Top 10 Famous Jewish Comedians of All Time: Icons of Humor

From the vaudeville acts of the early 20th century to contemporary stand-up and television, Jewish humor has been a defining force in the entertainment industry.

Renowned for their unique ability to blend humor with keen social observation, the famous Jewish comedians like Mel Brooks, Jon Stewart, and Jerry Seinfeld have not just entertained us, but also enlightened us about the art of comedy.

To add more to your knowledge, this comprehensive guide highlights the lives and careers of some famous Jewish comedians, citing how their heritage and experiences have influenced their comedic styles.

List of Famous Jewish Comedians

1: Jon Stewart

Date of Birth: November 28, 1962, New York City, U.S.

Best Works:

• Mixed Nuts
• Playing by Heart
• Wishful Thinking
• The Larry Sanders Show
• Short Attention Span Theater

Accolades:

• 2 Grammy Awards
• 3 Online Film and Television Association
• Mark Twain Prize for American Humor
• Television Critics Association Award
• 22 Primetime Emmy Awards
• 5 Peabody Awards
• Bronze Medallion
• Mark Twain Prize for American Humor

Jon Stewart began his career as a stand-up comedian before branching into film and television. He quickly became a fixture at the Comedy Cellar in New York City, where his talent and wit shone brightly. In 1989, Stewart debuted his television writing on “Caroline’s Comedy Hour.”

His career gained significant momentum with a notable role on “The Larry Sanders Show” in 1992, where he made a memorable impression as a guest host. Stewart’s breakthrough came in 1999 when he succeeded Craig Kilborn as the host of “The Daily Show” on Comedy Central. His tenure on “The Daily Show” established him as a leading voice in political and news satire.

In addition to his television success, Stewart appeared in several films, including “Big Daddy” (1999) and “Death to Smoochy” (2002). His comedy is known for its blend of political and news satire, observational humor, surreal elements, blue comedy, insult comedy, and deadpan delivery.

2: Groucho Marx

Date of Birth: October 2, 1890, New York City, NY, U.S.

Date of Death: August 19, 1977, California, U.S.

Best Works:

• I’ll Say She is
• The Cocoanuts
• Animal Crackers
• Duck Soup
• A Night at the Opera

Accolades:

• Online Film and Television Association
• Walk of Fame
• Academy Awards, USA
• Primetime Emmy Awards

Groucho Marx, one of the most famous Marx brothers, started his career in Vaudeville in 1905, joining The Leroy Trio after answering a newspaper ad.

Groucho’s distinctive comedy style became iconic, featuring a wisecracking hustler persona, a chicken-walking lope, and an exaggerated greasepaint mustache and eyebrows. This persona, characterized by quick wit, sarcasm, and a tendency to outsmart others, was a key element in his comedic performances.

As a host, Groucho brought his unique charm and wit to radio and television shows, including the popular ‘The Jon Stewart Show’ (1993-1995) and ‘Short Attention Span Theater’ (1990). He also showcased his talent as a writer and performer in the comedy play’ April Fool’ (1948), later retitled ‘Time for Elizabeth.’

3: Billy Crystal

Date of Birth: March 14, 1948, New York City, U.S.

Best Works:

• Mr. Saturday Night
• The Billy Crystal Comedy Hour
• When Harry Met Sally
• Running Scared
• Cars

Accolades:

• Critics Choice Awards (2022)
• Blockbuster Entertainment Award (2000)
• American Comedy Awards, USA (1999)
• GLAAD Media Awards (2005)

Billy Crystal, one of the famous Jewish comedians, started performing in a comedy trio with friends and worked as a substitute teacher on Long Island. His breakthrough role was Jodie Dallas on the ABC sitcom “Soap” from 1977 to 1981. His heydays also included being a cast member and host of “Saturday Night Live” from 1984 to 1985.

Crystal’s versatility is truly impressive. He made his big screen directorial debut with Mr. Saturday Night (1992), starred in the action comedy Running Scared (1986), and delivered a memorable supporting role as Miracle Max in The Princess Bride.

Crystal’s one-man show “700 Sundays” (2005) won a Tony Award for Best Special Theatrical Event and a Drama Desk Award. Crystal’s prowess in television, film, and stage revolved around observational, musical, and sketch comedy, which induced sarcasm and surreal humor.

