American Female Stand-up Comedians

From hosting her comedy show The Sarah Silverman Program, to winning an Emmy and writing a best-selling autobiography, Sarah Silverman has done it all. The NYU drop-out started off as a writer for SNL. She has been an ardent Democratic supporter and often discusses controversial topics on her show.

Famous for her controversial comedic persona, Joan Rivers was a television host and comedian. She broke stereotypes by hosting a late-night television talk show titled The Late Show with Joan Rivers, becoming the first woman to do so. Also an author, Rivers wrote 12 best-selling books. In 2017, she was posthumously inducted into the Television Academy Hall of Fame. 

Accomplished American comedian, actress, singer and Broadway star, Whoopi Goldberg is amongst the select few who have won all the four awards—Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony. Moreover, she is also a political activist, author and talk show host. Her notable work include films Ghost, Sister Act and The Color Purple; Broadway show Thoroughly Modern Millie and talk show The View.

Lily Tomlin is an American comedian, actress, singer, and writer. Tomlin has earned several award nominations for her performance in films and TV series, such as Nashville and Grace and Frankie. An openly lesbian actress, Lily Tomlin serves as an inspiration to the LGBTQ community.

Aubrey Plaza is an American actress, writer, producer, and comedian. She is best known for her portrayal of April Ludgate in the sitcom Parks and Recreation for which she earned a couple of nominations at the ALMA Award. Plaza is also known for playing Allison in the 2020 film Black Bear which earned her the Imagen Award for Best Actress.

American actor and stand-up comedian Amy Schumer is best known for the comedy series Inside Amy Schumer, which ran from 2013 to 2016. She was the creator and co-writer of the television show and also starred in it. She has also acted in films and has worked on the Broadway. She is known to address various social issues through comedy.

Wanda Sykes is an American actress, writer, and comedian. In 2004, Sykes was named in Entertainment Weekly magazine's list of 25 funniest people in America. Also known for her role as an activist, Sykes has been emceeing fundraisers and hosting events to tackle issues concerning same-sex marriages. She is also an ardent supporter of the Ruth Ellis Center.

African-American comedian and actress, Tiffany Haddish, gained fame with the ensemble comedy film Girls Trip. Earlier, a difficult childhood turned her towards comedy. After appearing in a comedy competition, sketch comedies and numerous minor roles in films and television, she made the heads turn with her brilliant performance in television series, Real Husbands of Hollywood, If Loving You Is Wrong and The Carmichael Show.

Stand-up comedian, actress, and fashion designer Margaret Cho is best known for creating and starring in the ABC sitcom All-American Girl. She had a difficult childhood marred by sexual abuse and struggled for years to build a successful career. Besides comedy, she has her own clothing line. She actively supports women’s rights and LGBTQA+ rights. 

Natasha Leggero hosted the MTV reality series The 70s House. She has also been a panelist on Chelsea Lately. She is known for her satirical stance on celebrity culture and gained fame with the period sitcom Another Period. She has also voiced Shannon in Netflix's animated sitcom Hoops.

Bonnie McFarlane is a Canadian-American writer and comedian best known for her participation in a reality TV talent competition show called Last Comic Standing, where she was the first comedian to be eliminated. McFarlane has appeared in popular TV shows like The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, The Late Late Show with Craig Kilborn, and Late Show with David Letterman. 

Ophira Eisenberg is a Canadian American actress, writer, and comedian who currently lives and works in New York City, New York. A popular stand-up comedian, Eisenberg has appeared in TV shows like Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson. Ophira Eisenberg has also been featured in several lists, including Ten New Comedians That Funny People Find Funny by New York magazine.

Canadian comedy star DeAnne Smith is also an LGBT icon. Apart from being part of several comedy festivals and a podcast, she also had her own Netflix comedy special. She previously taught English in Mexico and was inspired by her then-girlfriend to pursue stand-up comedy as a career.