Let’s be clear… when I say “comedian”, I’m talking stand-up comedians. I like people like Will Ferrell and Mike Myers but people that have a base in improv groups can make the transition to the big screen much more seamlessly. Let’s focus on those people who started behind the mic telling jokes. My Mom, at a very young age, exposed me to a lot of films and a lot of stand-up so I thought this would be a fun list to compile. Here’s my Top 10 (in order):
10. ZACH GALIFIANAKIS.
By far the youngin’ of the group, the man we’ll call Zack (since his last name is a bitch to spell) has actually been acting for quite a long time even though most people hadn’t heard of him until The Hangover. I’m sure the acting he showcased in that film may start to wear thin on people after the third installment in the franchise but Zack has proven he’s got good acting chops in other areas so I think he’ll be fine. And I’m ready to watch whatever he does.
9. BILL COSBY.
Bill Cosby didn’t really do any great films. Unless you count the so-bad-it’s-good Leonard Part Six. Which was the first and only film in the franchise. Regardless, you can’t forget how Cosby became America’s favorite Dad during the 80′s on one of the most popular shows in television history.
8. WHOOPI GOLDBERG.
I never liked Whoopi’s stand-up or many of her films. I did grow up loving her as a host on Comic Relief. The girl had comedy chops and she makes this list for her turn in The Color Purple alone. End of discussion!
7. BILLY CRYSTAL.
I kind of hate to love Billy Crystal. There’s something about him that makes me want to dislike him but he always manages to win me over with good turns in great films like When Harry Met Sally, Throw Momma From the Train and The Princess Bride. Plus, he was everybody’s favorite cycloptic monster in Monsters Inc.
6. JAIME FOXX.
Though he has an Oscar, I was tempted to move him down on this list. Then I started thinking about it and I could easily see Jaime Foxx ending up in the #1 spot by the time his career is over. Not only is he in a lot of good films but, more than anyone else on this list, he seems to have that “thing” that makes a good actor. Time will tell on this one but keep your eye on Foxx.
5. EDDIE MURPHY.
Murphy, at one point, was the biggest star and the biggest comedian in the world. I would consider RAW one of the best live comedy films of all time. While his acting career took a bit of a turn, Murphy has reinvented himself as an actor in countless children’s films from Dr. Doolittle to Shrek. Which is kind of crazy considering how “R” rated his comedy was. Murphy could still easily find a comeback in more mainstream adult features but seems content on his current career path. Who knows?
4. ADAM SANDLER.
A lot of people like to bag on Sandler and his films (with the exceptions being Billy Madison and Happy Gilmore). I’m one of the few people that thinks that there really is no such thing as a bad Adam Sandler film. Except for Little Nicky… that was shit! However, I find personally that I just really LIKE Adam Sandler. I enjoy watching him in films. I find him entertaining. So, even when his films are less than spectacular (Grown Ups, Just Go With It), I still really enjoy them. Since he kills at the box office, I can’t be the only one!
3. JIM CARREY.
Carrey has tried several times to cement himself a serious actor with mixed results. Many people loved him in films like The Truman Show and I Love You, Phillip Morris. And his turn in Man in the Moon was robbed at the Academy Awards. People seem content to pigeon-hole him as a funny man though. Partially his own fault for finding fame from talking through his butt. However, at one point Carrey was the highest paid star in Hollywood. I can’t say it was deserved but I can’t help but feel like everybody likes and roots for Carrey.
2. STEVE MARTIN.
Steve Martin, for many years, had the most successful comedy album of all time. An honor that was taken from him by Dane Cook of all people. However, Martin is so much more than a comedian. He’s a writer, a painter, a banjo player, a bunch of other stuff AND a great actor. The great thing about Martin is that his comedy was quite silly but he’s one of those few comedians turned actor that we can totally buy in the serious stuff.