4: Adam Sandler

Date of Birth: September 9, 1966, in New York City, U.S.

Genre: Observational comedy, Musical comedy, blue comedy, sketch comedy, surreal humor

Best Works:

• Punch Drunk Love
• Happy Gilmore
• Hotel Transylvania
• The Wedding Singer
• 50 First Dates

Accolades:

• Boston Society of Film Critics Award (2020)
• Gotham Awards (2022)
• Hollywood Film Awards (2017)
• Kids Choice Awards, USA (2024)

At 17, Sandler took the stage at a Boston comedy club, encouraged by his brother. He discovered his natural talent for comedy and performed regularly while attending New York University, where he earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in 1991. During his freshman year at NYU, he played Smitty on “The Cosby Show” and the Stud Boy on MTV’s “Remote Control.” Comedian Dennis Miller discovered Sandler at a comedy club and recommended him to “Saturday Night Live” producer Lorne Michaels.

Sandler’s film debut came with “Going Overboard” (1989). His early successes included “Billy Madison” (1995), “Happy Gilmore” (1996), and “The Wedding Singer” (1998), his first collaboration with Drew Barrymore. These films established him as a leading comedic actor. He is one of the famous Jewish comedians, known for his unique blend of humor and heartfelt performances.

5: Jackie Mason

Date of Birth: June 9, 1928, Wisconsin, U.S.

Date of Death: July 24, 2021, New York City, U.S.

Best Works:

• The Jerk
• History of the World: Part I
• Caddyshack II

Accolades:

• 2 Primetime Emmy Awards
• CableACE Award

Jackie Mason started his career as a comedian at the Fieldston Hotel in Swan Lake, New York, in 1955. His act, considered too advanced for the time, led to his dismissal. However, he paved the way for future comedians like Don Rickles. In 1962, Mason released his debut LP record, “I’m the Greatest Comedian in the World, Only Nobody Knows It Yet,” followed by “I Want to Leave You with the Words of a Great Comedian.”

Mason made his Broadway debut in 1969 with “A Teaspoon Every Four Hours,” a comedy play he co-wrote. His 1986 show, “The World According to Me!,” won a Special Tony Award, an Outer Critics Circle Award, an Ace Award, and an Emmy Award, and earned a Grammy nomination.

Jackie Mason’s culturally grounded humor, centered on political satire, observational comedy, and improvisational comedy and characterized by his distinctive delivery and voice, left an indelible mark on comedy.

6: Sarah Silverman

Date of Birth: December 1, 1970, New Hampshire, U.S.

Best Works:

• The New Writer
• NBC Sketch Comedy
• Mr. Show
• V.I.P.
• The Sarah Silverman Program

Accolades:

• Writers Guild of America, USA
• Walk of Fame
• The Webby Awards
• Primetime Emmy Award

Sarah Silverman, an American stand-up comedian, writer, and actress also known as female Lenny Bruce, has cemented her position among the famous Jewish comedians.

In 1993-1994, Sarah Silverman joined the cast and writing team of NBC’s “Saturday Night Live” during its 19th season. Although her stint was brief, it marked her initial rise to prominence.

In 2023, Silverman’s hour-long stand-up comedy special “Someone You Love” premiered on HBO Max, becoming the first stand-up special on the platform. Filmed at the Wilbur Theater in Boston, it featured her new song, “Something to Tell You.”

Known for addressing social taboos and controversial topics, Silverman’s humor often includes racism, sexism, homophobia, politics, and religion. She delivers her material with a satirical or deadpan style.

7: Jerry Seinfeld

Date of Birth: April 29, 1954, New York City, U.S.

Best Works:

• Comedian
• I’m Telling You for the Last Time
• Jerry Before Seinfeld
• 23 Hours to Kill

Accolades:

• Screen Actors Guild Award
• US Comedy Arts Festival
• Webby Award
• Online Film and Television Association
• Golden Globe Award for Best Actor

Jerry Seinfeld developed an interest in stand-up comedy during college, performing in college productions and at open-mic nights at Budd Friedman’s Improv Club while attending Queens College.

