The Funniest Black Actresses of All Time

Comedy on screen thrives on timing, character work, and the kind of presence that can turn a single line into a running joke, and these performers have delivered all that across sitcoms, sketch shows, stand-up specials, and scene-stealing film roles. Below is a friendly, fact-packed look at black actresses whose work has sparked laughs for decades, from network TV mainstays to breakout stars reshaping modern comedy.

Whoopi Goldberg

Whoopi Goldberg is one of the few entertainers to achieve EGOT status, with major comedic turns anchoring films like ‘Sister Act’ and ‘Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit’. She brought sharp wit to ‘Ghost’ and later became a long-running moderator and panelist on ‘The View’. Goldberg frequently voices animated comedy, including roles in ‘The Pagemaster’ and ‘Toy Story 3’. She also mentors emerging talent through producing and guest appearances across television.

Queen Latifah

Queen Latifah shifted from hip-hop to screen comedy with standout roles in ‘Living Single’ and films such as ‘Beauty Shop’ and ‘Bringing Down the House’. She earned acclaim for balancing humor and heart in ‘Girls Trip’. Latifah has hosted award shows and produced projects that spotlight comedic ensembles. Her versatility spans from sitcoms to feature comedies to late-night guest hosting.

Mo’Nique

Mo’Nique headlined ‘The Parkers’, delivering broad, physical comedy as a sitcom lead. On stage, her stand-up specials showcase crowd work and observational bits that translate to film cameos in projects like ‘Phat Girlz’. She earned major awards recognition for ‘Precious’ while continuing to appear in comedic roles on television and in specials. Mo’Nique also tours extensively, releasing new material that blends social commentary and punchy anecdotes.

Tiffany Haddish

Tiffany Haddish broke out with ‘Girls Trip’, turning a supporting role into a cultural moment through high-energy set pieces. She followed with specials that highlight autobiographical humor and hosted ‘Saturday Night Live’. Haddish has voiced characters in animated comedies like ‘The Secret Life of Pets 2’ and leads in films such as ‘Night School’. She champions new voices through producing and hosting showcases for up-and-coming comics.

Regina Hall

Regina Hall built a comedy résumé with the ‘Scary Movie’ franchise and continued with sharp supporting work in ‘Think Like a Man’ and ‘Girls Trip’. She co-hosted the Academy Awards, bringing sketch bits and monologue timing to a live stage. Hall often anchors ensembles on television with appearances in series like ‘Black Monday’. She frequently collaborates with comedy directors and producers on character-driven projects.

Issa Rae

Issa Rae created and starred in ‘Insecure’, expanding from her web series to a critically recognized HBO comedy. The show’s writers’ room fostered new comedic voices and delivered nuanced humor about work, friendship, and dating. Rae has produced multiple series under her banner, including the comedy ‘Rap Sh!t’. She also acts in feature comedies like ‘The Lovebirds’ and voices animated projects.

Wanda Sykes

Wanda Sykes blends stand-up precision with scene-stealing TV appearances on ‘Curb Your Enthusiasm’ and ‘The New Adventures of Old Christine’. She has released multiple specials noted for political satire and everyday absurdities. Sykes co-created and stars in ‘The Upshaws’, a multi-camera sitcom with classic setup-punch rhythm. Her voice roles include animated comedies such as ‘Ice Age: Continental Drift’ and ‘Bob’s Burgers’.

Leslie Jones

Leslie Jones became a household name on ‘Saturday Night Live’ with high-octane Weekend Update segments and recurring characters. She brought that energy to films like ‘Ghostbusters’ and ‘Coming 2 America’. Jones has hosted award shows, sports highlight programs, and reality formats with off-the-cuff roasts. Her stand-up tours emphasize athletic storytelling and audience interaction.

Tracee Ellis Ross

Tracee Ellis Ross led ‘Girlfriends’, a foundational sitcom exploring friendship through witty, character-based humor. She later starred in ‘black-ish’, earning accolades for physical comedy and heartfelt comedic beats. Ross produces and occasionally directs episodes, shaping tone and pacing across seasons. She also appears in comedic films and lends her voice to animated series.

