The 2010s were a fascinating decade for comedy. Stand-up specials found massive audiences on streaming platforms, sketch shows thrived online, and comedians blurred the line between humor and social commentary. Some made us laugh with absurdity, others with brutal honesty, but all of them helped shape what comedy looks like today. Here are 15 comedians who defined the decade.
15. Jerrod Carmichael
Jerrod Carmichael didn’t chase big punchlines; he built thoughtful conversations around them. With The Carmichael Show, he revived the classic multi-camera sitcom format and used it to explore race, politics, religion, and family dynamics with surprising nuance. Offstage, his HBO specials showcased a calm, probing style that invited audiences to sit with uncomfortable truths. His comedy felt deliberate and intimate, and even though his sitcom lasted only three seasons, it proved that traditional formats can still carry bold ideas.
14. John Oliver
Few comedians owned the intersection of politics and humor like John Oliver. On Last Week Tonight with John Oliver, he turned deep dives into government policy, corporate corruption, and global affairs into must-watch television. Rather than chasing daily headlines, Oliver focused on one major topic per episode, unpacking it with research, outrage, and razor-sharp jokes. The result? Comedy that informed as much as it entertained and often sparked real-world change.
13. Tim Heidecker
Tim Heidecker thrives in discomfort. Through projects like On Cinema (with Gregg Turkington), he built an intricate satire that goes far beyond parodying film criticism. His exaggerated, arrogant, clueless, and stubborn behavior became a vehicle for exploring ego and misinformation. From surreal Adult Swim collaborations to offbeat music releases, Heidecker created a layered comedy universe that rewards devoted fans. His work isn’t always easy, but that’s part of the appeal.
12. Tiffany Haddish
Tiffany Haddish’s breakout moment in Girls Trip turned her into an overnight star. Her fearless energy and natural charisma stole scenes and opened doors to hosting gigs, stand-up specials, and bestselling books. She brought a joyful, unapologetic presence to everything she touched. Whether in film, television, or on stage, Haddish made it look effortless and became one of the decade’s most magnetic performers.
11. The Lonely Island
After redefining digital shorts on Saturday Night Live, Andy Samberg, Jorma Taccone, and Akiva Schaffer continued evolving. Their film Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping became a cult classic, perfectly skewering pop stardom. Blending music production with absurdist humor, they proved that comedy songs could be both technically impressive and laugh-out-loud funny.
10. Bill Hader
Bill Hader left SNL at the peak of his powers and somehow got even better. As co-creator and star of Barry, he blended dark drama with sharp comedy, earning multiple Emmys. His earlier work on Documentary Now! showcased his love of meticulous parody. Hader’s range of goofy impressions to complex antiheroes made him one of the most versatile talents of the decade.
9. Kyle Kinane
Kyle Kinane built his following the old-fashioned way: relentless touring and consistently strong specials. Albums like Whiskey Icarus and Loose in Chicago highlighted his gravelly storytelling style, equal parts grumpy and heartfelt. His long-form bits feel lived-in and personal, turning everyday frustrations into sharply observed comedy.
8. Kristen Wiig
Kristen Wiig left an unforgettable mark on SNL before co-writing and starring in Bridesmaids, a smash hit that proved female-led comedies could dominate at the box office and earn critical acclaim. Her talent for fully inhabiting oddball characters, paired with sharp writing instincts, made her one of the defining comedic voices of the early 2010s.
7. Melissa McCarthy
Melissa McCarthy’s Oscar-nominated performance in Bridesmaids launched her into leading-lady status. Films like Spy and The Heat showcased her gift for physical comedy and fearless commitment. She brought big, bold energy to Hollywood comedies and proved she could carry a blockbuster on sheer charisma.
6. Tig Notaro
Tig Notaro redefined vulnerability in stand-up. After publicly discussing her cancer diagnosis onstage, she turned personal tragedy into raw, powerful comedy. Her Amazon series One Mississippi further explored grief and healing with understated humor. Notaro showed that comedy doesn’t have to be loud to be transformative.
5. Danny McBride & Jody Hill
This duo specialized in deeply flawed protagonists. From Eastbound & Down to The Righteous Gemstones, they created comedies about ego, failure, and self-delusion. Their work often borders on drama, but that emotional weight makes the humor hit harder. Few creators captured the tragic absurdity of modern masculinity as effectively.
4. Jordan Peele & Keegan-Michael Key
With Key & Peele, the duo delivered some of the decade’s most iconic sketches. Their mix of cultural commentary and absurd characters resonated widely. Peele’s later pivot to horror only reinforced the depth of his storytelling skills, while Key continued shining in film and television.
3. Tina Fey
Tina Fey’s influence stretched far beyond performing. Whether hosting awards shows with Amy Poehler or producing hits like Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, she remained a powerhouse voice in comedy. Her sharp writing and dry delivery continued to shape television and film throughout the decade.
2. Hannibal Buress
Hannibal Buress mastered laid-back delivery. His calm, almost detached tone made even the most unexpected observations land harder. Between stand-up specials and roles on shows like Broad City, Buress became one of the most distinct comedic voices of the era.
1. John Mulaney
John Mulaney’s storytelling is meticulous. His stand-up specials, along with writing for Saturday Night Live and voice work on Big Mouth, showcase a performer who can spin ordinary experiences into vivid, unforgettable routines. His humor is polished yet deeply personal, balancing old-school structure with modern sensibilities. In the 2010s, few comedians matched his consistency or cultural reach.
The 2010s proved that comedy doesn’t live in just one lane. It can be political or personal, absurd or painfully honest, cinematic or stripped-down. These 15 comedians didn’t just generate laughs; they shifted the conversation about what comedy could be. And their influence is still shaping the stage, screen, and streaming platforms today.