennifer Coolidge.
00:42:05I mean, the whole night was like a dream.
00:42:08We just wanted you to have the perfect send-off.
00:42:11Oh, send-off.
00:42:14We have to leave Philip Pisano and bring you back to Tarmina.
00:42:21I just feel like I'm excited, and I feel relaxed, and I'm ready to party
00:42:32with the best of them.
00:42:34Number 30, Julia Louis-Dreyfus.
00:42:37Here's to those who wish us well, and those who don't can go to hell.
00:42:48All right, who's dancing?
00:42:50In some jurisdictions, leaving Julia Louis-Dreyfus off this list could be considered a criminal
00:42:55offense.
00:42:55Her trademark idiosyncratic and offbeat vibe was incredibly relatable to modern audiences.
00:43:01She is both a master of physical comedy and dry wit, making her characters incredibly
00:43:06endearing, even when they're terrible people.
00:43:08Louis-Dreyfus was first showered with both critical and audience praise as Elaine on
00:43:13Seinfeld.
00:43:13The new adventures of old Christine continued to put her neurotic brand of humor front and
00:43:18center.
00:43:18Though she continued in a variety of roles, she reached the apex of stardom as Selena
00:43:23Meyer on Veep.
00:43:24Madam Vice President, greatest respect, but it has been the job of the VP over the ages
00:43:28to, you know, take it in the ass to save the president.
00:43:31Yeah, let me tell you something.
00:43:32This ass is closed for business.
00:43:35This ass is in clenched down.
00:43:36I don't want to be a decoy.
00:43:38Let the president take it in the ass.
00:43:39He might like it.
00:43:40She won Emmys year after year for her portrayal of the fabulously cunning and ruthless politician.
00:43:46Number 29, John C. Reilly.
00:43:48I can sing too.
00:43:49In fact, I'll sing right now.
00:43:51If you wanna get down on these hairy balls, why don't you jump right in?
00:43:57It's a crotch party right up in here.
00:43:59Why don't you lick on this big John?
00:44:02Stop it, Dale.
00:44:03Stop it.
00:44:04Number 28, Henry Winkler.
00:44:06Number 27, Kate McKinnon.
00:44:36Here, if you come down, I'll give you a copy of my book,
00:44:40What Happened, by me, Hillary Rodham Clinton.
00:44:44Go on, take it.
00:44:46Number 26, John Belushi.
00:44:49Did you say over?
00:44:51Nothing is over until we decide it is.
00:44:54Was it over when the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor?
00:44:57Hell no.
00:44:59German?
00:45:00Forget it, he's rolling.
00:45:01And ain't over now.
00:45:02Because when the going gets tough...
00:45:10Number 25, Mel Brooks.
00:45:12Surpassing legendary status, Mel Brooks is a comedy god.
00:45:16He first made waves as a writer for Your Show of Shows,
00:45:19and within a few years, went on to create some of the most seminal films in comedy history.
00:45:25All pay heed!
00:45:26The Lord, the Lord Jehovah, has given unto you these 15...
00:45:34Wait.
00:45:3610! 10 commandments!
00:45:38His directorial debut, The Producers, became a groundbreaking hit,
00:45:42and eventually, a Broadway sensation.
00:45:44Brooks followed it up with classics like Blazing Saddles and Young Frankenstein,
00:45:48where he expertly lampooned westerns and horror films.
00:45:52It'll never work.
00:45:53It'll never work.
00:45:54It'll never work, they'll kill him dead one day.
00:45:57One day is all we'll need to secure your name in the annals of western history,
00:46:01and to get for you a nomination for...
00:46:03Dare I say?
00:46:04Dare, dare.
00:46:05The presidency!
00:46:07Hail to the chief!
00:46:09His ability to mix slapstick, wit, and satire made his work timeless,
00:46:13appreciated by one generation after another.
00:46:16Even later films like Spaceballs and Robin Hood Men in Tights
00:46:19maintained his signature comedic style.
00:46:21President Scrooge! Salute!
00:46:24Hail Scrooge!
00:46:28Oh, uh, Simca has made everything we need.
00:46:33Do you like Christmas ham with, uh, honey glaze and pineapples on it?
00:46:38Yeah.
00:46:39Good, then you better bring one.
00:46:41Bring it, bring it!
00:46:44Number 23, Nathan Lane.
