Famous Jewish Comedians Of All Time

The ability to make someone laugh their wits out is truly something special. A good joke must always be relatable, interesting and perfectly timed. Timing is everything in comedy. 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. The popular Woody Allen to the hilarious Joan Rivers to the iconic Larry David, all have one thing in common, their Jewish origins. Some contemporary comedians such as Adam Sandler, Seth Rogan, Andy Samberg and Sarah Silverman, all hail from Jewish families. We are quite certain that you will be surprised by the complete-list of comedians who are Jewish.
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 1 
Jerry Seinfeld
(Actor & Stand-up Comedian Known for Creating and Starring in the NBC Sitcom 'Seinfeld')
Jerry Seinfeld
97
Birthdate: April 29, 1954
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Brooklyn, New York, United States

Jerry Seinfeld was responsible for creating one of the most popular and acclaimed American sitcoms of all time, Seinfeld. Apart from being a comedian and actor, Jerry Seinfeld is also an automobile enthusiast and collector; he owns about 150 cars. Also a coffee and espresso machine lover, he owns several espresso machines. Jerry is also known for his charity work.

 2 
Sarah Silverman
(Comedian, Actress, and Writer)
Sarah Silverman
77
Birthdate: December 1, 1970
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Bedford, New Hampshire, United States

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.

 3 
Larry David
(Best Known as The Cocreator of The Television series 'Seinfeld' & as The Star of 'Curb Your Enthusiasm')
Larry David
38
Birthdate: July 2, 1947
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Brooklyn, New York, United States

Comedian, writer, actor, director, and television producer Larry David is best known as the co-creator of the television series Seinfeld. He discovered his talent for comedy as a college student and began his career as a stand-up performer. After a few years of struggle, he achieved success and went on to become an accomplished actor, director, and producer.

 4 
Don Rickles
(Stand-up Comedian Who Was Known for His Insult Comedy)
Don Rickles
21
Birthdate: May 8, 1926
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Queens, New York, United States
Died: April 6, 2017

Don Rickles was an American actor, author, and stand-up comedian. Nicknamed The Merchant of Venom, Don Rickles specialized in insult comedy. Apart from appearing in several talk and variety shows as a guest, Rickles had his own sitcom titled The Don Rickles Show. After his death, many celebrities including Tom Hanks, Martin Scorsese, and Robert De Niro paid their tributes.

 5 
Rob Schneider
(Stand-up Comedian & Veteran of The Comedy Series 'Saturday Night Live')
Rob Schneider
42
Birthdate: October 31, 1963
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: San Francisco, California, United States

A multifaceted personality, Rob Schneider is an actor, comedian, screenwriter, and director. Beginning his career with the NBC sketch comedy series Saturday Night Live, he proceeded to act in films, first appearing in supporting roles and then graduating to starring roles. He is an outspoken critic of childhood vaccinations. His daughter, Elle King, is a popular musician.

 6 
Rodney Dangerfield
(Stand-up Comedian Who Was Known for His Self-Deprecating One-Liner Humor and Catchphrase 'I Don't Get No Respect!')
Rodney Dangerfield
12
Birthdate: November 22, 1921
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Deer Park, New York, United States
Died: October 5, 2004
Rodney Dangerfield began as a stand-up comedian in and around New York City and eventually became a regular on late-night talk shows. He was known for his catchphrase “I don't get no respect!” and his self-deprecating humor. He also appeared in movies such as Caddyshack and Natural Born Killers.
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 7 
Maya Rudolph
(Actress, Comedian and Singer)
Maya Rudolph
87
Birthdate: July 27, 1972
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Gainesville, Florida, United States

A multi-talented personality, Maya Rudolph is known for her acting, singing, and comedic skills. Apart from playing supporting roles in popular films, such as 50 First Dates and Grown Ups, Maya played a crucial role in Saturday Night Live from 2000 to 2007, during which she impersonated personalities like Kamala Harris, for which she won the Primetime Emmy Award.