1. ROBIN WILLIAMS.
I LOVE ROBIN WILLIAMS! I love him in everything he does, including all the bad stuff. However, Williams can play actor like few others in the group. It’s almost hard to believe considering that the man walks around like he just shotgunned a 6 pack of Red Bulls most of the time. Williams has a compassion on the screen that I don’t think many people on this list, or a lot of actors for that matter, can find. It makes the audience identify and root for his characters… which is essentially an extension of their feelings for Williams.
So, what are some of your favs?
Wayne (8)
Andrew (6)
Josh (6)
John (5)
Steve (5)
Dave Enkosky (4)
Justin (4)
Lauren (3)
Nick (3)
3guys1movie (2)
Spot on with your top 3. All three have become great actors in their own right, especially Williams who has shown a lot of versatility.
I’ve never seen a proper Sandler film, only Punch-Drunk Love.
Twitter: kaiderman
July 18, 2011 3:01 pm
WOW! Did we just agree on a list, James? ARe cats and dogs getting along now too?
That’s awesome. I understand that most Sandler fair is out of your wheelhouse. May I suggest Reign Over Me which might be more with your sensibilities. Or have you seen it all ready?
I think Dennis Leary has become a pretty decent actor
Twitter: kaiderman
July 18, 2011 3:02 pm
I like Leary. I do! And I have never seen Rescue Me but he looks great in it. Problem is, in movies, Leary seems to always be doing Leary except in a few movies like Wag the Dog.
Wow, no Richard Pryor? Really?
I keep thinking that Eddie Murphy should work with some name directors. I’d love to see him in a Michael Mann movie, for instance, or maybe Brian DePalma or Tony Scott. Or hell, even Quentin Tarantino!
Twitter: kaiderman
July 18, 2011 3:04 pm
I could see QT using Murphy. That would be awesome. Scott bros won’t… they have Denzel on speed dial… in case any trains need to be stopped… UGH!
Yeah, no Pryor. He wasn’t a GREAT actor. He was pretty solid. His movies weren’t that great either. I like some, especially stuff with Gene Wilder but nah!
No Richard Pryor is a miss. So is no George Carlin. I’m guessing since he was part of a team that Cheech Marin didn’t fit your criteria, or he’s a miss as well.
As for Sandler, I’ll happily bag on his movies. In fact, I’ll even bag on Happy Gilmore and Billy Madison. Dude doesn’t do anything for me.
All of that said…the top three are spot-on.
Twitter: kaiderman
July 18, 2011 3:10 pm
No one Pryor but I buy him over Carlin. Carlin is one of my top 5 comedians of all time but he wasn’t a great actor. Plus, when I looked over his IMDB page for this list, he really didn’t do a lot of films and was usually a bit player in the ones he did. LOVE his comedy though.
Cheech is a great call! Might have been an oversight on my part though he probably wouldn’t have counted. Not because he was in a duo but because he did skits in clubs as opposed to stand-up. Though I could’ve just as easily slid him into the 9 or 10 spot on a technicality!
Twitter: smallmind
July 18, 2011 7:36 am
I pretty much agree with this entire list. I also think Denis Leary and Richard Pryor deserve honorable mentions. Some other comedians turned decent actors that come to mind for me:
Jeaneane Garofalo
Patton Oswalt
Mo’Nique
John Leguizamo
Lily Tomlin
Garry Shandling
Twitter: kaiderman
July 18, 2011 3:11 pm
Agreed on your honorable mentions. Of the list you added, not sure I’d put them above any of mine. Considered Shandling but passed on it. Oswalt is a great one. After seeing U.S. of Tara and Big Fan, I think the guy has a ton of potential if given the chance to actually do some acting!
Tomlin is good too!
“no such thing as a bad Adam Sandler film”
I don’t even know where to start with this statement, haha.
Did you see that trailer for Jack and Jill? Horrific.
I agree with everyone here. Pryor needs to make the list, either at the #1 or #2 spot.
Twitter: kaiderman
July 18, 2011 3:12 pm
Nope…. no way Pryor is better an actor than Williams or Martin. Better Comic? Yeah, probably!
And Jack and Jill doesn’t count since it isn’t out yet! I will accept The Waterboy or Little Nicky though!
