1. George Carlin
   Jerry Seinfeld​
2. Lenny Bruce
   Jim Carrey

George Carlin's 1972 comedy routine, "Class Clown," was heavily criticized for its use of profanity. The Federal Communications Commission banned the routine from the radio, a decision that was later upheld by the Supreme Court.

1. Chris Rock
   Richard Pryor
2. Eddie Murphy
   Bernie Mac

In his stand-up, Richard Pryor brought a vast range of topics from the black experience to the stage. One of the comedian's greatest traits was his vulnerability, which helped him reach a broader American audience.

1. Tina Fey
   Amy Poehler
2. Tig Notaro
   Ali Wong

"I went on a hardcore drinking and smoking binge. It lasted right about nine months. And then, as soon as I was born, I was like, 'Do not go in there.'" –Tig Notaro.

1. Jerry Seinfeld​
   Sam Kinison
2. Steve Martin
   Robin Williams

Trained at the Juilliard School, Robin Williams possessed enough energy to encapsulate an entire room while also carrying a high level of precision in his work. The comedian was particularly sharp when it came to portraying various characters with different backgrounds and accents. His suicide in 2014 reminds lovers of comedy that being hilarious and creative doesn't mean that comics don't experience depression. If you're experiencing depression, please call the National Suicide Prevention Hotline at 1-800-273-8255.

1. Wanda Sykes
   Leslie Jones
2. Mo'Nique
   Adele Givens

Mo'Nique's comedy career led her into hosting such programs as "Showtime at the Apollo." In 2009, she began hosting her own talk show called "The Mo'Nique Show" on BET.

1. Steve Martin
   Chris Rock
2. Johnny Carson
   Jerry Seinfeld​

"Why do they call it a building? It looks like it's finished. Why don't they call it a built?" –Jerry Seinfeld​.

1. Bob Newhart
   Don Rickles
2. Ricky Gervais
   Mitch Hedberg

Though he was a hard worker, known for showing up at least an hour early to a show, Don Rickles had plenty of lucky breaks during his career. However, his greatest break he created himself when he abandoned his normal stand-up routine to insult his audience, a decision that shaped his comedy moving forward.

1. Redd Foxx
   Steven Wright
2. Johnny Carson
   Woody Allen

From an early age, Johnny Carson was destined to be a performer. As a kid, he taught himself the skill of being a magician and regularly performed his act at fairs and other events in Nebraska.

1. Leslie Jones
   Whoopi Goldberg
2. Moms Mabley
   Sheryl Underwood

"Advice to children crossing the street: damn the lights. Watch the cars. The lights ain't never killed nobody." –Moms Mabley.

1. Chris Rock
   Kevin Hart
2. Bill Burr
   Sam Kinison

Chris Rock garnered national attention when he began appearing on "Saturday Night Live" in the early '90s. Rock was added to the show as it transitioned from older cast members, such as Jon Lovitz and Nora Dunn, to a new cast of talent.

1. Bob Newhart
   Jon Stewart
2. Eddie Murphy
   Lewis Black

Jon Stewart has been vocal about his views on the importance of dismantling systemic oppression throughout his lengthy career. After leaving the "Daily Show" in 2015, Stewart became an advocate for 9/11 first responders whose funds have been cut for things like healthcare.

1. Margaret Cho
   Ali Wong
2. Maya Rudolph
   Mindy Kaling

Trying to break racial barriers for Asian-Americans, Margaret Cho starred in the television show "All-American Girl," which ran for one season in 1994–1995. Her political critique and fierce activism has won her awards from the ACLU, Lambda Legal, and the National Organization for Women.

1. Norm Macdonald
   Bernie Mac
2. Jonathan Winters
   Eddie Murphy

"Does anyone have a mother that would hit you with a shoe? I had a mother that would throw a shoe at you at the drop of a dime. So by the time I was like ten, my mother was like Clint Eastwood with a shoe." –Eddie Murphy.