 8 
Hank Azaria
(Known for Voicing Many Characters in the Animated Sitcom 'The Simpsons')
Hank Azaria
15
Birthdate: April 25, 1964
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Forest Hills, New York, United States
Hank Azaria is primarily known for his Emmy-winning voice roles, including those of Apu Nahasapeemapetilon, Carl Carlson, and Bumblebee Man, in The Simpsons. He also starred as the titular characters in the series Huff and Brockmire. Fans also loved his performances in Ray Donovan, Anastacia, and the musical Spamalot.
 9 
Jerry Lewis
(Comedian, Actor and One of the Most Significant American Cultural Figures of All Time)
Jerry Lewis
27
Birthdate: March 16, 1926
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Newark, New Jersey, United States
Died: August 20, 2017

One half of the popular American comedy duo Martin & Lewis, Jerry Lewis was nicknamed The King of Comedy for his comedic skills. Also a filmmaker, Jerry Lewis helped develop video assist and went on to popularize the system, which is widely used today. Also a humanitarian, Lewis worked closely with the Muscular Dystrophy Association, raising awareness about muscular dystrophy.

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 10 
Fran Drescher
(Actress & Comedian Known for Her Role of 'Fran Fine' in the Sitcom 'The Nanny')
Fran Drescher
45
Birthdate: October 30, 1957
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Flushing, New York, United States

Fran Drescher is an American actress and comedian. Characterized by her thick New York accent and nasal voice, Fran Drescher serves as an inspiration to many cancer patients as she successfully fought off the disease after suffering from uterine cancer. She is also an outspoken LGBT rights activist and healthcare advocate.

 11 
Jason Segel
(Known for His Role as 'Marshall Eriksen' in The CBS sitcom 'How I Met Your Mother')
Jason Segel
41
Birthdate: January 18, 1980
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Los Angeles, California, United States
Jason Segel is best known as Marshall Eriksen from the sitcom How I Met Your Mother. Some of his other notable projects are the films The End of the Tour and Knocked Up and the series Freaks and Geeks. He is also an ordained minister of the Universal Life Church.
 12 
Estelle Getty
(Actress and Comedian Known for Her Role as ‘Sophia Petrillo’ in the TV Series ‘The Golden Girls’)
Estelle Getty
32
Birthdate: July 25, 1923
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Manhattan, New York, United States
Died: July 22, 2008
Estelle Getty is best known for her Emmy- and Golden Globe-winning performance as Sophia Petrillo in The Golden Girls. Fans also loved her in Mask and Stuart Little. She also wrote an autobiography, released an exercise video for the elderly, and helped set up a hospice for AIDS patients.
 13 
Amy Schumer
(Stand-up Comedian, Actress)
Amy Schumer
58
Birthdate: June 1, 1981
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Upper East Side, New York, United States

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.

 14 
Jon Stewart
(Best Known for Hosting The Satiric Television News Program 'The Daily Show')
Jon Stewart
38
Birthdate: November 28, 1962
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: New York City, New York, United States

Jon Stewart is an American actor, writer, political commentator, television host, and filmmaker. He is credited with popularizing Comedy Central's satirical news program The Daily Show. Also a prominent comedian, Jon Stewart has influenced and inspired several other comedians like Stephen Colbert, Trevor Noah, John Oliver, Larry Wilmore, Hasan Minhaj, Jordan Klepper, Samantha Bee, and Bassem Youssef.

 15 
Howie Mandel
(Host of The Popular NBC Game Show 'Deal or No Deal')
Howie Mandel
25
Birthdate: November 29, 1955
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Willowdale, Toronto, Canada

Howie Mandel is a Canadian comedian, actor, screenwriter, entrepreneur, and television personality. He is known for hosting popular TV shows, such as Deal or No Deal. In 2008, Comedy Central named him on its 100 greatest stand-up comedians of all-time list. Mandel serves as an inspiration to those suffering from ADHD and OCD as he himself suffers from these conditions.

