The Best Male Comedians of All Time

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Richard Pryor

Stand-up comedian, Richard Pryor (1940-2005), will forever be remembered as one of the greatest comedians of all time! Known for his pointed observations and knack for story-telling, even years after his death, Richard Pryor remains an influential figure in stand-up comedy!

2 / 12

Robin Williams

Yet another amazing comedian, whose life was cut way too short is Robin Williams (1951-2014)! The king of improvisation and character voices, the world was devastated to hear of the humorous actor and comedian's passing in 2014. He will forever be remembered for his entertaining sense of humor!

3 / 12

Jerry Lewis

Our list would not be complete without "The King of Comedy" himself, Jerry Lewis! Gaining his start with his partner in crime, Dean Martin, the pair would become famous as Martin and Lewis! While the duo went their separate ways in 1956, Jerry Lewis would star in 60 films throughout his career before passing away in 2017 at the age of 91. Jerry Lewis will forever be remembered for his contributions to comedy and film!

4 / 12

Lenny Bruce

One comedy legend the world lost way too soon, but nonetheless has made a significant impact on comedy is the late Lenny Bruce! Known for his freestyle comedy, Lenny was one of the first to practice open comedy on issues like politics, religion, sex, and vulgarity. Arrested numerous times and paving the way for other counterculture comedians, Lenny Bruce passed away in 1966 at the young age of 40, but has gone down in history in his fight for free speech!

5 / 12

Eddie Murphy

This next comedian is still alive and kicking! Talented actor, singer, and comedian, Eddie Murphy is a face you won't forget. Ranked in the top ten of Comedy Central's 100 Greatest Stand-ups of All Time, at 59 years old, Eddie has already left his mark!

6 / 12

Dave Chappelle

At just 47 years old, this next comedian on our list has accomplished more than most comedians do in their lifetime! Known for his satirical comedy, Dave Chappelle has hosted a number of sketch series, including his self titled series Chappelle's Show, and you can most recently catch him on Netflix! With a Emmy Award and three Grammys under his belt, Rolling Stone even ranked this comedy legend as number nine on their list of the "50 Best Stand Up Comics of All Time" in 2017!

7 / 12

Jerry Seinfeld

Well-known for his observational comedy, Jerry Seinfeld continues to bring the laughs at 66! Co-creator of one of the most successful sitcoms of all time, Seinfeld, Jerry has been rightly named as one of Comedy Central's greatest stand-up comedians of all time! You'll most recently catch Jerry sharing his jokes on Netflix's popular series Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee.

8 / 12

George Carlin

In 2008, the world lost another comedy legend George Carlin. Ahead of his time, Carlin was not afraid to use comedy to touch on some of society's most taboo themes like politics, psychology, and religion. In fact, after his "Seven Dirty Words" routine aired, he made headlines in the 1978 Supreme Court decision that gave the government power to censor indecent material on public channels. Carlin became one of the most important and influential comedians of his time, paving the way for a new generation of comedy!

9 / 12

Steve Martin

Before he got into acting, Steve Martin was bringing down the house with his absurd comedy routines. After gaining popularity in the 1960s writing for The Smother Brothers Comedy Hour, Steve Martin would become unstoppable! While he may have moved from the comedy scene to film, every Steve Martin movie is sure to bring a smile to your face!

RELATED: Movies With Steve Martin

10 / 12

Steve Carell

Just like Jerry, the name Steve seems to be another popular theme for successful male comedians. With the title "America's Funniest Man", Steve Carell is sure to make you laugh. Best known for his award-winning sitcom The Office, Steve Carell has made huge contributions to the comedy genre including hit films Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgandy (2004), The 40-Year-Old Virgin (2005), and the Despicable Me film series.

Male comedians like Eddie Murphy and Steve Carell have a knack for making audiences laugh. With so much talent out there it's hard to have only one favorite comedian! While it may be hard to just pick one, we have narrowed it down to the top 12 for you! Check out our list of the best male comedians!

Male Comedians

A male comedian the world lost way too soon but nonetheless has made a significant impact on comedy is the late Lenny Bruce! Known for his freestyle comedy, Lenny was one of the first to practice open comedy on issues like politics, religion, sex, and vulgarity.

Arrested numerous times and paving the way for other counterculture comedians, Lenny Bruce passed away in 1966 at the young age of 40, but has gone down in history in his fight for free speech!