Here is an article that discusses the most popular comedy actors of all time.
Comedy films are designed to thrill viewers with laughs and much more. Hollywood comedy films are always exciting to watch, especially when the best comedy actors are involved.
If you love comedy films, you also need to appreciate the effort of the actors. Comedy actors bring something new to the big screen whenever they appear in films.
In this guide, we are looking at the most popular comedy actors of all time. Most of the comedy actors on our list are Hollywood actors. But, we must also remember the man who was very famous as a comic actor in the early 20th century.
Want to find out the comic actors on our list, sit tight and continue reading this article.
Who Are the Most Popular Comedy Actors of All Time?
When it comes to the most popular comedy actors of all time, we must remember the great Charlie Chaplin. The English comic actor was an iconic figure in the early 1900s.
Even after his death, Chaplin remains one of the best comedy actors that ever existed. Charlie made the whole world laugh back when television was not advanced as it is today.
In this generation, we have seen several comedy actors. We can all agree that Hollywood actors like Jim Carrey, Eddie Murphy, Steve Carrel, and Will Ferrell deserve a spot on the list of most famous comedy actors.
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25 Most Popular Comedy Actors of All Time
Here are the most popular comedy actors of all time in TV history. The actors on our list are recognized globally for their contribution to the film industry.
They are award-winning comedy actors, the best we have seen in TV history.
#1. Charlie Chaplin
The first name on our list of the most popular comedy actors of all time is Charlie Chaplin.
The late English comic actor was on April 16, 1889, in London, England. He was a comic actor, filmmaker, and composer who became popular in the era of silent film.
Sir Charles Spencer Chaplin Jr. KBE became a worldwide actor through his screen persona, the Tramp. Chaplin remains one of the best comic actors of the 20th century.
He was an important figure in the film industry and his career spanned over seven decades. Chaplin was married several times in his life before he died.
Charlie Chaplin first appeared in the 1921 film, The Kid. In 1923, he starred in another film, A Woman of Paris.
The iconic English actor died on Christmas day in 1977 in Corsier-sur-Vevey, Switzerland.
#2. Jim Carrey
Jim Carey is one of the finest comedy actors in Hollywood. The Canadian-American actor was born on January 17, 1962, in Ontario Canada.
The actors have been active as a comedian since 1977. His first experience in stand-up comedy was in 1977 at the age of 15. Carrey moved to Hollywood where he began performing at The Comedy Store in 1983.
The Canadian-born actor first appeared in Copper Mountain in 1983. Some of the popular Hollywood films where Jim is the lead actor include The Mask, Ace Ventura: Pet Detective, Bruce Almighty, and Fun with Dick and Jane.
#3. Eddie Murphy
In my opinion, Eddie Murphy is the best black comic actor of all time.
The American actor was born in Brooklyn, New York in 1961. He is a writer, comedian, singer, and producer who rose to fame performing on the comedy show, Saturday Night Live.
Murphy’s Hollywood debut was in 48 Hrs in 1982. Eddie Murphy has also starred in films like Beverly Hills Cop, Coming to America, Pluto Nash, The Nutty Professor, and Dreamgirls.
Murphy won the Golden Globe Award for best-supporting actor in 2007. He was also nominated for an Academy Award for his performance as James “Thunder” in Dreamgirls.
Eddie Murphy is arguably one of the most popular comedy actors of all time.
#4. Rowan Atkinson
Rowan Atkinson is another famous English comic actor on our list. The English comedian was born in Durham, England in 1955.
Atkinson played the titles roles on the sitcom Mr Bean and Blackadder. He is the lead actor in the Johnny English film series.
Atkinson received the 1981 British Academy Television Award for best entertainment performance. He also an Olivier Award in the same year for his performance in Rowan Atkinson in Revue.
Our list will be incomplete with Rowan Atkinson. So, he is among the most popular comedy actors of all time.
#5. Robbin Williams
Robin was an American comedian and actor, born in 1951 in Chicago, Illinois. The American comedian began his career performing stand-up comedy in San Francisco and Los Angeles.
The comedian rose to fame in the late 1970s after playing alien Mork in the ABC sitcom Mork & Mindy. Williams also starred in several Hollywood films before his death.
