A comic, from the German Komiker, Komikus, is an actor who performs comic roles. Recently in our country, comedians, and the stand-up genre in general, have been gaining in popularity. Today we decided to look back at the pioneers – the most famous comic actors in the world.
Bourville (André Robert Rembourg)
In 1937, Rembourg was drafted into the army, where he played in the regimental orchestra and performed in song contests. After the service he remained in Paris, successfully passed a number of pop competitions and performed in a variety show.
The young coupletist was the talk of the whole of Paris. But his career is interrupted by the Second World War. He gets to the front, and then captured. After that he had to live illegally in occupied Paris.
Bourville went to the front in World War II, and then in captivity.
During the occupation, with a small troupe of the famous singer Borda, he began to travel around the country as an accordionist-accompanist, often performing for the soldiers. Bourville worked up his own repertoire for variety shows and in 1941 he signed his first solo contract. And by the end of the war André had already become a real star of the music-hall.
Trying to imitate his idol Fernandel, Bourville gradually creates his comic mask of a simple peasant. This is what he came to the cinema in 1945.
In most of his films Bourville played in brilliant duets – Michel Morgan, Jean Marais, Jean Gabin. But particularly scintillating were the comedies, in which he played with Louis de Funes. They played on the contrast – the hero de Funes and sprays energy, and simpleton Bourville remains imperturbable in any situation.
Alfred Hawthorne “Benny” Hill.
English actor, comedian. Creator of the internationally popular show The Benny Hill Show. He was also known as a master of parody.
On this show he performed not only as an actor but also as a director, musician and songwriter. For 30 years the show was the most popular comedy show around the world, and even now many TV stations buy the rights to it.
The Benny Hill Show was the most popular show in the world for 30 years
In 1971, The Benny Hill Show won the British Television Academy Award for Best Entertainment Program.
After 30 years, there was a crisis in Benny Hill’s work. People on the streets, meeting him, laughed, teased, sometimes even rudely. One day in his program, Benny Hill “walked all over” the British government and the royal family. As a result, in 1982, Margaret Thatcher personally ordered that every program of Hill’s be severely censored. Over 10 years, the commission rejected 150 hours of footage. The comedian withdrew into himself, began to drink, and suffered severe depression.
Despite Benny Hill’s success, he never married or had children.
Despite the enormous success of his show and the fortune he made, Benny Hill never married or had children, though he was twice in love and was rejected both times. He had no apartment of his own and no car.
Louis de Funès
French actor, director, screenwriter, one of the greatest comedians of world cinema.
After the end of World War II de Funes tries his hand at cinema. In 1945 he appeared in the film “Barbizon Temptation” directed by Jean Stelie. However, great fame novice actor this picture has not brought.
World fame Louis de Funes brought the film “Not a Thief in the Bay”.
In “Catch of the Thief” directed by Yves Robert, shot in 1958, de Funes gets the lead role – a poacher Blero. This film brings him universal fame.
The 60s brought de Funes real popularity and audience acclaim; each year the actor appeared in three or four films. Such as “The Big Walk” and “Razinya” were enthusiastically received by tens of millions of viewers around the world. So too was a multi-part film about the adventures of the Gendarme and his subordinates, made in the 1960s. Louis de Funès himself said of his acting career thus:
“I don’t regret the slowness of my career. I don’t regret the slowness of my career. When I was still an unknown, I tried to color the details, the mimics, the gestures of the small roles that I was assigned. In this way I acquired some comic baggage, without which I could not have made a career. Therefore, if I start again, I would not give up this path.”
Roman Andreevich Kartsev
Soviet and Russian variety, theater and movie actor, Honored Artist of the RSFSR.
In 1970 Kartsev, Ilchenko and Zhvanetsky became the winners of the All-Union Competition of Variety Artists. Performing with Viktor Ilchenko in the genre of pop reprise Roman Kartsev gained great popularity with the audience.
Roman Kartsev gained a great popularity in the genre of pop reprise
Thanks to broadcasts on television and appearances in the program “Around the Laugh”, the humorous numbers “Avas”, “Crawfish” and others became famous.
He began acting in films since 1975, mostly in small, episodic acute-character roles. He is best remembered by audiences for his roles in “Heart of a Dog”, “Promised Heaven” and “Master and Margarita.
Jimmy Carr
Carr is Irish by birth, but on stage he is a model of English arrogance and impenetrability. Jimmy most of all resembles a classic entertainer, who was in a bad mood, and he began to rude to everyone around him.
Jimmy Carr is a former employee of the Shell Oil marketing service.
Carr almost always works with the audience and improvises as he goes along. A big part of his show is his rapid-fire lines of one-liners. He also hosts various programs and shows on radio and television, essentially a familiar to the Russian man format of comedians.
Taking only five weeks off a year, Carr is constantly touring as an improv comedian. Jimmy has stated that he plans to be the first comedian to perform for an online game of millions of three-dimensional virtual worlds where anyone can live their second life.
