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Famous Comedians from the United States

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Updated April 3, 2020 31.7k views 992 items

List of notable or famous comedians from the United States, with bios and photos, including the top comedians born in the United States and even some popular comedians who immigrated to the United States. If you're trying to find out the names of famous American comedians then this list is the perfect resource for you. These comedians are sorted by popularity, and information about each well-known comedian from the United States is included when available.

People on this list include Jim Norton and George Carlin.

This historic comedians from the United States list can help answer the questions "Who are some American comedians of note?" and "Who are the most famous comedians from the United States?"

These prominent comedians of the United States may or may not be currently alive, but what they all have in common is that they're all respected American comedians.Use this list of renowned American comedians to discover some new comedians that you aren't familiar with. Don't forget to share this list by clicking one of the social media icons at the top or bottom of the page. (992 items)
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1
Marilyn Monroe is listed (or ranked) 1 on the list Famous Comedians from the United States
Dec. at 36 (1926-1962)

Birthplace: Los Angeles, California, United States of America

Marilyn Monroe (born Norma Jeane Mortenson; June 1, 1926 – August 4, 1962) was an American actress, model, and singer. Famous for playing comic "blonde bombshell" characters, she ...more

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2
Jenny McCarthy is listed (or ranked) 2 on the list Famous Comedians from the United States
Age: 46

Birthplace: Evergreen Park, Illinois, United States of America

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3
Joan Rivers is listed (or ranked) 3 on the list Famous Comedians from the United States
Age: Died at 81 (1933-2014)

Birthplace: New York City, New York, USA

Joan Alexandra Molinsky (June 8, 1933 – September 4, 2014), known professionally as Joan Rivers, was an American comedian, actress, writer, producer, and television host. She was noted for her ...more

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4
Adam Sandler is listed (or ranked) 4 on the list Famous Comedians from the United States
Age: 52

Birthplace: New York City, New York

Adam Richard Sandler (born September 9, 1966) is an American actor, comedian, screenwriter, film producer, and musician. After becoming a Saturday Night Live cast member, Sandler went on to star ...more

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5
Ellen DeGeneres is listed (or ranked) 5 on the list Famous Comedians from the United States
Age: 61

Birthplace: Metairie, Louisiana, United States of America

Ellen Lee DeGeneres ( də-JEN-ər-əs; born January 26, 1958) is an American comedian, television host, actress, writer, and producer. She starred in the popular sitcom Ellen from 1994 to 1998 and ...more

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6
James Franco is listed (or ranked) 6 on the list Famous Comedians from the United States
Age: 40

Birthplace: Palo Alto, California, United States of America

James Edward Franco (born April 19, 1978) is an American actor and filmmaker. For his role in 127 Hours (2010), he was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actor. Franco is known for his ...more

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7
Howard Stern is listed (or ranked) 7 on the list Famous Comedians from the United States
Age: 65

Birthplace: Jackson Heights, New York City, New York, United States of America

Howard Allan Stern is an American radio and television personality, producer, author, actor, and photographer. He is best known for his radio show, which was nationally syndicated from 1986 to ...more

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8
Jim Carrey is listed (or ranked) 8 on the list Famous Comedians from the United States
Age: 57

Birthplace: Newmarket, Canada

James Eugene Carrey (born January 17, 1962) is a Canadian-American actor, comedian, writer, musician, and artist. He is known for his energetic slapstick performances.Carrey first gained ...more

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9
Jon Stewart is listed (or ranked) 9 on the list Famous Comedians from the United States
Age: 56

Birthplace: New York City, New York, United States of America

Jon Stewart (born Jonathan Stuart Leibowitz; November 28, 1962) is an American comedian, writer, producer, director, activist, political commentator, actor, and television host. He hosted The ...more

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10
David Letterman is listed (or ranked) 10 on the list Famous Comedians from the United States
Age: 71

Birthplace: Indianapolis, Indiana, United States of America

David Michael Letterman (born April 12, 1947) is an American television host, comedian, writer, producer and automobile racing team owner. He hosted late night television talk shows for 33 ...more

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11
Bill Maher is listed (or ranked) 11 on the list Famous Comedians from the United States
Age: 63

Birthplace: New York City, New York, United States of America

William Maher (; born January 20, 1956) is an American comedian, political commentator, and television host. He is known for the HBO political talk show Real Time with Bill Maher (2003–present) ...more

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12
Jay Leno is listed (or ranked) 12 on the list Famous Comedians from the United States
Age: 68

