A good laugh is considered good for the soul. And nowadays, there are plenty of great Black female comedians who are taking the comedy world, and stage, by storm. If you are a fan of stand-up comedy, comedy sketches, political satire, or cultural humor – there are plenty of uber-talented Black female comedians to make your belly ache from laughter.
Top 6 Black Female Comedians of All-Time
But don’t take our word for it. Check out some of the work that these talented Black comedians have produced. From stand-up to sitcoms, you might just find your new favorite means of comedic relief.
1. Moms Mabley
Moms Mabley (born Loretta Mary Aiken) is one of the first Black female stand-up comedians to become popular. She began her career on the stage in African-American vaudeville in the 1920s. Later, she recorded comedy albums and starred in a variety of television shows, including The Ed Sullivan Show. By the 1960s, Mabley was performing in notable locations like Carnegie Hall. In 1969, she became the oldest living person to have a Top 40 hit in the U.S. with her cover of “Abraham, Martine and John”.
Not only was Mabley known for her comedic talent, but she was also among the first openly gay comedians of the time.
2. LeWanda Page
LeWanda Page is a Black female comedian who is easily recognizable for her appearances in Sanford and Son, The Love Boat, Family Matters, Martin, and Diff’rent Strokes. Born in 1920, Page knew from a young age that she wanted to be part of the show business. She started dancing as a child before doing stand-up and acting. She met famous actor Redd Foxx in elementary school, and the two knew each other and worked together on many different occasions. Page toured with the Chitlin’ Circuit, where she met other comedians, such as Foxx, Richard Pryor, and more.
3. Whoopi Goldberg
Whoopi Goldberg (born Caryn Elaine Johnson) is a comedian, actress, author, and television personality. She is known for many roles during her career, including The Color Purple, Sister Act, Star Trek: The Next Generation, and The View. But Goldberg is also a talented comedian and comedy teacher. Much of her comedic work has been in films like Bagdad Café and the Sister Act movies. She also has an impressive collection of stand-up comedy that is available on YouTube and other sources.
4. Wanda Sykes
Wanda Sykes got her start in comedy by writing for The Chris Rock Show. From there, she emerged into film and television, with roles in Black-ish, Curb Your Enthusiasm, and Evan Almighty. She also is a talented voice actor whose voice appeared in movies like Over the Hedge, Rio, and the Ice Age franchise. In 2004, Sykes was named one of the ’25 Funniest People in America’ by Entertainment Weekly.
5. Leslie Jones
Leslie Jones is an outspoken actress and comedian who is well-known for her roles on Saturday Night Live. Jones began her comedic journey in college when she was signed up for a ‘Funniest Person on Campus’ competition. She won the contest and began working and performing at comedy clubs. Eventually, she was noticed by the likes of Dave Chappelle, Mother Love, and Jamie Foxx. But it was Chris Rock who eventually helped Jones land her iconic role on SNL. Since then, she has performed in many comedic acts, and has appeared on film and television in projects like Ghostbusters and Coming 2 America. She has also appeared in newspapers and is the host of Supermarket Sweep.
6. Tiffany Haddish
Tiffany Haddish is a well-known name in Hollywood. She is a popular actress and comedian and has been named one of the ‘100 Most Influential People in the World’ by Time magazine. Haddish began her rise to fame with guest appearances on several shows, then had a breakthrough with her role in Girls Trip. Since then, she has acted in several movies and television shows and even won an Emmy Award after hosting Saturday Night Live.
Each of these incredibly talented Black women has proven their versatility and steadfastness as they rose to fame. These six women are not only hilarious to watch, but they are icons in the comedy genre.