Louis C.K.
Beginning his career in the 1990s as court wit O’Brien and other late-night comedians, Louis didn’t particularly stand out until the mid-noughties, when he stumbled upon his gold mine – the mid-life crisis of a flabby man in a failed marriage and with young children.
C.K.’s stage persona is an irritable brute who gets his kicks from everyone, from his own kids to hipsters and deer, but most importantly, himself. Today he is considered one of the hyper-popular comedians.
The image of Louis C.K. is that of an annoyed brute who gets his kicks from everyone.
For all of C.K.’s ruthlessness to the world, and despite the fact that he calls his kids assholes and wishes his friends dead every now and then, you can feel in every joke that, besides his fat bile belly, Louis also has a big heart. Since 2010, he’s been hand-writing, filming and editing the television sitcom “Louie,” one of the best things to happen to American television in recent years.
George Carlin
An icon of American standup who laid many of the foundations of the genre as we know it today. Most of Carlin’s jokes, a specialist in black humor, were a form of ironic social critique in one way or another – whether he was talking about trivialities or global phenomena.
Carlin was the flagship of the movement to push the boundaries of what is allowed on TV. His number “Seven Words You Can’t Say on TV” was at the center of a scandal, led to a trial and became a milestone in the history of censorship.
George Carlin is an icon of American standup
Carlin is known for his political acumen, black humor, linguistic observations, observations in psychology, religion and monologues on many taboo subjects.
The first of his 14 comedy programs was recorded in 1977. In the 1990s and 2000s, Carlin’s comedy performances focused mainly on the evils of modern America. He often challenged contemporary political problems in the United States and mocked the shortcomings of American culture. His last performance, It’s Bad for You, was filmed less than four months before his death.
Charles Chaplin
He is considered the most popular comedian in cinema because he was able to make an audience laugh without having to say a single word. “Modern Times” and “The Great Dictator” are some of his most acclaimed performances.
Buster Keaton
Joseph Frank Keaton was a renowned actor and comedian who was known for making anyone laugh while maintaining an expressionless face at all times. This particular form of comedy gave him the nickname “stone face” and in 1960 the Academy awarded him an honorary Oscar.
Marx Brothers
Originally from New York, these four brothers went down in history for their incredible success as comedians in Hollywood. They later separated to pursue individual artistic endeavors, but their careers peaked when they were all together.
Bob Hope
Famous American artist who worked in TV, movies, radio, theater and even performed for the army. His name has gone down in history for making people laugh for 70 years with movies like “The Cursed Castle” and “My Favorite Blonde”.
Mario Moreno Reyes
Better known as Cantinflas, this Mexican actor became one of the icons of comedy and Mexican cinema. He participated in more than 50 films and became famous for his curious way of speaking, known today as “cantinfleo”.
Peter Sellers
British comedian and actor during the 50’s who achieved international fame and left his name high as one of the most important comedians of the big screen.
The Three Stooges
This funny trio was responsible for many laughs for many years. They became famous thanks to their comic short films where they highlighted physical violence and gambling. To this day, The Three Stooges continue to maintain their popularity in many countries.
The Fat Man and the Skinny Man
Oliver Hardy and Stan Laurel formed this funny silent film couple and were considered icons of comedy. Their success was such that years later their films were dubbed to be shown on television.
Lucille Ball
Comedian, actress and model known for her awkward and extroverted but adorable attitude. She was one of the most influential stars in the United States. She starred in programs such as I Love Lucy, The Lucy Show and Life With Lucy.
Tato Bores
Argentine comedian who stood out for the geniality of his political humor and his speed of speech. He was one of the most respected figures in Argentina and was nicknamed the Comic Actor of the Nation.
Robin Williams
Films such as Patch Adams and Mrs. Doubtfire are some of those that made this actor one of the most beloved and popular in American cinema and comedy. He won an Oscar and 5 Golden Globes during his career and also won the smiles of several generations.
Jerry Seinfeld
This American comedian, actor and screenwriter stood out for the popularity of “Seinfeld”, the TV series he starred in for 9 years. His everyday humor is what has characterized him for many years.
Seth Rogen
This Canadian comedian is one of today’s favorites since he is only 32 years old and has participated in more than 30 productions and has made us laugh out loud with his ridiculous interpretations.
Chris Rock
Chris Rock is considered one of the most important comedians in the world and was even chosen as the fifth best stand-up comedian of all time by Comedy Central.
Ellen Degeneres
This American comedian and TV host has made her way in the world of comedy for her intelligent humor that does not seek to insult anyone. Her show The Ellen Degeneres Show is, nowadays, one of the most popular in the United States.
Adam Sandler
Loved by some, hated by others but undoubtedly this American actor and comedian is today one of the most successful in the film and television industry. During his career he has won 10 People’s Choice Awards for Best Comedy Actor, 3 Kid’s Choice Awards and 3 Golden Raspberry Awards.