Greatest/Comedian/Actor in our History

[gigster]

Who do you think is historically our greatest actor and comedian?

[Rusty0604]

That movie is the greatest! I saw a few years ago some idiots were trying to take it off the market.

[proud American in Canada]

Since you said “comic actor,” the answer is Buster Keaton, with Charles Chaplin a close second.

After movies became talkies, the spoken joke became as important as the acted joke, and comedians shifted accordingly. The top three would be, in no particular order, Groucho Marx, Robin Williams, and Steve Martin.

What you said, though I would also add, as many others have said, Jackie Gleason.

But Robin could do comedy and serious movies as well. As can Steve Martin.

And that is amazing what a talented musician Mr. Martin is. I suppose artistic impulses find a way to be expressed, if the person has the energy and will to work.

[proud American in Canada]

Lucille Ball was amazing.

I also have been watching “Hot in Cleveland.” Betty White’s timing is impeccable. All four of them are excellent.

[blueunicorn6]

Dave down at the gas station.

“We’re having a special on cough drops. Do you want some?”

[TNoldman]

Bob Hope ,Jonathon Winters ,

[nikos1121]

[Rusty0604]

I love British humor. Sometimes more than American.

[gigster]

' "It ain't a fit night out for neither man nor Beast!" thank you for the serving of the Fatal Glass of Beer.

[John Semmens]

Bob Hope

[nikos1121]

[Larry Lucido]

Norm MacDonald is the best of the current crop of comedians, by a mile.

He was also very good in Dirty Deeds.

[trisham]

He had a very difficult upbringing.

[DiogenesLamp]

For sheer genius, gotta go with Harpo. But Groucho and Harpo and Chico together? Fuggedaboutit!

The Marx Brothers were awesome! A couple of trivia items; Harpo's real name was "Adolf" so it's easy to see why they didn't use that name. Chico had a *MAJOR* gambling problem. I've read that they only did their last movie to pay off Chico's gambling debts and get him some sort of retirement funds.

I may have missed it, but did no one mention the three stooges?

[trisham]

:)

[yarddog]

I think Bill Cosby should be stood up against a wall and shot.

On the other hand, I remember an album he did around 1970. Most of the stories were abut athletics and they were flat out funny. Partly because you could tell he had actually been there, and done that.

[chajin]

As did Gleason. His portrayal of Minnesota Fats in The Hustler is still, I think, the go-to for that archetype.

[showme_the_Glory]

Agree. Steve Martin

[DiogenesLamp]

There may be more -50 than you think.

Let us hope we keep acquiring more. :)

[madison10]

I am sure Jesus had a good sense of humor, He created the platypus, didn’t He? Children probably made Him laugh.

[clearcarbon]

"I’ve heard Cary Grant was an acrobat and possibly a juggler, but have never seen him do it."

His IMDB biography is pretty remarkable.