Tichina Arnold

Tichina Arnold delivered breakout comedic work as Pam on ‘Martin’, mastering quips and rapid-fire exchanges. She later anchored family comedy in ‘Everybody Hates Chris’ with impeccable reaction shots. Arnold co-stars in ‘The Neighborhood’, continuing her run as a sitcom MVP. She frequently performs musical comedy bits, drawing on stage experience to elevate punchlines.

Niecy Nash-Betts

Niecy Nash mixed sharp line readings with physical bits in ‘Reno 911!’, becoming a franchise mainstay across specials and revivals. She hosted makeover series like ‘Clean House’, bringing improv-friendly banter to unscripted TV. Nash’s comedic timing enhances darkly comic projects such as ‘Claws’. She also narrates and guest hosts comedy showcases and competition series.

Quinta Brunson

Quinta Brunson moved from viral sketches to network success by creating and starring in ‘Abbott Elementary’. The mockumentary format allows deadpan delivery and ensemble timing that she guides as showrunner. Brunson’s writing emphasizes workplace humor, character arcs, and grounded school settings. She has hosted ‘Saturday Night Live’ and develops additional comedy projects as a producer.

Ayo Edebiri

Ayo Edebiri writes and performs across formats, from animated comedy voices in ‘Big Mouth’ to live-action roles in ‘The Bear’. She has staffed writers’ rooms and co-hosts the podcast ‘Iconography’, showcasing playful character riffs. Edebiri appears in feature comedies and indie projects that foreground awkward, character-driven humor. She frequently collaborates with emerging creators in sketch and digital shorts.

Keke Palmer

Keke Palmer balances sketch, hosting, and film comedy with projects like ‘Hustlers’ and ‘Nope’ that highlight comedic beats within genre. She starred in ‘Scream Queens’, playing up horror-comedy timing. Palmer has hosted game and talk formats, using quick improvisation and impersonations. She also voices animated series and leads streaming comedy specials.

Yvonne Orji

Yvonne Orji’s turn as Molly on ‘Insecure’ showcased workplace and relationship humor through tightly written dialogue. Her stand-up special explored cultural identity and observational comedy. Orji tours internationally and develops scripted comedies highlighting immigrant family dynamics. She guest hosts events and appears on panel shows with sharp crowd engagement.

Retta

Retta became a fan favorite on ‘Parks and Recreation’, delivering meme-ready lines with understated timing. She later starred in ‘Good Girls’, blending crime capers with deadpan humor. Retta frequently appears on panel and game shows, bringing improv-style quips. She also narrates series and podcasts, using comedic cadence to drive storytelling.

Yvette Nicole Brown

Yvette Nicole Brown’s role on ‘Community’ showcased ensemble comedy, meta jokes, and heartfelt punchlines. She guest stars across sitcoms like ‘Drake & Josh’ and ‘The Odd Couple’, adapting to multi-camera and single-camera styles. Brown moderates convention panels and hosts aftershows, translating fan humor to live formats. She contributes voice work to animated comedies and family series.

Marsai Martin

Marsai Martin emerged on ‘black-ish’ with mature comedic instincts far beyond her age. She produced and starred in the body-swap comedy ‘Little’, becoming one of the youngest executive producers in Hollywood. Martin develops family-friendly comedies that center clever setups and aspirational characters. She also voices animated series and appears in ensemble projects.

Raven-Symoné

Raven-Symoné led ‘That’s So Raven’, using expressive physical comedy and visionary gags. She continues the franchise with ‘Raven’s Home’, updating the format for new audiences. Raven has hosted talk and variety programs, emphasizing sketch bits and music-comedy crossovers. She also appears in TV movies and animated series with comedic roles.

Gabrielle Union

Gabrielle Union’s early breakout in ‘Bring It On’ featured competitive comedy with sharp, quotable lines. She has led romantic comedies and ensemble projects that fuse humor with drama, including ‘Think Like a Man’. Union produces film and television that spotlights comic voices and diverse casts. She guest judges and hosts specials, bringing light improv to live segments.

