Originally by Kel VarnsenList RulesThe funny females on this list can be from the world of stand up comedy, television, radio or cinema.
The funniest female comedians star on our favorite sitcoms, perform standup at the top comedy clubs and best of all, make us laugh until we cry. These talented women comedians (or 'commediennes' if you're fancy) are just as funny as any male comedians, if not funnier. Plus, they get to tell female-friendly jokes that most men wouldn't touch with a 10-foot pole. Girl comedians can just do some jokes better than the guys can.
Alone, these female comedians are utterly hilarious on their own, but when they team up, watch out. That was exactly the case in 2011 when funny ladies like Kristen Wiig and Melissa McCarthy teamed up with some of the funniest minds in film today to make the smash comedy hit Bridesmaids. Previously, the blonde comedian was known mainly for her many quirky characters on Saturday Night Live, but she's more than just a funny lady, she's a smart (and beautiful!) one too.
For others, the leap from the gut-busting standup acts to primetime television came after the female comedians got noticed by the networks. Chelsea Handler, Whitney Cummings and even Ellen DeGeneres all paid their dues on the standup circuit before getting their own television series.
Whether these talented female comedians make us laugh with their television shows, appear in hilarious comedy movies, are familiar faces on Comedy Central or simply provide the best hilariously inappropriate jokes on celebrity roasts, each rival any of the top male comedians in the business today. Some of them are considered to be the funniest people of all time. Have a funny lady that makes you laugh until you wet your pants? White or black, young or old, tell us your favorites by voting up the best female comedians below.
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4,1341,284Carol Burnett
Age: 87Birthplace: San Antonio, Texas, United States of America
Carol Creighton Burnett (born April 26, 1933) is an American actress, comedian, singer and... more
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4,4741,470Betty White
Age: 98Birthplace: Oak Park, Illinois, United States of America
Betty Marion White Ludden (born January 17, 1922) is an American actress and comedian, with... more3
4,1331,354Lucille Ball
Dec. at 78 (1911-1989)Birthplace: Jamestown, New York, United States of America
Lucille Désirée Ball (August 6, 1911 – April 26, 1989) was an American actress, comedian,... more4
2,7191,009Gilda Radner
Dec. at 43 (1946-1989)Birthplace: Detroit, Michigan, United States of America
Gilda Susan Radner (June 28, 1946 – May 20, 1989) was an American comedian and actress who was... more5
4,2822,322Tina Fey
Age: 50Birthplace: Upper Darby, Pennsylvania, United States of America
Elizabeth Stamatina "Tina" Fey (born May 18, 1970) is an American actress, comedian, writer,... more6
3,0701,639Kristen Wiig
Age: 47Birthplace: Canandaigua, New York, United States of America
Kristen Carroll Wiig (; born August 22, 1973) is an American actress, comedian, writer, and... more7
1,820918Madeline Kahn
Dec. at 57 (1942-1999)Birthplace: Boston, Massachusetts, USA
Madeline Gail Kahn (born Madeline Gail Wolfson; September 29, 1942 – December 3, 1999) was an... more8
2,8211,516Julia Louis-Dreyfus
Age: 59Birthplace: New York City, New York, United States of America
Julia Scarlett Elizabeth Louis-Dreyfus Hall (; born January 13, 1961) is an American actress,... more9
3,3421,852Amy Poehler
Age: 49Birthplace: Newton, Massachusetts, United States of America
Amy Meredith Poehler (; born September 16, 1971) is an American actress, comedian, director,... more10
3,1871,729Melissa McCarthy
Age: 50Birthplace: Plainfield, Illinois, United States of America
Melissa Ann McCarthy (born August 26, 1970) is an American actress, comedian, writer,... more11
2,3761,306Lily Tomlin
Age: 81Birthplace: Detroit, Michigan, United States of America
Mary Jean "Lily" Tomlin (born September 1, 1939) is an American actress, comedian, writer,... more12
1,456727Jane Curtin
Age: 73Birthplace: Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States of America
Jane Therese Curtin (born September 6, 1947) is an American actress and comedian. She is... more13
1,574846Catherine O'Hara
Age: 66Birthplace: Toronto, Canada
Catherine Anne O'Hara (born March 4, 1954) is a Canadian actress, writer, and comedian. She... more14
1,539604Kate McKinnon
Age: 36Birthplace: Sea Cliff, New York, United States of America
Kathryn McKinnon Berthold (born January 6, 1984) is an American actress, comedian, and... more15
1,472825Cloris Leachman
Age: 94Birthplace: Des Moines, Iowa, United States of America
Cloris Leachman (April 30, 1926 – January 26, 2021) was an American actress and comedian. In a... more16
1,132609Estelle Getty
Dec. at 85 (1923-2008)Birthplace: New York City, New York, United States of America
Estelle Getty (née Scher; also known as Estelle Gettleman; July 25, 1923 – July 22, 2008) was... more17
905469Megan Mullally
Age: 61Birthplace: Los Angeles, California, United States of America
Megan Mullally (born November 12, 1958) is an American actress, comedian and singer. She is... more18
1,590976Bea Arthur
Dec. at 87 (1922-2009)Birthplace: New York City, New York, United States of America
Beatrice Arthur (born Bernice Frankel; May 13, 1922 – April 25, 2009) was an American actress... more19
1,6791,033Mary Tyler Moore
Age: 83Birthplace: Brooklyn Heights, New York City, New York, United States of America
Mary Tyler Moore is an American actress, primarily known for her roles in television sitcoms.... more20
1,178640Christina Applegate
Age: 48Birthplace: Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
Christina Applegate (born November 25, 1971) is an American actress and dancer. As an... more21
1,199682Vicki Lawrence
Age: 71Birthplace: Inglewood, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
Vicki Ann Lawrence (born Vicki Ann Axelrad; born March 26, 1949), sometimes credited as Vicki... more22
1,423920Tracey Ullman
Age: 60Birthplace: South East England, Eurasia, Slough, United Kingdom, England
Tracey Ullman (born 30 December 1959) is a British-American actress, comedian, singer, dancer,... more23
1,001575Joan Cusack
Age: 57Birthplace: New York City, New York, United States of America
Joan Mary Cusack (; born October 11, 1962) is an American actress and comedian. She received... more24
1,9711,302Maya Rudolph
Age: 48Birthplace: USA, Florida, Gainesville
Maya Khabira Rudolph (born July 27, 1972) is an American actress, voice artist, comedian, and... more25
1,213704Molly Shannon
Age: 51Birthplace: USA, Shaker Heights, Ohio
Molly Helen Shannon (born September 16, 1964) is an American actress and comedian who was a... more
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