Top 10 Famous Canadian Comedians: Legends of Laughter

Canada’s comedy scene is a vibrant tapestry woven with laughter, wit, and talent that stretches beyond its borders. From the intimate charm of family anecdotes to the sharp edge of political satire, some famous Canadian comedians have made their mark on the global stage. Legends like John Candy and Jim Carrey have entertained millions and redefined the landscape of comedy.

Buckle up as we highlight the top 10 famous Canadian comedians whose humor has inspired audiences worldwide.

List of Famous Canadian Comedians

1: John Candy

Date of Birth: October 31, 1950, Toronto, Canada

Date of Death: March 4, 1994, Durango, Mexico

Best Works:

• Uncle Buck
• Planes, Trains & Automobiles
• Splash
• The Great Outdoors

Accolades:

• 2 Primetime Emmy Award
• Gemini Award
• Banff Television Festival for Sir Peter Ustinov Award

John Candy, a prominent Canadian actor and comedian, touched the sky of international fame in the 1980s with his comedic hits like Stripes (1981), Splash (1983), Planes, Trains and Automobiles (1987), Uncle Buck (1989), and Cool Runnings (1993). His journey to stardom began in the 1970s with Toronto’s Second City and its SCTV series.

Making a mark in the list of famous Canadian comedians, John Candy’s comedic brilliance and heartfelt performances left an indelible mark on both Canadian and American entertainment. His untimely passing in 1994 at the age of 43 from a heart attack was a loss to the industry, but his legacy lives on through his memorable films and his significant contributions to the world of comedy.

2: Jim Carrey

Date of Birth: January 17, 1962, Newmarket, Canada

Best Works:

• Ace Ventura: Pet Detective
• The Mask
• Dumb and Dumber
• The Truman Show
• Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind

Accolades:

• Two Golden Globe Awards

Jim Carrey, born James Eugene Carrey, is renowned for his rubbery body movements and flexible facial expressions. His comedic career began with stand-up performances in Toronto, eventually landing him a gig at The Comedy Store in Los Angeles.

Carrey’s big break came with the Fox sketch comedy show In Living Color (1990), where his outrageous acts, including the popular character Fire Marshall Bill, made him a standout. Leading roles in Ace Ventura: Pet Detective (1994), The Mask (1994), and Dumb and Dumber (1994) established him as a bankable comedy actor.

Carrey’s transition to film was marked by commercial hits and critical acclaim, and his performances in The Truman Show (1998) and Man on the Moon (1999) earned him two Golden Globe awards.

Furthermore, Carrey’s versatility as an actor is evident in his successful forays into dramatic roles—Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004).

3: Martin Short

Date of Birth: March 26, 1950, Hamilton, Canada

Best Works:

• SCTV
• Saturday Night Live
• Three Amigos
• Father of the Bride
• Little Me
• Only Murders in the Building

Accolades:

• 2 Primetime Emmy Awards
• Tony Award
• Officer of the Order of Canada

Martin Hayter Short OC is a famous Canadian comedian, actor, and writer renowned for his energetic and distinctive style. He gained fame through his roles in sketch comedy on SCTV and Saturday Night Live, creating memorable characters like Jiminy Glick and Ed Grimley.

Short’s diverse career includes standout performances in Broadway shows such as Little Me—which won him a Tony Award—and notable sitcoms like Mulaney and The Morning Show.

His film credits span classics like Three Amigos, Father of the Bride, and Mars Attacks!

Short’s achievements also extend to voice acting in animated features like The Prince of Egypt and Madagascar 3. In 2015, he began a successful touring partnership with Steve Martin and received acclaim for their Netflix special.

Since 2021, he has co-starred in the Hulu series Only Murders in the Building, earning several award nominations. Overall, Short’s contributions to comedy and entertainment remain impactful and enduring.

4: Mike Myers

Date of Birth: May 25, 1963, Toronto, Canada

Best Works:

• Wayne’s World
• Austin Powers
• Shrek

Accolades:

• 7 MTV Movie & TV Awards
• Primetime Emmy Award
• Screen Actors Guild Award
• Awarded a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame
• Named an Officer of the Order of Canada

Mike Myers, a Canadian-American comedian, actor, and filmmaker, is known for his unique comedic style. His keen observational eye and ear have allowed him to produce some extraordinary comedic roles that stand out in the entertainment industry.

His television career took off in 1988 with “Saturday Night Live,” where he became famous for characters like Dieter and Wayne Campbell. Myers’ film career includes significant hits such as “Wayne’s World” (1992), a film that became a cultural phenomenon, “Austin Powers” (1997-2002), a series that redefined the spy comedy genre, and “Shrek” (2001-present), the second highest-grossing animated film franchise. He also starred in the live-action adaptation of “The Cat in the Hat” (2003).

Myers’ recent projects include his directorial debut with “Supermensch: The Legend of Shep Gordon” (2013) and the Netflix series “The Pentaverate” (2022), where he not only stars but also serves as a writer and executive producer.

5: Dan Aykroyd

Date of Birth: July 1, 1952, Ottawa, Canada

Best Works:

• Ghostbusters
• The Blues Brothers
• Trading Places

Accolades:

• Primetime Emmy Award

Dan Aykroyd is one of the most famous Canadian comedians and actors. He was an original cast member of “Saturday Night Live” (SNL) from 1975 to 1979. Through “The Blues Brothers” (1980), he delivered a blend of musical and comedic brilliance, and in “Trading Places” (1983), he showcased his knack for blending humor with social commentary.