Maya Rudolph

Maya Rudolph became a signature voice on ‘Saturday Night Live’, with musical parodies and recurring characters that highlight versatile impressions. She leads the workplace comedy ‘Loot’, blending deadpan and absurdist beats. Rudolph’s voice work in ‘Bridesmaids’, ‘Big Mouth’, and ‘The Mitchells vs. the Machines’ showcases animated comedy range. She frequently anchors live sketches and awards-show bits with pitch-perfect timing.

Jackée Harry

Jackée Harry won acclaim for scene-stealing work on ‘227’, delivering arch one-liners and glamorous comedic entrances. She later starred in ‘Sister, Sister’, providing fast-talking aunt energy that powered many episode plots. Harry appears across multi-camera sitcoms and family comedies as a reliable guest star. She also tours in stage productions, bringing sitcom timing to live audiences.

Tisha Campbell

Tisha Campbell balanced physical comedy and romantic banter on ‘Martin’, crafting memorable sparring matches and expressive reaction shots. She co-led ‘My Wife and Kids’, honing family-sitcom rhythms and ensemble chemistry. Campbell guest stars on workplace and buddy comedies, shifting between slapstick and dry humor. She also brings musical-comedy chops from stage training to TV performances.

Taraji P. Henson

Taraji P. Henson’s comedic turns include ‘What Men Want’ and ‘Think Like a Man’, where she plays corporate high-achievers with sharp timing. She hosted ‘Saturday Night Live’, leaning into character sketches and parodies. Henson often blends comedy with drama in ensemble pieces, amplifying punchlines through confident delivery. She continues to headline and produce projects that mix romance, workplace antics, and witty dialogue.

Nia Long

Nia Long’s romantic-comedy résumé spans ‘The Best Man’ franchise and ‘Are We There Yet?’, where she navigates family and relationship humor. She guest starred in ‘The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air’, shaping early sitcom chemistry with wry asides. Long appears in ensemble comedies that balance heart and humor, often as a grounding presence. She collaborates with directors who favor character-driven, conversational jokes.

Sanaa Lathan

Sanaa Lathan brings understated comic beats to films like ‘Brown Sugar’ and ‘Something New’. She voiced Donna Tubbs on ‘The Cleveland Show’, sustaining long-form animated comedy arcs. Lathan frequently toggles between romantic setups and workplace banter in film and TV. She also directs and produces, supporting scripts that pair humor with nuanced character work.

Tia Mowry

Tia Mowry co-led ‘Sister, Sister’, developing teen-sitcom timing that carried into adult comedies like ‘Instant Mom’. She hosts and guests on lifestyle and cooking shows where quick banter drives the format. Mowry’s acting includes holiday and family comedies that emphasize situational humor. She authors and produces projects designed around upbeat, joke-forward storytelling.

Tamera Mowry-Housley

Tamera Mowry-Housley paired with her twin on ‘Sister, Sister’, building classic prank setups and sibling riffing. She co-hosted ‘The Real’, where everyday topics were handled with light punchlines and audience interaction. Mowry-Housley appears in family and seasonal comedies with a focus on cozy, character-led humor. She develops lifestyle content that retains her TV-friendly comedic cadence.

Aisha Tyler

Aisha Tyler voices Lana Kane on ‘Archer’, firing off rapid-paced spy spoof dialogue with precise timing. She hosted ‘Whose Line Is It Anyway?’, guiding improv games and heightening punchlines. Tyler’s stand-up and podcast work highlight observational humor and industry satire. She directs episodes of scripted comedies, aligning camera rhythm with joke delivery.

Kym Whitley

Kym Whitley’s sitcom and sketch credits include ‘Curb Your Enthusiasm’ and ‘The Parkers’, where she delivers big reactions and playful ad-libs. She fronts reality-comedy formats like ‘Raising Whitley’, blending personal storytelling with situational bits. Whitley guests on panel shows, adding crowd-pleasing asides and character voices. She tours as a stand-up, folding TV anecdotes into audience-participation routines.

