15 actors who started out as stand-up comedians 

Comedy is an integral part of acting. Not everyone can be proficient in the art of acing your comic timing. It requires a precise tone to be used which should be delivered at a precise time to come out sounding as hilarious as it was intended. When a person is adept in stand-up comedy they master this method of delivering sarcasm, witty remarks, and dry humor in a manner that resonates with the audience. Perhaps that is the reason why a lot of stand-up comedians end up entering the acting sector. Here is a list of 15 actors who started out as stand-up comedians.

15) Dennis Leary

Dennis Leary before entering the acting sector was proficient in stand-up comedy. He was especially appreciated for having a satirical approach towards comedy which criticised social issues. His 1993 stand-up special - No Cure for Cancer has gained widespread popularity. After a successful career in this field, he ventured into acting with the TV show - Rescue Me and then moved on to films like - The Ref, Demolition Man, and others.

14) Don Rickles

Don Rickles had built a reputation for himself in comedy with his speciality being in insulting comedy. He was quick on his feet to roast people which made his stand-up comedy shows quite unique back in the 1960s. He has in fact also been a part of numerous talk shows, like - The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson and The Dean Martin Celebrity Roasts. He switched over to acting with the TV show - CPO Sharkey and then moved on to movies like - the Martin Scorsese-directed movie - Casino.

13) Lilly Tomlin

Actress Lilly Tomlin is famous for her roles in movies like - Nashville, 9 to 5, All of Me, and Grandma. She is also highly popular for her role in the hit Netflix series running from 2015 to 2022 - Grace and Frankie. But did you know that before acting she used to be an excellent stand-up comedian? Her take on comedy relied on observational humor style and in fact she was a very popular part of the sketch comedy show - Rowan & Martin’s Laugh-In.

12) Ken Jeong

Ken Jeong used to be a popular stand-up comedian who was especially skilled at comedy pertaining to cultural insights. He is of Asian-American heritage and would often draw on his experiences to make his comedy relatable. He moved on to acting in television series like - Community and Dr. Ken. He gained a lot of popularity after his work in the film - The Hangover alongside Bradley Copper and has also worked in other hit comedy movies like - Crazy Rich Asians, Knocked Up, and Furry Vengeance.

11) Rebel Wilson

Comedian Rebel Wilson was a popular name in the sector of comedy before her even more popular career in acting. She was especially praised for her comedic timing and she was highly skilled in knowing exactly when she should deliver a particular line. Her career in acting skyrocketed when she chose the film - Pitch Perfect, which turned out to be a commercial success. She then acted in the movies - The Bridesmaid, What to Expect When You’re Expecting, Isn’t It Romantic, and others.

10) Andy Samberg

Andy Samberg has been a product of the famous - Saturday Night Live. He has worked on this groundbreaking comedy show from 2005- 2012 and combined with other comedic gigs was a popular name in the sector. He became a fan favorite when he landed the role of Jack Peralta in the comedy sitcom - Brooklyn Nine-Nine. Since then he has also started appearing in many comedy movies, like - Pop Star, Palm Springs, Hot Rod, and others.

9) Michael Keaton

Michael Keaton is another stand-up comedy star who made it big in acting. He is really talented and appreciated for his almost instant switch between comedy and dramatics. He ventured into the acting sphere with his roles in the series - Night Shift and Mr. Mom. In fact he went on to be cast as none other than Batman in Batman directed by Tim Burton, back in 1989.

8) Emma Thompson

Actress Emma Thompson before becoming a successful actor has also worked in stand-up comedy. She has also worked alongside actors like – Stephen Fry and Hugh Laurie during her comedy performances. She is appreciated for her comic timing and has a certain wit and charisma that not many comedians possess. When she transitioned into acting, her works included movies like – Nanny McPhee, Love Actually, The Tall Guy, and others.

7) Chris Rock

Chris Rock is another famous comedian who has a sharp wit. His stand-up comedy career started in New York in the club – catch a rising star, where he used to perform. Some of his specials include – Bring the Pain, Never Scared, and Tamborine. He even has a Netflix comedy special. He has been a member of SNL and also had a show after his name. He moved on to film and television with projects like – CB4, Grown-Ups, The Longest, Yard, Top Five and others.

6) Steve Martin

The famous actor, Steve Martin has also had his fair share of experience as a stand-up comedian through the 1970s. He is famous for his absurd humor style including physical comedy. His shows have been sold out, such was his popularity. He transitioned to movies with dramatic as well as comedy roles like – The Jerk, Planes Trains and Automobiles, Father of the Bride, the Man with Two Brains, and a lot more.

5) Jamie Foxx

Jamie Foxx is another big name in Hollywood who started his career with stand-up comedy. During the 1980s, he was performing in Los Angeles in the club – The Improv. He has had a successful career in that sphere but then he moved over to television with shows like – In Living Colour, The Jamie Foxx Show, and others. He even has had a successful career in movies. Some of his famous movies include – The Players Club, Ray, Collateral, Django Unchained, and Annie.

4) Eddie Murphy

Eddie Murphy's career in comedy and acting combined has lasted for about 4 decades now. He started with comedy and has been performing stand-up comedy shows since the age of 15. He reached his peak in comedy when he starred in – Saturday Night Live. His career in Hollywood has also been quite successful and has included notable movies like – 48 Hours, Beverly Hills Cop, Trading Places, Come to America, and others.

3) Jim Carrey

Jim Carrey's career in comedy is quite popular and well-known. His stand-up comedy was especially popular because of his impressions and his energetic and unpredictable performances. When he started appearing in the famous – The Tonight Show starring Johnny Carson, he became quite popular in Los Angeles. This earned him roles in movies like – Ace Ventura: Pet Detective, The Mask, Dumb and Dumber, and others.

2) Robin Williams

Robin Williams gained popularity in Hollywood because of his role in comedy films. His work has included TV series like – Mork and Mindy, which has won various awards, and movies like – Good Morning, Vietnam, Dead Poets Society, Mrs Doubtfire, Aladdin, and so many others. But when he first started his career in entertainment it was with stand-up comedy shows. He was performing in clubs in San Francisco and his shows were often sold out.

1) Whoopi Goldberg

Actress Whoopi Goldberg is famous for her roles in films like - The Colour Purple, Ghost, Sister Act, Made in America, and others. This highly commendable actress known for her versatility in acting began her journey in Hollywood with stand-up comedy too. During the 1970s and 1980s, she was a sensation among the comedian community. Her style of comedy is notable for leaving the audience second thinking everyday mundane activities around them. One of her specials is known as - The Spook Show, which was highly appreciated.