Compiling a list of the best stand-up comedians ever to grace the stage is exceptionally hard. Ever since the first stand-up show was documented in 1911, men and women have been taking to the stage and entertaining crowds across the world. The genre of comedy really came to the fore in the 80s when some of the best stand-up comedians of all time made their mark. This is when the likes of Sam Kinison, Eddie Murphy, Andrew “Dice” Clay, Bill Hicks, and Robin Williams became megastars, with many going on to have their own shows and finding success in the world of film. 

Since the golden age comedy has gone through a number of changes and phases, from the alternative comedy of the 90s to the modern day stand-up that often incorporates real-life issues facing people around the world. Folk such as Tracy Morgan, Ali Wong, John Mulaney, Dave Chappelle, Tiffany Hadish, and Aziz Ansari have become megastars. The advent of cancel culture and the #metoo movement have also seen a shift in what is now acceptable when performing comedy and left many once-popular comics (Louis C.K. is a prime example) forced to apologize for past indiscretions and fading from the spotlight. 

In coming up with this list, we have scoured the archives for not only the funniest stand-up comedians but those who have left a mark on the culture. Many of these stand-up comedians have appeared on talk shows, big networks like Comedy Central and NBC, and had their own comedy specials. These are comics who care about the craft. It is just as much about delivery and timing as it is the actual punchline. Hopefully, they will provide you with as much laughter as they have the Next Luxury crew. 

1. Jerry Seinfeld

Arguably the biggest comic on the planet, Jerry Seinfeld made his name with the hilarious sitcom Seinfeld, a show about nothing. Before hitting the big time with the much loved series, Seinfeld was a working comic whose observational humor had audiences in stitches. He could turn the most uninteresting topic into a joke that would leave you rolling on the floor. While his early career wasn’t spectacular, once Seinfeld was a hit, he became one of the leading comics, commanding millions of dollars per show. Even today he still gets laughs, with his hit series Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee and last comedy special 23 Hours To Kill getting millions of views.