Hollywood is overflowing with funny actors, but it takes a kind of genius to stand the test of time and keep rolling out the gags. Let’s look at some of the funniest Hollywood stars who are capable of making a cat laugh.
Jim Carrey
His rubber-faced antics and over-the-top comedic timing aren’t for everyone, but whatever you think of him, he’s the King of Improvisation. From Ace Ventura: Pet Detective to the farcical Dumb and Dumber, Carrey’s zany characters have made him a comedy legend. It’s a shame he’s turned a little weird.
Melissa McCarthy
Melissa McCarthy’s fearless and uproarious performances have solidified her as one of the funniest actors in Hollywood. She played the brash bridesmaid in Bridesmaids and the hilariously crude cop in The Heat, upstaging comedy Queen, Sandra Bullock. That takes a special kind of funny.
Will Ferrell
His absurd and irreverent humor has made him a comedic force to be reckoned with. We loved his iconic role as Ron Burgundy in Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy and his slapstick antics in the Christmas must-watch, Elf. What’s his secret? Ignorance. That’s the key to good comedy. It explains the expressive jowls.
Tina Fey
How can we not love the hilarious one-liners from Liz Lemon in 30 Rock? How could we not embrace the relentless ribbing of certain political figures on Saturday Night Live? Fey’s comedic brilliance always leaves us laughing.
Gene Wilder
You’ll no doubt remember him best as Willy Wonka in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, but his comedic talents made him a leading actor of his time. Cast your mind back to See No Evil, Hear No Evil and you’ll remember his brilliance.
Steve Carell
Steve Carell’s lovable goofiness and deadpan delivery have made him a comedic icon, and perfect for the ‘US Ricky Gervais’ version of the cringe-worthy character, Michael Scott in The Office. Let us not forget his hilarious portrayal of Brick Tamland in Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy. The fact that he can pull off serious roles too is mega-impressive.
Kristen Wiig
She has that underrated quirky charm and offbeat humor that combined have made her a standout comedic talent. Aside from the brilliantly funny supporting cast, she carried the movie Bridesmaids with her starring role. She’s the perfect leading lady.
Bill Murray
He’s the comedy legend that we couldn’t be without. His deadpan delivery and understated humor led to iconic roles in Ghostbusters, Groundhog Day, and Lost In Translation. If you’re looking for his defining moments, you’ll need to work through a very long list.
Amy Poehler
Amy Poehler’s sharp wit and infectious energy have made her a comedy powerhouse. From her hilarious performances on Saturday Night Live to her starring role as Leslie Knope in Parks and Recreation, Poehler’s comedic talent is pretty unmatched. Anyone that is that self-deprecating has to be funny.
Seth Rogen
Seth Rogen’s laid-back charm and self-deprecating humor have endeared him to audiences around the world. His breakout role in Knocked Up introduced us to his wit, later leading to performances in Superbad and Pineapple Express. His writing is on par with his wit.
Leslie Mann
We might have pinned her success on her marriage to comedy producer, Judd Apatow but she’s more than proved that she has what it takes to be a leading lady of comedy. She had scene-stealing roles in The 40-Year-Old Virgin and This Is 40, both of which highlighted her deadpan, effortless comedic abilities. She underplays her roles, but it’s with a superlative brilliance.
Steve Martin
With his absurdist humor and wild antics, he’s been called the first rock star of comedy. From his early stand-up comedy routines to his starring roles in The Jerk and Planes, Trains and Automobiles, Martin’s movies will stand the test of time.
Paul Rudd
Paul Rudd’s humor might be less obvious than many other comedians, so much so that it almost sneaks up on you without notice. That said, his less obvious boyish charm and quick wit have now made him a firm fan favorite. You only have to watch him in This is 40, and Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy to appreciate his understated humor.
Adam Sandler
His comedy often revolves around slapstick humor, silly characters, and absurd situations which some people find hilarious, others less so. He showed us the driest of wit in The Wedding Singer and Happy Gilmore, and his production company, Happy Madison, remains a frontrunner within Hollywood entertainment. When Sandler gets it right, he’s untouchable.
John Candy
John Candy’s larger-than-life personality is a huge loss to the movie industry. He made his name as a beloved comedic actor in Uncle Buck and went on to memorable performances in Spaceballs and Stripes. Thankfully, Candy’s comedic genius lives on through his greatest performances.
Eddie Murphy
He was the 80s comic icon and stand-up comedian who has appeared in more movies than we can list. He’s brash, crude, and always prepared to shock, but he does it with conviction. Beverly Hills Cop, Coming to America and The Nutty Professor are just a few of his famous credits.
Eugene Levy
For the actor to consider himself unfunny is nothing short of sacrilege; Eugene Levy is the best part of any show or movie that he appears in. He was the painfully awkward Dad in American Pie before giving us that dark, subtle humor in Schitt’s Creek. He also bears an uncanny resemblance to the late Robin Williams in both appearance and humor.
Jack Black
Jack Black’s exuberant energy and lovable rom-com characters have made him a comedic powerhouse. He showed us his genius in School of Rock and, of course, he’s the voice of animated legend Kung Fu Panda. As half of the rock duo, Tenacious-D, he offers performance-based shows that are every bit as comedic as his movie roles.