1. Sarah Silverman
   Amy Poehler
2. Ellen DeGeneres
   Joan Rivers

Joan Rivers' career launched in 1965 when she appeared on "The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson." Her appearance on "The Tonight Show" led to her own program called "'That Show' With Joan Rivers."

1. Kristen Wiig
   Melissa McCarthy
2. Maya Rudolph
   Phoebe Robinson

Melissa McCarthy's first major film role was in "Bridesmaids," where she played alongside other great comedians including Kristen Wiig and Maya Rudolph. The movie launched her to stardom, and she has since appeared in other major comedies like "Tammy" and "The Heat." McCarthy has been Oscar-nominated twice, for Best Supporting Actress and Best Actress.

1. David Letterman
   Jay Leno
2. Jimmy Kimmel​
   Seth Meyers

David Letterman spent 33 years of his career hosting the "Late Night Show with David Letterman." When the show ended in 2015, Letterman was the longest-tenured host in American television history.

1. Kevin Hart
   Dave Chappelle
2. Bill Burr
   Joe Rogan

Dave Chappelle came onto the comedy scene in 1998 when he starred in the film "Half Baked." Chappelle co-wrote the movie with Neal Brennan, who he would later work on the sketch-comedy series "Chappelle's Show" with.

1. Phoebe Robinson
   Maya Rudolph
2. Aparna Nancherla
   Ali Wong

"My husband occasionally changes diapers, and when people hear that, confetti everywhere. When my baby girl was first born, I would do skin to skin contact every day to bond with her. She [crapped] on my chest. Where's my confetti?" –Ali Wong.

1. John Oliver
   Jimmy Fallon
2. Stephen Colbert
   Trevor Noah

Stephen Colbert was trained as a dramatic actor at Northwestern University, where he graduated with a degree in Communications. While in college, Colbert got involved in improv comedy and eventually became an understudy to Steve Carell.

1. Sam Kinison
   Jim Carrey
2. Bill Hicks
   Ricky Gervais

Bill Hicks became a regular at the Comedy Store after moving to Los Angeles following his high school graduation in 1980. His popularity grew throughout the '80s, and he released his first comedy album in 1990 called "Dangerous."

1. Chelsea Handler
   Amy Schumer
2. Tina Fey
   Sarah Silverman

Chelsea Handler got into comedy in an unusual way, through a DUI charge. While telling the story of how she got the DUI to other criminals, she realized she had a talent for comedy because they all found the story to be hilarious.

1. Mitch Hedberg
   Bernie Mac
2. Bill Burr
   Rodney Dangerfield

The first stage name Jacob Rodney Cohen used was Jack Roy, which he stopped using when he took a break from show business in the 1950s. He re-emerged as Rodney Dangerfield in the early '60s.

1. Steve Harvey
   Redd Foxx
2. Kevin Hart
   Norm Macdonald

Raised in St. Louis, Missouri, Redd Foxx left home at the early age of 13 to pursue a career as a performer. He got into comedy in the 1940s when he joined the black vaudeville circuit.

1. Bill Burr
   Joe Rogan
2. Ricky Gervais
   Jeff Foxworthy

Bill Burr created the animated sitcom "F Is for Family," which appeared on Netflix beginning in 2015. Burr plays the voice of the main character Francis X. Murphy.

1. John Oliver
   Steve Harvey
2. Bill Maher
   Joe Rogan

Joe Rogan gained national attention as the host of "Fear Factor," which first aired on NBC in 2001. Rogan has stated that the show gave him the economic opportunity to pursue other avenues in comedy.

1. Catherine O'Hara
   Samantha Bee
2. Caroline Rhea
   Maria Bamford

Catherine O'Hara rose to fame as a member of The Second City, an improvisational theater troupe. Her success in the troupe eventually led her to "Saturday Night Live," where she served as an understudy to Gilda Radner. These days, she's most noted for her role on Schitt's Creek.