00:46:47Of course, Armand is much more sophisticated than I am,
00:46:51but then he comes from such good stock.
00:46:56Just like these two adorable youngsters.
00:47:00Don't you agree?
00:47:02Number 22, Steve Carell.
00:47:04Um, I have, uh, I have a question.
00:47:06I think some of the people here might be sexually inexperienced.
00:47:10Is it true that if you don't use it, you lose it?
00:47:13Is that a serious question?
00:47:15No, it wasn't.
00:47:16Okay.
00:47:17Number 21, Rowan Atkinson.
00:47:37Number 20, Bill Murray.
00:47:39Bill Murray's wit is so dry,
00:47:41Bill Murray's wit is so dry,
00:47:44you need moisturizer for your soul after watching him.
00:48:00Murray joined the cast of Saturday Night Live in 1977,
00:48:04where he immediately stood out as a comedic force.
00:48:07It didn't take long for his career to launch into the stratosphere.
00:48:10Films like Caddyshack, Ghostbusters, and Groundhog Day
00:48:13allowed him to show off his character work
00:48:15and trademark blend of wry humor with easy charm.
00:48:18You folks ready to order?
00:48:19I didn't just survive a wreck.
00:48:21I wasn't just blown up yesterday.
00:48:23I have been stabbed, shot, poisoned, frozen,
00:48:27hung, electrocuted, and burned.
00:48:29Oh, really?
00:48:31And every morning I wake up without a scratch on me,
00:48:33not a dent in the fender,
00:48:36I am an immortal.
00:48:37Murray's subtle sarcasm allowed him to make
00:48:40even giant bastards completely relatable.
00:48:42As he aged, Murray evolved and began to choose more offbeat roles
00:48:46in films like Rushmore and Lost in Translation.
00:48:49Whether we're talking Murray classic or the dapper older gentleman,
00:48:52his filmography has something for everyone.
00:48:55Are you okay?
00:48:59Well, I'm a little bit lonely these days.
00:49:02Number 19, Tina Fey.
00:49:04Am I the last one in the city still following the rules of being a person?
00:49:09You know what?
00:49:09New York is overrated.
00:49:11Three bucks, two bags, one me.
00:49:17Say, where does a young prostitute get started in this town?
00:49:21Tina Fey is a perfect example of how some of the best comedians are also the smartest.
00:49:26Her scathing repartee is the stuff of legend.
00:49:29She became SNL's first female head writer in 1999
00:49:32and joined the cast as a weekend update anchor the following year.
00:49:36Fey's writing genius took center stage on 30 Rock,
00:49:39a sitcom loosely based on her experiences at SNL.
00:49:42Her portrayal of Liz Lemon was a cultural touchstone while the show was on the air.
00:49:47In film, Fey's talents shone bright with hits like Mean Girls,
00:49:51which she also wrote, and Date Night.
00:49:54I have had enough!
00:49:56My kids are gonna have me up in 90 minutes so this shit ends now!
00:50:01I'm gonna count to three and every one of you boys is gonna put down your guns!
00:50:07Is she serious?
00:50:08What?
00:50:08I think she's serious.
00:50:10With her deep roots at SNL,
00:50:12Fey has been discussed as a potential replacement for Lorne Michaels when he retires.
00:50:19Martin Short has built an extraordinary comedy career off of his madcap infectious energy.
00:50:23His ability to transition between live performances,
00:50:26sketch comedy, and film has kept him beloved by fans for decades.
00:50:30Dinosaur world.
00:50:33Are you happy?
00:50:34I say I'm the happiest boy in the whole wide world, Uncle Mental Case.
00:50:39I'm the Mental Case.
00:50:41You're the one in the straitjacket.
00:50:43Yes, well I imagine when they put you in yours, they'll need a much larger one, sir.
00:50:47Short's big start, as with many Canadian comedians of his generation, was on SCTV.
00:50:52His ridiculous character work earned him a spot on Saturday Night Live.
00:50:57After only a year, he pivoted to Hollywood,
00:51:00where in the late 1980s and early 1990s, Short made a name for himself.
00:51:04Films like Three Amigos and Father of the Bride
00:51:07showcased his versatile yet wacky brand of comedy.
00:51:10This is what I seduced.
00:51:12I seduced her.
00:51:13We select the keg first, you know,
00:51:15because the keg will often determine what kind of wedding that you end up having.
