Presently, Brian Regan, who is also clean. I have been at his shows and people bring their children, and they also crack up. An absolute genius at playing dumb and bewildered.
Comedians of the past, distant and recent:
Sam Kinison (a shame, he was actually getting even funnier)
Alan King (you must see his first “Final Warning” show if possible, I can’t find it)
I am sure that he could have been a great actor had he worked at it. Simultaneously funny and serious, and both qualities magnified each other. Not done well before or since.
Rodney
Henny Youngman
Groucho
Jack Benny (never-equaled laughs/words ratio)
Rowan/Martin
Seinfeld (can get tiresome)
Steve Martin (early)
Steven Wright (admittedly, an acquired taste)
Mark Twain
Will Rogers
Brian Regan!! Thanks for reminding me. My kids love him and play his clips on youtube. He IS really funny for all ages. Lots of kids stuff. But it is done in a way that the kids enjoy it, and the adults can recall what their youth was like so they enjoy it too.
Baseball! Where to put you - right field. Right Field!! YAY!! Right Field. Sno - Cones. Win or lose - Sno Cones! I think the best comedians are the ones who look at the quirks of everyday, normal life that their entire audience can relate to.
I enjoyed Louie Anderson (RIP). But looking at some youtube clips just now, they don’t seem that funny. Perhaps just a bad batch.