John Mulaney
Like many showbiz stars, John Mulaney knew he wanted to enter the business from a young age. By the time he was five, he’d already joined a children’s sketch group called “The Rugrats.” He became famous for being a writer on “Saturday Night Live,” even though he didn’t expect to pass the audition.
At 39, Mulaney has won two Primetime Emmy Awards, has released a comedy special on Netflix, and voiced a role in a blockbuster movie like “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse.” You don’t need an expert to tell that he’s clearly got “it.” He was back to his hilarious best in the series “Big Mouth” in 2021.
Ali Wong
It takes a lot to get included in TIME magazine’s list of 100 Most Influential People in the World. Ali Wong achieved this feat in 2020 when she was 38, giving Hollywood no doubt that she had come to shake things up.
If you think the sitcom “Tuca and Bertie” is hilarious, then you have her to thank. She’s been voicing the role of Bertie since 2019. Wong is at her best when she’s on the stage, though, and she gave us no reason to doubt with her rib-cracking deliveries in the Netflix stand-up specials, “Baby Cobra” and “Hard Knock Wife.”
Patti Harrison
If you’re into quirky, hilarious animations, then you might have watched and enjoyed “Big Mouth.” There’s a lot to be said about the creators that bring such unusual concepts to life. Patti Harrison, in particular, certainly fits the bill, thanks to her unique sense of humor.
Harrison was in the writing department of “Big Mouth” for at least ten episodes, and she did enough to leave her footprints on the series. But that’s barely scratching the surface of what this talented 30-year-old has achieved in Hollywood. She starred in “Tuca and Bertie,” “Together Together” and “Q-Force,” all in 2021!
Hannibal Buress
If you haven’t seen this guy on social media, you probably aren’t much into memes. But of course, Hannibal Buress’s career is much more than just a funny gif or picture on the internet. At 38, Buress has been in more than a few big-screen movies and has cemented his place in the world of Hollywood stand-up comedy.
You might have seen him in “Spiderman: Homecoming,” where he played the role of Coach Wilson. He had more of a regular appearance on Comedy Central’s “Broad City” up until 2019. The Emmy nominee also guest-starred in everyone’s favorite animation, “The Simpsons,” in 2020.
Emily Heller
CBS Studios knew what they were doing when they agreed on an entertainment deal with Emily Heller. She’s clearly good at what she does, or she wouldn’t be able to boast of doing stand-up on two Comedy Central specials or guest appearing on “The Late Late Show with James Corden.”
When it comes to television, she’s been more profound behind the scenes. She produced and wrote the HBO dark comedy “Barry,” which got nominated for an Emmy. She directed her efforts to a series titled “Medical Police” in 2020, where she was co-executive producer for ten episodes.
Dewayne Perkins
Dewayne Perkins has been shaking things up since he was in high school. He became the first African-American male student to receive an International Baccalaureate Diploma from his school. As an adult, he honed his skills at an improv comedy troupe called The Second City.
Later on, Perkins decided he wanted more from life, so he switched to standup comedy. It’s been a hot streak for him since then. He’s been recommended by Variety magazine and has written for “Brooklyn Nine-Nine.” Perkins got a gig as a staff writer for “The Amber Ruffin Show,” too.
Marcella Arguello
It’s a thing; if you’re looking for laughs and hilarious memes, you go to Twitter. Therefore, it’s no shocker that some of the funniest people on the planet are stars on the platform. Point in case is Marcella Arguello, whose Twitter account has been featured on Comedy Central, CNN, and TIME.com, among many others. Here’s her handle: @marcellacomedy.
She’s not just an internet warrior, though, for she’s performed in notable comedy clubs and festivals, including the San Francisco Comedy Festival. Arguello has on-screen performances as well, like the one she did in 2020 in a movie in a short film titled “Or (Someone) Else.”
Aparna Nancherla
At 39, Aparna Nancherla is just a year or less short of being 40, but she can surely look back at her comedy career so far and be inspired. Being named on a list of top 10 comics to watch out for by Variety magazine is no easy feat after all.
She’s certainly shown her stuff in the stand-up industry, her performances in “Conan” and Comedy Central’s “The Meltdown with Jonah and Kumail” come to mind. She pulls her weight when it comes to TV shows, too, especially animations. Never one to be out of a job, she started voicing the character of Moon in “The Great North” in 2021.
