Eddie Murphy – Comedian. Photo By David Shankbone – Wikimedia Commons

20 Best US Comedy Actors    


 

They say laughter is the best medicine and making someone laugh is the best gift in the world. Sadly, we live in a stress-filled world, and making someone laugh is an uphill task. Hollywood has consistently churned out comedies for all genres. From slapstick to situational comedies, from sarcasm to witty discourses.  

These comedies are brought to life by the talent and comedic timing of some of the greatest actors and comedians. Here are the 20 best US comedy actors.  

1. Eddie Murphy 

Edward Regan Murphy is an American actor, comedian, writer, producer, and singer. He was born on 3rd April 1961 in Brooklyn, New York. Best known for his goofy laugh and fast way of speaking, he has a series of successful family-friendly movies like Mulan, Dr. Dolittle, Shrek, Daddy Day Care, and others. 

Eddie is at the forefront in Hollywood for providing opportunities and positions in the industry for Black actors, writers, producers, directors, and other “behind-the-camera” talent.   

He won many awards and accolades, including the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor plus he has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Eddie is on our Famous people from New York list.

2. Chris Rock 

Chris Rock. Photo By Andy Witchger – Wikimedia Commons

Christopher Julius Rock is an American stand-up comedian, actor, and filmmaker. He is best known for his work in comic film, television, and on-stage stand-up comedy. Chris was born on 7th February 1965 in Andrews, South Carolina but he grew up in Brooklyn, New York.   

Eddie Murphy gave him his first big role but he rose to fame as a cast member of Saturday Night Live from 1990 to 1993. Chris has appeared in many successful comedies and received multiple accolades, including three Grammy Awards for best comedy album, four Primetime Emmy Awards, and a Golden Globe Award nomination.  

3. Robin Williams 

Robin McLaurin Williams was an American actor and comedian, known for his improvisational skills and the wide variety of characters he created on the spur of the moment and portrayed on film, in dramas and comedies alike. 

Robin was born on the 21st of July 1951 in Chicago, Illinois. He began performing stand-up comedy before moving on to the ABC hit comedy Mork & Mindy. He is also known for roles in Mrs. Doubtfire, Birdcage, Good Will Hunting, the Night At The Museum, Flubber, and others. 

He suffered from depression, and he took his life on 11th August 2014 at his home in Paradise Cay, California. Robin is regarded as one of the greatest comedians of all time.   

4. Steve Martin 

Stephen Glenn Martin is an American actor, comedian, writer, producer, and musician.  He was born on 14th August 1945 in  Waco, Texas. 

Martin is famous for his role in Bringing Down The House, Cheaper by the Dozen, Shopgirl, and The Pink Panther, as the bumbling Inspector Clouseau. 

He has won five Grammy Awards, a Primetime Emmy Award, and an Honorary Academy Award at the Academy’s 5th Annual Governors Awards in 2013. 

5. Adam Sandler 

Adam Sandler. By Angela George – Wikimedia Commons

Adam Richard Sandler is an American comedian, actor, and filmmaker. He was born on 9th September 1966 in Brooklyn, New York. Sandler took his first step towards becoming a stand-up comedian when he spontaneously took the stage at a Boston comedy club. He found he was a natural comic.  

Some of the films he has acted in include Grown Ups, Mr. Deeds, Anger Management, Just Go with It, and Jack and Jill. He writes and produces many of his films. Sandler was awarded a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 6262 Hollywood Boulevard in Hollywood, California in February 2011. 

6. Martin Lawrence 

Martin Fitzgerald Lawrence is an American comedian, producer, writer, director, and actor. He is one of the most popular actors in Hollywood. He was born on 16th April 1965, in Frankfurt, Germany but he was raised in Landover, Maryland, in  Washington, D.C. His mother took his first name from slain civil rights activist Martin Luther King and his middle name from the late President John F. Kennedy. 

Martin got his start in ‘What’s Happening Now’ before becoming a comedy king in Hollywood. He is known for his roles in the Bad Boys, Martin, Big Momma’s House, Open Season, House Party, Life, black knight, and Blue Streak among others. 

He has many awards and nominations for his years of brilliant comedy acting. 

7. The Wayan Family

Damon Wayans Junior. Photo By Collision Con. – Wikimedia Commons

The Wayans family is an American show-business family that has two generations of comedians and actors. Howell Stouten Wayans and his wife Elvira Alethia (née Green) brought up the family in New York. Their children and grandchildren are doing well in the entertainment industry.

