20 Hilarious Stand-Up Comedians You Have To See Live
Which Of These Comedians Are On Your Stand-Up Bucket List?
A whole crowd of people being collectively moved to tears of laughter in real time is an experience like no other. Sure, it's just a person with a microphone, but they know how to work a crowd and create something exceptional. Whether you're into sharp political commentary, dad jokes, or physical humor, the perfect comedian is out there for you, and you can see them live, in the flesh. Here are the 20 most hilarious stand-up comedians in the English-speaking world right now.
1. Dave Chappelle
Dave Chappelle is one of the all-time greats. He's been crafting his signature style which blends social commentary with storytelling and satire for decades. He tends to dive head-first into taboo subjects which can be a little shocking for some, but if you have thicker skin, going to one of his shows is a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
2. Bill Burr
Bill Burr has been doing stand-up for decades, but he really blew up just before the pandemic. His comedy style is like a hilarious angry rant pointing out society's absurdities with razor-sharp precision. His bits tend to escalate from relaxed to ridiculous and he isn't afraid to tackle difficult and deeply personal themes.
3. Nate Bargatze
What sets Nate Bargatze apart from the rest is that he's clean! Yup, no incessant swearing or disgusting toilet humor with this guy. But, don't worry, he's still hilarious, with immaculate timing and tightly written, surprisingly layered jokes.
4. Bo Burnham
If you haven't seen Bo Burnham's Inside, don't walk, run home to whatever streaming platform has it and watch it. His extremely relatable jokes revolve around existential dread, anxiety, and loneliness which he will often package in an awesome, catchy song.
5. Hannah Gadsby
Don't think we forgot about the women making waves in the comedy world. One of our favourites is Hannah Gadsby who rose to prominence with her stand-up special Nanette. His comedy is dry, witty, and observational, but less "laugh out loud" funny and more sharp, deep, and emotional.
6. Ali Wong
You might recognize Ali Wong from the hit show Beef, but she's also a highly accomplished stand-up comedian. His humor is unfiltered, sometimes shocking, and raw. She calls out racism, and sexism, and talks candidly about motherhood and her experience growing up in an immigrant household.
7. Matt Rife
Matt Rife is known for his ability to engage with audiences, his quick wit, improvisational humor, and being far too handsome for comedy. He started performing stand-up at 15 and has since garnered a significant following through social media platforms like TikTok.
8. Anthony Jeselnik
Anthony Jeselnik is known for his dark, edgy, deadpan comedy style. His material revolves around morbid topics and he utilizes the shock factor to his advantage, pushing audiences out of their comfort zones.
Rooster T Feathers Comedy Club on Wikimedia
9. Taylor Tomlinson
Taylor Tomlinson became renowned for her sharp wit and self-deprecating humor which she delivers with sarcasm and relatable sincerity. As of last year, she began hosting After Midnight on CBS replacing James Corden's The Late Late Show.
10. Michelle Wolf
Michelle Wolf is an unapologetic feminist who delivers hard truths through a comedic lens. She was a writer on The Daily Show with Trevor Noah and garnered significant fame (and controversy) after her powerful performance at the White House Correspondents' Dinner in 2018.
11. Mark Normand
Mark Norman's comedy is characterized by its setup-punchline structure at a rapid-fire pace. His material spans a wide range of topics including politics and personal anecdotes. Since he began his comedy career in 2006, he's become a staple in the NYC comedy scene.
12. Nikki Glaser
Nikki Glaser is definitely on the dirtier side of the comedy spectrum with an unfiltered style and a propensity for risqué sexual topics. She made history this year as the first woman to ever host the Golden Globes solo.
13. Sam Morril
Sam Morril is known for his deadpan delivery, clever punchlines, and ability to explore taboo subjects. He co-hosts a podcast called We Might Be Drunk with Mark Normand.
We Might Be Drunk Podcast on Wikimedia
14. Ricky Gervais
Ricky Gervais spent the first couple of decades of his professional life as a relatively normal guy, working behind the scenes in the entertainment industry, until he suddenly blew up when he created and starred in the hit TV show, The Office. Since then, he's sold out stadiums with his sharp and provocative stand-up shows.
15. Andrew Schulz
Andrew Shulz is a classic New Yorker, his comedy being bold, loud, outspoken, and shocking. He's been a prominent fixture in the comedy scene since 2008 but has further blown up with his 2020 four-part comedy Netflix special.
16. Jenny Slate
Jenny Slate's comedy can only be described as weird and whimsical. She's an excellent storyteller with the ability to dive into her emotional vulnerability in a wholly relatable way. She also stars in the FX series Dying for Sex.
17. Mike Birbiglia
Mike Birbiglia's comedy draws heavily from his own experiences of fatherhood and relationships with a healthy sprinkling of morbid jokes and "painfully true" stories. He has created several one-man theatre shows, many of which have won significant acclaim and awards.
DoD News Features on Wikimedia
18. James Acaster
James Acaster is known for his use of non-traditional joke structures, physical comedy, repetition, and elaborate narratives to deliver genuine laughs. He's a prominent figure in the UK comedy scene.
19. Fortune Feimster
Fortune Feimster first came to prominence when she appeared in The Mindy Project. She is loved for her Southern charm, inclusive humor, and LGBTQ humor.
thepaparazzigamer on Wikimedia
20. Mo Gilligan
Mo Gilligan is one of the most prominent British stand-up comedians right now. He's renowned for his high-energy shows, observational humor, social commentary, and delving into themes like race and Black British culture.
