Notorious Stand-up Comedians Quiz

Estimated Completion Time
3 min
Notorious Stand-up Comedians Quiz
Image: Christopher Polk/Getty Images

About This Quiz

They make us laugh, despite their often controversial and raunchy comedy. How much do you know about these notorious stand-up comedians? Take this quiz to find out.
What comedian was best known for his rant on the "seven words you can't say on TV"?
Richard Pryor
George Carlin
Eddie Murphy
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

George Carlin was known for this bit, which caused much controversy in the '70s when no swearing was allowed on television.

Who said this? "There's no such thing as soy milk. It's just soy juice."
Lewis Black
Chris Rock
Ricky Gervais
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Lewis Black is best known for his mostly sarcastic comedy about life, politics and culture.

What comedian grossed $50 million with his stand-up concert film?
Steve Martin
Eddie Murphy
Richard Pryor
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Eddie Murphy's concert film "Eddie Murphy: Raw" raked in a whopping $50 million at the box office.

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This raunchy comedian made his television debut on the variety show "On Broadway Tonight."
Richard Pryor
George Carlin
Andrew Dice Clay
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Pryor talked about many contemporary issues, including race and drugs.

What was Rodney Dangerfield's signature line?
I can't get no respect.
I don't get no respect.
I can't get respect.
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Dangerfield was known for always saying "I don't get no respect."

What female comedian's biography is titled "The Bedwetter"?
Sarah Silverman
Amy Schumer
Chelsea Handler
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Sarah Silverman's official "memoir," "The Bedwetter," is about her upbringing, family, offensive sense of humor and pee.

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What successful stand-up comedian got one of his first big-screen roles playing Pookie in "New Jack City"?
Chris Rock
Kevin Hart
Martin Lawrence
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Chris Rock's second on-screen appearance was Pookie, the crack addict turned police informant.

True or false: Friends of comedian Andy Kaufman claim he faked his death in 1984.
true
false
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Bob Zmuda, who was Kaufman's close friend and writing partner, says Kaufman began talking about faking his death before he died of lung cancer in 1984.

This angry, chain-smoking comedian became well-known for his act No Cure for Cancer.
Denis Leary
George Carlin
Andrew Dice Clay
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

No Cure for Cancer is one of Denis Leary's acts from the '90s that includes funny spoofs on vegetarians, smoking, drugs and political correctness.

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What politically opinionated satirist and comedian has a weekly cable TV show on HBO?
Trevor Noah
Samantha Bee
Bill Maher
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Bill Maher's popular talk show "Real Time With Bill Maher" on HBO has been nominated for 18 Emmys.

This shrieking and often insulting comedian was a preacher before he was a comedian.
Andrew Dice Clay
Sam Kinison
David Cross
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Kinison, who was tragically killed with his wife in a head-on collision in 1992, was a preacher before becoming a comedian.

What comedian got her start in stand-up at a Coors Light Super Talent Showcase in Washington?
Amy Schumer
Wanda Sykes
Whitney Cummings
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Wanda Sykes performed for the first time in front of a live audience at the Coors Light Super Talent Showcase.

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This funny man was star of "Big Momma's House" and former host of "Def Comedy Jam."
Tracy Morgan
Kevin Hart
Martin Lawrence
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Martin Lawrence is the man behind hilarious characters like Sheneneh and Roscoe.

True or false: Funny woman Roseanne Barr tried running for president in 2012.
true
false
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Barr tried for the Green Party's presidential nomination, but she lost to Dr. Jill Stein. She then ran as the Peace and Freedom Party candidate.

True or false: Political satirist Stephen Colbert delivered a blistering stand-up roast of George W. Bush at the 2006 White House Correspondents' Dinner.
true
false
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Officials thought Colbert's roast was so insulting that they invited ultrasafe longtime impressionist Rich Little to host the 2007 event.

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What comedian was one of the original cast members on "Saturday Night Live" and one half of the Blues Brothers?
John Belushi
Bill Murray
John Goodman
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Of course it's John Belushi. The other correct answer would be Dan Aykroyd.

What legendary stand-up comedian was known as the Queen of Comedy?
Joan Rivers
Lucille Ball
Carol Burnett
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Joan Rivers, whose unparalleled contribution to women in comedy during her time in show business, earned the nickname Queen of Comedy.

True or false: GQ called Louis C.K. the undisputed king of comedy.
true
false
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

In 2014, the magazine hailed the comedian as the funniest man alive.

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What comedian's fourth stint as Golden Globes host was his most-watched yet?
Ricky Gervais
Tiny Fey and Amy Poehler
Ellen DeGeneres
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Ricky Gervais was no less offensive at the 2016 annual Golden Globes than normal, and apparently television audiences loved it.

True or false: Robin Williams attended the prestigious Juilliard School.
true
false
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Williams was enrolled at the Juilliard School in the diploma course from 1973-74 and in the Bachelor of Fine Arts program from 1974-76.

Who began his film career as Ahchoo in Mel Brooks' "Robin Hood: Men in Tights"?
Martin Lawrence
Jim Carrey
Dave Chappelle
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

By 2003, Chappelle hit huge success with his sketch comedy show, "Chappelle's Show," until he retired two years later.

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This comedian received an honorary Oscar at the 2013 Governors Awards.
Billy Crystal
Jim Carrey
Steve Martin
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Steve Martin was honored with an Oscar at the 2013 Governors Awards in recognition of his extraordinary talents and the unique inspiration he has brought to the art of motion pictures.

What comedian is most remembered for his raunchy comedy records and nightclub acts during the 1950s and '60s?
Richard Pryor
Redd Foxx
Don Rickles
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Redd Foxx was best remembered for his explicit comedy records (he recorded more than 50 during his lifetime) and his starring role on the 1970s sitcom "Sanford and Son."

Which comedian deliberately botched "The Star-Spangled Banner" at a San Diego Padres game.
Roseanne Barr
Tig Notaro
Joan Rivers
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Fans weren't too pleased with Barr's delivery of the national anthem.

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What comedian released her memoir, "My Horizontal Life: A Collection of One-night Stands," in June 2005?
Kathy Griffin
Chelsea Handler
Margaret Cho
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Chelsea Handler, host of the successful talk show "Chelsea Lately," is the author of several books.

True or false: Before hosting "Full Frontal With Samantha Bee," Samantha Bee was the longest-serving correspondent on "The Colbert Report."
true
false
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Bee actually was the longest-serving correspondent on "The Daily Show With Jon Stewart."

This comedian is known to be deliberately offensive and controversial and to make light of serious, disturbing and taboo subject matters.
Daniel Tosh
Andrew Dice Clay
Ron White
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Daniel Tosh is known to push the envelope, and his hit Comedy Central show, "Tosh.0," makes fun of clips from the internet.

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True or false: Bernie Mac was one of the "Original Kings of Comedy" with Steve Harvey, Cedric the Entertainer and Kevin Hart.
true
false
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Mac was actually partnered with Steve Harvey, Cedric the Entertainer and D.L. Hughley, not Kevin Hart.

This funny man was a longtime advocate against animal cruelty.
Jim Belushi
Richard Pryor
Daniel Tosh
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Long before it was popular to do so, Pryor addressed animal welfare, campaigning against fast food chains and circus shows.

What hit 1989 film showcased three premiere comedians of their respective generations?
"Harlem Nights"
"Do the Right Thing"
"When Harry Met Sally ..."
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Redd Foxx, Richard Pryor and Eddie Murphy all starred in popular film Harlem Nights.

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