David Gborie
David Gborie chose a pretty memorable way to introduce himself to the world on “Conan.” He strolled past his mark on the stage before stepping back and announcing, “I already blew it.” That was quite funny, but it’s just one in many hilarious moments Gborie has conjured in his career.
Apart from standup, he’s been quite active on-screen as well. Some of his best performances can be seen in the short movies “The Lot” and “Sixteen Thousand Dollars.” He also appeared in a comedy series titled “Total Badass Wrestling” in 2021.
Beth Stelling
The turning point in Beth Stelling’s life came after she released her first comedy album, “Sweet Beth,” in 2012. She soon left her residence in Chicago and moved to Los Angeles to fully make her mark in Hollywood. She didn’t fail at that, being listed as a comedian to watch by some magazines.
She’s also performed on popular comedy shows like “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” and “Conan.” Perhaps one of her crowning achievements was when Vulture magazine named her comedy album “Simply Beth” as one of the best comedy specials of 2015. Stelling bagged the role of Ms. Fish in “Rutherford Falls” in 2021.
Phoebe Robinson
It’s one thing to be a comedian; it’s another thing to be a New York Times best-selling writer. Phoebe Robinson is both of these things. Her talent has played a big part in her success, but she can also thank the screenwriting course she took at Pratt Institute in New York.
Robinson’s notable TV performances are too many to mention, but a few special mentions would be the “Today Show,” “@midnight,” and “Late Night with Seth Meyers.” She also has a podcast called “Sooo Many White Guys, which might explain why she played the character of a podcast star in her 2021 movie “Everything’s Trash.”
Jesus Trejo
Jesus Trejo has been included in Variety magazine’s list of top 10 comics to watch, so there’s no denying that he’s in the right industry. He’s been on “The Late Late Show with James Corden” and Comedy Central’s “ADAM DEVINE’S HOUSE PARTY.”
We can all agree that you wouldn’t be invited to perform in a Just For Laughs festival if you aren’t very good at making people laugh. Well, Trejo has participated in it at least three times. A notable on-screen performance of his is the character of Mr. Trujillo in the series, “Mr. Iglesias,” which he left in 2020.
Ian Karmel
If you enjoy “The Late Late Show with James Corden,” then you have Ian Karmel to thank. He’s the co-head writer for the show, and he has even made a few appearances of his own. Karmel’s showbiz skills have also been employed for award nights—he was part of the writing department for the 2017 and 2018 Grammy Awards.
With an Emmy award in his trophy cabinet and several appearances on notable comedy shows, Karmel can be proud of what he’s accomplished at 37. And of course, there’s always something up his sleeve, like the documentary “S**: Unzipped” that he released in 2021, for instance.
Ilana Glazer & Abbi Jacobson
Comedy duos aren’t rare in the entertainment industry, but only the most talented duos make it to star status. Hollywood has learned to see Ilana Glazer and Abbi Jacobson in that light. The best friends/work-partners proved their mastery of the art with the Comedy Central series “Broad City”, ranking as one of the best television shows of the last decade.
After ending their run in “Broad City” in 2019, the two stars proceeded to work on separate projects of their own. Glazer wrote, produced, and starred in the 2021 horror movie “False Positive,” while Jacobson had a stint in “Hot White Heist.”
Jerrod Carmichael
The “Carmichael Show” ran on NBC from 2015 to 2017, and at the center of the series was Jerrod Carmichael. The show followed a fictionalized version of his true-life story. Despite keeping close to real-life drama, it was found generally enjoyable and hilarious by both critics and audiences alike.
Moving to Los Angeles to pursue his dreams with no prior experience in standup comedy was a risky move for Carmichael, but at 34, he can only look back at that decision with gratitude. He made another bold move in 2021 when he directed his first movie, a comedy thriller titled “On the Count of Three.”
Sam Jay
Sam Jay isn’t a strange face to Comedy Central. She’s showcased her talents on the standup comedy special “ Comedy Central Stand-Up Presents,” but it is behind the camera that she’s done most of her work—she worked in the writing department for “Saturday Night Live” for three seasons.
At 39, with two Emmy nominations to her name, Jay is settling well into a promising chapter in her career. Her late-night show “Pause with Sam Jay” premiered on HBO in May 2021. After a six-episode run, it was renewed for another season in July 2021.