00:51:21In recent years, he's partnered up with his old pal Steve Martin,
00:51:24as well as Selena Gomez, in Only Murders in the Building.
00:51:30Richard Pryor was the kind of comedian revered by other comedians.
00:51:33Jon Stewart once said he, George Carlin, and Lenny Bruce were the holy trinity of stand-up.
00:51:39Pryor was utterly fearless, tackling race,
00:51:41social issues, and personal experiences with raw, savage honesty.
00:51:45You better get bad, Jack, because you ain't bad.
00:51:48You're gonna get f***ed.
00:51:50You're bad, they don't mess with you.
00:51:53His comedy albums and live performances are considered some of the best in history.
00:51:57Pryor's film career was equally impressive.
00:52:00Films like Silverstreak and Stir Crazy brought the topics from his stand-up act to the silver screen.
00:52:05His frequent collaborations with Gene Wilder
00:52:08created one of the greatest comedic duos of all time.
00:52:20Pryor's impact on both comedy and society at large is immeasurable,
00:52:25as he pushed boundaries and opened doors for future generations of comedians.
00:52:31John Candy was a king of 1980s comedy films.
00:52:35His warmth and charm suffused every scene.
00:52:38Starting out on SCTV, Candy stood out, even among an all-star cast.
00:52:43Now, Darren, you're a family man, is that correct?
00:52:45That is correct. Alec, I've got two wonderful parents.
00:52:48I have a mother and a father, and I have another brother whose name is Darren.
00:52:53What I meant to say was, uh, you, you have a family of your own?
00:52:59I don't follow you.
00:53:01His wide range of characters showcased his talent for slapstick and subtle intellectual comedy.
00:53:06Candy's film career quickly took off.
00:53:08His roles in Stripes, Splash, and The Great Outdoors were unforgettable.
00:53:13Still, it was his performances in Planes, Trains and Automobiles and Uncle Buck
00:53:17that cemented his status as a comedy legend.
00:53:19Take this quarter.
00:53:22Go downtown and have a rat gnaw that thing off your face.
00:53:27Good day to you, madam.
00:53:29His gift for blending silly and sometimes crass humor with gallons of heart
00:53:33made Candy a comedy darling.
00:53:35He could make you laugh and cry simultaneously.
00:53:38His silly characters often used humor to mask a deep well of pain and sadness.
00:53:44Love is not a big enough word.
00:53:48It's not a big enough word for how I feel about my wife.
00:53:53To the wives.
00:53:54To the wives!
00:53:58Number 15.
00:54:00Billy Crystal.
00:54:01The 1984-85 cast of SNL was known as the all-stars,
00:54:05with members like Christopher Guest, Martin Short, Julia Louis-Dreyfus and, of course, Billy Crystal.
00:54:17His characters, like Fernando with his infamous catchphrase,
00:54:20you look marvelous, made Crystal a fan favorite.
00:54:23His vaudeville-inspired style and his one-liners formed a type of humor
00:54:27with decades of longevity.
00:54:28Crystal quickly transitioned to films,
00:54:31when Harry Met Sally is still considered to be one of the greatest romantic comedies of all time.
00:54:36What does this song mean?
00:54:37My whole life, I don't know what this song means.
00:54:39I mean, should old acquaintance be forgot?
00:54:41Does that mean that we should forget old acquaintances?
00:54:43It doesn't mean that if we happen to forget them, we should remember them,
00:54:45which is not possible because we already forgot them.
00:54:48His later hits like City Slickers, Analyze This and Monsters, Inc.
00:54:52are classics that helped solidify Crystal as a king of comedy.
00:54:55His multiple hosting gigs at the Oscars
00:54:58were widely considered the best iterations of the award show.
00:55:08One measure of an actor and comedian is the way their colleagues talk about them.
00:55:13By that measure, few comedy actors were as loved as Chris Farley.
00:55:26Take it off, dickhead, I'm serious.
00:55:27Richard, what's happening?
00:55:31Farley was a humor tornado,
00:55:33a whirlwind of energy, physicality and pure distilled joy.
00:55:37On SNL, his characters were utterly unforgettable,
00:55:40from his infamous Chippendale sketch to the overzealous motivational speaker Matt Foley.
00:55:45I am 35 years old, I am divorced and I live in a van down by the river.
00:55:56His gut-busting performances were instant classics.