He appeared in films such as Jumanji, Mrs. Doubtfire, Good Will Hunting, Aladdin, and the Night at the Museum trilogy.
The six-time Golden Globe Award winner died in 2014 at the age of 63.
#6. Will Farrell
Just like Eddie Murphy, Will Ferrell is another comedian who appeared on the NBC sketch comedy series Saturday Night Live.
Will is an American comedian, actor, writer, and producer, regarded as one of the most popular comedy actors of all time. He appeared on several episodes of NBC’s Saturday Night Live.
The actor and comedian have starred in films such as Elf, Anchorman, The Legend of Ron Burgundy, Step Brothers, and The Lego Movie film franchise.
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#7. Bill Murray
Bill Murray is an American comedian and actor who also appeared on NBC’s Saturday Night Live. The actor is famous for portraying Peter Venkman in the 1984 American supernatural comedy film Ghostbusters.
Murray received a Golden Globe Award and a British Academy Film Award for his performance in Lost in Transition. The actor also starred in films such as Caddyshack, What About Bob, and Groundhog Dog.
#8. Steve Carell
Next on our list of the most popular comedy actors of all time is Steve Carell.
The American actor was born in 1962 in Concord, Massachusetts. Carell received a Golden Globe Award for his work on The Office.
The award-winning Hollywood actor and comedian has also starred in films such as Date Night, Despicable Me 2, Minions, Get Smart, and Evan Almighty.
#9. Steve Martin
American actor and comedian Steve Martin was born on August 14, 1945. He is also a writer, producer, and singer with several awards.
Martin has won five Grammy Awards, a Primetime Emmy Award, and an Honorary Academy Award.
The comedian and actors starred in several films, including, The Jerks, Three Amigos, The Man with Two Brains, L.A Story, and Father of the Bride.
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#10. Mike Myers
Born in 1963, Michael John Myers is a Canadian actor, comedian, and producer. Throughout his career, he has won seven MYV Awards, a Prime Emmy Award, and a Screen Actors Guild Award.
Myers has starred in several Hollywood films such as Bohemian Rhapsody, Last Kingdom, and Being Canadian.
#11. Adam Sandler
Adam Sandler is one of Hollywood’s richest actors. The American actor was born on September 9, 1966, in Brooklyn, New York.
Sandler has been nominated for various awards. He was nominated for three Grammy Awards, A golden Globe Award, and five Primetime Emmy Awards.
The American actor’s comic roles include The Waterboy, The Wedding Singer, Big Daddy, 50 First Dates, Grown Ups, and Just Go with It.
#12. Ben Stiller
Benjamin Edward Stiller is one of the most popular comedy actors of all time. Stiller is a comedian, actor, and filmmaker whose films have grossed over $2.6 billion in North America.
Ben Stiller has won an Emmy Award, MTV Movie Award, a Teen Choice Award, and a Britannia Award.
The actor starred alongside Eddie Murphy in the 2011 film Tower Heist. He is also widely recognized for playing security guard, Larry Daley in Night at the Museum.
#13. Jack Black
American actor, comedian, and musician Thomas Jacob Black was born on August 28, 1969, in Santa Monica, California.
The actors starred in films such as King Kong, The Holiday, Orange County, The School of Rock, High Fidelity, Shallow Hal, and the Jumanji franchise.
#14. Chris Rock
American stand-up comedian and actor, Christopher Julius Rock was on February 7, 1965, in Andrews, South Carolina.
Chris Rock appeared on several episodes of NBC’s Saturday Night Live. Fellow American actor and comedian Eddie Murphy gave Rock his first film role in Hollywood. Rock was in the 1987 film Beverly Hill Cop II.
The Grammy Award winner starred in films such as Bad Company, Good Hair, I Think I Love My Wife, and Head of State.
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#15. Kevin Hart
Hollywood actor and comedian Kelvin Hart is one of the richest actors in the world. Hart was born on July 6 1979 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
As a comedian, Kevin Hart has won several stand-up comedy competitions. Hart first appeared in the television series Undeclared in 2001.
