Laugh out loud: The best comedians in history

The legendary American comedian dedicated himself to fighting hypocrisy and used comedy as a way to satirize and address political and social issues, which has paved the way for so many comedians after him. He roasted presidents his whole career, from Dwight Eisenhower all the way to Donald Trump, and set the bar for political commentary. Sahl died of old age (94) in Mill Valley, California.

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Ricky Gervais - The British actor and comedian, who was the star of UK version of 'The Office,' has a huge fan base and some of his biggest gigs include hosting the Golden Globes and the Emmys.

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Stephen Colbert - David Letterman's replacement on the 'Late Show' proved to be as hilarious and intellectual as his legendary predecessor.

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Charlie Chaplin - Charlie Chaplin is one of the biggest comedians of all time. The Brit was known for his perfectionism and for being involved in all creative steps in every one of his films, from the production to the soundtrack.

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Rowan Atkinson - The actor became famous worldwide with his character Mr Bean, which was so popular that movies were made in addition to the TV show.

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Eddie Murphy - The actor collects many popular comedies such as 'Coming to America, and the 'Dr. Dolittle,' 'Beverly Hills Cop,' 'The Nutty Professor' and 'Shrek' franchises.

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Jerry Lewis - The comedian, rose to stardom alongside his partner Dean Martin, with whom he formed the duo Martin & Lewis. He was equally successful as a solo comic.

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Roberto Gómez Bolaños - The creator of El Chapulín Colorado is one of the biggest names on the Mexican comedy scene.

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Jerry Seinfeld - This is an indisputable choice. Seinfeld has been the highest-paid comedian in the world for years. His sitcom 'Seinfeld' was everyone's favorite show in the '90s.

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Peter Sellers - The star of 'The Pink Panther' had a unique style. He was great in both light comedies and dark humor. His best movie is Stanley Kubrick's 'Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb' (1964).

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Jim Carrey -

The comedy star has a lot of box-office hits under his belt, including 'Ace Ventura,' 'Dumb and Dumber,' 'The Mask,' 'The Cable Guy,' 'Liar Liar,' 'Me, Myself & Irene,' 'Bruce Almighty,' among others.

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Laurel and Hardy - Oliver Hardy and Stan Laurel formed one of the most popular comedy duos in American cinema.

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Lucille Ball - At a time when men dominated the comedy scene, Lucille Ball was opening the way for female comedians. She was the star of many sitcoms, including the wildly popular 'I Love Lucy.'

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Marx Brothers - Brothers Chico, Harpo, Groucho, Gummo, and Zeppo were already adored in theater, so it's no surprise they became a movie phenomenon too.

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Jimmy Carr - The artist is one of the most respected names on the British comedy scene today.

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Mario Moreno (Cantinflas) - Charlie Chaplin was a huge fan of the Mexican comic, who was also super popular in the US.

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The cast of 'Monty Python' - The British comedy show is still a cult to many these days. It was aired by BBC from 1969 to 1974 and it also moved on to the big screen.

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Ellen DeGeneres - She already had a successful stand-up career. After coming out as gay, her career did take a hit, but she eventually came back with 'The Ellen DeGeneres Show,' which ran for nearly 20 years.

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Jimmy Fallon - The host of 'The Tonight Show' has been around for years and is one of the most popular comedians in the US.

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The Three Stooges - Moe, Larry, and Curley were comedy aces. They starred in dozens of both short films and feature length films.

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Melissa McCarthy - The actress is a comedy staple both in TV and on the big screen.

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Abbott and Costello -

This unforgettable duo is also one of the most iconic in American TV and cinema.

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Amy Schumer - Amy Schumer is one of the best-paid female comedians around. She's had success in TV and film too.

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Alan Carr - The British comedian is one of the biggest in the game. He started as a stand-up act but he also moved on to television.

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Kevin Hart - Of all the new-school comics, Kevin Hart is one of the highest-paid. He's been in several hit movies such as 'Think Like a Man Too,' 'Get Hard,' 'The Wedding Ringer' and 'Jumanji.'

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Dave Chappelle - Dave Chapelle rose to stardom after his hugely popular show on 'Comedy Central.' He disappeared for many years but returned to the spotlight with his Netflix specials in recent years, although mostly due to their controversial content.

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Chris Rock - This comic has seen success as a stand-up and on the small and big screens, including as a voice actor.

