Compiling a list of the best stand-up comedians ever to grace the stage is exceptionally hard. Ever since the first stand-up show was documented in 1911, men and women have been taking to the stage and entertaining crowds across the world.
The genre of comedy really came to the fore in the 80s when some of the best stand-up comedians of all time made their mark. This is when the likes of Sam Kinison, Eddie Murphy, Andrew “Dice” Clay, Bill Hicks, and Robin Williams became megastars, with many going on to have their own shows and finding success in the world of film.
Since the golden age comedy has gone through a number of changes and phases, from the alternative comedy of the 90s to the modern-day stand-up that often incorporates real-life issues facing people around the world. Folk such as Tracy Morgan, Ali Wong, John Mulaney, Dave Chappelle, Tiffany Hadish, and Aziz Ansari have become megastars. The advent of cancel culture and the #metoo movement have also seen a shift in what is now acceptable when performing comedy and left many once-popular comics (Louis C.K. is a prime example) forced to apologize for past indiscretions and fading from the spotlight.
In coming up with this list, we have scoured the archives for not only the funniest stand-up comedians but also those who have left a mark on the culture. Many of these stand-up comedians have appeared on talk shows and big networks like Comedy Central and NBC and had their own comedy specials. These are comics who care about the craft. It is just as much about delivery and timing as it is the actual punchline. Hopefully, they will provide you with as much laughter as they have the Next Luxury crew