Mike Drucker
Like many comedians of his era, Mike Drucker has proven his expertise on the internet, garnering a reputation for his nerdy and hilarious tweets. He has quite a presence on the big stage as well, having worked as a writer for “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon” and “Saturday Night Live.”
At 37, he has two Primetime Emmy Award nominations and has won the Writers Guild of America Award for Best Comedy/Variety. Drucker owes his award to his writing for the show “Full Frontal with Samantha Bee,” where he was promoted to head writer in 2020.
Demi Adejuyigbe
The ability to be internet famous is not a skill possessed by many, but thanks to his knack for internet-conscious culture and comedy, Demi Adejuyigbe has conquered social media. At different points in his career, he has generated a massive online presence on Vine, Twitter, YouTube, and even Snapchat.
After graduating with a media degree from the University of Texas, he interned at Ben Stiller’s production company before becoming a digital producer for “@midnight.” At 29, he’s on to great things, especially seeing as he got promoted to the position of writing supervisor on “The Amber Ruffin” show in 2021.
Matt Rogers & Bowen Yang
Podcast aficionados know that when it comes to funny discussions and topics about pop culture, “Las Culturistas” is one of the best podcasts around. The podcast is hosted by none other than two of the most relatable comedy duos in the industry, Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang.
Yang joined the writing staff of “Saturday Night Live” in September 2018 and rose up the ranks to become a member of the show’s main cast. His counterpart, Rogers, has carved out a career in acting, joining the Netflix animated comedy “Q-Force” in 2021.
Nicole Byer
You can catch Nicole Byer on “Wipeout,” a game show she hosts alongside wrestling star John Cena. At 35, the Emmy nominee has made quite an impression through her career. Apart from the tours she performs as a standup comedian, Byer has guest-starred in several popular comedy series. She’s been in “Family Guy,” “The Simpsons,” and “Brooklyn Nine-Nine” but to mention a few.
She’s earned two Primetime Emmy nominations thanks to her gig as host of the Netflix show “Nailed It!” Byer is not the type to limit herself, as she somehow finds the time to host her podcast, “Why Won’t You Date Me?”
Emmy Blotnick
You have to be top-notch in the comedy industry to become a head writer for a Comedy Central show. Emmy Blotnick has left no doubt that she belongs in that fold as she’s served as a head writer on Comedy Central’s “The President Show.” She was also a co-executive producer on the HBO show “Pause with Sam Jay.”
The New-York based comedian has proved she’s just as talented on stage as she is behind the screen thanks to her noted standup career. Comedy Central even named her as a comic to watch out for. Blotnick also performed on “Pause with Sam Jay” on a few occasions in 2021.
Ron Funches
Ron Funches may not be a familiar face to some animation lovers, but that’s only because animations usually require actors’ voices, not their faces. The 38-year-old is quite an accomplished and influential figure in the animation industry. He’s voiced characters in popular animations such as “Bojack Horseman” and “Adventure Time.”
Funches came up the radar as a guest star on several comedy shows, most notable of which include “@midnight” and “Mulaney.” His foray into the world of animation hasn’t altered his on-screen career, as he guest-starred in a series titled “A.P. Bio” in 2021.
Jaboukie Young-White
At 27, Jaboukie Young-White is one of the youngest entries on this list, but age is just a number for the Illinois-born comedian. Rolling Stone has featured him on their “25 Under 25” list, and BET included him on their “Future 40” list.
You don’t need to have seen Young-White on TV to know he’s funny. His social media presence is enough, as he’s the progenitor of viral posts on Twitter and Instagram. When he’s not writing for comedy shows or showcasing his social media marketing skills, he’s acting in movies, as he did in “C’mon C’mon” in 2021.
Matt Ingebretson & Jake Weisman
The Comedy Central faithful would be familiar with “Corporate,” the hilarious white-collar series that followed the miserable lives of two unlucky employees. The show’s dark humor was quite entertaining, and at the center of the unapologetic gimmick were the two main stars, Matt Ingebretson and Jake Weisman.
The pair had been in the industry for a long time, but it wasn’t until they created “Corporate” along with Pat Bishop that they gained major notice. Since the series ended in 2020, both have resumed doing what they do best: writing comedy. Ingebretson did land a role in a movie titled “Violet” in 2021.