I have a dream of watching a film with Robbie Williams and Jim Carrey together. They’re my absolute favourites. Great list
Twitter: kaiderman
July 18, 2011 3:12 pm
I could get down with that!
Can’t disagree with Robin Williams being number 1. The man’s legit.
Although he hasn’t been in too many movies per se, one of my favorite comedians turned actor has always been Bob Saget.
Twitter: kaiderman
July 18, 2011 3:14 pm
Yeah but he hasn’t acted much unless you count TV and I have to give Cosby a bigger tip of the cap in that department. Along those lines, I might give favoritism to Tim Allen as well.
I love Whoopi as an actor. She needs to do a good feature film again, but she would top my list just for Oda Mae “you in danger girl” Brown from GHOST.
Twitter: kaiderman
July 18, 2011 3:15 pm
Yeah, my wife smacked me for forgetting to mention Ghost. She is great in that!
Good list. Williams not my #1. I’d add Murray, Katt Williams and Sacha Baron Cohen.
Twitter: kaiderman
July 18, 2011 3:17 pm
I would NEVER put Katt Williams on this list. What movies has he even done?
Bill Murray was actually considered (and inspired another list for next Monday… stay tuned) but there is some debate as to whether or not he actually did stand-up. Wikipedia and other online outlets have no record of him actually doing stand-up and some say he did briefly. I decided to disqualify since there was no cleaqr answer on it. Otherwise he is Top 2 or 3.
Norbit! Hello Lmao! Katt is a PIMP everyday I’m hustlin’ lol! Okay I was joking on that but you know how I feel about Bill. I heard some rumors he did stand up… Before SNL
Nice list Kai. Hard to disagree with anyone especially in the top 5. I don’t really find Zach Galifianakis funny though. He might just be a douche.
Twitter: kaiderman
July 18, 2011 3:19 pm
Comedians that know him love him and say he’s very nice. As I said, I could see his type of funny wearing thin on people but I think he can also play straight very well. He was good in a little submarine movie Darren Aronofsky wrote (the name of which I am forgetting right now) but did not direct.
Below?
Twitter: kaiderman
July 18, 2011 5:24 pm
yup.
Twitter: JonSullivan_
July 18, 2011 11:54 am
Galifianakis needs to find his footing as an actor before he can be considered successful. So far he’s just done the non-sequitur thing that made his stand up so unique. It’s Kind of a Funny Story was a step in the right direction though, and the little-seen Visioneers wasn’t terrible.
Can’t ever argue against Robin Williams or Jim Carrey though. They made the transition to full-blown actors relatively easily, although I personally like Carrey’s filmography more. Still, Williams can out act anyone any day of the week; his Juliard training fortifies this. Also, Bicentennial Man. Sorry, always need to bring it up when the opportunity presents itself!
Twitter: kaiderman
July 18, 2011 3:21 pm
Williams has bad movies but when they’re god, he’s great. When they’re bad, I still like him in them.
Zack G. (I’m not spelling it again) got in on a decent resume and potential. Time will tell whether he makes a future list or gets bumped.
Obviously my exclusion from this is an oversight. I was brilliant as Man #94 in that one film with that one girl… you know the one.
Oh, and I keep hoping Whoopi Goldberg returns to Color Purple form… though I’d settle for Star Trek
.
By the way – Eric Bana was a comedian before he became an actor – Galifinakis would most definitely get the bump in favor of good ol’ EB (even if he hasn’t done much lately)
Eddie Izzard and Howie Mandel would have made my list.
I do love your list though. Robin Williams is the best.
Twitter: fandangogroover
July 20, 2011 2:41 pm
Eric Bana?
Twitter: fandangogroover
July 20, 2011 4:09 pm
Sorry Univarn, didn’t notice you had beaten me to it suggesting Eric Bana, good call, great minds!
I would have included Albert Brooks; he hasn’t done much recently but I always like his films.
I would have to put Bob Newhart on the list. Great stand up, great TV actor and some all right movies. Agree completely on Williams at number one.