From the Torah to the Holy Roman Empire, Jewish comedy has entertained, satirized, and made jokes for centuries. Indeed, being hilarious is part of the Jewish identity. Jewish comedians became household names in America beginning in the 1920s.
In the late 70s, the majority of comedians were of American, British, German, and Russian Jewish backgrounds. Jewish comedians gained worldwide fame through vaudeville, sketch, stand-up, radio, television, and movies. In front of the camera and behind, Jewish comedians helped shape the industry.
They are well-known for self-deprecating and self-praising humor that mocks everything from authority figures to religious and secular life. They’re famous for their satire, irony, and wordplay. Below are some of the most inspirational Jewish comedians who have made history over the years.
16 Inspirational Jewish Comedians Who Made History
1. Jerry Seinfeld
Critics and fans consider Jerry Seinfeld one of the greatest stand-up comedians of all time. His Jewish ancestors moved from Syria under the Ottoman Empire to the United States in 1917. Growing up in New York, Seinfeld rose to fame in the 80s with his witty and clever observational style of comedy.
In the early 90s, he co-created the critically and commercially acclaimed sitcom, Seinfeld, with fellow Jewish comic Larry David. Seinfeld also co-wrote and starred in Bee Movie and created and hosted Netflix hit Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee. He continues to perform stand-up all over the world, with his shows always selling out.
2. Adam Sandler
Adam Sandler is one of the most recognizable comedians of the modern era. Born in 1966 to Jewish parents, his ancestors were Russian Jewish. He’s known for his unique voice, clever songs, and biting humor. Sandler’s career took off in the early 90s as a Saturday Night Live cast member.
In the mid-90s, he began a movie career, becoming one of Hollywood’s biggest stars. Sandler starred in several popular comedies, including Billy Madison, Happy Gilmore, The Wedding Singer, 50 First Dates, and The Longest Yard. Sandler’s earnest performances in Punch-Drunk Love, Uncut Gems, and Hustle have also amazed audiences, showing a different side to the comedian. Sandler remains one of the most popular comedic actors.
3. Sarah Silverman
There’s no topic too taboo or controversial for stand-up comedian and actress Sarah Silverman. Silverman’s famous for her unapologetic satirical style tackling politics, racism, homophobia, sexism, and religion with her trademark deadpan delivery.
She’s of Ashkenazi Jewish descent, but she’s non-religious. Her grandmother escaped The Holocaust during World War II. Silverman gained fame throughout the 90s, starting as a writer and cast member on Saturday Night Live. Later, she hosted The Sarah Silverman Program to universal praise and has continued to perform as a stand-up while also taking acting jobs.
4. Larry David
Comedian, actor, and writer Larry David is best known as the co-creator of the groundbreaking sitcom Seinfeld and as the creator and star of HBO’s critically acclaimed Curb Your Enthusiasm. David was born in Sheepshead Bay in Brooklyn, New York, in 1947. His father was of German Jewish descent, while his mother’s family was Polish-Jewish from present-day Ukraine.
David started his career in the 70s performing stand-up comedy before landing a writing and acting role on ABC’s Fridays. He then spent a season writing for the hit sketch comedy series Saturday Night Live. David’s one of the wealthiest comedians who has had much success, winning several Emmy Awards for his work on Seinfeld.
5. Amy Schumer
Stand-up comedian Amy Schumer’s Jewish father was born in Ukraine, while her mother grew up Protestant but converted to Judaism. Schumer had her big breakthrough as a contestant on the reality comedy competition series Last Comic Standing.
She became famous as the star and creator of the popular sketch comedy series Inside Amy Schumer. Schumer went on to star in Trainwreck, and I Feel Pretty. She also released several comedy specials, notably the Grammy Award-winning special Amy Schumer: Live at The Apollo.
6. The Marx Brothers
From 1905 to 1949, The Marx Brothers were the top comedy act in America. The group comprised brothers Chico, Harpo, Groucho, Gummo, and Zeppo. The brothers were born to Jewish parents from France and Germany in New York City. The three core members were the three eldest who developed unique stage personas. The younger two didn’t make it as far and left to start an agency.
The Marx Brothers first became the top act in vaudeville and Broadway before dominating cinema. The brothers starred in several popular movies, including Duck Soup and A Night at the Opera. They are among the most influential comedians in the industry.
7. Joan Rivers
With her distinct New York accent, Joan Rivers was a pioneer for women in comedy. She was famous for her in-you-face “tell it like it is” attitude and blunt comedic style. She was controversial and self-deprecating but also mocked politicians and celebrities.
Born in Brooklyn, New York, to Russian-Jewish immigrants, Rivers started her comedy ambitions in the 1960s, with her career taking off when she appeared as a guest and later guest host of the iconic Tonight Show starring her mentor Johnny Carson.
Rivers went on to become the first woman to host a late-night talk show, The Late Show with Joan Rivers. Rivers became famous for roasting celebrities on the red carpet later in her career. She died in 2014 due to complications from surgery.
