Global Talent Directory

Comedians Directory

Browse comedian profiles, biographical summaries, country of origin, and official links.

1635 comedians

Arnaud Ducret

Arnaud Ducret is a French actor and comedian, born on December 6, 1978, in Rouen. He spent his childhood moving between Amfreville-la-Campagne, Petit-Couronne, and Oissel. Before establishing himself as an actor and humorist, Ducret was previously a gospel singer. His career began to gain momentum in 2008 with a role in the TV film Fortunes , followed by a portrayal of a young Jacques Chirac in Adieu de Gaulle, adieu in 2009. He also briefly took over from Yvan Le Bolloc’h in Caméra Café 2 in 2010. Ducret's comedic talents became increasingly recognized starting in 2010. That year, he created and performed his first show, Pareil… mais en mieux , and also appeared in Spamalot , a production inspired by Monty Python. He continued to expand his acting credits with roles in L'Oncle Charles and Une vie meilleure in 2012. A significant breakthrough came in 2013 when he began playing Gaby in the France 2 series Parents mode d'emploi , a role that garnered him considerable recognition. The series proved popular, attracting a large audience, and Ducret continued to portray Gaby from 2013 to 2018. He also appeared in Serial Teachers and Serial Teachers 2 (2013) and starred in Amour et turbulences and Les Profs (2013). Beyond television, Ducret has demonstrated versatility in his career. In 2014, he hosted Les Copains d'abord font du ski and voiced the character of Emmet in the animated film The Lego Movie . He has also participated in the Trophée Andros, a motorsport event. He created his second solo show, J’me rends , performing it for two years. A personal note is that he met Maurine Nicot in 2012, and they had a son named Oscar in July of that year, before separating in 2018; he subsequently married Claire Francisci in July 2021. Most recently, since 2022, Ducret has been appearing in Les Enfoirés , continuing his presence in French entertainment.

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France

Ary Abittan

Born on January 31, 1974, in Paris's 15th arrondissement, Ary Abittan is a French actor and comedian. Abittan’s family background is Sephardic Jewish, with Moroccan ancestry through his father and Tunisian ancestry through his mother. He spent part of his childhood in Garges-lès-Gonesse and Sarcelles. As of 2026, he will be 52 years old. Abittan began his career writing sketches at the age of 19 and performing on stage around 1994. To finance acting lessons, he worked as a taxi driver in Paris starting at age 19 and again in 1993. He started performing on stage in 1998 and opened for artists like Enrico Macias, Gad Elmaleh, and Élie Semoun early in his career. Employing physical humor and a fast-paced delivery style, Abittan frequently incorporates anecdotes from his time working as a taxi driver into his comedy. He starred in the play Happy Hanukah in 2007 and played a lead role in the television series Nos années pension from 2007 to 2009, which contributed to his gaining public recognition. He is known for his role as David Benichou in the Qu'est-ce qu'on a fait au Bon Dieu? film series, and gained international recognition through this franchise. Other notable works include Serial (Bad) Weddings , Tout ce qui brille , With Open Arms , The Visitors: Bastille Day , and Coco , where he voiced the character of Hector in the French dub. He has also appeared on humor TV shows like Vendredi tout est permis . In 2021, he faced rape accusations and was placed in custody; however, the charges were dismissed in April 2024 after a three-year investigation, with an appeal confirmed in January 2025. As of 2026, he has returned to performing with a new stage show called Authentique , which addresses experiences related to fatherhood, love, and personal growth, and has faced protests. Following legal proceedings, Ary Abittan was acquitted of rape charges in both 2024 and 2025 via a non-lieu ruling. Brigitte Macron has publicly supported him.