1. Jessica Williams
   Sherly Underwood
2. Maya Rudolph
   Leslie Jones

Sheryl Underwood is one of the five hosts on the daily talk show "The Talk." Underwood has been a member of the show since 2011 when she replaced Leah Remini.

1. Mitch Hedberg
   Lewis Black
2. Sam Kinison
   Woody Allen

Sam Kinison died at the age of 38 in an automobile accident while he was traveling to a sold-out show. He was hit by a young driver who had been driving under the influence of alcohol.

1. Tina Fey
   Amy Poehler
2. Molly Shannon
   Sarah Silverman

Sarah Silverman was only 17 years old when she started her stand-up career. Her early success earned her a spot on "Saturday Night Live," but she was fired after only one season. However, that did little to derail her career.

1. Bernie Mac
   Steve Harvey
2. Kevin Hart
   Bob Hope

Bernie Mac's career found success after he won the Miller Lite Comedy Search in 1990. The contest helped him secure a role on "Def Comedy Jam," where Mac put on a legendary show in front of a not-so-friendly crowd.

1. Will Ferrell
   Norm Macdonald
2. John Belushi
   Jimmy Fallon

When Norm Macdonald began appearing on "Saturday Night Live" in 1993, he became well-known for his impersonations and critical remarks. Two of his greatest impersonations were of Larry King and Burt Reynolds.

1. Sommore
   Loni Love
2. Leslie Jones
   Whoopi Goldberg

In a joke about her age during The BET Awards, Leslie Jones says, "In my head and heart, I'm in my 30s. I be like, yeah, mid-30s. My body be like, you better sit your [butt] down. You are 50!"

1. D.L. Hughley
   Steve Harvey
2. Kenan Thompson
   George Burns

Steve Harvey was part of "The Original Kings of Comedy," a film directed by Spike Lee and released in 2000. The film also featured Cedric the Entertainer, Bernie Mac, and D.L. Hughley.

1. David Spade
   Bill Engvall
2. Ron White
   Jeff Foxworthy

Jeff Foxworthy's comedy routine was shaped by his "You Might Be a Redneck" jokes. The jokes were first featured in his 1993 comedy album released under the same name.

1. Don Knotts
   Bob Hope
2. George Burns
   Mitch Hedberg

Living to be 100, George Burns continued to have success even in his later life. In fact, he won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor at the age of 79 for his role in "The Sunshine Boys."

1. Ellen DeGeneres
   Molly Shannon
2. Jane Curtin
   Jan Hooks

Ellen DeGeneres starred in a sitcom titled "Ellen" from 1994 until 1998. It was during the 1997 season that she famously came out on "The Oprah Winfrey Show."

1. Jim Jefferies
   Andrew Dice Clay
2. Lewis Black
   Mitch Hedberg

"I wanna hang a map of the world in my house. Then, I'm gonna put pins into all the locations that I've traveled to. But first, I'm gonna have to travel to the top two corners of the map, so it won't fall down." –Mitch Hedberg.

1. Billy Connolly
   Jim Gaffigan
2. Bob Hope
   Larry David

With a career spanning nearly eight decades, Bob Hope accomplished as much if not more than most other comedians. One of his greatest honors was hosting the Academy Awards, which he did 19 times.

1. Whitney Cummings
   Kathy Griffin
2. Amy Poehler
   Tina Fey

"My dad, growing up, called my Princess. He drilled it in my head as a kid that I was a frigging princess. And then I grew up, and I got into the real world, and I realized that no one else was on board with the whole princess thing. Princesses don't lose their virginity at Lollapalooza." –Whitney Cummings.

1. Ben Stiller
   Trevor Noah
2. Owen Wilson
   Jimmy Fallon

Trevor Noah was born to a black mother and white father in South Africa, which was under apartheid law at the time. According to the law, their relationship was deemed illegal.