00:55:59Farley's larger-than-life personality transitioned seamlessly to film,
00:56:03with starring roles in Tommy Boy and Black Sheep.
00:56:06His slapstick genius and lovable buffoonery were a perfect fit for the mid-90s.
00:56:10His fearless approach to comedy,
00:56:12throwing himself into every scene, often literally,
00:56:15made him a one-of-a-kind talent.
00:56:18Here's Shadow, here's you, here's Matt, there's you, there's...
00:56:25Number 13, Gilda Radner.
00:56:28As you can probably tell by now,
00:56:30sketch shows like SCTV and Saturday Night Live
00:56:33were fertile ground for cultivating the best comedy talent.
00:56:36To that end, it's telling that Gilda Radner was the first person ever cast on SNL.
00:56:41That's why I want to talk to you tonight on behalf of a God-given American right,
00:56:46the right to extreme stupidity.
00:56:50Extremely stupid people are discriminated against all the time,
00:56:55and I should know, and so should Fern, because we are.
00:56:59Her brilliance was undeniable, like a force of nature.
00:57:02Radner's characters, like the mischievous Roseanne Rosanadanna
00:57:05and the clueless Emily Latella, were 1970s staples.
00:57:08But what this cutie didn't know was when she wiped off her nose,
00:57:12she didn't push back in this one little perfect little nose hair.
00:57:17It just stuck out there, and it was long, and it was black,
00:57:21and it was perfect, and I thought I was gonna die.
00:57:24Whether playing lovable weirdos or nailing spot-on impressions,
00:57:27she was bold yet sensitive in her every role.
00:57:30Radner's radiant energy lit up the stage and made her a trailblazer for women in comedy.
00:57:35Her work in the one-woman show Gilda Live
00:57:37further solidified her status as a comedic powerhouse.
00:57:43Gene Wilder gave a masterclass in controlled chaos in every performance,
00:57:48where manic energy met heartfelt sincerity.
00:57:50He had a gift for playing characters on the brink.
00:57:53Whether it was the nervous accountant in The Producers
00:57:55or the unhinged scientist in Young Frankenstein.
00:58:12Wilder had a way of making the absurd seem perfectly natural,
00:58:15delivering frantic outbursts with a calm intensity that made them hilarious.
00:58:20In Blazing Saddles, his deadpan humor provided a perfect counterpoint to the film's madness.
00:58:25In Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory,
00:58:27his enigmatic, unpredictable performance was the stuff of cinematic legend.
00:58:44It was a foundational film for many Gen Xers and elder millennials.
00:58:48His comedy was wild and nuanced,
00:58:50creating unforgettable, endearing characters that still resonate today.
00:58:55You've got to remember that these are just simple farmers.
00:58:59These are people of the land.
00:59:02The common clay of the New West.
00:59:07You know...
00:59:10Morons.
00:59:16The Marx Brothers revolutionized comedy with their rapid-fire wit,
00:59:20physical gags, and anarchic humor.
00:59:22Groucho, with his biting sarcasm and quick one-liners, was the ringleader.
00:59:33Carpo's silent, chaotic mischief and Chico's playful conman routine
00:59:37added layers to their unique brand of madness.
00:59:39Their films, like Duck Soup and A Night at the Opera,
00:59:42turned traditional plots on their head, favoring absurdity over sense.
00:59:46The brothers thrived on disorder,
00:59:48often disrupting every scene with relentless wordplay,
00:59:51slapstick, and total disregard for authority.
01:00:06Their comedy was pure, unfiltered mayhem.
01:00:09Whether it was Groucho's snappy insult,
01:00:11Carpo's wild antics,
01:00:12or Chico's ridiculous accents,
01:00:14they left audiences in stitches.
01:00:16Together, the Marx Brothers crafted a legacy of irreverence
01:00:20that still influences comedians today.
01:00:36Will Ferrell's comedy career is a patchwork of outrageous characters,
01:00:39absurd scenarios, and unrestrained energy.
01:00:42He first forged his reputation on Saturday Night Live,
01:00:46where he established his insane impersonations and larger-than-life personas.
01:00:50Ferrell's signature style blends over-the-top physicality with a childlike innocence,
01:00:54creating a comedic dichotomy that's irresistibly funny.
01:01:06By the start of the 2000s,
01:01:08Ferrell had begun to make a name for himself in Hollywood.