Sherri Shepherd

Sherri Shepherd brought quick quips and candid humor to ‘The View’ and later to her own daytime show. As an actress, she appears in sitcoms such as ’30 Rock’ and ‘The Jamie Foxx Show’, contributing bright punchlines to ensemble scenes. Shepherd hosts comedy showcases and awards preshows with crowd work and warm-up energy. She also voices animated characters and writes humor-forward books.

Sommore

Sommore rose with ‘The Queens of Comedy’ tour, delivering confident, topic-hopping stand-up that translates to TV specials. She appears on sitcoms and guest panels, keeping club-tested jokes tight for broadcast. Sommore’s stage presence centers wordplay and audience rapport, often riffing on everyday luxury and relationships. She continues to headline tours while releasing specials that refresh her signature voice.

Adele Givens

Adele Givens is a veteran of ‘Def Comedy Jam’ and ‘The Queens of Comedy’, known for emphatic punchlines and crowd interplay. Her TV credits include guest spots on ‘The Hughleys’ and ‘Moesha’, where she slots club-honed jokes into family-sitcom scenes. Givens records specials that lean on bold storytelling and call-and-response rhythms. She mentors younger comics through tours and festival appearances.

Luenell

Luenell’s distinctive voice and mischievous delivery have made her a go-to scene-stealer in comedies like ‘Borat’ and ‘That’s My Boy’. She appears in stand-up specials and late-night sets that spotlight edgy, personal anecdotes. Luenell guest stars on sitcoms and sketch shows, bringing club energy to scripted setups. She is a regular on comedy podcasts and radio, adding quick-hit jokes and candid banter.

Ego Nwodim

Ego Nwodim’s ‘Saturday Night Live’ characters and Update pieces showcase sharp character studies and sly one-liners. She trained at the Upright Citizens Brigade, emphasizing grounded scene work and game-of-the-scene structure. Nwodim pops up in streaming comedies with dry, underplayed beats. She also voices animated roles that capitalize on her crisp line delivery.

Sasheer Zamata

Sasheer Zamata transitioned from ‘Saturday Night Live’ to starring in indie and streaming comedies with socially observant humor. Her stand-up special highlights identity, pop culture, and personal storytelling. Zamata writes and performs sketch pieces that travel well from stage to camera. She frequently collaborates on podcasts and variety shows, keeping an improv edge.

Michelle Buteau

Michelle Buteau headlines specials and hosts the reality dating-comedy ‘The Circle’, where quick reaction jokes anchor each episode. She stars in the rom-com ‘Survival of the Thickest’, bringing breezy charisma to lead role comedy. Buteau’s stand-up blends personal stories with punchy observational bits. She appears on panel shows and in films, adding bright, conversational humor.

Jessica Williams

Jessica Williams brought sharp cultural satire to ‘The Daily Show’ as a correspondent before moving into film and podcast comedy. She co-hosted ‘2 Dope Queens’, mixing storytelling with stand-up curation. Williams stars in feature and streaming comedies where understated timing sells character beats. She also voices animated projects and guests across scripted series.

Janelle James

Janelle James breaks big in ‘Abbott Elementary’ as a principal whose antics drive many A-plots and cold opens. She tours as a stand-up with material that leans into status games and workplace absurdities. James hosts and guests on podcasts, keeping riff-heavy, joke-dense conversations moving. She appears on roasts and showcases with confident crowd play.

Kim Coles

Kim Coles delivered warm, quirky humor on ‘Living Single’, where her character’s enthusiasm powered memorable running jokes. She was an early cast member on ‘In Living Color’, demonstrating sketch versatility. Coles performs one-woman shows that mix autobiographical bits with audience engagement. She coaches and produces comedy workshops, helping performers refine character-driven laughs.

If we missed a favorite, drop your picks in the comments so everyone can share the laughs!