Aubrey Christina Plaza, an American actress, comedian and producer, launched her career by performing improv and sketch work at the Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre. After earning her degree from New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts, she achieved fame portraying April Ludgate on NBC’s sitcom Parks and Recreation, which ran from 2009 to 2015.
Dana Hill was an American actress, most recognizable for her turn as Audrey Griswold in National Lampoon’s European Vacation and for appearing in Shoot the Moon and Cross Creek. She also lent her voice to Max Goof in the animated series Goof Troop. Living with type‑1 diabetes, which stunted her physical growth, she was able to portray child characters well into her adolescence.
Born in the United States, David L. Lander built a career spanning acting, stand‑up comedy, music and baseball scouting. Audiences most readily recognize him as Andrew “Squiggy” Squiggman from the ABC hit Laverne & Shirley. In addition, he volunteered as a goodwill ambassador for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.
Edie Adams, an American comedian, actress, singer and entrepreneur, achieved fame in the latter half of the twentieth century. She was honored with a Tony Award and earned an Emmy Award nomination.
Elaine Iva May, an American actress, comedian, writer and director, first rose to prominence during the 1950s when she performed improv sketches alongside Mike Nichols. Later she penned and helmed a number of films that earned critical praise. Her trophy cabinet holds a BAFTA, a Grammy and a Tony among many other honors. In 2013 President Barack Obama presented her with the National Medal of Arts, and she received an Honorary Academy Award in 2022.
Franklyn Ajaye, an American stand‑up comic, actor and writer, began issuing comedy albums in 1973 and has been a presence on film and television ever since, from the 1970s onward. He played a leading role in the 1976 ensemble picture Car Wash and appeared in a supporting capacity in Sam Peckinpah’s 1978 film Convoy.
Herbert John Gleason, who went by the stage name Jackie Gleason, was an American humorist, film and television actor, writer, and composer, and he was also dubbed “The Great One”.
Lawrence Richard Drake, an American actor, is most remembered for his portrayal of Benny Stulwicz on L.A. Law, a performance that earned him two Primetime Emmy Awards. He also took on the role of Robert G. Durant in both Darkman and its sequel Darkman II: The Return of Durant, appeared as a homicidal mental patient who breaks out of an asylum in the slasher‑black‑comedy Dr. Giggles, and voiced the character Pops in Johnny Bravo.
Eddi‑Rue McClanahan, an American performer, made her mark chiefly in TV sitcoms. She played Vivian Harmon in Maude from 1972 to 1978, took the role of Aunt Fran Crowley in Mama’s Family during 1983‑84, and embodied Blanche Devereaux on The Golden Girls between 1985 and 1992, continuing the character in the follow‑up series The Golden Palace (1992‑93).
Siobhan Fallon Hogan, an American actress, comedian, writer and producer, has worked with director Lars von Trier on Dancer in the Dark (2000), Dogville (2003) and The House That Jack Built (2018). Her movie credits also include roles in Forrest Gump (1994), Men in Black (1997), The Negotiator (1998), Holes (2003), Daddy Day Care (2003), Fever Pitch (2005), Charlotte’s Web (2006), Funny Games (2007), Baby Mama (2008), The Bounty Hunter (2010), We Need to Talk About Kevin (2011), Going in Style (2017) and Rushed (2021). On television she appeared on Saturday Night Live (1991–1992), was featured in Seinfeld (1991–1994) and acted in Wayward Pines (2015–2016).
Bernard Shalom Kotzin, better known onstage as Stubby Kaye, was an American actor, comedian, vaudeville entertainer and vocalist celebrated for his work on Broadway and in musical films.
Born into the Cherokee Nation in the Indian Territory—now Oklahoma—William Penn Adair Rogers rose to fame as a Native American vaudeville performer, film actor, and witty social commentator, affectionately dubbed “Oklahoma’s Favorite Son.” He circled the globe three times, starred in 71 movies, and authored more than 4,000 newspaper columns that were syndicated across the nation. By the mid‑1930s his sharp political humor made him one of America’s most popular entertainers and one of Hollywood’s higher‑earning stars. In 1935 he died with aviator Wiley Post when their small plane crashed on takeoff from a lagoon near Utqiaġvik, Alaska.
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The United States has one of the world’s most diverse and influential comedy scenes, with American comedians performing everywhere from small comedy clubs and theaters to major festivals, television studios, streaming platforms and sold-out arenas. From classic stand-up and sketch comedy to improvisation, sitcoms and modern online humor, comedy in the USA comes in countless styles.
GiggleTime brings together comedians from across the United States, making it easy to discover famous American comedians as well as newer performers from the country's constantly evolving comedy scene.
American stand-up comedy has a long tradition of comedians developing their material in comedy clubs before taking it to theaters, television and streaming services. Major cities such as New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Boston and Austin have become important centers for stand-up, with clubs providing stages for both established performers and emerging comedians.
American stand-up covers an enormous range of subjects and styles. Some comedians focus on observational humor and everyday life, while others explore relationships, politics, culture, family, social issues or personal experiences. One of the defining features of the American comedy scene is this variety, with performers often developing highly individual voices and approaches to comedy.
The United States has produced generations of comedians who have become influential figures in stand-up, television, film and popular culture. Names such as George Carlin, Richard Pryor, Robin Williams, Eddie Murphy, Steve Martin, Jerry Seinfeld and Joan Rivers helped shape American comedy for different generations.
More recent American comedians have continued to expand the possibilities of stand-up and comedy entertainment. Performers such as Dave Chappelle, Kevin Hart, Amy Schumer, Jim Gaffigan, Ali Wong, John Mulaney and many others have built large audiences through live performances, television, film and streaming specials.
GiggleTime makes it possible to explore comedians from different generations and discover performers beyond the most familiar names.
American comedy is much bigger than stand-up. Sketch comedy has played an important role in television, with programs such as Saturday Night Live introducing generations of comedians, writers and performers to huge audiences.
Improvisational comedy is also an important part of the American scene, particularly in cities such as Chicago and New York. Improvisation and sketch groups have provided a pathway for many performers who later moved into television, movies and stand-up.
American sitcoms and comedy films have also had a major impact on popular culture. From classic television comedies to modern streaming productions, American comedians regularly move between live comedy, acting, writing, producing and online entertainment.
Comedy in the United States is not concentrated in a single region. New York City and Los Angeles are major hubs for professional comedians, while Chicago has a particularly strong tradition of improvisational and sketch comedy.
Other cities, including Boston, Austin, Philadelphia, Seattle and Nashville, have developed active local comedy communities with clubs, theaters, open-mic nights and independent performers.
This regional diversity means that American comedy can feel very different from one city to another. Local culture, accents, experiences and audiences all influence the material comedians develop on stage.
The way people discover comedians in the USA has changed significantly with the growth of streaming platforms, podcasts, social media and short-form video. A comedian can now build an audience through clips and online performances before appearing on television or performing in major venues.
Podcasts have also become an important part of the American comedy ecosystem, allowing comedians to develop their personalities and connect with audiences outside traditional stand-up performances. Social media has created another route for emerging comedians, particularly those who specialize in short sketches, observations and viral comedy.
Whether you enjoy classic American stand-up, modern comedy specials, sketch comedy, improv, sitcoms or internet humor, there are countless American comedians to discover.
Explore the GiggleTime comedian directory to find comedians from the United States and discover different generations, comedy styles and voices from across the American comedy scene.
