The ability to make african comedians laugh their wits out is truly something special. A good joke must always be relatable, interesting and perfectly timed.
Over time, the world has produced various comedians who have gone onto making them gasp for air with laughter. Among these iconic individuals, a good amount of comedians are of Jewish descent. This ranking is based on an algorithm that combines various factors, including the votes of our users and search trends on the internet. Birthplace: New York City, New York, U.
These African American comedians have entertained audiences for decades with their humor. For decades, African American performers have often taken incisive looks at major sociopolitical concerns, relationships and life in general. Their platform for such observations and commentary? Here’s a look at some of the all-time comedic greats, their professional histories and the world contributions they’ve laced with humor. Richard Pryor became a household name with a style of comedy that laid bare the harsher realities of life for African-American communities. A featured player for three seasons on Saturday Night Live who started doing stand-up as a teen, Chris Rock also handled dramatic fare as seen with his role as Pookie in New Jack City. Nonetheless, an array of comedic work on the big and small screen alike would ensue.
A track star and MC who grew up in poverty, Dick Gregory became a force doing stand-up while in the Army. He was known in the 1950s and ’60s for trail-blazing comedy that focused on his satirical, nuanced interpretations of contemporary headlines, often dealing with race. 1950s that had an explicit, rather raunchy feel that would have a major influence on such brands of comedy for decades to come. Having appeared on the Today Show in 1965, he later starred in Cotton Comes to Harlem, an adaptation of the Chester Himes novel directed by Ossie Davis. Richard Pryor became a household name with a style of comedy that laid bare the harsher realities of life for African American communities. While initially reaching the limelight via live and TV appearances showcasing tamer material, he eventually went into a more unflinching, provocative direction that peers and later comedians alike would come to revere. READ MORE: Richard Pryor Risked It All by Walking off Stage in 1967.