Global Talent Directory

Comedians from France

The comedian directory for France: profiles, bios, photos and social links.

214 comedians

Charles Prince

A French-born film actor and comedian, Charles Prince, originally named Charles Ernest René Petitdemange, was born in Maisons-Laffitte on April 27, 1872. He began his career on stage, earning a first prize for comedy. His face, distinguished by a turned-up nose, suited him well for portraying comedic roles. Prince initially performed on stage and was later engaged by Pathé Frères in 1908. He worked as an actor, director, and screenwriter throughout his career. Prince achieved international fame through the character of 'Rigadin,' which he created in numerous short films directed by Georges Monca between 1910 and 1920. He starred in over 200 ‘Rigadin’ films between 1909 and 1920, portraying a character resembling Max Linder's 'Max', both depicting upper-class men constantly encountering trouble. This popularity made him the second biggest film star globally before World War I, after Max Linder, and he was considered a rival of Linder. The performer known as Rigadin had different international monikers, including Moritz in Germany, Whiffles in England and the US, and Tartufini in Italy. Films featuring Prince included Rigadin Directeur de Cinéma (1912), Rigadin et le Chien de la Baronne (1912), Rigadin Peintre Cubiste (1912), Rigadin aux Balkans (1912), and Rigadin, Winetaster (1913). Although his popularity declined by 1920, Prince continued to appear in films, often in supporting roles. He directed films such as Le Contrôleur des wagons-lits (1913) and La Mariée récalcitrante (1916), and co-directed several films with Georges Monca. He also wrote the screenplay for Rigadin reçoit deux jeunes mariés (1914). His later film appearances included A Royal Family (1915), Kiss Me (1929), Departure (1931), His Highness Love (1931), Buridan's Donkey (1932), and His Best Client (1932). Prince married Aimée Campton in 1900, with whom he had a daughter, Renée Petitdemange (1901-1993); they divorced in April 1905. He subsequently married Emily Straham Cager in 1908, divorcing her in 1909, and then Gabrielle Marchou in 1909. Charles Prince died on July 17, 1933, in Saint-Maur-des-Fossés, leaving behind a legacy that includes his great-grandson, film director Cris Ubermann, and the preservation of two ‘Rigadin’ shorts in 2010.

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France

Daniel Prévost

Daniel Prévost is a French actor, comedian, and writer. Born on October 20, 1939, in Garches, he also used the alias Denis Forestier. His parents were Mohand Aït-Salem, of Berber descent from the Kabylie region of Algeria, and Micheline Chevalier. He attended drama school in Paris, briefly studying at the school on rue Blanche. Prévost began his career performing on stage, including acting in local cabarets and making his theatre debut in Un certain M. Blot alongside Michel Serrault. His television and cinema career started in the 1960s, appearing under directors like Gérard Pirès, Michel Audiard, and Jean Yanne. Early in his career, he performed with Boby Lapointe and became acquainted with Jean Yanne, who considered him a favorite actor. He began performing on television in the 1960s with Jean-Christophe Averty. From 1975 to 1976, he gained popularity through segments in Jacques Martin’s satirical news show Le petit rapporteur , which significantly increased his public recognition. His humor has been described as “grinning.” He collaborated with Pierre Bonte on a segment about the village of Montcuq. Prévost is best known for his role as a tax inspector in Le petit rapporteur and later, as a tax inspector in Francis Veber’s 1998 comedy Le Dîner de Cons . He won the César Award for Best Supporting Actor in 1998 for this performance. He has entertained French audiences for over four decades, appearing in numerous films and on stage. His highest-rated film is The Crime Is Mine (2023), while his lowest-rated is Little Nicholas (2009). He played a communist railway worker named Rochard in Uranus (1990) and starred alongside Gérard Depardieu in the same film. Daniel Prévost is the father of actors Sören, Erling, and Christophe Prévost. He married Jette Bertelsen (Yette) in the 1960s, and she died in 2007. In recent years, he has appeared in productions such as La Vérité si je mens ! 2 (2001), Les vacances du petit Nicolas (2014), and performed in plays like Les Stars . He received a Globe de Cristal in 2008 for his role in the TV film René Bousquet ou le Grand Arrangement .

