Top 5 All-Time Greatest Comedians
Published:Whether they are making you laugh or making you think, stand-up comics always provide interesting and entertaining takes on important issues and cultural events, but just who are the very best of their craft?
1) George Carlin
- Comedian, social critic, actor, and author
- Commented on contemporary political issues in the US and satirized the excesses of American culture
- Frequent performer and guest host on The Tonight Show
- Posthumously awarded the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor
- “The dean of counterculture comedians”
2) Richard Pryor
- Comedian, actor, film director, social critic, satirist, writer, and MC
- Listed #1 Greatest Comedian of All-Time by Comedy Central
- "The seminal comedian of the last 50 years" - Bob Newhart
- One of the most important & influential stand-up comedians of all time
- Known for uncompromising examinations of racism and topical contemporary issues
3) Lenny Bruce
- Paved the way to allow free speech in entertainment
- Integrated satire, politics, religion, sex, and vulgarity
- Has developed a substantial cult following
- Groundbreaking and incredibly insightful
- His 1964 conviction in an obscenity trial was followed by a posthumous pardon in 2003
4) Bill Hicks
- Material encompassed a wide range of social issues including religion, politics, and philosophy
- Comedian, social critic, satirist and musician
- Has developed a substantial cult following
- Died of pancreatic cancer at age 32
- Criticized consumerism, superficiality, mediocrity within the media and popular culture
5) Steve Martin
- Comedy Central ranked Martin #6 on their 100 Greatest Comedians list
- Has won Emmy, Grammy and American Comedy awards
- Comedian, actor, musician, writer, and producer
- Now focuses more on acting and banjo-playing
- Performed offbeat, absurdist comedy routines