8. Sid Caesar
No one comedian was as influential as Sid Caesar. Caesar was born to Polish Jewish parents in 1922 in Yonkers, New York. He’s best known as the star of two groundbreaking series in the 1950s, Your Show of Show and Caesar Hour. A pioneer in television, he gave several writers their big break, notably Mel Brooks, Neil Simon, and Carl Reiner.
Caesar often developed a concept and had his writers flesh out the idea. He was famous for using accents, body language, facial expressions, slapstick, and witty dialogue. Unlike other comedians of the time, critics called Caesar’s style of comedy “avant-garde.” Critics considered his show’s witty and clever and hilarious dialogue that was some of the best on TV at that time. The iconic television star later appeared in the classic movie Grease and its sequel.
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9. Mel Brooks
Iconic comedian Mel Brooks was born in 1926 on a kitchen table in Brownsville, New York. His father was German-Jewish, and his mother Russian Jewish. He started his career working on Your Show of Shows and Get Smart in the 50s and 60s.
Beginning in the 1970s, Brooks established himself as one of the greatest filmmakers and comedians of all time. He released several popular movies, including The Producers, Blazing Saddles, Young Frankenstein, History of the World Part I, Spaceballs, Robin Hood: Men in Tights, and History of the World, Part II. As the master of parody and farce, Brooks’ career has spanned seven decades, winning an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony Awards, making him the recipient of an EGOT (Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony award).
10. Fanny Brice
Born in Manhattan, New York City, in 1891, comedian Fanny Brice grew up with a Jewish-Hungarian mother. She dropped out of high school to start her performing career. Brice became a major radio star after creating the bratty toddler character Baby Snooks.
In 1944, she began hosting The Baby Snooks Show to universal praise. She became one of the biggest stars of the era. Barbara Streisand won an Oscar for Best Actress for portraying Brice in the 1968 film Funny Girl.
11. Jerry Lewis
Jerry Lewis was born in 1926 to Jewish parents who emigrated from the Russian Empire. Lewis became a household name in the 50s and 60s as a stage performer with Dean Martin and as a solo act. Lewis was an innovator known for his distinctive voice, physical comedy, pratfalls, facial expressions, and gags. He cemented his legacy with the 1963 film The Nutty Professor.
12. Alex Edelman
Stand-up comedian Alex Edelman has made a name for himself touring the globe with his hilarious comedy routines. Edelman’s best known for his live specials Alex Edelman: Live at the BBC and Until Now. He grew up in an Orthodox Jewish family and spent a year in a yeshiva in Jerusalem. He even helped launch Jerusalem’s first comedy club, Off the Wall Comedy.
13. Jack Benny
From his humble beginnings playing the violin on the vaudeville circuit to becoming a household name, Jack Benny is one of the most influential performers in history. He was born in 1894 to a Polish-Jewish mother and a Jewish father from Lithuania.
With impeccable comedic timing, Benny rose to fame as the host of The Jack Benny Program on Radio from 1932 to 1955. He became one of the early television stars, switching to television in the early 50s.
14. Eddie Cantor
Eddie Cantor’s early life is a bit of a mystery. Historians can only say he was born in 1892 to a young Jewish couple from Russia. Cantor became a household name, with millions of listeners tuning in to his classic radio programs. Cantor was known for discussing personal and intimate stories about his wife, Ida, and had a running gag about his five “unmarriageable” daughters. Unsurprisingly, his daughters didn’t always appreciate the jokes.
His best-known bits include “Makin’ Whoopee,” “Mandy,” and “Ida (Sweet as Apple Cider).” He also wrote the famous theme song for the Merrie Melodies cartoons.
15. Jackie Mason
Born in 1928, Jackie Mason grew up in a strict Orthodox Jewish family. In fact, he came from a long line of Rabbis. Of course, Mason’s career went in a different direction. Known for his iconic voice and politically incorrect humor, Mason used puns and innuendo as part of his famous act. He often stirred up controversy with Ed Sullivan banning him from his show for allegedly flipping him off on live television.
Mason released several popular one-person shows, including the Emmy Award-winning The World According to Me. He won a second Emmy for his voice work as the father of Krusty the Clown, Rabbi Hyman Krustofski, in The Simpsons.
16. Woody Allen
Comedian and filmmaker Woody Allen started his career in the 1950s writing for Your Show of Shows. In the 60s, he began performing stand-up comedy in Greenwich Village, where he developed his insecure, nebbish persona. In the 70s and 80s, Allen established himself as a premiere filmmaker with critically acclaimed hits such as Manhattan, Hannah & Her Sisters, and Oscar winner for Best Picture, Annie Hall.
In the 90s, Allen made headlines when he left actress Mia Farrow to marry Farrow’s adopted daughter Soon-Yi Previn. Later, Farrow accused Allen of sexually abusing their adopted daughter Dylan Farrow. Allen denies the accusations with no charges filed, although it has certainly impacted his media persona.
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