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France

Darry Cowl

Darry Cowl, born André Pierre Darricau on August 27, 1925, in Vittel, Vosges, France, was a French comedian, actor, and musician. He died on February 14, 2006, in Neuilly-sur-Seine, Hauts-de-Seine, at the age of 80, due to complications from lung cancer. Initially, he intended to pursue a career as a musician, composer, and author, studying piano and classical music at the Conservatoire de Paris, though he was ultimately rejected. He began his comedy career as a pianist-accompanist in cabarets, adopting the pseudonym ‘Darry Cowl’ which he described as being 'à l'américaine'. Cowl gained prominence after being cast in Assassins et voleurs (1956) by Sacha Guitry. He frequently appeared in films directed by Sacha Guitry, including Les trois font la paire in 1957. His early sketches on stage and television gained him recognition in the early 1950s. He created a character of a goofy, bewildered person with a speech impediment and a tendency for his hair to fall over his mouth, incorporating this stuttering into his comedic persona; he discussed its causes and consequences on the show Aujourd'hui la vie in 1984. His first leading role was in Le Triporteur (1957), which attracted nearly five million viewers. He starred in approximately five films per year for three decades, appearing in titles such as Naughty Girl (1956), Paris Palace Hotel (1956), Three Make A Pair (1957), The Magnificent Tramp (1962), and many others. Throughout his career, Darry Cowl appeared in a wide range of films, including Don't Touch the White Woman! (1974) as Major Archibald, Arrete ton Char Bidasse (1978), and Une Nuit a l'assemblee nationale (1988). He frequently collaborated with Francis Blanche (22 times) and Michel Galabru (20 times).

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France

Eddy King

Eddy King is a Franco-Quebecois humorist, comedian, and author. Born on December 14, 1982, in Goussainville, France, he grew up in the Parisian suburbs, specifically Goussainville, Val d’Oise. His parents are originally from the Congo, and he is a cousin of Félix Tshisekedi, the president of the Democratic Republic of Congo. Eddy King is the older of two children, with a sister. He immigrated to Quebec with his family in 1995 at age 13, marking a significant shift in his life and influencing his later comedic perspective. Early on, Eddy King demonstrated an affinity for performing arts. During college, he formed the rap group Dögone Tribe with a friend. This group won the award for best rap group at the Hip Hop 4ever Festival in Montreal in 2004. He developed a passion for stand-up comedy after animating shows, and attempted to join the École nationale de l’humour twice but was rejected. Despite these setbacks, he continued writing and performing at open mic nights. In 2007, he received a 'Coup de cœur' prize at the Juste Pour Rire New Talent Competition. He subsequently performed a piece called 'Tintin au Congo' at Rachid Badouri’s Gala in 2009, earning praise and sympathy from audiences. That same year, he was named 'discovery of the year' at the Juste Pour Rire festival. Eddy King launched his first one-man show, titled "Eddy King," in late 2011 at the St-Denis Theatre in Montreal and the Coucous Comedy Show. This show toured until his 30th birthday in 2012, leading to performances in France, Belgium, and Haiti. He has since appeared on numerous television shows, including "Cliptoman," “L’Heure est grave,” "Laugh Out Loud with Kevin Hart," and "Par ici l’été." He has also had film roles, notably in the Belgian film Moroccan Gigolos in early 2013 and Denys Arcand's La Chute de l’empire américain in 2018. Eddy King tours Canada extensively, performing in both French and English, and has appeared at numerous Just For Laughs galas. He is considered one of the prominent artists in the Quebec humor scene. His comedy is described as both funny and intelligent, often focusing on his family life, experiences, and beliefs. He is currently preparing his second one-man show, titled "Mokonzi."

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France

Jean-Charles

Jean Louis Marcel Charles, known as "Jean-Charles", was born on December 2, 192 2 in Saint-Aulaye, Dordogne, and died on the 2nd 1 June 2003 in Cahors; he worked as a humorist and French writer.

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France

Jeff Panacloc

Born on 8 September 198 6 in Nogent-sur-Marne, Val-de-Marne, Damien Colcanap, better known as Jeff Panacloc, works as a ventriloquist and French humorist.

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France

Julie Ferrier

Julie Ferrier, born on December 5, 1971, in Courbevoie, is a French actress, comedian, dancer, writer, and theater director. She hails from a family with a theatrical legacy spanning eight generations on her mother's side, while her father works in the medical field. Her upbringing took place in a housing project in Noisy Le Grand (Seine-Saint-Denis). Ferrier’s artistic journey began with formal dance training, initially studying classical and jazz dance. She pursued this professionally for ten years, collaborating with choreographers like Philippe Decouflé, Redha, and Rick Odums. A significant moment in her early career was performing as a dancer at the 1992 Winter Olympics opening ceremony in Albertville. Her formal training included studies at the Conservatoire de Paris starting in 1988, and attendance at the Académie Fratellini circus school. She also studied at L'École Internationale de Théâtre Jacques Lecoq from 1996 to 1998, graduating in 1998. Ferrier’s career encompasses stage, screen, and television work. She appeared in the short film Sensuelle solitude in 1995, and starred in ‘Today is Ferrier,’ directed by Isabelle Nanty, in 2004. Her one-woman show, also titled 'Today is Ferrier,' achieved both public and critical success in 2006, earning her the SACD New Talent One Man Show Award. She voiced characters in the animated television series Moot-Moot in 2007 and appeared as the leading actress in Mademoiselle (2008), a French adaptation of 'Ladykracher.' Her film credits include eight films, including Madame Irma (2005) and Micmacs à tire-larigot (2009), where she played "the rubber woman." She has also appeared in numerous other films and television series. She was nominated for a César Award for Best Supporting Actress in 2010. Currently, she performs her show "À ma place, vous Ferrier quoi?" which features four drag actors and is described as 'cabaret foutraque à gogo,' incorporating dance, acting, and singing with costumes like a ‘cagole à roller’ and a ‘prof d’arts plastiques en nuisette.’ She recently joined the M6 show Les Traîners in May 2024, and will be president of the jury for the eighth edition of the Dinan Short Film Festival in 2025.

