20 Funniest Comedians Of The Century (So Far)

Comedy has exploded in reach and variety since the turn of the century, with streaming services, social video, and podcasts giving performers more ways to connect with audiences than ever before. Stand up has crossed into sitcoms, documentaries, and feature films, and sketch stars have built global followings with characters and catchphrases that move from stage to screen in a snap.

This list spotlights comedians whose bodies of work since the year 2000 have shaped what people watch and quote with friends. You will find stand up phenoms, sketch innovators, and writer performers who built hit series and movies, along with the specials, tours, and creative ventures that made them fixtures of the era.

Dave Chappelle

Chappelle returned to the center of stand up with a run of high profile specials that drew huge audiences on streaming platforms. Earlier in the century he created the influential sketch series ‘Chappelle’s Show’ and set a template for modern TV sketch with recurring characters and music guests. He has performed extensive arena tours and received major honors for lifetime achievement in American comedy.

He has also played prominent roles in documentaries and live events that brought stand up to wider mainstream attention. His surprise shows and pop up appearances helped re popularize intimate club sets alongside large venue tours, giving younger comics a path to develop material while building national buzz.

John Mulaney

Mulaney moved from writing on ‘Saturday Night Live’ to headlining theaters with meticulously crafted specials like ‘New in Town’ and ‘Kid Gorgeous at Radio City’. He created the Broadway show ‘Oh, Hello’ with Nick Kroll and later returned to long form stand up with ‘Baby J’ on streaming, each release supported by sold out tour runs.

He has voiced animated projects and co created short form specials for families that introduced his sensibility to younger viewers. His monologues and clean structure made him a go to host for live television events, expanding his profile beyond the stand up circuit.

Ali Wong

Wong broke through worldwide with the specials ‘Baby Cobra’ and ‘Hard Knock Wife’, which were filmed while she was pregnant and became signature releases for streaming comedy. She later followed with ‘Don Wong’ and developed a successful acting career that included starring in the series ‘Beef’ and the film ‘Always Be My Maybe’.

Alongside stand up, she has written for television and published a bestselling essay collection. She has toured internationally and collaborated with creators across film and TV, helping open doors for more Asian American comedians on major platforms.

Bo Burnham

Burnham began by posting original songs online as a teenager, then translated that digital following into innovative specials like ‘what.’ and ‘Make Happy’. He wrote and directed the film ‘Eighth Grade’ and later released ‘Inside’, which he wrote, shot, and edited alone at home and which reached a massive global audience on streaming.

He has directed specials for other comedians and composed music used across film and television. His blend of music, lighting, and staging influenced how many performers approach multimedia in live comedy shows.

Kevin Hart

Hart scaled up from clubs to worldwide arena tours, releasing concert films tied to specials like ‘Laugh at My Pain’ and ‘Let Me Explain’. He built a major film career with comedies that topped box office charts and created a production company that develops stand up, series, and documentaries.

He launched podcast and radio ventures and a digital platform focused on comedy content. His brand partnerships and recurring tours made him one of the most visible stand ups of the century, with a schedule that spans films, TV, and live performances.

Ricky Gervais

Gervais co created and starred in ‘The Office’, which became a model for workplace mockumentaries and inspired adaptations worldwide. He followed with ‘Extras’ and later stand up specials like ‘Humanity’ and ‘SuperNature’, all widely distributed on streaming platforms.

He has hosted major award shows and produced multiple series that mix humor with pathos. His career bridges TV writing, acting, and stand up, and he continues to tour internationally with new hours that premiere to large streaming audiences.

Tina Fey

Fey moved from head writer at ‘Saturday Night Live’ to creating and starring in ’30 Rock’, a fast paced sitcom that earned dozens of awards and long afterlife on streaming. She co created ‘Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt’ and later helped bring ‘Mean Girls’ from film to Broadway and back to film again.

Her production company nurtures projects for other comedians and she remains a regular presence on live and scripted television. Her work established a pipeline where sketch writers transition into showrunners while continuing to perform on screen.

Key and Peele

Keegan Michael Key and Jordan Peele co created ‘Key and Peele’, a sketch series that became a viral engine for character driven comedy and cinematic parodies. The show won awards and produced sketches that racked up millions of views across platforms after airing.

They expanded into film with the action comedy ‘Keanu’ and voice roles in major animated features. Peele also moved into directing feature films including ‘Get Out’, while both continued to develop TV and film projects that keep their sketch sensibilities in the spotlight.

Trevor Noah

Noah succeeded Jon Stewart as host of ‘The Daily Show’, guiding the program through multiple election cycles and global events while maintaining a steady output of touring and specials like ‘Son of Patricia’ and ‘I Wish You Would’. His memoir became a long running bestseller and expanded his international profile.