The comedians in the family are  Keenen Ivory Wayans, Shawn Wayans, Marlon Wayans, Damon Wayans Sr. and his son Damon Wayans Jr., Kim Wayans, Damien Dante Wayans, and Chaunté Wayans.

The films created by Wayans family members include the Scary Movie film series, The Wayans Bros., In Living Color, White Chicks, My Wife and Kids, Second Generation Wayans, and Little Man among others.

Damon is on our Famous people from Vermont List.

8. Will Ferrell  

John William Ferrell is an American actor, comedian, and producer. He was born on 16th July 1967 in Irvine, California. Ferrell’s attempts at standup comedy had little success but he liked to impersonate people. He focused on that and perfected it. Ferrell has worked as a voice actor in several animated television programs and films. 

He acted in Zoolander, Elf, Anchorman, Step Brothers, The Other Guys, The Campaign, The Lego Movie, and Daddy’s Home plus many more. 

9. Kevin Hart  

Kevin Darnell Hart is an American stand-up comedian, actor, writer, and producer. He was born on 6th July 1979 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 

He started his career with stand-up comedy shows and continues to do shows despite his acting projects. His stand-ups are ‘I’m a Grown Little Man, Seriously Funny, Laugh at My Pain, Let Me Explain, and What Now?. He draws inspiration from his life experiences and his style of comedy has a roasting, sarcasm, and satire. 

His most memorable movies include Ride Along, Central Intelligence, Night School, Jumanji, Think Like A Man, About Last Night, The Secret Life of Pets, and Real Husbands of Hollywood. 

10. Ken Jeong 

Ken Jeong. Photo By Gage Skidmore – Wikimedia Commons

Kendrick Kang-Joh Jeong is an American stand-up comedian, actor, producer, and writer. He is also a licensed medical doctor. He was born on 13th July 1969 in Detroit, Michigan, and raised in Greensboro, North Carolina by his parents, South Korean immigrants. While he was a medical student in North Carolina, Ken performed stand-up comedy in local clubs even as he served his residency in New Orleans. 

This real-life physician-turned-actor has acted in comedies like Knocked Up, The Hangover, Step Brothers, Pineapple Express, Role Models, Couples Retreat, Community, Crazy Rich Asians, and Dr Ken. He dedicates his spare time to volunteering with Stand Up 2 Cancer, which is a cause very dear to his heart. He currently resides in Los Angeles with his wife and twin daughters. 

11. Ashton Kutcher   

Christopher Ashton Kutcher is an American actor, producer, entrepreneur, and former model. He was born on 7th February 1978 in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Kutcher is also a venture capitalist and co-founder of the venture capital firm A-Grade Investments. He has successfully invested in several high-technology startups like Skype, Foursquare, Airbnb, Path, and Fab.com.  

Some of the movies he has done over the years include What Happens in Vegas, Valentine’s Day, No Strings Attached, Two and a Half Men, and Jobs. He has received many awards over the years. 

12. Jim Carrey 

Jim Carrey. Photo By Ian Smith – Wikimedia Commons

James Eugene ‘Jim’ Carrey is a Canadian-American comedian, actor, writer, and producer. He was born in the Toronto suburb of Newmarket, Ontario, Canada. Jim relocated to Los Angeles to pursue comedy, eventually landing a spot on the sketch comedy show In Living Color. He received U.S. citizenship in October 2004 and remains a dual citizen of the United States and his native Canada.  

His trademark style is slapstick comedy and physical comedy. Jim began by making faces before a mirror and discovered a talent for doing impressions. Some of his memorable films include The Mask, Dumb and Dumber, Bruce Almighty, Yes Man, A Christmas Carol, Liar Liar, The Cable Guy, and Mr. Popper’s Penguins. 

Check out facts about Jim Carrey Here.

13. Ben Stiller 

Benjamin Edward Meara Stiller is an American actor, comedian, and filmmaker. The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree because his parents, Jerry Stiller and Anne Meara, were comedians too. He was born on 30th November 1965 in New York City and raised on the Upper West Side in Manhattan. 

Ben frequently visited film sets when growing up and even appeared in a few shows thanks to his parents. After high school, he joined college but dropped out to pursue acting. Some of Ben’s notable performances as an actor and filmmaker include Reality Bites, The Secret Life of Walter Mitty, Zoolander, The Cable Guy, There’s Something About Mary, Tropic Thunder, the Madagascar series, Night at The Museum series, etc. 

14. Will Smith 

Will Smith. Photo By Gage – Wikimedia Commons

Willard Carroll “Will” Smith II is an American actor, comedian, producer, rapper, and songwriter. He has enjoyed success in television, film, and music and is considered “the most powerful actor in Hollywood”. Smith was born on 25th September 1968 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He started rapping at 12 years then became an MC and hype man before he started acting with his first role being in a sitcom, The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.  