Since then, Kelvin has starred in several Hollywood films such as Scary Movie 3, Ride Along, the Jumanji film franchise, Central Intelligence, Get Hard, Fatherhood, Night School, and ME Time.
#16. Seth Rogen
Next on our list of the most popular comedy actors of all time is Seth Rogen.
Seth is a Canadian-American actor, and filmmaker born on April 15, 1982, in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Rogen started his acting career in 1999 when he played Ken Miller in the cult series Freaks and Greeks.
Rogen has also starred in films such as Neighbors 2; Sorority Rising, The Night Before, and The Green Hornet.
#17. Owen Wilson
American actor, Owen Wilson is one of the most popular comedy actors of all time. Wilson was nominated for an Academy Award for his performance in The Royal Tenenbaums.
Wilson starred in the 2000 martial arts western action comedy film Shanghai Noon and the sequel Shanghai Knight alongside Jackie Chang and Lucy Liu.
He also appeared in the Night at the Museum film franchise (2006-2014).
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#18. Paul Rudd
American actor Paul Rudd was named People magazine’s Sexiest Man Alive in 2021. The actor currently plays Scott Lang also known as Ant-Man in the Marvels Cinematic Universe.
He will reprise his role as Scott Lang/Ant-Man in the upcoming film Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania.
Ruud also appeared in the latest Ghostbuster film, Ghostbuster: Afterlife.
#19. Zack Galifianakis
American actor and comedian Zachary Knight Galifianakis was born on October 1, 1969, in Wilkesboro, North Carolina.
Zack is widely recognized for playing Alan Garner in the Hangover trilogy. The actor has also appeared in films such as Ron’s Gone Wrong, The Bob’s Burgers Movie, and Missing Link.
#20. Leslie Nielsen
Leslie Nielsen was a Canadian actor and comedian, born on February 11, 1926, and died on November 28, 2010.
The Canadian actor’s career spans over six decades, and he has also featured in over 100 films and television programs. Throughout his career, Nielsen played over 200 characters.
Leslie first made his acting debut in 1956. He was in the film Forbidden Planet, Ransom!, The Opposite Sex, and An American Carol.
#21. Vince Vaughn
American actor Vince Vaughn is one of the most popular comedy actors of all time.
The actor was born Vincent Anthony Vaughn on March 28, 1970, in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Vaughn starred in the 1997 film The Lost World: Jurassic Park.
Vaughn also played Sargent Howell in the 2016 biographical war film Hacksaw Ridge.
#22. Jordan Peele
Jordan Peele is one of America’s finest comic actors. The filmmaker and Keegan-Michael Key created and starred in the Comedy Central sketch comedy series Key & Peele from 2012 to 2015.
As a filmmaker, Jordan directed the 2017 American psychological horror film Get Out. He also directed the 2019 film Us and the American neo-western science fiction horror film Nope.
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#23. Ed Helms
American actor and comedian Edward Parker Helms was a correspondent on Comedy Central’s The Daily Show. Helms alongside Zack Galifianakis and Bradley Cooper starred in the Hangover trilogy.
Edward has starred in several Hollywood films, including Vacation, We’re are the Millers, Cedar Rapids, and Jeff Who Lives at Home.
#24. Martin Laurence
German-born American actor and comedian Martin Lawrence is one of the most comedy actors of all time.
Martin is widely recognized on the big screen for playing Detective Marcus Burnett in the Bad Boys franchise.
Lawrence was also a host on NBC’s Saturday Night Live. Some of the films he featured in include, Blue Streak, Wild Hogs, Black Knight, and Big Momma’s House.
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#25. Marlon Wayans
Marlon Wayans completes our list of the most popular comedy actors of all time.
Wayans is an American comedian, producer, actor, and writer who began his career in 1988 portraying a pedestrian in I’m Gonna Git You Sucka.
The actors also starred in films such as White Chicks, Scary Movie, Little Man, Dance Flick, G.I Joe: The Rise of Cobra, and Sextuplets.
Conclusion
We listed the most popular comedy actors of all time and actors such as Charlie Chaplin, Rowan Atkinson, and Eddie Murphy were on the list.
We also recognized late comic actors for their contributions to TV history.
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