Here are the top 10 most inspiring comedians of all time. Feel free to skim, but don’t. This is important information. I promise I’ll never write this much again.
1 Jeff Foxworthy - He’s the best selling comic of all time (outselling Cosby and Pryor combined). We all know him as the master of redneck jokes, but he’s also mastered the art of making all people laugh between the ages of 8 and 80.
I could go all day about his delivery and his writing, but you should know that the most inspiring thing about Jeff is the way he chooses to live his life. I’m extremely humbled to be able to call Jeff a friend, and I can tell you first hand that he is one of the most humble, generous, God-fearing, risk-taking, mold-breaking, men I know. I’d take his lifestyle over his fame any day. (having both would be my real first choice)
2 Jim Carey – Don’t act like you can’t quote “Dumb and Dumber” from start to finish. Also, don’t do it. No one is impressed anymore.
Maybe you’re tired of Jim’s silly faces, so check out some of his more serious flicks like Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. If you aren’t impressed, then we aren’t friends. Gosh, there’s few things that I love more than getting a glimpse into the deeper, darker parts of silly people. Will, we are still waiting on you buddy.
3 Chevy Chase - He took the likable, slightly dumb, underdog character to places inspector gadget could only dream of. Clark Griswald and Fletch are seriously my model roles. As an actor, I want nothing more than to perfect these characters.
Don’t forget about Chevy’s success on SNL and of course his appearance in that one Paul Simon video. Do forget his attempt at a late night talk show.
4 The Lonely Island – If you’ve seen any of the SNL digital shorts (**ck in a box, lonely sunday, lazer cats…) then you know these guys. I can’t get enough of their perfectly executed video sketches, but it’s their story that most inspires me. Three young sketch comedy nobodies get discovered and almost immediately they’re hired by the most influential sketch comedy show of all time. Hey SNL!! Hum dee dum. TrippandTyler.com! Oh nothing. nevermind.
5 Mitch Hedberg – One line jokes that don’t work if anyone else tries them. Mitch why did you leave us? Or are you really still alive and disguised as Demetri Martin?
6 David Crosby Jr. – Haven’t heard of him? Well, he’s my dad and arguably the most undiscovered comic of all time. Vouch for me friends. (seriously – in my comments section) Dad, why the insurance business? You could have made millions in the entertainment biz and been a distant father. I’m not saying my dad doesn’t make millions. Okay, he doesn’t. He’s also never served in the military.
7 Bill Cosby – I felt like I needed to include a black person in my list. JK, but remember how funny he was in Picture Pages? And, if you haven’t seen at least 14 episodes of the Cosby Show, I will fight you along with Theo’s brother (who sold me a car a month ago). I also highly recommend some of Bill’s early standup. It’s brilliant, and now I’m thinking Bill should have been higher on my list.
8 Christopher Guest – I’m not sure if he invented it, but he most certainly introduced us to the mockumentary. Go watch Best in Show and Waiting for Guffman,. Already seen them? Go watch them again. And again. And again until your comedy tastebuds become completely dependent on high doses of satire.
9 God – Brought us all the essential ingredients for comedy – gravity, testicles, farts, and this goat.
10 David Robertson – It’s time for you to notice David’s Zingers in my side column. David is one of only a few people alive that can generate completely origional thoughts. He’s been referred to as “the new Jack Handy” but I still think of him as the guy who tolerates my stuff lying around our apartment. He barely made the list, but I can honestly say he is the guy who makes me laugh the hardest. Oh, and the iBible was his idea.
Tags: bill cosby, chevy chase, christopher guest, david crosby, david robertson, god, Jeff Foxworthy, jim carey, lonely island, mitch hedberg
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How does Ricky Gervais not make the list?
Or Karl Pilkington for that matter?
Fantastic question.
Dad…I’m curious to know how long it took you to write a “humorous” response….I’m guessing you felt some pressure….
Oooooo take that Tyler…. I bet you feel stupid now.
Tripp, you would be very high on my list. (Your testimony from 1998 is still one of the funniest things ever… seriously, I think I blew a funny fuse that summer).
Good list, but after a really long day, I need a little Jeff Dunham….com. Which puppet, depends on the mood. Today I could have used a little Walter in my life. Could be worse, it could have been an Achmid day::evil laugh::
I would have included Bob Hope – I love old movies.
Andy Kauffman.
Dude, you are so right. He was so brilliant that I think he might be overqualified for the list.
Yay for Jeff!
I think if you asked him too, he would put his girls on that list. They really inherited his creativity and humor…
I like it when people ask “Is he really funny in real life?”
Yes. But in a humbler, nerdier, somewhat sly and understated way.
And he’s not afraid to run around in a gorilla costume scaring middle-age men, and/or middle schoolers if it gets a laugh.
sb
Tripp, I think you need to read Job 11:12, King James Version
david crosby = hilarious. if you don’t believe me, invite him to watch a tech game with you and listen to him try not to cuss. or just play washer toss with him.
also, booo on jim carey. he’s not funny, he’s annoying.
Agreed. Jim is no longer funny. But he was in his prime, and his prime happened to occur during my developmental years. So, he’s inspirational to me. By the way, you’re funny.
Just hearing the name Chevy Chase reminds me of 3 things every time:
Christmas Vacation – “Don’t Pi** Me off, Art”
Fletch – “I’m John. John-cok-tos-tan.
“That’s a beautiful name.
Fletch: Well, it’s Scotch/Romanian.
Gail Stanwyk: That’s an odd combination.
Fletch: Yeah, well, so were my parents.
Spies Like Us – “Doctor! Doctor…Doctor….Doctor…Doctor” ( i quote this line all the time, an pretty much nobody gets it.)
Great list. Foxworthy’s line (If anywhere in the directions to your house it says “turn off the paved road”…You might be a redneck) still cracks me up every time too.
Dang…you know me better than I thought you did.
Wow! I made the list with the likes of Foxworthy, Carey, Chase, Cosby, Robertson and even God. I am so humbled. The only person that should have made your list is you! But I guess you would then become eligible for the list I’m putting together…the top ten most pompus asses I know. Can I say “asses” on your blog?
I guess you can say that, but I never hear you say that any other time. Are you showing off now that I put you on the list?
I have seen Mitch Hedberg, Bill Cosby, and David Crosby Jr. all live and would have to agree with the selections. I am not friends with Jeff Foxworthy, so I may have put Hedberg at the #1 spot.
I can’t believe you put God at #9
Blake, I was waiting for someone to say that, but I’m trying to be honest. If I act like God is the first name that comes to mind when asked about comedians, then I’m lying. I usually get to Him after a bit of reflecting on the subject. It would be like saying I read my bible for good joke ideas when really I watch AFV or Family Guy. I guess a good disclaimer would be that where one falls on my “inspiring comedians list” doesn’t necessarily correlate with where he falls on my “most universally important comedian” list. And, I guess on this matter I have to choose the greater wrong – not giving God the correct spot on my list or being dishonest.
Yeah, Bill Cosby would have to be even higher on my list… His really early stuff, “Bill Cosby Himself”, make me laugh so hard it hurts! “The Dentist” and “Natural Childbirth” are absolutely CLASSIC. His timing can’t be beat…