He acted in films like Hancock, Bad Boys, Hitched, The Pursuit of Happyness, and Enemy of the State. He has won many awards over the years. His Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony Award nominations make him one of few black actors to be nominated for all four major entertainment awards in the US. He truly is one of the Greatest Actors in Hollywood. 

15. Jason Sudeikis 

Daniel Jason Sudeikis is an award-winning American actor, comedian, producer, and writer. He was born on 18th September 1975 in Fairfax, Virginia. He began his film career with supporting roles in Watching the Detectives, The Ten, Meet Bill, What Happens in Vegas, The Rocker, 30 Rock, The Bounty Hunter, and Going the Distance.   

Jason is best known for his role in Horrible Bosses alongside Charlie Day, Jason Bateman, and Jamie Fox. He also had a major role in Hall Pass, Tumble Down, Sleeping with Other People and We’re the Millers among others. 

16. Seth Rogen 

Seth Rogen. Photo By Angela George – Wikimedia Commons

Seth Aaron Rogen is a Canadian American actor, comedian, and filmmaker. He was born on 15th April 1982 in Vancouver, Canada to a Jewish family of Ukrainian and Russian origin. His early comedy routines involved jokes about his bar mitzvah, his grandparents, and his camp counselors. During his teenage years, he would perform stand-up comedy routines at places like bar mitzvahs and small parties, later shifting to bars. 

Seth later moved to Los Angeles. He was featured in The 40-Year-Old Virgin, Knocked Up, Superbad, Pineapple Express, Observe and Report, Funny People, This is the End, Neighbors, The Interview, The Night Before, The Disaster Artist and for his voice performances in Shrek, Horton Hears a Who!, Kung Fu Panda, Monsters vs. Aliens, and The Lion King. 

17. Keegan-Michael Key    

Keegan-Michael Key is an American actor, comedian, screenwriter, and producer. Key was born on 22nd March 1971 in Southfield, Michigan. He was adopted at a young age by a couple from Detroit, Michael Key, and Patricia Walsh, who were both social workers. Both his biological and adoptive fathers are black, and both his biological and adoptive mothers are white. While growing up, he regularly ‘Switched Codes’ when engaging the two cultures within his family. This highly contributed to his interest in playing different characters. 

He did the Key & Peele show starring alongside Jordan Peele in Comedy Central’s sketch series. Key has also had roles in many films like Horrible Bosses 2, Let’s Be Cops, and the animated The Lego Movie, as well as Pitch Perfect 2 and Tomorrowland. He also starred in the comedy-drama series “Friends from College” even though the show lasted for only two seasons. 

18. Jonah Hill 

Jonah Hill. Photo By Mutari – Wikimedia Commons

Jonah Hill Feldstein is an American Actor, comedian, producer, screenwriter, and director. He was born on 20th December 1983 in Los Angeles, California and he was raised Jewish. While in college, Hill started writing his plays and performing them in the East Village neighborhood of New York City. The plays did well and that is how he started his comedy career. 

Hill is known for his roles in Superbad, Knocked Up, 21 Jump Street, This Is the End, and 22 Jump Street. For his performances in Moneyball and The Wolf of Wall Street, he was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor. 

He has received many awards, including nominations for two Academy Awards, a British Academy Film Award, two Golden Globe Awards, and two Screen Actors Guild Awards. 

19. Zach Galifianakis

Zachary Knight Galifianakis is an American comedian, actor, and musician. He was born on 1st October 1969 in Wilkesboro, North Carolina. He started with a role in Boston Common, before landing small roles in Corky Romano, Below, Bubble Boy, Heartbreakers, Into the Wild, Super High Me, Little Fish Strange Pond, and Largo. 

Zach is famous for his role in The Hangover, Due Date, The Campaign, Dinner for Schmucks, Are You Here, Masterminds, and many others. He has received many awards and nominations over the years. 

20. Kevin James 

Kevin James. Photo By Angela George – Wikimedia Commons

Kevin George Knipfing, professionally known as Kevin James, is an American actor, comedian, and screenwriter. He was born in Mineola on 26th April 1965 and grew up in Stony Brook, New York.  

Kevin began by doing stand-up comedy in New York but he became famous for his role as Doug on The King of Queens. He also acted in 50 First Dates, Hitched, The Crew, Kevin Can Wait, Zookeeper, Grown Ups, and Home Team among many others. 

You can also read facts about the Walk of Fame here.