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France

Frédéric Volovitch

Frédéric Volovitch is a French singer and humorist, born on May 18, 1974, in Tours. A member of Les Wriggles, a French-language group encompassing song, theatre, and musical comedy, he gained recognition for his contributions. This group originated in 1995 at the ENSATT in Paris. Volovitch was part of the original five-member lineup from 1995 until 2009. Volovitch's involvement with Les Wriggles began in 1995 and continued through several albums, including Justice avec des saucisses (1997), Les Wriggles partent en live (1999), Ah bah ouais mais bon (2002), Moi d'abord (2005), and Tant pis ! Tant mieux! (2007). The group combined humorous, poetic, provocative, and tender texts, presenting realistic observations through sketches interspersed with songs, and consistently wearing red dungarees during concerts. They engaged with the audience through jokes and interactions, and their performances often explored a wide range of themes, from everyday life to social criticism. Popular songs like "Poupine et Thierry" used allegory to explore cultural conflicts, while "Délit de face, yes!" addressed racism. Following his departure from Les Wriggles in 2006, along with Antoine Réjasse and Franck Zerbib, Volovitch formed the duo Volo with his younger brother Olivier Volovitch in 2001. Volo released several albums including Bien Zarbos (2005), Jours Heureux (2007), Sans rire (2013), Chanson française (2017), and Avec son Frère (2020). Since 2011, Volovitch has performed a solo show, initially titled Est ce qu'il y a des morts? , which combines song, humor, and musical theater. His shows emphasize direct interaction with the audience, precision in music, and observation of daily life, utilizing storytelling, irony, and a taste for narrative. He is scheduled to release the album 'Mine de rien' in 2026 and perform in Achères in April 2027.

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France

Félix Galipaux

Félix Galipaux, born Félix Martin in Bordeaux on December 12, 1860, was a French actor, playwright, and humorist. Louise Fénélon-Galipaux identified him in 1866, after which he was educated in Bordeaux and Paris, ultimately winning a first prize from the Conservatoire de Paris. He initially chose to perform at the Théâtre du Palais-Royal instead of the Comédie-Française, later moving to the Théâtre de la Renaissance. Galipaux died in Paris on December 7, 1931, and is buried in Père-Lachaise Cemetery, marked by a bronze bust. Galipaux’s comedic career was extensive, encompassing approximately forty plays produced in Parisian theatres. His popularity stemmed from his humorous stage monologues, especially 'Communication Téléphonique' (1906), several of which were preserved through recordings. He also collaborated with Henri Pagat under the joint pseudonym Pagalipaux, and he and Coquelin Cadet popularized music hall monologue acts in the 1880s. His style relied on his writing to generate laughter rather than physical traits or pronunciation quirks. He wrote several boulevard plays, comedies, sketches, monologues, and fantasies, and contributed newspaper columns under the pseudonym Félix Mayran. Beyond theatre, Galipaux ventured into early film, appearing in works by Ferdinand Zecca, Georges Méliès, and Pathé Frères, including ‘An Adventurous Automobile Trip’ and early French sound films like 'La Lettre' and 'Au Telephone' (1905). Charles-Émile Reynaud filmed him performing 'Le Premier Cigare' around 1896 or 1897. He also made spoken-word recordings for gramophone records, and starred in films such as ‘Un monsieur qui a un tic’ (1911) and 'Gorgibus et Sganarelle' (1912), with his last film role being in ‘Lorena’ (1918). He is depicted alongside Gabrielle Réjane in an 1893 lithograph by Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec. Galipaux also wrote “Galipettes,” which included funny scenes with Floridor, Cinguy, Dazincourt, and Caméléon. These scenes were about a traveling theater group. After this, Galipaux was given the title Officier de l'Instruction Publique in the Ordre des Palmes Académiques.