Birthplace: USA, New York, New Rochelle

James Douglas Muir Leno (born April 28, 1950) is an American comedian, actor, writer, producer, and television host. After doing stand-up comedy for years, he became the host of NBC's The ...more

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13
Chris Rock is listed (or ranked) 13 on the list Famous Comedians from the United States
Age: 54

Birthplace: Andrews, USA, South Carolina

Christopher Julius Rock (born February 7, 1965) is an American comedian, actor, writer, producer, and director. After working as a stand-up comedian and appearing in supporting film roles, Rock ...more

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14
Bill Cosby is listed (or ranked) 14 on the list Famous Comedians from the United States
Age: 81

Birthplace: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America

William Henry Cosby Jr. (; born July 12, 1937) is an American stand-up comedian, actor, musician, author, and convicted sex offender. He held an active career for over six decades before being ...more

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15
Kirstie Alley is listed (or ranked) 15 on the list Famous Comedians from the United States
Age: 68

Birthplace: USA, Wichita, Kansas

Kirstie Louise Alley (born January 12, 1951) is an American actress and spokesmodel. She first achieved recognition in 1982, playing Saavik in the science fiction film Star Trek II: The Wrath of ...more

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16
Chelsea Handler is listed (or ranked) 16 on the list Famous Comedians from the United States
Age: 43

Birthplace: Livingston, New Jersey, United States of America

Chelsea Joy Handler (born February 25, 1975) is an American comedian, actress, writer, television host, producer, and activist. She hosted the late-night talk show Chelsea Lately on the E! ...more

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17
Kathy Griffin is listed (or ranked) 17 on the list Famous Comedians from the United States
Age: 58

Birthplace: USA, Chicago, Illinois

Kathleen Mary Griffin (born November 4, 1960) is an American comedian and actress. She has starred in several comedy specials for cable TV and has released several comedy albums. In 2007 and ...more

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18
Bill Murray is listed (or ranked) 18 on the list Famous Comedians from the United States
Age: 68

Birthplace: Wilmette, Illinois, United States of America

William James Murray (born September 21, 1950) is an American actor, voice actor, comedian, filmmaker, and writer. He first rose to fame on Saturday Night Live, a series of performances that ...more

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19
Amy Poehler is listed (or ranked) 19 on the list Famous Comedians from the United States
Age: 47

Birthplace: Newton, Massachusetts, United States of America

Amy Meredith Poehler (; born September 16, 1971) is an American actress, comedian, director, producer, and writer. After studying improv at Chicago's Second City and ImprovOlympic in the early ...more

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20
Conan O'Brien is listed (or ranked) 20 on the list Famous Comedians from the United States
Age: 55

Birthplace: Brookline, Massachusetts, United States of America

Conan Christopher O'Brien (born April 18, 1963) is an American television host, comedian, writer, and producer. He is best known for hosting several late-night talk shows; since 2010, he has ...more

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21
Bob Hope is listed (or ranked) 21 on the list Famous Comedians from the United States
Dec. at 100 (1903-2003)

Birthplace: Eltham, London, United Kingdom

Leslie Townes Hope, KBE, KC*SG, KSS (May 29, 1903 – July 27, 2003), known professionally as Bob Hope, was an American stand-up comedian, vaudevillian, actor, singer, dancer, athlete, and author. ...more

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22
Betty White is listed (or ranked) 22 on the list Famous Comedians from the United States
Age: 97

Birthplace: Oak Park, Illinois, United States of America

Betty Marion White Ludden (born January 17, 1922) is an American actress and comedian, with the longest television career of any entertainer, spanning 80 years. Regarded as a pioneer of ...more

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23
Ben Stiller is listed (or ranked) 23 on the list Famous Comedians from the United States
Age: 53

Birthplace: New York City, New York, United States of America

Benjamin Edward Meara Stiller (born November 30, 1965) is an American actor, comedian, writer, producer, musician and director. He is the son of veteran comedians and actors Jerry Stiller and ...more

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24
Dustin Diamond is listed (or ranked) 24 on the list Famous Comedians from the United States
Age: 42

Birthplace: San Jose, USA, California

Dustin Neil Diamond (born January 7, 1977) is an American actor, musician, director, and stand-up comedian widely known for his role as Samuel "Screech" Powers in the television shows ...more

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25
Aubrey Plaza is listed (or ranked) 25 on the list Famous Comedians from the United States
Age: 34

Birthplace: Wilmington, USA, Delaware

Aubrey Christina Plaza (born June 26, 1984) is an American actress, comedian and producer. She began her career performing improv and sketch comedy at the Upright Citizens Brigade Theater. She ...more

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