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France

Kee-Yoon Kim

Born On December 10, 1983 in Berlin, Kee-Yoon Kim was a Korean-born French singer-songwriter, humorist and lawyer. Her first EP, called Palli Palli, was published on January 19, 2023, produced by Sylvie Hoarau of the Brigitte duo.

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France

Pierre Douglas

Pierre Douglas, born Pierre Melon on August 17, 1941, in Saint-Germain-en-Laye, is a multifaceted French figure. His second given name, Douglas, reflects his father’s admiration for Douglas Fairbanks. He functions as a journalist, chansonnier (singer-songwriter), and actor, and is recognized as a comedian. Douglas's early career began in July 1970 with journalism, working as a reporter for Europe 1 before joining RTL in 1973. He presented regional television news on France 3 Limoges in 1976 and subsequently worked within the political service at TF1 from January 1977. A significant shift occurred in July 1977 when Douglas transitioned to performing on stage after meeting Thierry Le Luron. He quickly gained prominence, co-hosting France Inter’s morning show with Annette Pavy from 1978 to 1982. Further television appearances followed, including co-hosting Incroyable mais vrai! on Antenne 2 with Jacques Martin in 1980 and hosting La Fortune du pot on France Inter until its cancellation in August 1982. He also hosted Restez donc avec nous on TF1 alongside Denise Fabre and Garcimore. Douglas’s acting credits include theater productions with Robert Manuel and Bernard Ménez, and film roles alongside Jean Poiret, Michel Serrault, and Lino Ventura. He appeared in La Deuxième Vérité (2003) and Sous le soleil , and participated in the revue at the Théâtre des Ânes in 2006 and 2007, contributing to Sarkozix le Gaulois . In 2013, he starred in La Nuit des étoiles and played the lead role in Jean-Pierre Dopagne’s one-man play Prof! , which premiered at the Avignon Festival. Since 2016, he has been a regular on the TV series Scènes de ménage as Victor. He is a member of the Alphonse Allais Academy since 2016 and published On n'a pas fini de rigoler in November 2007. Douglas’s musical background includes eleven years of orchestral conducting studies with Jean-Claude Hartemann, and he currently takes piano lessons at the Saint-Maur des Fossés conservatory. He is scheduled to perform with Adrian Washington, Bruce Brilliance, Ben Katzner, Khadijah Cooper, and Comrade Tripp.

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France

Tom Villa

Tom Villa is a French comedian, actor, and radio and television presenter, born in Paris on June 5, 1989. He began his career in radio, initially working as an announcer for Europe 1 Sport and later hosting shows for Sport MX and Europe 1 Sport. His early work included writing material for Jérôme Commandeur before he transitioned to a career focused on stand-up comedy, performing at venues like the Paname Art Café. Villa’s comedic style combines satire and observational humor, and he gained experience by opening for established French comedians such as Gad Elmaleh, Anne Roumanoff, Jeff Panacloc, and Mathieu Madénian. From 2012 to 2019, he significantly expanded his presence in television, joining the teams of La Nouvelle Édition and Salut les Terriens! on Canal+ and later becoming 'Le stagiaire' on Salut les Terriens! in 2015. He also participated in the Jamel Comedy Club in 2013 and contributed to writing for the 42nd César Awards ceremony in 2017, demonstrating his versatility as a writer. Throughout his career, Villa has continued to develop his skills and broaden his reach. From 2014 to 2016, he had a segment called 'Faites-le taire' on Le Grand Direct des Médias , and from 2016 to 2019, he hosted 'Tom Villa a tout compris' on France Inter’s La Bande originale . He presented the humorous segment 'Sans Mensonges' on Touche pas à mon poste! from 2017 to 2019, and co-wrote shows for Jeff Panacloc ( Jeff Panacloc contre attaque in 2017) and Arnaud Ducret ( That’s Life in 2020). He released his first solo show, Les nommés sont... , in 2019 and has since co-hosted Surprise sur prise on France 2 since 2020. Villa's acting credits include roles in Ma famille t'adore déjà! (2016), Munch (2016-2021), and the upcoming television series Mademoiselle Holmes (2024-2025). He married Marion Dupont in May 2022 and is represented by Elisabeth Tanner at Time Art.