After stepping down from the show he returned to extensive global touring and frequent TV appearances. He produces series and podcasts that feature a wide range of voices, helping bring more comics from Africa and around the world to North American audiences.

Hasan Minhaj

Minhaj built his profile as a correspondent on ‘The Daily Show’ before launching ‘Patriot Act with Hasan Minhaj’, a weekly series that merged comedy with visual explainers. His specials ‘Homecoming King’ and ‘The King’s Jester’ drew strong streaming numbers and sold out theater runs.

He has hosted major live events and produced documentaries and series segments that bring investigative research into a comedy format. His touring shows often debut new multimedia tools that many comics now use in large theatrical venues.

Jim Gaffigan

Gaffigan became one of the most successful clean comics of the era with specials that regularly premiered on streaming and cable, including ‘Beyond the Pale’ and ‘Mr. Universe’. He created ‘The Jim Gaffigan Show’, a semi autobiographical sitcom that aired on basic cable and later reached new audiences through streaming.

He releases new material at a pace few peers match and tours internationally with family friendly sets that still play well in late night slots. He has published books and recorded albums that perform strongly on comedy charts.

Wanda Sykes

Sykes wrote for ‘The Chris Rock Show’ before headlining her own stand up specials and series. She has released streaming specials like ‘Not Normal’ and starred in the sitcom ‘The Upshaws’, which she also co created and writes for.

Her film and TV credits span voice roles, acting, and hosting duties for large live broadcasts. She continues to tour and produce shows that bring more women and LGBTQ voices into writers rooms and on stage.

Hannah Gadsby

Gadsby reached a global audience with ‘Nanette’, a special that combined stand up with storytelling and art history and became a signature streaming event. Follow ups like ‘Douglas’ and ‘Something Special’ continued to draw large viewership and international tours.

They have curated art exhibitions and published a memoir, extending their work beyond the stage. Their shows helped broaden expectations for how long form stand up can structure narrative and personal history.

Tiffany Haddish

Haddish broke out with the film ‘Girls Trip’ and then released the stand up special ‘Black Mitzvah’ on streaming. She executive produced ‘Tiffany Haddish Presents They Ready’, a showcase series that introduced a wider audience to a roster of comics she championed.

She works across film, TV, and voice acting while maintaining an active tour schedule. Her production efforts have created opportunities for emerging performers to film sets and reach global platforms.

Russell Peters

Peters was one of the first stand ups to turn early viral clips into global arena tours, with specials like ‘Outsourced’ reaching wide audiences on DVD and streaming. He sells out venues across North America, Europe, the Middle East, and Asia with sets that reflect a broad international fan base.

He has hosted large comedy festivals and produced specials for other performers. His touring footprint helped pave the way for a new generation of comics to build careers across multiple continents.

Jo Koy

Koy built a loyal following through club work, podcast appearances, and streaming specials like ‘Comin In Hot’ and ‘Live from Seattle’. He headlined the studio comedy ‘Easter Sunday’, which centered on a Filipino American family and drew attention to underrepresented stories.

He continues to tour arenas and theaters with new hours and regularly appears on late night shows. His success has encouraged more studios and networks to invest in projects featuring Filipino and Filipino American creatives.

Sarah Silverman

Silverman headlined ‘The Sarah Silverman Program’ and later hosted the variety series ‘I Love You, America’. Her specials ‘We Are Miracles’ and ‘A Speck of Dust’ were widely viewed on premium cable and streaming.

She has written a memoir, starred in films, and voiced characters in major animated features. She remains active on stage and develops shows that blend satire with personal storytelling.

Bill Burr

Burr released a steady string of specials including ‘Paper Tiger’ and ‘I Am Sorry You Feel That Way’ while selling out large theaters worldwide. He created the animated series ‘F Is for Family’, which ran for multiple seasons on streaming.

He launched a production banner that develops projects for other comics and directed the feature ‘Old Dads’. He is a regular on radio and podcasts and maintains a high volume touring schedule that feeds frequent new specials.

Patton Oswalt

Oswalt balanced stand up with acting roles on TV and in film, releasing acclaimed specials like ‘Talking for Clapping’ and ‘Annihilation’. He won major awards and contributed voice work to projects such as ‘Ratatouille’, which introduced him to broad family audiences.

He has written books, hosted festivals, and served as a mentor and director for other comedians specials. His career shows how stand up, character acting, and writing can reinforce one another over decades.

Maria Bamford

Bamford created the series ‘Lady Dynamite’ and earlier built a cult following with ‘The Maria Bamford Show’, which she filmed largely in her home. Specials like ‘Special Special Special’ and ‘Old Baby’ showcased inventive formats that used intimate settings and experimental structure.

She tours theaters with sets that feature distinct character voices and personal narratives. She has recorded multiple albums and frequently appears on podcasts and animated series, keeping a steady presence across formats.

Share your picks in the comments and tell us who you would add to the list.