 16 
Joan Rivers
(Comedian and the First Woman to Host a Late Night TV Talk Show 'The Late Show')
Joan Rivers
30
Birthdate: June 8, 1933
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Brooklyn, New York, United States
Died: September 4, 2014

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

 17 
Michael Rapaport
(Actor and Comedian)
Michael Rapaport
26
Birthdate: March 20, 1970
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Manhattan, New York, United States
Michael Rapaport is best known for his performances in the series Boston Public, The War at Home, Prison Break, Atypical, and Justified. He has also lent his voice to the animated series Pound Puppies and appeared in films such as True Romance, Deep Blue Sea, and The 6th Day.
 18 
Jason Alexander
(Actor)
Jason Alexander
29
Birthdate: September 23, 1959
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Newark, New Jersey, United States
Height: 5'5" (165 cm)
 19 
Groucho Marx
(One of America's Greatest Comedians of His Era)
Groucho Marx
11
Birthdate: October 2, 1890
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: New York, New York, United States
Died: August 19, 1977
Groucho Marx is best remembered for his roles in the 13 Marx Brothers films he made with his siblings, Harpo, Zeppo, Chico, and Gummo. Considered one of America’s best comedians, he is also the man behind the Groucho Glasses, inspired by his signature glasses, big nose, bushy eyebrows, and mustache.
 20 
Garry Shandling
(Stand-up Comedian)
Garry Shandling
18
Birthdate: November 29, 1949
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Chicago
Died: March 24, 2016

Garry Shandling was initially a sitcom writer and then performed as a stand-up comedian on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson. He later soared to fame with his own shows, It's Garry Shandling's Show and the Emmy-winning The Larry Sanders Show. He has also hosted the Grammy and Emmy Awards.

 21 
Alex Borstein
(Best Known for Voicing ‘Lois Griffin’ on the Animated Comedy TV Series ‘Family Guy’)
Alex Borstein
21
Birthdate: February 15, 1971
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Highland Park, Illinois, United States
Alexandrea Borstein is best known as the voice of Lois Griffin in Family Guy and as Susie Myerson from The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, both of which fetched her Emmys. She also appeared on MADtv, both as a writer and a performer, and wrote for Casper and Pinky and the Brain.
 22 
Curly Howard
(Comedian, Actor and Member of the Comedy Trio ‘The Three Stooges’)
Curly Howard
65
Birthdate: October 22, 1903
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Bensonhurst, New York, United States
Died: January 18, 1952

Born Jerome Lester Horwitz and nick named Curly by his brothers, Curly Howard is an American vaudevillian actor who was known for his comic skills, childlike mannerism and exaggerated walk. His performance as a member of The Three Stooges was particularly popular among children in 1930s and early 1940s. He was forced to retire early from his career because of stroke.

 23 
Albert Brooks
(Actor, Comedian and Director Known for His Films: 'Broadcast News' and 'Drive')
Albert Brooks
8
Birthdate: July 22, 1947
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Beverly Hills, California, United States

Albert Brooks is an American comedian, actor, writer, and director. Best known for his portrayal of a Jewish mobster in the action drama film Drive, Brooks has also played important roles in films like Broadcast News and Taxi Driver. Over the years, he has been honored with awards, such as the American Comedy Award and Boston Society of Film Critics Award.

 24 
Lewis Black
(Comedian)
Lewis Black
12
Birthdate: August 30, 1948
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Silver Spring, Maryland, United States
 25 
George Burns
(Actor and ComediAn Known for His Trademark Arched Eyebrow and Cigar-Smoke Punctuation)
George Burns
24
Birthdate: January 20, 1896
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: New York, New York, United States
Died: March 9, 1996

George Burns was an American actor, comedian, singer, and writer. Characterized by his cigar-smoke punctuation and arched eyebrow, which remained relevant for more than 75 years, Burns was one of the few entertainers to have achieved an equal amount of success in film, television, vaudeville, and radio. He has three stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

 26 
Steven Wright
(Stand-up comedian)
Steven Wright
6
Birthdate: December 6, 1955
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States
Height: 5'11" (180 cm)
 27 
Harvey Korman
(Actor and Comedian Known for His Sketch Comedy Series 'The Carol Burnett Show')
Harvey Korman
7
Birthdate: February 15, 1927
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Chicago, Illinois, United States
Died: May 29, 2008

Harvey Korman gained recognition with his acts on The Danny Kaye Show. He then soared to fame with the sketch comedy series The Carol Burnett Show, partnering with Tim Conway and winning four Emmys. He has also been part of The Flintstones franchise and several Mel Brooks comedies.

