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Picking only 20 was hard. Comedy is just something Jews do well. I once asked Jon Lovitz, one of many comedians left off the list, why the comedy circuit was dominated by Jews, a people who only make up 2% of the American population and 0.227% of the world’s population. He said, “To be funny, you have to suffer, suffer, suffer. Jews, blacks, we’ve suffered a lot in the past. That makes us funny, I guess.”
N.B. This Top 20 is not in order. It was just too hard to decide who was no. 1, who was no. 4 or 14, etc. But it would be fun if you all wanted to vote on the number 1 of all-time. At the very bottom of this post, I’ve inserted a poll, so you can be the judges, and even nominate your own comedian.
1. Jon Stewart
Born Jonathan Stuart Leibowitz, America’s foremost political satirist is also a crossword puzzle enthusiast. He even proposed to his future wife, a shicksa (that’s Yiddish for a female non-Jew), through a personalized puzzle created with the help of the crossword editor at The New York Times. Who said being the host of a cable talk show doesn’t have its perks?
Jon Stewart on how his wife’s Catholicism balances with his Judaism: “We’re raising the children to be sad.”
2. Groucho Marx
Born Julius Henry Marx, the most famous Marx brother will always be known for his thick greasepaint mustache, which has been parodied in countless movies and TV shows. According to lore, the mustache originated during a vaudeville performance when the young performer did not have the time to paste on a fake one. He grew a real mustache prior to hosing You Bet Your Life, which he kept for the rest of his life.
Groucho’s retort when his daughter was restricted access into a country club pool (Jews were not allowed in most country clubs at the time): “But my daughter’s only half-Jewish. Can she go in up to her waist?”
3. Billy Crystal
A lifelong Yankees fan, Billy Crystal signed a one-day minor league contract with the club in March of 2008 and played in a spring training game against the Pittsburgh Pirates. Crystal struck out in his only at bat, but managed to foul off a couple of fastballs. You think his teammates gave him tsuris (Yiddish for trouble) for wearing a Mets cap in City Slickers?
Billy Crystal on being Jewish: “I’m comfortable being old… being black… being Jewish.”
4. Adam Sandler
The story of You Don’t Mess with the Zohan, about a former Israeli assassin who fakes his own death to pursue a career as a hairdresser, is one Adam Sandler knows well. The character was loosely based on a hairstylist and former Israeli soldier the actor once knew. (Want to hear Sandler sing in Hebrew? Check out our post here and listen to his version of “Hine Ma Tov.”)
You no sé?: Although Adam Sandler is a vocal supporter of Israel, and although You Don’t Mess with the Zohan is supposed to be set in Israel, the production barely set foot in the Holy Land. Only one exterior shot was filmed in Tel Aviv. When Sandler was in the shot, it was filmed in Mexico.
5. Jackie Mason
This famously outspoken comedian, born Yacov Moshe Maza, never shied away from controversy. His most famous outburst occurred in 1964 when he was banned from The Ed Sullivan Show after allegedly giving the host the finger during a live broadcast. At the time, Sullivan’s weekly variety show was the most popular program on television and it took nearly a decade for Mason’s career to recover.
Jackie Mason on being Jewish: “I am as Jewish as a matzo ball or kosher salami.”
6. Sarah Silverman
Some call her the female Lenny Bruce. But to those who know her best, she’s just Sarah. Silverman was fired via fax after her first year as a writer/performer on Saturday Night Live and eventually moved on to stand-up. Her on-stage persona of a naïve yet bigoted Jewish girl gives her permission to go against the grain with jokes like: “Of course the best time to get pregnant is when you’re a black teenager.”
Sarah Silverman on her religion: “I have no religion. But culturally I can’t escape it; I’m very Jewish.”
7. Jerry Seinfeld
The creator of the most popular sitcom on America television is also an avid automobile enthusiast. He owns one of the most extensive Porsche collections in the world and even rented a hangar at the Santa Monica Airport to store some of the vehicles in collection. Money may not buy you happiness, but it could certainly help with rising gas prices.