01:01:10Characters like the infamous Mugatu in Zoolander set him apart.
01:01:14Smash hits like Anchorman and Step Brothers
01:01:16are still considered some of the funniest films ever made.
01:01:29His hilariously quotable dialogue and unforgettable moments
01:01:32continue to entertain viewers years later.
01:01:44Look, I like the baby version the best, do you hear me?
01:01:47I win the races and I get the money.
01:01:49Ricky, finish the damn Grace.
01:01:54Steve Martin's decades-long career is a dazzling brew of clever banter,
01:01:58absurdity, and a touch of surreality.
01:02:11He initially captivated audiences as a stand-up,
01:02:14combining playful one-liners and whimsical quips.
01:02:16He would often wear a signature white suit and play the banjo.
01:02:20Martin's films, like The Jerk and Planes, Trains, and Automobiles,
01:02:23highlight his knack for playing lovable misfits.
01:02:26His humor often straddles the line between the ridiculous and the profound.
01:02:30Why are you holding my hand?
01:02:34Where's your other hand?
01:02:36Between two pillows.
01:02:38Those aren't pillows.
01:02:42Father of the Bride is the prime example,
01:02:45where he navigates the chaos of parenthood with both hilarity and pathos.
01:02:49Martin has a unique ability to balance slapstick wackiness
01:02:52with brilliant insights into the everyday human condition.
01:03:00Me, I can definitely lose it.
01:03:04My mother, a nut.
01:03:06My grandfather, stories about him were legendary.
01:03:13Buster Keaton redefined comedy in the era of silent films.
01:03:17He seemed to have perfect mastery over his own body,
01:03:20engaging in death-defying stunts for brilliant comedic effect.
01:03:24Known as the Great Stone Face,
01:03:26Keaton's ability to maintain a serious expression amid utter madness
01:03:29made his humor all the more striking.
01:03:50Films like The General and Sherlock Jr. feature his innovative use of visual gags,
01:03:54elaborate stunts and breathtaking slapstick that bewildered awestruck audiences.
01:03:59Keaton's characters frequently found themselves in absurd predicaments,
01:04:02yet his unwavering composure only heightened the hilarity.
01:04:25His meticulous attention to detail and clever storytelling set a high standard in filmmaking,
01:04:30influencing generations of filmmakers and performers.
01:04:36If the gods of comedy distilled pure brilliance and poured it into a human mold,
01:04:41that person is Carol Burnett.
01:04:43Do you run this store? Boy, I sure like to come and see you run this store!
01:04:47All I have seen you do is act like a goon and jump up and down these aisles and tell dumb jokes!
01:04:54The Carol Burnett Show is easily one of the smartest sketch comedies in television history.
01:04:59Burnett captivated audiences for over a decade
01:05:01thanks to a perfect cocktail of satire and slapstick.
01:05:04Her style is characterized by seamless transitions
01:05:07from uproarious physical comedy to poignant storytelling.
01:05:13Her expressive face was always front and center in her bits,
01:05:24letting the audience in on the jokes even when other characters were not.
01:05:28Tim Conway, her longtime collaborator,
01:05:30brought a unique brand of silliness that perfectly complemented Burnett's exuberance.
01:05:34Together, they created a comedic chemistry that left audiences in stitches.
01:05:39I'd like to rent a car.
01:05:42Gert's rent a car at your service, sir. We're number one, you know.
01:05:45Mavis rent a car, we try harder!
01:05:49I can see that. I think he gave you a little whiplash there.
01:05:54Peter Sellers was a chameleon.
01:05:56He could inhabit virtually anyone and adopt any personality.
01:05:59He is most well known for his multiple turns as Inspector Clouseau in the Pink Panther film series.
01:06:05There, his genius for physical comedy was on full display.
01:06:09A perfect mixture of farce and bumbling charm.
01:06:12We must find that woman.
01:06:17Sellers also excelled in satire.
01:06:19His film Dr. Strangelove, where he portrayed multiple roles,
01:06:23is arguably one of the smartest comedies ever produced.
01:06:26His performances often straddled the line between being deeply human and utterly ridiculous,
01:06:31revealing a profound understanding of human nature.
01:06:34Of course it would be absolutely vital that our top government and military men be included
01:06:40to foster and impart the required principles of leadership and tradition.