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France

Gabriel de Lautrec

Gabriel de Lautrec, born in Béziers on February 21, 1867, and deceased in Paris on July 25, 1938, was a French writer, chronicler, translator, and poet. A distant relative of the painter Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, though they did not have close relations, he presented himself as a dandy with a monocle and frequently entertained Parisian society around 1900 with his witty remarks. He earned a degree in literature (licence ès Lettres) and, from 1889 to 1893, was a companion of Alphonse Allais at Le Chat Noir, where he published his first prose writings. De Lautrec’s career began in the early 1890s when he moved to Paris and started contributing to publications like La Vie drôle . He frequented literary cafes in the Latin Quarter and met Alphonse Allais at the Chat noir cabaret, becoming a disciple of Allais. His work is characterized by humor and fantasy, often connected to parascientific and occultist circles. A collection of prose poems, 'Poèmes en prose,' was published in 1898, opening doors to Paris's literary scene. He hosted a salon in Passy where notable figures such as Jean Lorrain, Willy, Jean de Tinan, Alfred Jarry, Oscar Wilde, and Paul Verlaine gathered; he was particularly close to Paul Verlaine, even guarding his body after his death. Between 1890 and 1911, he claimed to have published over two hundred short stories, chronicles, and fantasies in various publications including Le Chat Noir , La Vie drôle , Le Rire , Fantasio , La Revue blanche , Le Sourire , and Le Mercure de France . Throughout his career, De Lautrec translated works by Mark Twain, Havelock Ellis, Alfred Levin, Matthew Phipps Shiel, and Oscar Wilde (in collaboration with Henry-D. Davray), often for Mercure de France . He also co-founded La Petite Semaine in 1900 and the Académie de l’Humour in 1920 with Curnonsky and Courteline. He taught Latin and Greek in Marseille until his retirement in 1929, returning to Paris shortly thereafter. He published his autobiography, Souvenirs des jours sans souci , in 1938. Despite seeking recognition, including a candidacy for the French Academy in 1923, he felt disappointed by not achieving literary recognition. He was awarded the Légion d'honneur in 1936 and left behind published works including 'Poèmes en prose,' 'Les Roses noires,' 'Monsieur de Crac,' and Souvenirs des jours sans souci .

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France

Ged Marlon

Ged Marlon, born Gérard Brunettini on April 10, 1954, in Paris, is a French humorist and actor. Raised by his Italian grandparents, he initially pursued athletics, becoming a champion of France junior wrestling in Greco-Roman style. His early career included engagements with Robert Hossein to play a halberdier in 'Jeanne d'Arc' and 'Potemkine'. Marlon draws inspiration from Keaton, Tati, Bunuel, and Dali, evident in his unique comedic approach. He appeared in the film Flic ou Voyou in 1979 and subsequently starred in the short film Mambo-scratch in 1983. Throughout the 1980s, Ged Marlon continued to build his acting credits, appearing in films by directors such as Bertrand Tavernier ( Autour de minuit in 1986), Claude Lelouch ( Viva la vie in 1984), and Gérard Oury. He also performed in Games at the Théâtre Fontaine in 1984 and acted in L'Embarras du soi , which he wrote and directed at the Théâtre Montparnasse in 2010. A collaboration with Farid Chopel resulted in the successful 1980 show 'Aviateurs'. He often portrays the average bald, mustachioed Frenchman, blending absurdity with finesse in his performances. Marlon’s theatrical work includes solo shows directed by Jean-Michel Ribes at the Théâtre du Splendid in 1989 and Un simple froncement de sourcil , which premiered at the Théâtre du Rond-Point in 2002, inaugurating the Roland Topor room. His shows often explore philosophical and practical questions, drawing comparisons to Raymond Devos. Gestural performance is essential, with his body frequently replacing words; he prefers 'the unsaid' to 'the over-said'. He has performed in plays like 'Brèves de comptoir', and works by Labiche, Courteline, and Feydeau. He also presented the solo show 'Ged Marlon / Solo' at the Théâtre du Petit Montparnasse, which premiered on August 28, 2008, exploring themes of disappointed love with three characters searching for happiness. Ged Marlon is currently directing a film titled Les Talents d'Achille , scheduled for release in 2025.

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France

Gil Alma

Born 2 September 0, 1979 in Montreuil (Seine-Saint-Denis), Gilles Bongibault, known as the stage Gil Alma, worked in France as an actor, humorist and producer.