Jerry Seinfeld on what he would call himself if he changed his Jewish sounding name: “Well, I would keep my last name, so as not to offend my parents and I would have to go with Jesus.”
8. Larry David
To Seinfeld aficionados he’s the voice of George Steinbrenner, but to fans of Curb Your Enthusiasm, he’s just Larry—neurotic, misanthropic and incredibly self-centered. The show’s popularity has even spawned the term “Larry David moment,” meaning one who inadvertently causes a socially awkward situation.
Larry David on being a self-loathing Jew: “Hey, I may loathe myself, but it has nothing to do with the fact that I’m Jewish.”
9. Sacha Baron Cohen
A graduate of Cambridge University, Sacha Baron Cohen wrote his thesis on Jewish involvement in the American Civil Rights movement and often juxtaposes his own Jewish lineage with his Borat character, an anti-Semitic reporter from Kazakhstan. For instance, throughout the Borat movie the character is not speaking Kazakh, as one might think, but Hebrew, which Cohen speaks fluently.
If I were a rich man: He acted in a stage version of Fiddler on the Roof while attending Cambridge.
10. Mel Brooks
Like Woody Allen, Mel Brooks, born Melvin Kaminsky, started out as a comedy writer for Sid Caesar’s Your Show of Shows. He eventually moved on to film where he wrote, directed and starred in some of the most revered comedies of the last half-century, including 1981’s History of the World Part I, which spawned the unlikely dance hit, “It’s Good to Be King.”
3 Reichs and you’re out: His directorial debut, 1968’s The Producers, is about the staging of a play called “Springtime for Hitler”.
11. Lenny Bruce
The most obscene comic of his day covered a variety of themes, but mostly anything deemed inappropriate. Born Leonard Alfred Schneider, Lenny Bruce was never far from controversy and was arrested on obscenity charges several times throughout his career. By the time of his death of a drug overdose in 1966, nearly every nightclub in the country had blacklisted Bruce. He’s lately received somewhat of a resurgence and in 2003 was granted the first posthumous pardon in New York history.
Lenny Bruce on being Jewish and living in New York: “If you live in New York, you’re Jewish. If you live in Butte, Montana, you’re going to be goyish even if you’re Jewish.”
12. George Burns
At the spry young age of 79, George Burns, born Nathan Birnbaum, enjoyed a career resurrection few performers ever experience. He won an Oscar in 1975 for Neil Simon’s The Sunshine Boys, and followed that with Oh God! in 1977. Although Burns had not acted in a film since 1939, Neil Simon was adamant about having a Jewish comedian in the role. Clearly the gamble paid off.
Shame, shame, shame: His 1926 marriage to Gracie Allen, who was Irish Catholic, was considered daring for those times and had to be done in secrecy.
13. Gilda Radner
The Detroit native became famous as one of the original “Not Ready for Prime Time Player,” on the first season of Saturday Night Live. Throughout her five-year run on the show, Radner created such memorable characters as Roseanne Roseannadanna, Baba Wawa, and Rhonda Weiss, the “Jewish American Princess.” Although few details were made public at the time, Radner had a brief fling with fellow SNL cast mate Bill Murray. Details of the failed relationship are recounted in her autobiography, It’s Always Something.
Gilda Radner as Rhonda Weiss: “You don’t have to be Jewish to wear Jewess Jeans… But it wouldn’t hurt.”
14. Bette Midler
Bette Midler was born in Honolulu, Hawaii, where she was one of the few Jewish girls in a mostly Asian neighborhood. At the age of 20, Bette relocated to New York, where she would go on to play Tzeitel in the Broadway version of Fiddler on the Roof. She would later hone her comedic acting chops in Down and Out in Beverly Hills and Ruthless People.
Bette Midler on childhood: “I grew up an ugly, fat little Jewish girl with problems.”
15. Moe Howard
Born Moses Harry Horwitz, Moe Howard became famous as the helmet-headed member of the greatest slapstick comedy team of all time. He acquired his unusual bowl cut hairstyle as a boy when he impulsively clipped off his curls. The Stooges just wouldn’t be the Stooges with two Curlys.