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France

Tomer Sisley

Tomer Gazit, who also goes by Tomer Sisley, is an actor and comedian of both Israeli and French nationality. Born on August 14, 1974, in West Berlin, Germany, he has roots in Lithuania and Belarus through his mother's family and Yemen through his father’s. His parents are Jewish-Israeli researchers specializing in dermatology and met as childhood sweethearts in Ramat Gan, Israel. He moved to southern France with his father at age nine, after separating from his parents at five. Having studied at an English-speaking school and the bi-lingual Centre international de Valbonne, Sisley possesses fluency in German, Hebrew, French, and English. Sisley began his career around 1996, performing stand-up comedy for six years. He appeared in television series such as Highlander (1992-1998) and sitcoms like Studio Sud . The “Revelation” prize was awarded to Sisley at the Montreal, Canada Just for Laughs comedy festival in 2003. He has also opened for Jamel Debbouze’s one-man show and co-wrote his first show with Philippe Mechelen and Kader Aoun, performing it 300 times. A video recording of this show was released in 2006. His stand-up shows involve direct interaction with the audience and diverse topics, and he has been recognized for a routine joking about his mother being Jewish and his father Arabic. In 2019, he admitted to using material from American comedians, claiming about 20-30% of his gags were copied. Beyond stand-up, Sisley’s acting career includes roles in films like Bedwin Hacker (2003), Angélique (2013), and Les Miller, une famille en herbe (2013). He is best known for playing the lead role of Largo Winch in The Heir Apparent: Largo Winch (2008) and its sequel, The Burma Conspiracy (2011), earning him the Étoile d'or for male revelation in 2009. He has also appeared in Sleepless Night (2011), which holds his highest rating at 97%, and the Netflix series Messiah (2020). His diverse interests extend to extreme sports; he is an avid horse rider, practices Krav Maga, jiujitsu, and boxing, and holds a license to pilot helicopters, enjoys skydiving, paragliding, and extreme skiing. He is considered one of France's top talents and will appear in the film Don’t Look Up (2021) alongside Leonardo DiCaprio and Jennifer Lawrence.

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France

Yves Cusset

Yves Cusset is a French philosopher and comedian, combining these disciplines in his work for over 20 years. He hails from France and is the brother of writer Catherine Cusset and historian François Cusset. His academic background includes studying at the École normale supérieure de la rue d'Ulm in 1993, passing the agrégation exam in philosophy, and earning a doctorate in 2000 with a thesis on Habermas’s theory of communicative reason. His work specializes in Habermas, the Frankfurt School, and the politics of welcoming. Cusset's comedic style revolves around philosophical humor, making him one of its few representatives. He has written several works exploring this intersection, including 'La Philosophie enseignée à ma chouette,' published in 2008, and its theatrical adaptation that premiered in 2013 with Sarah Gabillon. He is credited as both a comedian and author, having penned parodic works like 'Cent façons de ne pas accueillir un migrant' (2018) and 'Réussir sa vie du premier coup,' which satirizes self-help trends and was discussed on France Inter’s ‘L'InvitÃ© de 7h50’ in August 2019. He also wrote a novel, 'Socrate de Montceau-les-Mines,' in 2014, and two solo philosophical plays titled 'Le Remplaçant' and 'Rien ne sert d'exister'. In 2016, he published an essay defining humor as 'good cheer for dying,' and later, 'Rire : tractatus philo-comicus' (Flammarion) in 2023 to examine different forms of laughter. Currently, Yves Cusset continues to perform and create. He is a member of the Alphonse Allais Academy and presents 'Le cabaret philosophique du Dr Love,' which focuses on the methodology of romantic failures and adapts his book 'L’amour sur le bout des doigts' (2024). France Inter describes this show, in collaboration with Emmanuel Lortet, as funny, intelligent, subtle, and inventive, pushing comedic boundaries. Audiences reportedly follow their musings with joy. Tickets for his performances are available through Billet Réduc, and he performs at various venues including Théâtre La Ruche in Nantes, Café théâtre de la Fontaine d'Argent in Aix en Provence, Eglise Saint-Louis d'Antin - Espace Bernanos in Paris, Le Funambule Montmartre in Paris, Le Contrescarpe in Paris, La Comédie d’Aix in Aix en Provence, Salle Claude Chabrol in Angers, Le Off de Chartres in Chartres, La Comédie du Mas Le Cres in Le Cres, Comédie Le Mans in Le Mans, and Comédie La Rochelle in La Rochelle. He also frequently appears on radio programs such as France Inter's 'L'Heure philo,' where he discussed love with Frédéric Worms and Charline Vanhoenecker in 2024 and how to succeed in life in 2023.

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