 28 
Jeff Garlin
(Comedian)
Jeff Garlin
12
Birthdate: June 5, 1962
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Chicago, Illinois, USA
Height: 6'1" (185 cm)
 29 
Marc Maron
(Stand-Up Comedian and Actor Best Known for the Podcast ‘WTF with Marc Maron’)
Marc Maron
6
Birthdate: September 27, 1963
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Jersey City, New Jersey, United States
Stand-up comedian Marc Maron has been featured on Late Night with Conan O'Brien and Late Show with David Letterman multiple times. He also hosted Never Mind the Buzzcocks and the weekly podcast WTF with Marc Maron. He has also presented his own IFC show, Maron, and published three books.
 30 
David Krumholtz
(Actor & Comedian)
David Krumholtz
13
Birthdate: May 15, 1978
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Queens, New York, United States
David Krumholtz is best known for his roles of Seth Goldstein in the Harold & Kumar movie series and Head Elf Bernard in The Santa Clause franchise. He has also appeared in the movie 10 Things I Hate About You and the series Numb3rs. He is a thyroid-cancer survivor.
 31 
Shemp Howard
(Comedian, Actor and Member of the Comedy Team ‘The Three Stooges’)
Shemp Howard
9
Birthdate: March 11, 1895
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Manhattan, New York, United States
Died: November 22, 1955
Samuel Horwitz, better known as Shemp Howard, gained fame as part of the comedy act Ted Healy and his Stooges, which later turned into the iconic slapstick comedy group The Three Stooges, featured in scores of movies. Samuel had marked phobias regarding many things, such as airplanes and dogs.
 32 
Gilda Radner
(Comedian)
Gilda Radner
175
Birthdate: June 28, 1946
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Detroit, Michigan, United States
Died: May 20, 1989
Height: 5'6" (168 cm)
 33 
Milton Berle
(American Actor and Comedian Who Became the First Major American Television Star)
Milton Berle
10
Birthdate: July 12, 1908
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: New York City, New York, U.S.
Died: March 27, 2002

Milton Berle was part of the initial Golden Age of Television, and his significant TV roles earned him the nicknames Uncle Miltie and Mr. Television. The multiple Emmy-winning artist began as a child actor on stage and in silent films and later gained fame on Texaco Star Theatre.

 34 
Ilana Glazer
(Best Known for Her Comedy Central Series 'Broad City')
Ilana Glazer
8
Birthdate: April 12, 1987
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Long Island, New York, United States
Ilana Glazer gained fame with her appearance on the Comedy Central show Broad City, as Ilana Wexler. She was part of the 2017 movie Rough Night and launched her stand-up comedy special The Planet Is Burning in 2020. She is openly queer and is married to computational biologist David Rooklin.
 35 
Dave Attell
(Comedian)
Dave Attell
3
Listed In: Writers
Birthdate: January 18, 1965
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Queens, New York, United States
Height: 5'9" (175 cm)
 36 
Jack Benny
(One of the Leading Entertainers of the 20th Century)
Jack Benny
7
Birthdate: February 14, 1894
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Chicago, Illinois, United States
Died: December 26, 1974
Benjamin Kubelsky, better known as Jack Benny, was an American vaudeville violinist who later soared to fame with the radio/TV comedy show The Jack Benny Program. He became famous for his signature expression “Well!” He also appeared in films such as The Hollywood Revue of 1929 and Mr. Broadway.
 37 
Richard Lewis
(Comedian & Actor)
Richard Lewis
11
Birthdate: June 29, 1947
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Brooklyn, New York, United States
Died: February 27, 2024

Richard Lewis is an American actor and stand-up comedian. Well-known for his self-deprecating humor, Lewis was named in Comedy Central's 100 Greatest Standups of All Time list. He has also written comic articles for popular publications like Playboy. As an actor, Richard Lewis is best known for playing Marty Gold in the popular sitcom, Anything But Love.