N’yuck, N’yuck, N’yuck: His favorite Stooges film, You Nazty Spy!, was one of several topical anti-Nazi movies they made during the 1940s.
16. Seth Rogen
At 16 Seth Rogen landed a supporting role on Judd Apatow’s short-lived series, Freaks and Geeks. It was the beginning of a professional relationship that would pair the two in nearly every Apatow-produced movie since. He is even rumored to play Curly Howard in the upcoming Three Stooges movies. Strangely enough, Judd Apatow has no involvement in the project.
Seth’s character in the 2005 film, The 40 Year Old Virgin: “I touched a guy’s balls at Hebrew school once.”
17. Andy Samberg
Andy Samberg, born David Andrew, cites Mel Brooks as his inspiration for becoming a comedian. In 2005, shortly after becoming a featured player on Saturday Night Live, his hip hop parody, Lazy Sunday, became such a sensation on the Internet that his digital shorts are now a show standard.
Andy Samberg on his Judaism: “I’m going home for Passover, but I don’t really go balls out with it.”
18. Peter Sellers
He may be best known for playing Chief Inspector Clouseau in the Pink Panther movies. But Peter Sellers, born Richard Henry Sellers, was also a master at playing multiple characters. He played three roles in the black comedy Dr. Strangelove, and was even scheduled to play a fourth role as Air Force Major T.J. “King” Kong. However, Sellers bowed out after failing to capture the character’s Texas accent.
But was he kosher? Although Sellers was half Jewish, he defended Hitler’s favorite director, Leni Riefenstahl, and even championed her documentary on the dictator titled Triumph of the Will.
19. Woody Allen
Born Allen Stewart Konigsberg, the comedic prodigy began writing jokes for Sid Caeser at the age of 15. He recently scored $5 million from American Apparel from a lawsuit after the company placed several billboards and online ads using an image of Allen dressed as a Hasidic Jew in his 1977 movie “Annie Hall.”
Woody Allen on the three things all Jewish people worship: “God, Chinese food and wall-to-wall carpeting.”
20. Howard Stern
The self-described “King of All Media” has made an entire career out of exploiting strippers and midgets, setting the bar low for radio shock jocks. Since moving to Sirius Satellite Radio in 2006, Stern has become the highest paid radio personality in the United States and was even named one of the 100 Most Influential People in the World by Time Magazine. Although both of his parents are Jewish, Stern often tells his listeners he’s “half-Jewish” – the other half being Italian.
Stern on why he tells people he’s half Jewish: “It’s very hard to be Jewish in this country. My half Jewish side has been beaten with chains.”
Comments (49)
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Carl Reiner and Neil Simon. Lose Samberg. Also factcheck Woody Allen. He was not on Your Show of Shows, but Caesar’s hour.
posted by Jason on 8-24-2009 at 8:58 am
http://pretprieel.nl/pictures/futurama_harold_zoid_oscar.jpg
Ahh, George Burns. You look so much better as a human than as a lobster.
As seemingly racist as this post is, i can’t help but laugh because i love all of them! (except for Howard Stern, he annoys me)
A comedian needs to be able to laugh at their own misfortunes. Comedy is mainly self-depreciating, because making fun of someone else that isn’t famous or infamous could backfire and seem offensive. Who will get mad at you if you joke about you? Sarah Silverman and Jerry Seinfeld have become very good at that. Jerry does it through acting out the role, making what would normally be mundane and make it obvious. Sarah blurts it out with no remorse, because hesitation shows fear, which shows weakness. Also, it helps being a small, cute, jewish female. Can you imagine an aging, old, ape-like christian man insulting the mentally challenged and black people? That is not going to end good.
posted by Steven on 8-24-2009 at 9:09 am
Great list! As much as I love Jon Stewart, I had to vote for Groucho.
posted by Miss Cellania on 8-24-2009 at 10:15 am
I vote for Mel Brooks. Tough call, because I think Gilda Radner and all her characters were just hysterical. But Mel Brooks has been the man behind (and in) most of my favorite comedy movies.
posted by Hyacinth on 8-24-2009 at 10:49 am
I definitely like a lot of people on this list. But there are a few people I definitely think are only “really famous” not “really good.” But to each his own.