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France

Gilles Benizio

Gilles Benizio is a French comedian, born on June 1, 1957, in Villerupt, Meurthe-et-Moselle. He is of Italian origin and will turn 67 years old on June 1, 2024. He studied theatre at the University of Censier in Paris, where he met his future wife, Corinne Benizio, in 1982. They married in 1985 and have two children, Elisa and Raphaël. Benizio is best known as half of the comedic duo Shirley et Dino, formed with Corinne Benizio in 1988. The characters Shirley and Dino were created during an improvisation workshop with Ariane Mnouchkine, who helped launch their careers. Their comedic style involves a dynamic where Dino teases Shirley for the audience's amusement; Dino is characterized by his Italian heritage, often incorporating Italian songs into performances, while Shirley is portrayed as a naive character attempting to tell stories that Dino constantly interrupts. Their performances often feature stories about naive clowns. They debuted on stage in 1985 as 'Achilles Tonic' and premiered their first music-hall themed show at the Avignon Off Festival in 1988. Shirley et Dino gained wider recognition through appearances on Patrick Sébastien’s television shows, particularly 'Le Plus Grand Cabaret du monde' from 2001 to 2004. They received the Molière Award for Best Sketch Show for their show 'Le Duo' in 2003. Their DVD 'À Marigny' sold over a million copies and their film 'Cabaret Paradis,' released in 2006, attracted 200,000 viewers. The duo has transitioned from comedy to directing operas, staging baroque operas such as 'Don Quichotte chez la Duchesse' in 2015 and 'Platée' in 2022, and most recently 'Turandot' in Grenoble on March 31, 2023. They currently reside in the Ardèche region.

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France

Guy Bedos

Guy Bedos, born June 15, 1934, in Algiers, Algeria, died on May 28, 2020, in Paris. He was a multifaceted artist, identified as a Pied-Noir, a term for French people in Algeria, and known for his work as a screenwriter, stand-up comedian, and actor. Born while Algeria was a French department, his family included Alfred Bedos, his father who worked as a health visitor, and Hildeberte Verdier, his mother. His childhood was marked by instability, involving moves between homes and boarding schools, including a Catholic high school in Bone and lycée Bugeaud in Algiers. Bedos's career began in the early 1950s as part of the 'Bande du Conservatoire' group of comedians. He arrived in Paris with his family in June 1949 and made his first film appearance in Futures Vedettes in 1954. To avoid military service during the Algerian War, he staged a hunger strike and was deemed mentally unfit. He debuted at the Bobino music hall in 1965 alongside Barbara, and later collaborated with Michel Boujenah and Smaïn on Coup de soleil à l'Olympia . Bedos also staged plays such as ‘Arlequin poli par l’amour’ at age seventeen and a half. Bedos is particularly remembered for his recurring role as Simon, a doctor, in Un éléphant ça trompe énormément (1976) and Nous irons tous au paradis (1977), the latter of which brought him significant recognition. He also appeared in Les Aventures de Bidibi et Banban , playing Bidibi, and contributed to the satirical weekly Siné Hebdo , supporting Siné after he was fired from Charlie Hebdo . Politically, he supported François Mitterrand and moved to Hénin-Beaumont in 2012 to support Jean-Luc Mélenchon. Towards the end of his life, he was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease.

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France

Gérald Dahan

Gérald Dahan, born Gérald Berthelot on May 17, 1973, in Cognac, France, is a French humorist, imitator, radio host, and actor. He began demonstrating his talent for impersonation at the age of four. His parents were merchants, and one studied French law. He adopted the stage name Gérald Dahan around age sixteen, inspired by his late maternal aunt Émilie Dahan, and moved to Paris to pursue a career in performance. Dahan’s early career included winning the title of 'Youngest Imitator of France' at age twelve in Angoulême, and receiving the 'Best Young Comedian of the Year' award at Bobino in 1992. From 1993 to 1998, he provided many of the male voices for puppets in the children’s television series Les Minikeums on France 3. He also participated in Laurent Ruquier's radio show Rien à cirer on France Inter from 1993 to 2000 and appeared on television shows such as Vivement dimanche with his troupe 'Les 6 Clones' between 1998 and 1999. He is a specialist in impersonation and phone pranks, creating believable scenarios through his vocal transformations. Throughout his career, Dahan has performed in numerous stage shows including L’imposteur , Érection Présidentielle , Sarkoland , and Gérald Dahan tombe les masques . He created and hosted his own television show, Les missions de Gérald Dahan , on France 3 in 2006. His work with Rire et Chansons became known for his phone pranks targeting figures like Jean-Pierre Raffarin, Adrien Zeller, and Zinedine Zidane. He has appeared in the film La Boîte (2001) and the television film La famille Zappon (2005). In 2026, he premiered 'J'imite donc je suis,' featuring around fifty impersonations and piano performances. Currently, he performs a one-person theatrical show about Molière, titled 'Il était une voix… Molière!', which premiered on March 29th and continues in 2027, portraying figures such as Emmanuel Macron as Alceste and Nicolas Sarkozy as Molière.