01:06:50Whether he was playing a hapless detective or a sinister doctor,
01:06:53Sellers' fearless commitment to his characters created unforgettable moments.
01:07:04Like many, if not most of the best comedians, Eddie Murphy got his start in stand-up.
01:07:10His specials, particularly Delirious and Raw,
01:07:13tackled taboo subjects like race using razor-sharp observational humor and dynamic storytelling.
01:07:18Murphy's comedic genius lies in his engaging delivery,
01:07:22vibrant characterizations and unapologetic authenticity.
01:07:34After a few years on SNL, Murphy became a full-blown movie star.
01:07:50Films like 48 Hours, Beverly Hills Cop,
01:07:53and The Golden Child made Murphy the first name in 80s action comedy.
01:08:04He leaned more on his character work in Coming to America and The Nutty Professor,
01:08:22where he embodied multiple characters.
01:08:24Eddie Murphy's influence continues to resonate,
01:08:27making him one of the most memorable comedic talents in entertainment history.
01:08:34In the early days of cinema,
01:08:49Charlie Chaplin discovered quickly that he could instill
01:08:51wide versatility in a single character, the Tramp, across multiple projects.
01:09:04His mischievous charm captured the hearts of audiences worldwide.
01:09:13In the silent era, physical comedy was king and Chaplin was its master.
01:09:18Still, even as film evolved into the talkies, Chaplin managed to survive when others could not.
01:09:24He incorporated trenchant social commentary into his routine,
01:09:27resonating with audiences during a tempestuous time in history.
01:09:34His style combined slapstick with emotive characters,
01:09:43often addressing themes of poverty and resilience.
01:09:46Chaplin's performances were a delicate dance of graceful movement and exaggerated gestures,
01:09:51leaving audiences both laughing and reflecting.
01:09:54His fearless creativity and innovation set the standard for a century of comedians.
01:10:04Lucille Ball redefined what it meant to be funny on TV.
01:10:19I Love Lucy was an immaculate vehicle for her extraordinary talent and magnetic presence.
01:10:25For years, her farcical humor and expressive face captivated living rooms across America.
01:10:30She had an uncanny ability to transform everyday situations into pure comedic gold.
01:10:52Routines like the infamous chocolate factory scene have resonated for decades after they aired.
01:10:57Her work with Desi Arnaz, to whom she was married in real life,
01:11:00brought a dynamic chemistry and authenticity to their performances,
01:11:04creating a timeless comedic duo.
01:11:27Together, they pushed the boundaries of sitcom storytelling,
01:11:30making relatable family dynamics funny.
01:11:33Lucille Ball's influence on comedy is indelible,
01:11:36leaving an enduring mark on television history.
01:11:57Jim Carrey is less a person and more a force of nature.
01:12:02Known for his outrageous antics and expressive physicality,
01:12:06Carrey's improvisational genius and commitment to his roles
01:12:08bring a dynamic energy that leaves viewers in stitches.
01:12:20His early films like Ace Ventura Pet Detective and The Mask centered on his physicality,
01:12:25representing the absolute pinnacle of 90s era slapstick.
01:12:28He can almost physically morph his body into wildly eccentric characters like The Grinch.
01:12:56In films like The Truman Show and Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind,
01:13:00Carrey showed the world that he wasn't just a silly one-trick pony.
01:13:03He was actually a well-rounded actor who could do comedy and drama with an equal measure of skill.
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01:13:51Even in his early work on Mork & Mindy,
01:13:53it was clear that Robin Williams was no ordinary comedian.
01:13:57At will, he could shift from being a whirling dervish of manic energy
01:14:01to a sad clown masking his broken heart with a patina of silliness.
01:14:05His style was a one-of-a-kind mix of whimsy and heartfelt sincerity,
01:14:09setting the stage for a career filled with unforgettable moments.
01:14:17In films like Mrs. Doubtfire and Good Morning Vietnam,
01:14:20Williams effortlessly transitioned between outrageous humor and poignant storytelling.
01:14:40His talent for creating vivid characters,
01:14:42from the zany genie in Aladdin to the introspective therapist in Good Will Hunting,
01:14:46highlighted his ability to connect with audiences on every level.
01:15:04Comedians have been making us laugh on the big screen and television for over a century.
01:15:08Who have we missed? Let us know in the comments below.
01:15:16Did you enjoy this video? Check out these other clips from WatchMojo,
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