Joe Pera & Conner O'Malley
The comedy duo of Joe Pera and Conner O’Malley both have their distinguished careers, but comic fans love to remember them for their gut-busting collaborations. They are both stars of Adult Swim’s “Joe Pera Talks with You,” where Pera plays himself, and O’Malley plays Pera’s aggressive and sarcastic neighbor.
The two have also worked on a YouTube series titled “How to Make it in USA,” which ran for nine episodes in 2015. “Joe Pera Talks with You” has been their most productive collaboration just yet. In August 2021, Adult Swim announced the show would be renewed for another season.
Jo Firestone
Jo Firestone is also one of the stars on the Adult Swim series “Joe Pera Talks with You.” She plays the character of Sarah Conner, a band teacher who is also Joe Pera’s girlfriend. Firestone has exhibited her funny antics both on the stage and in several notable series during her career. She’s been on “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon,” where she’s also worked as a writer.
When she’s not writing or facing the camera, the 33-year-old shares her amusing thoughts on a podcast called “Everyday Decisions,” which she started in February 2020. Firestone joined the series “Teenage Euthanasia” in 2021.
Dulce Sloan
The “Daily Show with Trevor Noah” is one of the most-watched programs on Comedy Central. As a correspondent on the show, Dulce Sloan has become a famous face for comic fans. She’s come a long way since her friends encouraged her to pursue stand-up comedy in 2009.
It’s been a hot streak for the 38-year-old since then. She’s been named a “New Face of Comedy” at a Just for Laughs Festival, and she’s won an NBC comedy competition. In between her schedule for “The Daily Show,” Sloan finds the time to work on her character for “The Great North,” a series she joined in 2021.
Julio Torres
Comedy writing is kind of a specific career goal, so not many people can say they’ve always wanted to be a comedy writer since they were little, but Julio Torres is a notable exception. Instead of pursuing a media degree like several of his counterparts did, he opted for literary studies. However, that didn’t make much of a difference for the Salvadoran comedian.
He’s been quite successful in the path he chose, even though earning a spot as a writer for Saturday Night Live was no easy feat. He’s also had a busy on-screen career, having bagged a role in the animation “The Great North” in 2021.
Jamie Loftus
It’s been quite a comeback for Jamie Loftus since she was fired from her job at The Boston Globe. Her shows have been recommended by newspapers such as The Guardian and The Daily Express. Loftus is best described as an eccentric character that channels her energy into hilarious one-woman shows, like “Boss, Whom is Girl.”
Her writing talent has been employed by streaming TV sites such as Adult Swim and Comedy Central. The best of her is seen when she’s in character, though, and she provided an example in the 2021 short, “Boss Whom is Girl: Surveillance State XOXO.”
Ramy Youssef
Ramy Youssef has gained quite a following since he started playing the main character in the Hulu series “Ramy.” As you might have guessed, the series tells a story similar to his real-life experience but with a comedic twist.
The show’s success has launched the 30-year-old into the international limelight and established him as one of Hollywood’s most promising comedy stars. The Golden Globe and Peabody Award he won in 2020 certainly attest to that claim. Although “Ramy” was renewed for a third season in 2020, a new episode hasn’t been released yet.
Rhea Butcher
Rhea Butcher graduated with a degree in printmaking but later decided his life’s calling was to make people laugh. He started his comedy career performing improv and made his way up to earn a spot on “Conan” in 2016. Butcher boosted his career by releasing viral content on internet services like Buzzfeed and Seeso.
His internet success was crowned by the release of his debut comedy album “Butcher,” which debuted at number one on iTunes. Butcher is recognized for his performances on stage and in front of the camera as well. He resumed his role as Lindsay Brady on “Good Trouble” in 2021.
John Early
John Early went from being a one-episode guest on “30 Rock” in the early days of his career to starring in the dark comedy series “Search Party.” A big fan of actress Toni Colette while growing up, Early’s big dream was to be an actor. Such was his devotion to Colette that he even ran a fan website for her!
The 33-year-old apparently applied an equally intense level of devotion to his career because he has a notable history of appearances in movies and series. He was in “Neighbors 2: Sorority Rising.” In 2021, he guest-starred in “The Great North.”
