Who are the most talented stand-up comics? It’s always been a conundrum. Every comedian has a distinct set of skills, genre, life experiences, and a unique approach to pitching jokes. As a result, this list will include the best stand-up comedians in the world. They’re also simultaneously ridiculously funny and insane. They have the ability to make you laugh so hard that you will clutch your stomach and beg them to stop.
1. Louis CK
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Louis C.K. is without a doubt the person at the top of the ladder of the best stand up comedians in the world in this day and age. Indeed, C.K.’s enormous success over the last half-decade or so is a reflection of what we, as a people, want comedy to mean for us because C.K.’s comedy is as much about making us look in the mirror and face our insecurities and embarrassments, and then going one step further to build the courage to laugh at them, and by extension our own flaws. He’s the guy who, on a daily basis, does and says things that most of us wish we had the courage to do. Whether on stage or in his TV show Louie, which he writes, directs, edits, and stars in, Louis C.K. always gives the impression of pushing or at the very least testing the boundaries of an art form.
2. Bill Blur
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If the internet meme known as “rage guy” had a voice, it would most likely sound like Bill Burr. Burr was dubbed the “undisputed heavyweight champ of rage-fueled humor” by Rolling Stone magazine in 2013. Bill is one comedian you can count on to say exactly what he means when ranting about any topic. His no-holds-barred approach to issues such as feminism, gender equality, and religion frequently lands him in hot water, but it is precisely this quality that distinguishes him in the ever-increasing climate of political correctness. Bill is also known for his weekly podcast, Bill Burr’s Monday Morning Podcast, and for portraying the character of Patrick Kuby on the TV show Breaking Bad. Bill made a stop in Mumbai on his world tour earlier this year, giving Indian fans a chance to see him live for the first time.
3. Amy Schumer
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Amy Schumer’s rise has been rapid over the last few years. She went from being largely unknown outside of comedy circles to becoming a legitimate movie star and social media celebrity with over 1.7 million Twitter followers. Furthermore, Amy’s sketch show, Inside Amy Schumer, consistently produces material that goes viral online. Amy’s raw comedic talent, on the other hand, is at the heart of her success. Her stand-up routine offers a uniquely female perspective on past and present relationships, while also having the potential to be dark at times. Trainwreck, directed by Judd Apatow and released this year to rave reviews, was Schumer’s first leading film role.
4. Dave Chappelle
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Dave Chapelle has carved out a huge reputation for himself making him one of the best stand up comedians in the world. Chappelle has established himself as one of the most defining comic voices of his generation, having emerged as one of the major breakout comedians of the 2000s. Because of the success of his Comedy Central sketch show Chappelle’s Show, he became a celebrity (and arguably an even bigger star when he walked away from it). Chappelle, who was heavily influenced by Richard Pryor, embraces brutal honesty when it comes to race, sexuality, and American culture. When he returned to stand-up in 2013 after a long hiatus, it was a huge relief for comedy fans all over the world.
5. Jerry Seinfeld
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Jerry Seinfeld’s 90s sitcom Seinfeld was so influential that it was for many people their first exposure to stand-up comedy. Seinfeld has developed a style of stand-up comedy that is not only ridiculously successful but damn near impossible to emulate despite its simplicity, by picking up on the most absurd details from day-to-day life and putting them under the microcosm of his comedic lens. Jerry’s TV appearances have dwindled since the show ended, but he still manages to sell out arenas. The web series Comedians In Cars Getting Coffee, an informal interview cum hang out with some of the biggest names in comedy, has been perhaps his most interesting venture of late.
6. Chris Rock
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Chris Rock’s comedy material has always touched on politics, American race relations, and the man-woman relationship, and he is known for his high-energy on-stage antics. In satirizing the American political system and the struggle of African Americans in the country, Rock leaves no stone unturned. Chris Rock has influenced a number of the current crop of comedians, from Aziz Ansari to Kevin Hart, and is one of the most identifiable, yet audacious entertainers on the planet, having been around for nearly three decades and having four highly successful comedy specials under his belt, as well as a slew of successful films and TV shows.
7. Kevin Hart
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Kevin Hart is almost impossible to avoid if you’ve been following American pop culture over the last decade. From starring in box office smashes like Ride Along and Get Hard to hosting award shows like The MTV Video Music Awards, the BET Awards, and, most recently, The Comedy Central Roast Of Justin Bieber, the man is everywhere. Despite the fact that his film and television credits have earned him a lot of attention, Hart continues to perform live, selling out arenas on massive comedy tours with rock concert production values.