Also, I thought Borat speaks Polish in the film. I’ve only seen bits and pieces in it, but I know I heard Polish in the scenes I’ve seen.
posted by Mattie on 8-24-2009 at 11:08 am
No Rodney Dangerfield??? He should be at the top!
posted by Pete on 8-24-2009 at 11:26 am
There’s a problem with your list, its skewed too much to now Jon Stewart not funny, Adam Sandler not funny, Sarah Silverman hot but not funny, Sascha Baren Cohen not funny.
Top three are easily Marx, Brooks and Bruce
posted by elbobbo on 8-24-2009 at 11:32 am
David Brenner and every Borscht Belt comic have been left off this list. Using newbies who just ain’t that funny, like Seth Rogen and Andy Samberg, is just showing how young this article’s writer is.
posted by Bubba on 8-24-2009 at 11:38 am
I agree with Brooks, Bruce, Burns and the rest of their contemporaries but you have to remember that between Neil Simon, Mel Brooks and Carl Riener they practically invented the situation comedies we love today. Not to take away from the newer younger comedians, but really, Bette Midler and no Jerry Lewis? What about Sid Ceaser? A good starting list with just a few slights.
posted by Don on 8-24-2009 at 11:45 am
No “c” in shiksa
posted by Jeff on 8-24-2009 at 11:46 am
Just trying to get a little love for Richard Lewis…of course I’m just assuming he’s Jewish. If not then he’s the greatest actor in the world.
posted by Sean on 8-24-2009 at 11:55 am
@Bubba, elbobbo:
Funny, the adjective, by definition, is purely opinion. Your perception of what is funny or not may not be the same as what society thinks. These people wouldn’t be known as well as they are if it weren’t for a good portion of the population to think that they ARE funny. David did a great job by adding the poll for you to voice what you think, with the “other” option. Based off of fact, I would have to say that these twenty comedians are the most successful and well-known.
Great article David!
posted by Steven on 8-24-2009 at 11:58 am
Wow! I guess I’ve got a thing for the Jewish boys. Adam Sandler, Sacha Baron Cohen, Andy Samberg and Jon Stewart top my list as the world’s most attractive men. And Johnny Depp, too, but I don’t think he’s Jewish so I guess he doesn’t count. (Ben Stiller… half Jewish I believe, but absolutely gorgeous!)
posted by Tracey on 8-24-2009 at 12:56 pm
I agree that it may be an “age-thang” and slanted towards a younger crowd. But like Mr. Israel said – tough to pick the top…
For what it’s worth, Milton Berle, Buddy Hackett and about half of the rest of the cast of IT’S A MAD, MAD, MAD, MAD WORLD should be here, too..
MEH!
I’ve voting for Governor William J. Le Petomane :)
posted by Goliath The Pickle on 8-24-2009 at 1:14 pm
No love for Gene Wilder?
posted by Gabe on 8-24-2009 at 1:23 pm
No Don Rickles? Really?!
posted by Sean on 8-24-2009 at 1:25 pm
how can you leave off henny youngman!?
posted by Carlos on 8-24-2009 at 1:33 pm
Love Mel Brooks and History of the World. I think you have things mixed up though. “It’s good to be the king” is probably one of the most remembered lines from the movie. The big musical number was The Inquisition.
posted by crocostimpy on 8-24-2009 at 1:47 pm
I recall Lewis Black being Jewish and think he deserved a spot on the list.
Judging from these comments, it should be a Top 40 list, maybe Kasey Casem can host it.
posted by Stephen on 8-24-2009 at 2:16 pm
I voted for Mel.
I like a lot of these comedians but can’t stand Sarah Silverman.