Michelle Wolf
At 36, Michelle Wolf has worked as a correspondent for “The Daily Show with Trevor Noah,” hosted her own Netflix show, and spoken at a White House Correspondent’s Dinner. Those are just a few highlights of what has been an exciting career for the Pennsylvania-born comedian.
From 2014 to 2016, Wolf was a writing supervisor for “Late Night with Seth Meyers.” By 2018, she had started her own weekly Netflix show titled “The Break with Michelle Wolf.” In 2019, Netflix also released her stand-up comedy special “Michelle Wolf: Joke Show.”
Joe Mande
It’s challenging enough creating a website, but Joe Mande added a little twist and made a website to help his dad answer a simple question: Is that a hipster? If you found that hilarious, so did many people because the site became a massive trend. If you’re curious, search for “Look at this F*cking Hipster” (LAFTH.com).
That popularity presented an opportunity for Mande, and he grabbed it with both hands. The 38-year-old has since performed on Comedy Central shows like “The Half Hour” and “Best Week Ever.” He’s been in a few comedy series, including “Hacks,” where he appeared in 2021.
Bo Burnham
Like many talented youngsters of his generation, Bo Burnham sought to showcase his talents on YouTube. He was barely 16 at the time, but his channel became so successful that Comedy Central couldn’t help but notice. By 18, he recorded his first full-length album and became the youngest person to record a 30-minute special with Comedy Special.
It’s been a hot streak for Burnham since then, with several notable awards on his trail, including a Primetime Emmy Award. At 31, the “Eighth Grade” director is on a role and even starred in the 2020 movie “Promising Young Woman.”
Hasan Minhaj
At 36, Minhaj has been listed in TIME’s list of 100 Most Influential People in the World. He achieved this feat in 2019, about a year after he started his Netflix series “Patriot Act with Hasan Minhaj.” Minhaj ended the Netflix show in 2020, but he’s rarely ever had idle time since then—he starred in “The Morning Show” in 2021.
As a standup comedian and television host, the California-born Indian has had an accomplished career. He’s won the distinguished Peabody Award twice and was a senior correspondent on “The Daily Show” from 2014 to 2018.
Whitmer Thomas
From spending much of his time on skateboards to making celebrity news as one of the most promising comedians, Whitmer Thomas has come a long way. After gaining recognition with the series “Stone Quackers,” he chased popularity on social media through his funny musical skit. Titled “Big Baby,” the act was released on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram, bringing him viral internet success.
Thomas released an hour-long HBO comedy special titled “The Golden One” in 2020, and it got a 100% approval rating from Rotten Tomatoes. Judging by his Instagram profile and frequent updates, he hasn’t dropped his love for skateboarding by any means.
Sam Morril
Sam Morril was in the 2019 movie “The Joker,” Although he only had a brief appearance, that joke he made about women and cars was one of the movie’s funniest moments. In reality, he’s no less funny, and he never runs out of jokes for his appearances on Comedy Central’s “This Week at the Comedy Cellar” or TBS’s “Conan.”
Morril has been named a comic to watch by Comedy Central, and he’s lived up to that billing with his several on-screen performances. In 2021, he released a documentary titled “Sam Morril: Full Capacity.”
Megan Gailey
Megan Gailey captured the industry’s attention with her debut comedy album “My Dad Paid for This.” She’s been on a steady rise to the top ever since and can boast of performances in several notable comedy series, including a well-applauded standup in an episode of “Comedy Central Stand-Up Presents.”
She’s also appeared in “Conan,” “@midnight,” and “The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon. She’s not without notable accolades, as she was selected as a “New Face” at a Just for Laughs Festival in 2015. Gailey continued her long-running stint as a guest performer by appearing in two episodes of “Pause with Sam Jay” in 2021.
Jacqueline Novak
Jacqueline Novak is among a few comedians whose shows are distinguished as a New York Times “Critic’s Pick.” She achieved this feat through her thrilling theatrical performance in her one-woman show “Get On Your Knees.” The show was so successful that it was initially scheduled for an international tour in 2020, but that had to be postponed due to complications.
Novak’s specialty lies beyond theatre, as she’s quite adept in front of the camera as well. She has several notable guest appearances to prove this, including her stints on “Inside Amy Schumer” and “The Characters.”