8. Eddie Murphy
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While Eddie is well-known for his films. He began his career, however, as a stand-up comedian. From 1980 to 1984, he was a regular on Saturday Night Live.
9. Robin Williams
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You’ve probably seen the movie Jumanji, starring Robin Williams. However, before landing roles in films, he worked as a stand-up comedian and excelled at it. He’s also known for being a very funny comedian. But he’s also a talented actor who’s made a name for himself in both films and comedy shows.
10. Tig Notaro
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Tig Notaro has been doing stand-up since the early 2000s and has appeared on shows such as Comedy Central Presents and The Sarah Silverman Show. But it wasn’t until 2012 that the rest of the world took notice of her. On August 3 of that year, Notaro announced on stage at one of her shows that she had been diagnosed with breast cancer and discussed her other personal issues. Fellow comedian Louis C. K. and a slew of other renowned comedians present that night dubbed the set “one of the greatest stand-up performances ever.” Notaro has not only beaten cancer since then, but he has also grown in strength. She put the audio of the above-mentioned show on iTunes, and it went to No. 1 on Billboard’s Top Comedy Albums chart, outselling KISS!
11. Mike Birbiglia
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Birbiglia is known for his long-form jokes, which usually consist of a series of stories and anecdotes peppered with humor that build up to a big finish. His material is deeply personal, drawing heavily from his personal life experiences and relationships, and his delivery is often deadpan and self-deprecating. Birbiglia found mainstream success after the massive success of his one-man show Sleepwalk With Me in 2008, which led to him starring in and directing the autobiographical film of the same name four years later. His Netflix comedy special My Girlfriend’s Boyfriend, which aired in 2013, received positive reviews from critics and the general public.
12. Jim Gaffigan
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Jim Gaffigan’s comedy has been dubbed the “everyman” comedian because it is largely observational, clean, and revolves around topics that are easily relatable, with a strong focus on food and parenting. His career took off after his first appearance on The Late Show With David Letterman in 1999, despite the fact that he began doing stand-up in the late 1980s. Letterman, by the way, is one of Gaffigan’s comedy heroes. Since then, Gaffigan has been nominated twice for a Grammy Award for Best Comedy Album, has written two books, and is the creator of the currently airing autobiographical sitcom The Jim Gaffigan Show.
13. Andrew Dice Clay
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He is one of the best stand-up comedians in the industry, with a cigarette and a flamboyant personality. His vibe is completely out of this world.
14. Ricky Gervais
The legendary comedian Ricky Gervais is an actor, comedian, musician, and producer from the United Kingdom. He began his career in the music industry, attempting a career as a pop star with Seona Dancing in the 1980s and working as the manager before switching to comedy.
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15. Jim Carrey
Jim Carrey is a comedian, actor, and producer of Canadian and American descent. Carrey was born and raised in the Canadian province of Ontario. In a Toronto comedy club, he got his first professional stand-up gig. Carrey is a fantastic actor who has appeared in films like “The Mask,” “Dumb and Dumber,” and “Bruce Almighty.”
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16. Trevor Noah
Next on our list of the best stand up comedians in the world, we have Trevor Noah, a multi-talented South African gentleman. After Jon Stwart’s departure, the new host of The Daily Show had some big shoes to fill, but Trevor Noah has proven time and time again that he has the bits to make viewers laugh out loud. Noah draws on his experience in America in his 2017 special, Afraid of the Dark, to comment on the state of politics and nationalism around the world, all while maintaining his boyish charm and ironic style.
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17. Hasan Minhaj
Minhaj rose to prominence as a correspondent for The Daily Show, and years later, he landed his own Netflix show, Patriot Act, which many fans have come to recognize. But there was a time before the Patriot Act when there was a show called Homecoming King. In this comedy special, filmed in Hasan’s hometown of California, the comedian takes the audience on a hilarious journey through his life as the son of immigrants dealing with racism and other forms of pressure.
Source: Hasan Minhaj (Twitter)
18. Russel Peters
Last on our list of the best stand up comedians comes the world-famous Russell Peters. Russell Dominic Peters is a comedian, actor, and producer from Canada. In 1989, he began performing in Toronto, and in 2008, he was awarded a Gemini Award. He was the third highest-paid comedian in the world according to Forbes in 2013, and he was the first comedian to have a Netflix stand-up special. For producing Hip-Hop Evolution, he also won the Peabody Award and the International Emmy Award for Best Arts Programming (2016).
Source: Russel Peters (Twitter)
So, here we are at the end of our amazing list of the best stand up comedians in the world. Head over to their youtube channels or shows and laugh out loud with your friends. Comment down below your favorite comedian ever.