Laughter has a way of uniting us, and in the realm of stand-up comedy, a select few comedians have mastered the art of bringing joy and thought-provoking humor to audiences worldwide. In this article, we present a compilation of the 12 best stand-up comedians of the 2020s (so far and in no particular order) who have left an indelible mark on the comedy landscape.
Jerrod Carmichael
Jerrod Carmichael is an American stand-up comedian, actor, and writer, best known for creating and starring in the semi-biographical NBC sitcom ‘The Carmichael Show’. Born on June 22, 1987, in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, Carmichael moved to Los Angeles at the age of 20 to pursue a career in comedy. His unique comedic style, which often involves addressing controversial and sensitive topics, quickly gained him recognition in the comedy scene. His stand-up specials include ‘Love at the Store’ (2014), directed by Spike Lee, and ‘8’ (2017), directed by Bo Burnham.
Sam Morril
Sam Morril is a New York-based stand-up comedian known for his clever, observational humor and unique delivery. Born on August 29, 1986, Morril has been a fast-rising figure in the comedy scene, with appearances on ‘The Late Show with Stephen Colbert’ and ‘Conan’. He’s also a regular on Comedy Central’s ‘This Week at the Comedy Cellar’. Morril’s stand-up specials include ‘Class Act’ (2015), ‘I Got This’ (2020), and ‘Up on the Roof’ (2020).
Taylor Tomlinson
Taylor Tomlinson is an American comedian who started doing stand-up at just 16. Born on November 4, 1993, Tomlinson’s self-deprecating humor and sharp wit have made her a popular figure in the comedy scene. She has appeared on ‘The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon’, ‘Conan’, and ‘The Late Show with Stephen Colbert’. Her stand-up specials include ‘Quarter-Life Crisis’ (2020).
Read More: Best Stand Up Comedians of the 2010s
Andrew Schulz
Andrew Schulz is a New York-based comedian known for his raw, unfiltered comedy and innovative approach to content creation. Born on October 30, 1987, Schulz gained popularity through his YouTube channel where he released his stand-up special ‘4:4:1’ for free. He co-hosts the popular podcast ‘The Brilliant Idiots’ with Charlamagne Tha God. His stand-up specials include ‘4:4:1’ (2017) and ‘Schulz Saves America’ (2020).
Pete Davidson
Pete Davidson is an American comedian and actor, best known as a cast member on ‘Saturday Night Live’. Born on November 16, 1993, Davidson’s comedy often draws from his personal experiences, including his mental health struggles. His stand-up specials include ‘Pete Davidson: SMD’ (2016) and ‘Pete Davidson: Alive From New York’ (2020).
Ali Wong
Ali Wong is an American stand-up comedian, actress, and writer. Born on April 19, 1982, Wong gained popularity with her Netflix stand-up specials ‘Baby Cobra’ (2016) and ‘Hard Knock Wife’ (2018), both of which she performed while visibly pregnant. Her comedy often addresses her Asian-American identity, motherhood, and female sexuality.
Mark Normand
Mark Normand is a New York-based stand-up comedian known for his observational humor and self-deprecating style. Born on May 23, 1983, Normand has been a regular on late-night shows and podcasts. His stand-up specials include ‘Don’t Be Yourself’ (2017) and ‘Out To Lunch’ (2020).
Bo Burnham
Bo Burnham is an American comedian, musician, actor, and director. Born on August 21, 1990, Burnham started his career on YouTube, where his musical comedy videos gained him a large following. His comedy often involves satirical songs and performance art. His stand-up specials include ‘Words, Words, Words’ (2010), ‘what.’ (2013), ‘Make Happy’ (2016), and ‘Inside’ (2021).
Read More: Best Stand Up Comedians of the 1990s
Tony Hinchcliffe
Tony Hinchcliffe is an American comedian, writer, and actor. He has been a staff writer on the Comedy Central Roast series and has appeared as a roaster for the Comedy Central Roast of Rob Lowe and the All Def Digital Roast of Snoop Dogg. He hosts a weekly show called “Kill Tony” featuring new and upcoming comedians. Hinchcliffe is also known for his dark and edgy style of comedy.
Shane Gillis
Shane Gillis is an American stand-up comedian, radio personality, and podcast host. He was a cast member on Saturday Night Live for a brief period in 2019. Gillis co-hosts Matt and Shane’s Secret Podcast with fellow comedian Matt McCusker.
Andrew Santino
Andrew Santino is an American stand-up comedian and actor known for television series and films such as Sin City Saints, The Disaster Artist, Mixology, and I’m Dying Up Here. He has a podcast called “Whiskey Ginger” where he interviews friends in the entertainment industry
Theo Von
Theo Von is an American stand-up comedian, podcaster, television personality, and actor. He is the host of the “This Past Weekend” podcast and was a former co-host of “The King and the Sting” podcast. Von began his career in entertainment at age nineteen when he starred in MTV’s Road Rules: Maximum Velocity Tour in 2000.
