The 21 Most Influential Black Comedians In America

February is Black History Month and we at HuffPost Comedy are taking a look at legendary African-American comedians both past and present. From Paul Mooney and Richard Pryor in the 70's, to Eddie Murphy and Bill Cosby in the 80's, to "The Original Kings Of Comedy," African-Americans have played a defining role in the scheme of American comedy. By providing a humorous voice to narrate the African-American experience, and breaking down racial and social barriers along the way, each of these comics has brought a unique perspective to the ever-changing tableau that is comedy in America.

Dick Gregory

"I am really enjoying the new Martin Luther King Jr stamp - just think about all those white bigots, licking the backside of a black man."

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Comments

[stagebandman]

04:19 AM on 03/05/2010

I have seen them listed, but still have to mention Flip Wilson (!), George Kirby, Moms Mabley and Nipsey Russell. I grew up in the 60s and 70s and these comedians, along with Richard, DIck Gregory and Cos, really taught the country how to laugh WITH black comics rather than at them.I"m so glad I grew up in an era where there was a whole lot more acceptance of each other than anytime before or since. It's a shame we seem to be digressing.

And Tracy Morgan is not funny. Aries Spears should be having his success. Funnier and a better actor.

[ckfan]

10:48 AM on 02/20/2010

The key word in the question is INFLUENTIAL. Not who do you like, etc. So, based on the question, the correct order has to be:

1 - Pryor
2 - Foxx
3 - Mooney
4 - Murphy
5 - Rock
6 - Cosby

Mooney has to be in the top 3 because he wrote jokes for Pryor, Chappelle, In Living Color, etc. He is the man behind the curtain. He's not that mainstream because he is in your face, make you feel real uncomfortable type of comic. But, he's brilliant. Just ask Letterman and all the other white comics. They know who's doing the writing.

Cosby is influential as a comedic actor and performer, but that's about it. There are no young comics today who want to emulate his stand-up - only his sitcom success.

Missing: Flip Wilson, Moms Mabley. Murphy may not be as popular today, but back in the day he influenced Rock and all the comics you see now. He used to be a really marvelous comedian. . .until he went Hollywood.

[Lea The Optimist]

09:06 AM on 02/16/2010

Wow...Black Folks on Huffpo? Wow There's hope

[Donald Cooper Sr]

01:05 PM on 02/15/2010

What about the legendary " Flip Wilson"?

[RingworldEngineer]

07:49 PM on 02/14/2010

i just watched wanda sykes i'ma be me special. that woman is hilarious.

[nitro624]

07:34 AM on 02/14/2010

Just wondering what month is White History Month ?

[UnknownSolider]

08:47 AM on 02/14/2010

All of them

BTW................. Black American History is American History so if you are not prould of Black Americans you are not proud of America

just so you know.......... the door is always open

[cyndeewi]

10:51 AM on 02/15/2010

Why would you be wondering when white history month is? Everyone month is white history month.

[mypov123]

01:10 AM on 02/14/2010

Minus the excessive foul language, Katt Williams is a comedic genius lol.

[jnik]

12:57 AM on 02/14/2010

Whoopi Goldberg is an actress, not a comedian.

[dct1999]

08:47 AM on 02/14/2010

She started out as a stand up comic.

[UnknownSolider]

08:47 AM on 02/14/2010

she started off as a stand up comic

[ghee99]

12:00 AM on 02/14/2010

these guys are funny, to be sure

but why do we always have the funniest BLACK/ASIAN/WHITE/ESKIMO/WHATEVER comedians
(or fill in the blank)

some people have to always categorize everything by race or ethnicity first

heck,
by this standard,
barack is our best and our worst BLACK president

[lyn26ne]

12:41 AM on 02/14/2010

As another poster said to me: 'don't take away a black persons blackness so you feel better.' So now I guess blacks demand to be identified as black this...black that. MLK is surely spinning in his grave.....'judge not a man by the color of his skin....'

[Tmboy]

12:48 AM on 02/14/2010

Stating the skin color is not the same as judging because of skin color. The judging is the problem not the skin color. Martin Luther King would not be spinning because Black people are proud to be called Black.

[Aliksa]

10:17 AM on 02/14/2010

Not too bright are you!?!?!? it's either one extreme or another for you, isn't it?!?!

[stagebandman]

04:03 AM on 03/05/2010

Just look up at the top of the page. It doesn't say best or funniest. It says INFLUENTIAL. Now go sit in the corner for a while and think about what you've done.

[ghee99]

12:50 PM on 03/05/2010

way to miss the point there, buddy....

which was,
categorizing people by race is lame.

[nikkirkpatrick]

11:32 PM on 02/13/2010

I'm sure someone has mentioned this already, but in the Chris Rock quote, "base" should be "bass" it's an instrument, not something you set something else on

[arneader]

11:31 PM on 02/13/2010

I LOVE IT!

[joy316]

11:17 PM on 02/13/2010

What about the rest of the "Original Kings of Comedy". We clearly need African Americans on HP staff, I can't believe they missed Steve Harvey and D L Hughley.

[nikkirkpatrick]

11:33 PM on 02/13/2010

None of them are funny in the least

[Haditup2here]

11:54 PM on 02/13/2010

The did mention Bernie Mac and D. L. Hughley.

However, D.L. seems to have some issues with self-hatred IMO.

[manndan]

10:28 PM on 02/13/2010

Where's Rudy Ray Moore?

[UnknownSolider]

08:49 AM on 02/14/2010

see Red Foxxx

[ckfan]

10:52 AM on 02/20/2010

Wow - I forgot about him.

[dwill123]

10:09 PM on 02/13/2010

Please remove the following terribly UN-funny persons from your list:
Dave Chappelle
Tracy Morgan
Mo'Nique

Replace with the following very funny persons:
Robin Harris
J. Anthony Brown
Sinbad

[nikkirkpatrick]

11:35 PM on 02/13/2010

Tracy Morgan's standup is good. maybe not top 20 black comedians of all time good, but good nonetheless. Also Dave Chappelle is the man

[Bassbeats]

12:31 AM on 02/14/2010

Are you kidding me? Dave Chappelle has the talent of selling a joke. His acting and storytelling skills work to together when he is telling the joke. And let's not forget that he can make some very smart comparisons to create a joke. A lot of these comedians are extremely funny but what dave had that they lacked was the ablity to sell the Joke which makes him one of the most unique comedians of all time. Put then everyone has their opinion and i don't want to knock yours. Safe

[brooklyncitizen]

10:01 PM on 02/13/2010

Guess we're still not able to leave out the "black" in this description,
Black history month not withstanding.

[Bassbeats]

12:31 AM on 02/14/2010

SMH

[Iehi Aour]

05:43 PM on 02/23/2010

Your point?