Seinfeld gained stardom by playing a semi-fictionalized version of himself in the NBC sitcom “Seinfeld” (1989–1998), which he co-created and wrote with Larry David. The show garnered widespread acclaim and popularity, earning him a Golden Globe Award for Best Actor in 1995.

After “Seinfeld,” he created and produced the reality series “The Marriage Ref” (2010–2011). Comedy Central named him the 12th-greatest stand-up comedian of all time in 2004, and Rolling Stone ranked him 7th in 2017.

Seinfeld’s comedy is known for its observational and clean humor, often incorporating political satire and everyday life’s minutiae, which resonates with a broad audience.

8: Larry David

Date of Birth: July 2, 1947, New York City, U.S.

Best Works:

• Curb Your Enthusiasm
• Seinfeld
• Saturday Night Live
• Friday

Accolades:

• Online Film and Television Association
• Monte Carlo TV Festival
• US Comedy Arts Festival
• Alliance of Women Film Journalists
• Primetime Emmy Awards

Larry David, an acclaimed American comedian, actor, writer, and television producer, is renowned for his unique blend of observational, improvisational, blue, and black comedy.

David began his television career writing and performing on ABC’s “Fridays” and briefly contributing to “Saturday Night Live.” In 1989, he collaborated with Jerry Seinfeld to create “The Seinfeld Chronicles,” later known simply as “Seinfeld.” As the head writer and executive producer for the first seven seasons, David’s work on “Seinfeld” earned him two Primetime Emmy Awards in 1993.

In 2015, David made his Broadway debut, both writing and starring in the comedic play “Fish in the Dark.” His HBO show “Curb Your Enthusiasm” brought him immense popularity, giving rise to the term “Larry David moment” to describe awkward, socially uncomfortable situations often depicted in the series.

9: Sacha Baron Cohen

Date of Birth: October 13, 1971, London, England

Best Works:

• Who is America?
• The Best of Borat
• F2F
• Comedy Nation

Accolades:

• Golden Globes, USA
• BAFTA Award
• British Comedy Award
• Chicago Film Critics Association Award

Sacha Baron Cohen’s exceptional talent has made a significant impact in the entertainment industry. His versatility is evident in his work across various fields, including comedy, acting, screenwriting, and film production. He is particularly celebrated for his creation and portrayal of fictional satirical characters such as Ali G, Brüno Gehard, and Borat Sagdiyev.

Baron Cohen started his career in television, hosting a weekly program on Windsor cable TV and Pump TV from 1995 to 1996. He gained initial fame with his fashion reporter character Brüno on the Paramount Comedy Channel in 1998.

Baron Cohen presented the MTV Europe Music Awards twice, first as Ali G in 2001 in Frankfurt and then as Borat in 2005 in Lisbon.

Baron Cohen’s influence on the comedy and satire genre is undeniable. Named one of The Times’s 30 best living comedians in 2018, his work is a testament to his commitment to pushing the boundaries of these art forms, heavily influenced by the legendary Peter Sellers.

10: Mel Brooks

Date of Birth: June 28, 1926, New York City, U.S.

Best Works:

• Get Smart
• History of the World: Part II
• Man About You
• The Comedians

Accolades:

• Academy Award, USA
• American Comedy Awards, USA
• American Film Institute, USA
• BAFTA Award

Melvin James Kaminsky, known professionally as Mel Brooks, has established a prolific career in comedy, acting, filmmaking, songwriting, and playwriting spanning over seven decades.

Brooks began his career as a comic and writer for Sid Caesar’s “Your Show of Shows” (1950-1954). He also created the iconic comedy sketch “The 2000 Year Old Man” with Carl Reiner, releasing several successful comedy albums starting in 1960. Additionally, Brooks co-created the hit TV series “Get Smart” with Buck Henry, starring Don Adams, which aired from 1965 to 1970.

The American Film Institute (AFI) lists three of his films among the top 100 comedy films of all time: “Blazing Saddles” (#6), “The Producers” (#11), and “Young Frankenstein” (#13).

He has cemented his position among the most famous Jewish comedians with his sharp wit, unique comedic style, and lasting impact on both television and film comedy.