10 Unmissable Stand-Up Acts That Will Leave You in Stitches
Everybody loves a good laugh. But while many people tend to get their laughs from movies and TV shows, not enough enjoy the art of stand-up comedy. Perhaps that’s because they haven’t experienced live shows from the best stand-up comedians around. After all, comedy is tough, and not everyone can knock it out of the park and guarantee big laughs from the audience. That’s why we put together a list of the best stand-up comedians in the world that we guarantee will leave you in stitches and who you don’t want to miss the next time they come to your city.
Dave Chappelle
While controversial at times, there is no doubt that Dave Chappelle is one of the greatest comedians of his generation. He always seems to have a fresh take on current events and social issues and is never afraid to speak his mind, which is why Chappelle sometimes finds himself in hot water. However, he has won multiple Grammy Awards and Emmy Awards, not to mention the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor. He’s a truly one-of-a-kind comedian, and if you’re not too squeamish and sensitive, you’ll never laugh harder than when seeing Chappelle live.
Jerry Seinfeld
There is perhaps no name in comedy that’s more respected than Jerry Seinfeld. His success is virtually unparalleled by anyone. Decades after his hit TV show, Seinfeld is still coming up with new stand-up routines, making clever observations about the world around us. He always seems to hit the nail on the head with his comedy and can arguably be called the Holy Grail of stand-up comedians.
Chris Rock
It goes without saying that Chris Rock is more than just a comedian. He’s also a movie star and has even hosted the Oscars - if you haven’t heard. However, stand-up comedy is what made Rock famous, and it’s still the thing he does best. He’s unbelievably smart and insightful while also earning the right to push the envelope, which is why nobody who has ever seen Rock do stand-up live has ever regretted it.
Jim Gaffigan
Nobody has ever been able to blend their love of food with stand-up comedy quite like Jim Gaffigan. He’s put together one act after another about his love for food and his endless parade of children, and somehow, he still manages to keep his act fresh. Gaffigan isn’t going to be loud or controversial, but he still has an endless number of ways to make you laugh.
Kevin Hart
There has never been an audience member who walked away from a Kevin Hart show unhappy. There isn’t much subtlety in what he does; he is laugh-out-loud funny and often has audiences rolling on the floor. Hart has managed to put together some of the most successful stand-up specials and tours any comedian has ever done, and it’s because he’s next-level funny, especially when you experience him live.
Mike Birbiglia
While perhaps a tad understated compared to some other comedians, Mike Birbiglia is always guaranteed to make audiences laugh. He loves to share stories from his own life and is unafraid to embarrass himself along the way or do whatever it takes to keep the audience entertained. It might be fair to consider Birbiglia a slow-burn type of comedian, but he always finds his way to the punch line and never disappoints.
Amy Schumer
Forget about being a funny female comic Amy Schumer is simply one of the funniest comedians in the world today, period. Her stand-up specials offer only a glimpse into what she delivers to live audiences on a nightly basis. Like most great comedians, Schumer is fearless in her approach, unafraid of what audiences are thinking but unable to say, always doing so with a sly grin on her face because she knows she can make an audience laugh.
Trevor Noah
Now that his run on The Daily Show is over, Trevor Noah has gotten back to being a stand-up comedian full-time. As great as it was to see him on TV four nights a week, watching him perform live is an even greater treat. Noah’s unique background from growing up in South Africa has always been a big part of his act. It allows him to do things that other comedians can’t and make audiences laugh in ways they never thought possible.
Wanda Sykes
As an actress, writer, and comedian, there are few people with a more impressive resume than Wanda Sykes. She’s done it all in her career but always saves her best for when she’s on stage. Sykes was a stand-up comedian first and foremost and could practically make an audience laugh in her sleep.
Bill Burr
While he may look like just another guy who somehow wandered up onto the stage, that’s part of what makes Bill Burr one of the great comedians of the modern era. He just seems like an ordinary guy who’s speaking his mind and getting upset in the process. But there is something undeniably authentic about what Burr does on stage, and it’s why he’s guaranteed to make people laugh.