And Howard Stern??? I didn’t realize he was a comedian. He just happens to be successful because he appeals to the lowest common denominator IMHO. To me shocking and disgusting does not automatically equal funny.
posted by Nerak on 8-24-2009 at 3:03 pm
How do you include Howard Stern, who isn’t a comedian, but forget Rodney Dangerfield?
posted by Patten on 8-24-2009 at 3:23 pm
No Lewis Black? Sad day.
posted by Michelle on 8-24-2009 at 4:10 pm
Guys, Guys…can we please remember that our fellows Jews make up most of Hollywood? :-D It is impossible to get everyone on one list!
Love Mel Brooks and Adam Sandler…last passover a bunch of us sipped on Manichewitz wine (grape juice?) and watched “You Don’t Mess With the Zohan”. It was an absolute riot.
L’chaim!
posted by Megan on 8-24-2009 at 4:40 pm
What a crappy list. You list people like Andy Samberg and Howard Stern (funny guy, but not a comedian) and neglect Rodney Dangerfield? Jerry or Ben Stiller? Don Rickles?
Andy Samberg? Are you kidding me?
posted by Pablo on 8-24-2009 at 5:11 pm
Very informative list, thanks.
posted by Shawn on 8-24-2009 at 6:18 pm
Perhaps replacing Samberg, Sandler, Midler, Rogen and Stern with Joan Rivers, Red Buttons, Buddy Hackett, Danny Kaye and Mort Sahl and you may get a little less argument from the over 45 crowd. The only problem I have with your list was you stated “…of All-Time” and clearly this is not that list.
And how about the ladies? not only Joan but Fannie Brice and Sophie Tucker, all pioneers…Oy Vey!
posted by Don on 8-24-2009 at 6:18 pm
Hey, Andy Samberg is definitely a comic genius. Sure, his comedy is usually of the crude playboy variety (and, more often than not, scatological) but he deserves to be up there just as much as any of the others. One can’t rule out his comedy any more than you can Adam Sandler’s or Billy Crystal’s… or even Groucho Marx.
posted by Allison on 8-24-2009 at 7:22 pm
Seth Rogen and Andy Samberg? But not Milton Berle, Rodney Dangerfield, Joan Rivers, Andy Kaufman, or Jack Benny. How old is the author? 18?
I like Bette Midler, but as a singer more than a comedian.
Wasn’t Charlie Chaplin part Jewish? IMO, he’s the funniest comedian of all time.
posted by niall on 8-24-2009 at 7:38 pm
BTW, I voted for Groucho, although Mel Brooks is not a bad choice for #1.
posted by niall on 8-24-2009 at 7:44 pm
I’m not so sure age is a factor here. I know a lot about Mozart and Michelangelo, and am very familiar with their work, yet I wasn’t around when they were. No?
posted by David K. Israel on 8-24-2009 at 8:00 pm
I’m just yanking your chain. Comedy is totally subjective. Who am I to question you picking Andy Samberg over Jack Benny? It’s your list. Hell, some folks actually find Carrot Top, Paulie Shore, Gallagher and Andrew Dice Clay funny. All in all, a pretty good list. I’m with you on about 13 or 14. Give me some time and I’ll come up with my own list.
Great topic!! Next time, we’ll have to do a top 20 Mormon comedians. LOL
posted by niall on 8-24-2009 at 8:09 pm
Gertrude Berg. Your list is ignorance personified.
posted by Manywaters on 8-24-2009 at 9:41 pm
As a shiksa whose Jewish husband’s family never lets her forget that fact, I can tell you there’s no ‘c’.
posted by Kate on 8-24-2009 at 10:17 pm
The great thing about Mental Floss? You learn something new every day!
For example, before I read this article, I had no idea that Jon Stewart, Adam Sandler, Sacha Baron Cohen, and Seth Rogen had ever done any comedic work. I was familiar with them all, but I’d never seen any of them do anything that made me laugh.