He later became widely recognized for his roles in “Ghostbusters” (1984) and its sequel, “Ghostbusters II” (1989), and reprised his character in various franchise projects.

Aykroyd’s comedies are known for their inventive humor, clever writing, and memorable characters.

6: Dave Foley

Date of Birth: January 4, 1963, Toronto, Canada

Best Works:

• The Kids in the Hall
• NewsRadio
• A Bug’s Life
• Blast from the Past

Accolades:

• Gemini Award
• Canadian Comedy Award

Dave Foley is a prominent Canadian-American comedian, actor, director, producer, and writer. As a co-founder of the comedy troupe The Kids in the Hall, Foley gained fame with their sketch comedy show, which aired from 1988 to 1995, and the 1996 film Brain Candy.

His early career is a testament to the power of determination. Foley’s journey from a high school dropout to a successful stand-up comedian alongside Kevin McDonald led to the formation of The Kids in the Hall in 1984. This inspiring journey, marked by his film debut in High Stakes (1986), is a story of resilience and passion.

Foley is well-known for his diverse roles in TV and film, including Dave Nelson in NewsRadio, Flik in A Bug’s Life, and Danish Graves in Fargo. His television credits extend to appearances in The Middle, Hot in Cleveland, and Young Sheldon. He also hosted Celebrity Poker Showdown.

7: Scott Thompson

Date of Birth: June 12, 1959, North Bay, Canada

Best Works:

• The Kids in the Hall
• The Larry Sanders Show

Scott Thompson is a renowned Canadian actor and comedian. The second oldest of four brothers, Scott spent his early years in Brampton before embarking on an educational journey with “Canada World Youth,” which took him to the Philippines. He later enrolled at York University but was dismissed for being disruptive.

Scott’s comedic career took off when he joined the Toronto improv troupe “The Love Cats,” where he met Mark McKinney. This introduction led him to become a key member of the comedy troupe The Kids in the Hall in 1988, following an earlier guest appearance in 1984.

In addition to his work with The Kids in the Hall, Thompson is well-known for his role as Brian on “The Larry Sanders Show.” His unique comedic style and contributions have solidified his place among the famous Canadian comedians.

8: Kevin McDonald

Date of Birth: May 16, 1961, Québec, Canada

Best Works:

• The Kids in the Hall
• Papillon.
• That ’70s Show
• Invader Zim
• Lilo & Stitch franchise,

Accolades:

• Gemini Award for Best Writing in a Comedy
• Gemini Award for Best Performance
• Silver Hugo Award for Best Documentary

Kevin Hamilton McDonald is a notable figure in Canadian comedy. He pursued a drama major at Humber College but was dismissed for excelling only in comedy. This setback led him to an improv class, where he met Dave Foley. The two quickly formed a comedy duo while working as movie ushers. In 1984, they joined forces with another comedy team to create The Kids in the Hall, which became famous for its innovative sketches on television from 1988 to 1995.

McDonald made some overwhelming appearances, including Pastor Dave in That ’70s Show. He also showcased his versatility by co-starring as a pilot in the 2011 web series Papillon. His voice acting credits are impressive, featuring roles in Lilo & Stitch, Catscratch, and Invader Zim.

9: Bruce McCulloch

Date of Birth: May 12, 1961, Alberta, Canada

Best Works:

• The Kids in the Hall
• Kids in the Hall: Brain Candy
• Dog Park
• Comeback Season

Accolades:

• “Best Director” at the 2000 MuchMusic Video Awards

Bruce McCulloch is a multifaceted talent known for his work as an actor, writer, comedian, musician, and film director. He gained fame when he became a member of the renowned comedy troupe The Kids in the Hall, which led to the creation of the acclaimed TV series of the same name.

McCulloch has also made his mark as a writer for Saturday Night Live and has appeared in various TV series, including Twitch City and Gilmore Girls.

McCulloch’s directorial talents have shone in several films, including Dog Park, Stealing Harvard, and Superstar. His romantic comedy Comeback Season, which he wrote and directed, garnered attention at film festivals before its DVD release in 2007, a testament to his creative prowess.

McCulloch’s creative genius is further showcased in his creation and head writing for the ABC sitcom Carpoolers, which exhibits his versatility and significant impact on the comedy landscape.

10: Mark McKinney

Date of Birth: June 26, 1959, Ottawa, Canada

Best Works:

• The Kids in the Hall
• Saturday Night Live
• Superstore

Mark McKinney is a famous Canadian comedian and actor known for his significant contributions to comedy. Raised in a family of diplomats, he traveled extensively and attended schools in Trinidad, Paris, and Washington, D.C.

His career began at the Loose Moose Theater Company, where he met Bruce McCulloch. Together with other comedians, they formed ‘The Audience,’ which evolved into the acclaimed troupe The Kids in the Hall. McKinney starred in their TV series from 1988 to 1994 and appeared in their 1996 film, Brain Candy.

After “The Kids in the Hall,” McKinney joined “Saturday Night Live” from 1995 to 1997. His film credits include A Night at the Roxbury (1998) and The Out-of-Towners (1999). He later co-created and starred in Slings & Arrows (2003-2006) and made notable appearances in Man Seeking Woman and Superstore (2015-2021), where he portrayed store manager Glenn Sturgis—a role that has left a lasting impression on many.