Comedians are among the most popular entertainers in the world. Many of the top comedians are on par with athletes, actors and other famous celebrities. To help familiarize the novice comedian fans with some of these great entertainers, here’s a list of the most famous and successful comedians of 2012:
The Most Famous and Successful Comedians in 2012
1. Daniel Tosh
Tosh started his career small time, touring central Florida after graduating from the University of Central Florida in 1996. Tosh then made several appearances on late night talk shows and making other appearances on shows and Comedy Central. Finally, in 2009, Tosh premiered his TV show Tosh.O, which shows Internet video clips and uses mocking humor to entertain millions who tune in each episode.
2. Dane Cook
Cook carried stand up comedy in the 2000s when the art form appeared to be dying. He sold out stadiums when he became the most popular comedian among young adults and college students. He has recently come under fire, with many critics claiming his material isn’t really his own, and many people don’t find him to be funny at all.
3. Chris Rock
One of the few comedians who doubles as an actor, starring in movies such as The Longest Yard, Rock is one of the small number of comedians whom everybody likes. Time recently named him the Funniest Man in America, and he often uses his African-American background as part of his jokes.
4. Jim Gaffigan
Gaffigan has used his fame to land him numerous TV commericals. He epitomizes the average suburban man, and most of his material comes from food and America’s love of eating. Also, Gaffigan is uses clean language, which allows him to connect with more people than many other comics who may be limited because of their explicit language. Gaffigan’s biggest claim to fame is his Hot Pockets routine.
5. Jeff Dunham
Dunham is most widely famous for his ventriliquist acts, most notably with the suicide bomber skeleton, Achmed the Dead Terrorist. Dunham doesn’t make jokes about race and gender, but his puppets often do, and he has come under recent criticism for politically incorrect jokes. Also, he came up with the highest rated shows in Comedy Central history.
6. Patton Oswalt
Oswalt might be most famous for his role in the hit sit-com The King of Queens. Oswalt has released many albums and DVDs, and his material comes from comic books and science fiction, which draws in many different crowds compared to the average comedian.
7. Dave Chappelle
The Chappelle Show brought Chappelle to the top of the comedian list, and made him one of the most popular comedians of all time. Then he walked away from the show and has been out of the public eye for quite some time.
8. Russell Peters
One of the few Indian comics. He has performed all around the world, from Toronto to New York to Vietnam to China to Africa, making him huge around the world with an incredibly diverse fan base.
9. Larry the Cable Guy
Larry the Cable Guy got huge during as a part of the Blue Collar comedians. Born Dan Whitney, Larry the Cable Guy is the most popular comedians among the redneck, country crowd. He has made sleeveless flannels and trucker hats famous.
10. Sarah Silverman
One of the few women to make it big in a male-dominated profession, Silverman is seen as possibly being the one to pave the path for future female comedians. She focuses on mostly sexual jokes and bathroom humor.
Comedy Support
As you can see, there are many comedians out there who are a part of the newest generation of stand-up. ComedyKnockout.com knows a thing or two about comedy, and they are among the largest supporters of comedians and their work.
By Brian Leimgruber, a comedian lover and huge fan of stand-up comedy who loves reading obituaries and supports abortion.