Male comedians often take center stage when it comes to stand-up comedy. However, many female stand-up comedians are now taking charge and showing audiences why they’re worthy of their attention. Streaming platforms and stand-up comedy clubs have recognized their talent and are empowering female comedians to share their unique sense of humor.
If you are wondering who the funniest female comedians are because you want to see them at your local club, or watch a comedy stand-up special on tv, be sure to check out our list of the top 25 female stand-up comedians you must know about.
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The Funniest Female Stand-Up Comedians You Must Check Out!
25. Amy Schumer
Amy Schumer is one of the top female comedians in the US and has been featured in various comedy movies and stand-up specials. She started her career in comedy in 2004 and has been entertaining audiences ever since. Her comedy is punchy and female-centric and has “gone viral” on several occasions.
24. Nikki Glaser
Nicki Glaser is a hilarious female stand-up comic who has been performing on the stage since she was 18 years old. She is a veteran comedian who isn’t afraid to push the envelope and get people laughing at sex-positive jokes without feeling uncomfortable.
She has also been featured on Netflix, which has further boosted her career and allowed a larger audience to get to know her talents. And she has been a frequent guest on many podcasts and YouTube Interviews as well.
23. Ali Wong
Ali Wong is a multi-talented female comedian who rose to fame for her unique stand-up comedy and fantastic writing. She has worked as an actress in various comedy movies and has also been featured on American Housewives. Her recent stand-up special, Ali Wong: Don Wong, was a huge success and showcases how she has taken her comedy skills to the next level as a veteran.
22. London Hughes
London Hughes is a British comedian who is best known for her performance on BBC’s comedy show Laughter Stock. She has also been featured on other popular comedy series, such as Newsjack and Fleabag.
London’s comedy focuses on relationships, dating, and sex, and she is known for putting on an impressive show whenever she performs.
21. Tiffany Haddish
Tiffany Haddish has been in the comedy scene for quite some time and started out with shows like That’s So Raven, It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, and New Girl. She was the first female stand-up comedian to host a Saturday Night Live episode and is an inspiration to up-and-coming female comics.
More recently Tiffany has two extremely popular Netflix specials as well as a series where she introduces new or lesser-known comedians to the public.
20. Katherine Ryan
Katherine Ryan is a highly talented comedian who is originally from Canada but has moved to the U.K. with her daughter and partner. Her source of inspiration for her comedy are her family and roots, as she belongs to Sarnia, Ontario.
She has become globally famous for her stand-up specials The Glitter Room and In Trouble and has also starred in the hit comedy series The Duchess.
19. Whoopi Goldberg
Whoopi Goldberg is one of the most revered Black female comedians in the industry, and she is known for her unabashed humor on stage and TV. She has also worked as an actor and writer in the business and is loved by fans for talking about things as they are. Her wittiness is what sets her apart from other veteran comics and is why she is still widely popular worldwide. Currently she is most visible on ABC’s morning show The View where she is one of the most popular hosts.
18. Sarah Silverman
Sarah Silverman started her career in comedy ten years ago and got her big break from The Sarah Silverman Program. She has also done some late-night comedy sections and usually focuses on political comedy.
Sarah’s recent comedy special on Hulu, I Love You, America, is highly popular among fans of political comedy in the US.
17. Hannah Gadsby
Hannah Gadsby is originally from Australia but has won over the hearts of Americans with her amazing sense of humor. She became a part of the American comedy scene after winning a comedy competition in Australia and even went on to produce a Netflix comedy special called Nanette.
She speaks honestly yet humorously about her experiences and shares commentary regarding her gender, childhood difficulties, sexuality, and trauma.
16. Mindy Kaling
If you’ve seen the American version of The Office, you probably already know about the genius of Mindy Kaling, a spectacular comedy writer, actress, and stand-up comic. She has conquered Hollywood and has worked on hit projects like Late Night, The Mindy Project, and the hit Netflix series, Never Have I Ever.
Her comedy style appeals to all audiences, and her observant nature allows her to deliver jokes that can be relatable for everyone.
15. Nicole Byer
If you ever watched the hilarious show Girl Code on MTV, then you will remember Nicole Byer for spitting the truth in the most brutal yet hilarious manner. She also has a podcast called ‘Why Won’t You Date Me?’ where she discusses her love life and invites other comedians to make sense of their romantic lives.
Nicole is also a fantastic stand-up comedian and has hosted the hit Netflix show ‘Nailed It!’ which is a reality baking show.
14. Kathy Griffin
Kathy Griffin is one of the most well-known veteran female comics in the US. She has been in LA’s stand-up comedy scene for a long time and is known for her candid, observational style of humor.
Her acts also include talking about various celebrities and telling embellished accounts of stories regarding them.