I’ll have to look up the works of Sarah Silverman and Andy Samberg. I’ve never heard of them.
posted by gmsc on 8-25-2009 at 12:42 am
Don Rickles
posted by Genaro on 8-25-2009 at 2:00 am
I go to the same synagogue as Jon Stuart’s father and Jackie Mason’s brother who was a Rabbi did my brother’s circumcision
posted by Krystle on 8-25-2009 at 1:20 pm
Well this could turn into quite the shemozzle. Let’s stop being such kibitsers and we’ll look a bit more klug.
posted by Allison on 8-25-2009 at 2:00 pm
This isn’t a very comprehensive or well researched list. Adam Sandler? Seth Rogen and Andy Samberg? Jon Stewart as #1? Howard Stern classified as a comedian? Puh-leeeeeeze.
What about the greatest of them all – Alan King. He wrote, acted and did stand up – the complete comedian. AND he was damn funny!
posted by Rob on 8-26-2009 at 9:39 am
Far be it for a Gentile to comment on this post but I have to agree with the comments regarding those left off the list. Don Rickles, Sid Ceasar, Joan Rivers, Rodney Dangerfield, Andy Kaufmann, Jack Benny, Henny Youngmann are the ones who pioneered stand up comedy, sketch comedy, and impact comedy (Cohen is Andy Kaufmann for the new Millenium, his Borat Character steals a ton from Kaufmanns ‘Ladka’ character from Taxi). By the way, I’m not old I just happen to appreciate the classics.
I also have to mention tha that Howard Stern is NOT a comedian, Andy Samberg really?, Sasha Baron Cohen belongs on this list, Seth Rogan is not a comedian or an actor, and Sarah Silverman can make me convert any day of the week!!!!
posted by Chris the Gentile on 8-26-2009 at 11:32 am
I had to write in Jerry Lewis.
posted by LeAnn on 8-26-2009 at 11:36 am
Helloooo…
Albert Brooks not on this list?!
The man is COMEDY GOLD.
Not the most prolific, he takes his time–and it shows. He is the funniest guy in Hollywood.
“Real Life”,
“Lost In America”,
“Broadcast News”,
“Mother”,
“Defending Your Life”,
“Looking for Comedy in the Muslim World”,
ALL of these should be in the collection of any true lover of smart comedy.
posted by Bob Mendenall on 8-26-2009 at 3:23 pm
Bob Saget? Shecky Green?
I do have to agree that Albert Brooks’ movies are much funnier than Adam Sandler’s, at least for people over 21. Debbie Reynolds had to be the best non-Jew playing a Jewish mother in the history of film (then again, I don’t know any others). However, my 13-yr-old son would strongly disagree. I love watching Sandler movies with him.
posted by niall on 8-27-2009 at 8:22 pm
Um… Charlie Chaplin? Nuff Said
posted by Leo on 8-30-2009 at 11:06 pm
i’M ON A BOAT!
That video alone makes Andy Samberg hilarious.
You tube it and you will see.
posted by teo on 8-31-2009 at 3:59 pm
Rodney dangerfield?
Jack Benny?
George Burns?
Henny Youngman?
Mort Sahl?
Robert Klein?
Don Rickles?
Andy Kaufman?
to name a few…
This list is really weak.
posted by Jerry on 11-27-2009 at 11:12 pm
What about Joan Rivers? D:
posted by Morgan on 12-11-2009 at 10:05 am
They should have all Three Stooges as one entry, merge Seinfeld and David, knock off Radner and Midler (just because it’s PC to include them doesn’t make them top 20), Sellers (minimal lasting impact on pop culture), Rogen (hasn’t earned it yet; personally I’d keep on Samberg, though), and maybe Stern for not being an actual comedian. There’s a plethora of qualified alternatives, but to fill the remaining 6 spots, I’d say Andy Kaufman, Gene Wilder, Jack Benny, Jerry Lewis, and Albert Brooks.
Charlie Chaplin was not Jewish.
posted by Josh on 1-22-2010 at 8:38 am
Oh, and Rodney Dangerfield, of course.
Honorable Mentions:
Ben Stiller
Don Rickles
Milton Berle
Roseanne Barr
posted by Joshua on 1-22-2010 at 8:44 am
I thought they had moderators here. Moderate my accidental re-posts, people!
posted by Josh on 1-22-2010 at 9:02 am