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France

Jackie Berroyer

Jackie Berroyer is a French actor, comedian, writer, and journalist, born on May 24, 1946, in Reims. He spent his childhood in the Maison-Blanche neighborhood of Reims, where his father worked as a bricklayer and his mother was a homemaker. After initially pursuing a career as an industrial designer, he quit at age 25. From the mid-1970s onward, Berroyer established himself as a rock critic for Charlie Hebdo, contributing to several other publications including Hara-Kiri, Libération, Rock & Folk, Actuel, and Rolling Stone. Berroyer’s creative output spans various media. He is a writer and has written dialogue for numerous French films beginning in the 1980s, collaborating with directors such as Patrick Bouchitey, Patrick Grandperret, and Jean-François Stévenin. Notably, he co-wrote Cédric Klapisch’s first film, 'Riens du tout'. His writing also extends to prose; in 1992, he published 'La femme de Berroyer est plus belle que toi, connasse,' which was subsequently adapted into the film 'Tempête dans un verre d'eau'. He is also known for his comedic performances, including a three-year stint as a mischievous switchboard operator on the television show 'Nulle part ailleurs,' initially using the pseudonym Jackie Darbois, and hosting the humor and philosophy program 'Pas si vite!' on Canal+. Berroyer’s career includes contributions to satirical publications like Siné Hebdo and Siné Mensuel. He hosted the ‘Mélomanie’ program on Le Mouv’ from 2010 to 2012. In 2006, he created and performed 'Ma vie de jolie fille,' a humorous and musical one-man show. His work has garnered recognition; he received the Best Newcomer Award at the Angoulême Festival in 1979 for 'Dossier Goudard' and was nominated for best supporting male role at the Jean-Carmet Festival in 2012 for 'Mobile Home'. Berroyer is also recognized as an Officer of the Order of Arts and Letters. He is the father of music producers ARK and Jim Casanova.

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France

Jean-Christian Fraiscinet

Jean-Christian Fraiscinet, also written as Jean-Christian Faiscinet, is a French humorist and actor. His early life was intertwined with the Château de Valençay, where his grandparents were caretakers and guides, and his mother also worked as a guide; he spent much of his childhood there. He gave his first acting lines at the château, initially replacing an injured actor in 'La Reine Margot,' sparking his theatrical vocation during his youth. Fraiscinet’s path to comedy began with participation in the village's summer 'Son et Lumière' shows as a young man, experiences that sparked his interest in performing. He briefly studied medicine before attending the Conservatoire d’art dramatique de Tours, graduating with a gold medal after two years. They produced around fifteen shows, including three original creations: 'ZAP', 'Hôtel des voyageurs', and 'Mona.' In 1994, he met Vincent Dubois at the Villard de Lans festival, leading to the formation of the comedy duo Les Bodin's. Les Bodin’s features Fraiscinet as Christian and Dubois as Maria, an 87-year-old despotic woman. The duo has performed on stage and in three films: Mariage chez les Bodin’s (2008), Amélie au pays des Bodin’s (2010), and Les Bodin’s en Thaïlande (2021). Fraiscinet has also appeared in other films, including 'J'ai faim !!!' (2001) and 'Le Démon de midi' (2005), and television series like 'Chez Maupassant’ (2008, 2011) and 'Les Bodin's sont confinés' (2020). The farm, acquired "for a song," lacked water and electricity initially, and was restored with the help of neighboring farmer Anthony Janvier. Fraiscinet is also involved with Caméléon Production and takes on multiple roles at the farm, including actor, writer, server, and technician.

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