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Ben Stiller - Ben Stiller is not only a talented actor, but also a screenwriter and director. He starred in 'There's Something About Mary,' 'Zoolander' and the franchise 'Night at the Museum,' among others.

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Adam Sandler - Adam Sandler has starred in huge box-office hits including '50 First Dates,' 'Grown Ups,' and 'Funny People,' among others.

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James Corden -

James Corden is another talented Brit who crossed the pond to host 'The Late Late Show' from 2015 to 2023. It was hugely popular for its 'Carpool Karaoke' sketch.

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Leslie Nielsen -

The Canadian actor was a staple in comedy films in the '80s and '90s. How can we forget 'Airplane!' (1980) or the 'The Na*** Gun' movies?!

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Mort Sahl -

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Ricky Gervais - The British actor and comedian, who was the star of UK version of 'The Office,' has a huge fan base and some of his biggest gigs include hosting the Golden Globes and the Emmys.

3 / 32 Fotos

Stephen Colbert - David Letterman's replacement on the 'Late Show' proved to be as hilarious and intellectual as his legendary predecessor.

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Rowan Atkinson - The actor became famous worldwide with his character Mr Bean, which was so popular that movies were made in addition to the TV show.

6 / 32 Fotos

Eddie Murphy - The actor collects many popular comedies such as 'Coming to America, and the 'Dr. Dolittle,' 'Beverly Hills Cop,' 'The Nutty Professor' and 'Shrek' franchises.

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Jerry Lewis - The comedian, rose to stardom alongside his partner Dean Martin, with whom he formed the duo Martin & Lewis. He was equally successful as a solo comic.

8 / 32 Fotos

Roberto Gómez Bolaños - The creator of El Chapulín Colorado is one of the biggest names on the Mexican comedy scene.

9 / 32 Fotos

Jerry Seinfeld - This is an indisputable choice. Seinfeld has been the highest-paid comedian in the world for years. His sitcom 'Seinfeld' was everyone's favorite show in the '90s.

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Jim Carrey -

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Laurel and Hardy - Oliver Hardy and Stan Laurel formed one of the most popular comedy duos in American cinema.

13 / 32 Fotos

Lucille Ball - At a time when men dominated the comedy scene, Lucille Ball was opening the way for female comedians. She was the star of many sitcoms, including the wildly popular 'I Love Lucy.'

14 / 32 Fotos

Marx Brothers - Brothers Chico, Harpo, Groucho, Gummo, and Zeppo were already adored in theater, so it's no surprise they became a movie phenomenon too.

15 / 32 Fotos

Jimmy Carr - The artist is one of the most respected names on the British comedy scene today.

16 / 32 Fotos

Mario Moreno (Cantinflas) - Charlie Chaplin was a huge fan of the Mexican comic, who was also super popular in the US.

17 / 32 Fotos

The cast of 'Monty Python' - The British comedy show is still a cult to many these days. It was aired by BBC from 1969 to 1974 and it also moved on to the big screen.

18 / 32 Fotos

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Jimmy Fallon - The host of 'The Tonight Show' has been around for years and is one of the most popular comedians in the US.

20 / 32 Fotos

The Three Stooges - Moe, Larry, and Curley were comedy aces. They starred in dozens of both short films and feature length films.

21 / 32 Fotos

Melissa McCarthy - The actress is a comedy staple both in TV and on the big screen.

22 / 32 Fotos

Abbott and Costello -

This unforgettable duo is also one of the most iconic in American TV and cinema.

Getty Images

23 / 32 Fotos

Amy Schumer - Amy Schumer is one of the best-paid female comedians around. She's had success in TV and film too.

24 / 32 Fotos

Alan Carr - The British comedian is one of the biggest in the game. He started as a stand-up act but he also moved on to television.

25 / 32 Fotos

Kevin Hart - Of all the new-school comics, Kevin Hart is one of the highest-paid. He's been in several hit movies such as 'Think Like a Man Too,' 'Get Hard,' 'The Wedding Ringer' and 'Jumanji.'

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Chris Rock - This comic has seen success as a stand-up and on the small and big screens, including as a voice actor.

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Adam Sandler - Adam Sandler has starred in huge box-office hits including '50 First Dates,' 'Grown Ups,' and 'Funny People,' among others.

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James Corden -

James Corden is another talented Brit who crossed the pond to host 'The Late Late Show' from 2015 to 2023. It was hugely popular for its 'Carpool Karaoke' sketch.

31 / 32 Fotos