 38 
Ike Barinholtz
(Comedian)
Ike Barinholtz
7
Birthdate: February 18, 1977
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Chicago, Illinois, USA
Height: 6'3" (190 cm)
 39 
Tom Lehrer
(American musician)
Tom Lehrer
10
Listed In: Musicians
Birthdate: April 9, 1928
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: New York, Manhattan

While he grew up to be a Harvard math professor, that didn’t stop Tom Lehrer from pursuing his childhood love for music. He gained fame as a satirical composer, with songs such as So Long, Mom, I’m Off to Drop the Bomb and That Was The Year That Was.

 40 
Rachel Dratch
(Actress, Comedian and Writer Known for Her Role in the TV Show ‘Saturday Night Live’)
Rachel Dratch
20
Birthdate: February 22, 1966
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Lexington, Massachusetts, United States

Rachel Dratch is an American actress, writer, and comedian. She established herself as a comedian after appearing on Saturday Night Live (SNL), where she played several recurring characters from 1999 to 2006. A multi-talented individual, Rachel Dratch released her autobiographical audiobook titled Girl Walks Into a Bar in 2012.

 41 
Harpo Marx
(Comedian and Actor Well-Known for His Clown and Pantomime Traditions With a Curly Reddish Blond Hairstyle)
Harpo Marx
4
Birthdate: November 23, 1888
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: New York, New York, United States
Died: September 28, 1964
Harpo Marx was the second-oldest of the Marx Brothers, namely Groucho and Chico Marx. Opposed to the verbal comedy of his brothers, Harpo focused on physical comedy and gained fame for his signature curly-haired wig. He used props such as canes and harps, and was always silent in his appearances.
 42 
Jack Albertson
(Actor and Comedian Best Known for His Role as ‘John Cleary’ in the Film ‘The Subject Was Roses’)
Jack Albertson
4
Birthdate: June 16, 1907
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Malden, Massachusetts, United States
Died: November 25, 1981

Jack Albertson was an eminent American actor having presence in films and plays alike, as evident from his successful performances in The Subject Was Roses both on the stage and on the big screen. The winner of Tony, Oscar and Emmy awards had such a passion for his career that he continued his acting despite being diagnosed for colorectal cancer.

 43 
Soupy Sales
(Comedian)
Soupy Sales
8
Birthdate: January 8, 1926
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Franklinton, North Carolina, United States
Died: October 22, 2009
Height: 5'10" (178 cm)
 44 
Gad Elmaleh
(Stand-up Comedian and Actor)
Gad Elmaleh
10
Birthdate: April 19, 1971
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Casablanca, Morocco

Gad Elmaleh is a Moroccan-Canadian stand-up comedian and actor. He studied drama at Cours Florent under the tutelage of prominent coach Isabelle Nanty. He began his career with one-man shows and eventually ventured into TV and cinema as well. He is the recipient of numerous awards, including the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres. 

 45 
Gary Morton
(Comedians)
Gary Morton
10
Birthdate: December 19, 1924
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: The Bronx, New York, USA
Died: March 30, 1999
Height: 6'0" (183 cm)
 46 
Jackie Mason
(American comedian)
Jackie Mason
9
Birthdate: June 9, 1928
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Sheboygan, Wisconsin, U.S.
Died: July 24, 2021
Height: 5'5" (165 cm)
 47 
David Baddiel
(Comedian, Novelist)
David Baddiel
1
Birthdate: May 28, 1964
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Troy, New York, United States
Height: 5'8" (173 cm)
 48 
Ari Shaffir
(Stand-up comedy and Podcaster)
Ari Shaffir
1
Birthdate: February 12, 1974
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: New York City, New York, United States
 49 
Simon Amstell
(Comedian)
Simon Amstell
1
Birthdate: November 29, 1979
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Gants Hill, Ilford, England
Height: 5'10" (178 cm)
 50 
Steven Weber
6
Birthdate: March 4, 1961
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Briarwood, New York, United States
Height: 6'1" (185 cm)