Poll: Best comedy actor

gut Senior Member
18,369 posts 114 reps Joined Nov 2009
Wed, Dec 11, 2019 8:12 PM

Self-explanatory.  Sorry, ladies, start another poll.  It's hard to narrow it to 16.  I was thinking more movies (so that's why no Seinfeld or Larry David), but some people were too good to keep out (Jerry Stiller).

I also tried to stick with actors who mainly did only comedy, or were best known for that.  I wasn't real scientific about, so don't shoot me because I missed someone.


gut Senior Member
18,369 posts 114 reps Joined Nov 2009
Wed, Dec 11, 2019 8:15 PM

Also, had they not died tragically young, I think this poll would only need to be between 2 people.

Hard to choose, though.  I can't decide who has the best overall body of work (trying to ignore the guys who were actual comedians and not just actors).

33,369 posts 132 reps Joined Nov 2009
Wed, Dec 11, 2019 8:39 PM

Well, the person I quote the most you dont even have on there...Sandler. I dont think he is the best, though probably top 16. But his movies came when I was young and so I quote him to this day.

33,369 posts 132 reps Joined Nov 2009
Wed, Dec 11, 2019 8:41 PM

Anyway, went Williams. But a ton of those guys are incredible.

gut Senior Member
18,369 posts 114 reps Joined Nov 2009
Wed, Dec 11, 2019 8:42 PM
posted by Laley23

Well, the person I quote the most you dont even have on there...Sandler. I dont think he is the best, though probably top 16. But his movies came when I was young and so I quote him to this day.

I almost put him on there.  Actually, I'd compare him to Chevy Chase - I think he's funny, he just doesn't LOL crack me up.

Also, I find it painful to watch Jim Carrey and Steve Carell, but I know they're pretty popular.

cat_lover Senior Member
3,629 posts 44 reps Joined Nov 2009
Wed, Dec 11, 2019 11:20 PM

Bill Murray gets my vote.

justincredible Honorable Admin
37,969 posts 246 reps Joined Nov 2009
Thu, Dec 12, 2019 8:59 AM

Lot of great names on the list. It's an absolute shame we lost Candy, Belushi, and Farley so young.

I went with Bill Murray.

Dr Winston O'Boogie Senior Member
3,345 posts 35 reps Joined Oct 2010
Thu, Dec 12, 2019 9:08 AM

I think Bill Murray is the best comedy actor.  The overrall best actor on the list, in my opinion is Robin Williams.  I think he's as great a dramatic actor as the giants of this era (Nicholson, Hackman, Denzel, etc.)  As a sketch comedian, I think Ferrell is tops, but he's not the actor Bill Murray is.  I love Belushi, but I think his short life did not provide a long enough resume.

jmog Senior Member
7,737 posts 50 reps Joined Nov 2009
Thu, Dec 12, 2019 9:23 AM

I went with Farley, but only because I thought he was better at comedy than Williams. Williams was by far the better over all actor, just look at some of his serious rolls like in Good Will Hunting.

 

Williams was one of my favorite overall actors, but I laugh more at Chris Farley movies.

Adam Sandler probably should have been on the list...

QuakerOats Senior Member
11,701 posts 66 reps Joined Nov 2009
Thu, Dec 12, 2019 10:44 AM

 

Harvey Korman and Tim Conway – The Carol Burnett Show ………..gets no better.  (Not a movie, I know.)   Also, Steve Martin could have been on your list, although not my favorite.

justincredible Honorable Admin
37,969 posts 246 reps Joined Nov 2009
Thu, Dec 12, 2019 10:59 AM

My favorite comedic actor that didn't make the list, and is more of a TV guy, is Bob Newhart.

33,369 posts 132 reps Joined Nov 2009
Thu, Dec 12, 2019 12:06 PM
posted by QuakerOats

 

Harvey Korman and Tim Conway – The Carol Burnett Show ………..gets no better.  (Not a movie, I know.)   Also, Steve Martin could have been on your list, although not my favorite.

I almost mentioned Martin. 

33,369 posts 132 reps Joined Nov 2009
Thu, Dec 12, 2019 12:08 PM

I’d also like to switch my vote to Candy. Legit didn’t see him listed. Del Griffith, Uncle Buck are great characters and the way he plays off the guys in Cool Runnings is pretty flawless. Doesn’t do too much, but delivers the perfect lines at the perfect time.

Ironman92 Administrator
56,729 posts 164 reps Joined Nov 2009
Thu, Dec 12, 2019 12:51 PM

Loved Steve Martin in Dirty Rotten Scoundrels

BRF Senior Member
11,621 posts 107 reps Joined Nov 2009
Thu, Dec 12, 2019 2:25 PM

I was a big fan of Rodney Dangerfield. 
 

“Well maybe you can help me straighten out my Longfellow.”

gut Senior Member
18,369 posts 114 reps Joined Nov 2009
Thu, Dec 12, 2019 3:14 PM
posted by Dr Winston O'Boogie

 As a sketch comedian, I think Ferrell is tops, but he's not the actor Bill Murray is. 

That's really another thread - best SNL regular.  Bill Murray, Belushi and Chevy Chase were before my time, and I haven't watched the show much in years.

But I'd have to give it to Farley.  Then probably Dana Carvey.  Eddie Murphy's "Best of" tape is frickin' hilarious.

 

QuakerOats Senior Member
11,701 posts 66 reps Joined Nov 2009
Thu, Dec 12, 2019 4:38 PM
posted by Laley23

I almost mentioned Martin. 

Planes, Trains, and Automobiles was pretty darn good.

 

justincredible Honorable Admin
37,969 posts 246 reps Joined Nov 2009
Thu, Dec 12, 2019 5:35 PM
posted by QuakerOats

Planes, Trains, and Automobiles was pretty darn good.

This scene is so good. "Four fucking wheels and a seat."

 

gut Senior Member
18,369 posts 114 reps Joined Nov 2009
Thu, Dec 12, 2019 6:18 PM

I should have included Steve Martin.  For some reason I blanked on his body of work.  He might be top-5, easily top-10.

Spock Senior Member
5,271 posts 9 reps Joined Jul 2013
Mon, Dec 16, 2019 12:08 PM

They are all great in their own catagory of comedy.  Jim Carey brand of physical comedy isnt the same as David Spade acting out a funny character like in Tommy Boy.

Verbal Kint Senior Member
1,062 posts 16 reps Joined Jul 2017
Wed, Dec 18, 2019 1:09 PM
posted by gut

Also, had they not died tragically young, I think this poll would only need to be between 2 people.

Hard to choose, though.  I can't decide who has the best overall body of work (trying to ignore the guys who were actual comedians and not just actors).

I went Murray, considered Belushi.

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