13. Ms. Pat
Ms. Pat is an up-and-coming comedian who is becoming increasingly popular worldwide due to her Netflix special ‘Ms. Pat: Y’all Wanna Hear Something Crazy?’. She has also appeared in several comedy podcasts as well as her own show called ‘The Ms. Pat Show’.
She was recently on a hilarious podcast with Joe Rogan. This is worth a watch!
12. Tig Notaro
Tig Notaro is another famous female comedian who is known among her fans for her deadpan comedy. Her comedy album Live was nominated for a Grammy, and she is a veteran in the industry who started doing stand-up in the 90s.
11. Chelsea Peretti
If you are a fan of deadpan humor, you will love Chelsea Peretti’s live comedy acts. Although she gained popularity through her role as Gina on Brooklyn Nine Nine, she is a highly talented comedian who had a Netflix special premiere in 2014. She is a woman with many talents and has also released an EP called Foam and Flotsam, which is a collection of funny songs.
10. Whitney Cummings
No comedian hustles harder than Whitney Cummings, who has four comedy specials on four major platforms such as Netflix, Amazon Prime, Comedy Central, and HBO Max. She also hosts a hilarious podcast called Good for You, where she interviews other comics, topic experts, and various celebrities. Aside from that, Whitney also takes her comedy on the road regularly and performs in different locations nationwide.
9. Kate McKinnon
Anyone who is a true fan of SNL will tell you that Kate McKinnon is the funniest cast member on Saturday Night Live. She is not only just the most experienced female cast member but is also the first openly lesbian person on the show. If you have ever switched to Saturday Night Live on TV or watched clips of performances online, you must know how spot-on her impressions of Hilary Clinton, Ellen DeGeneres, Elizabeth Warren, and Justin Bieber are.
8. Ellen DeGeneres
Ellen DeGeneres is one of America’s top stand-up comedians and TV show hosts. She started her career in comedy with stand-up and starred in a sitcom as well. However, what made her rise in popularity has to be The Ellen Show which she hosted for almost nineteen seasons.
7. Tina Fey
Tina started working in comedy as a member of The Second City, an improv comedy group based in Chicago. Now, she is a highly experienced and respected comedian who has been a part of Saturday Night Live, Mean Girls, 30 Rock, Baby Mama, and Muppets Most Wanted.
She is also associated with the comedian Amy Poehler and has received several awards for her distinct style of humor.
6. Melissa McCarthy
Melissa McCarthy first appeared on TV on the show Gilmore Girls and later went on to work on Mike & Molly, Bridesmaids, The Heat, and other hit comedies. S
he has also made appearances on Saturday Night Live and has received several accolades and nominations for her talents.
5. Wanda Sykes
Wanda Sykes started in comedy as a writer on The Chris Rock show. She has acted in key roles in various comedy shows such as Blackish and also showcased her talents on the big screen. Entertainment Weekly recognized her talents and even named her as one of the 25 funniest people in the country.
Wanda’s Netflix special Not Normal is a must-watch for comedy fans as she talks about politics, family, and relationships in a fun and relatable way.
4. Leslie Jones
If you regularly watch TV, you must have seen Leslie Jones making audiences chortle on Saturday Night Live. She has appeared in a few comedy series and movies and now has her own stand-up special called Time Machine on Netflix. I need to add a personal note here too – in December 2022, I was fortunate to see her live in person at Los Angeles’s famous Comedy Store. Leslie was an unannounced addition to the lineup and she was on fire and had the crowd laughing for her entire set!
3. Taylor Tomlinson
Every adult in their 20s has watched Taylor Tomlinson’s Netflix special Quarter-Life Crisis on Netflix and related it to a deeper level with her honest yet ridiculous retelling of life. She talks about navigating relationships with her parents and making regrettable dating decisions.
Even though she is just 27, Taylor has been working in the industry since she was a teenager. She has been a part of various comedy competitions and is regularly touring the country to showcase her skills to a wider audience.
2. Jenny Slate
Jenny Slate may look young, but she has a lot of comedic credits under her belt. She has been featured on the hit TV show Parks and Recreation and has even voiced Marcel the Shell.
Her stand-up special, Stage Fright, is a hit among stand-up comedy fans as her relatable humor about adulthood, experiences as a comedian, and her family can make you laugh out loud.
1. Iliza Shlesinger
Iliza is a one-of-a-kind stand-up comic who can make audiences laugh with her irreverent and hilarious jokes. She has released five Netflix specials over the years and also has a fantastic sketch show called The Iliza Shlesinger Sketch Show. The show features various wacky characters and has crazy skits that make your stomach hurt as you laugh out loud with friends.
Top 10 Female Stand-Up Specials You Need to Watch
Ready to bust a gut laughing? MsMojo ranks the best female stand-up specials. These are the female stand-up specials you need to watch. We’re looking at the most hilarious or memorable stand-up comedy specials by female comics.
Summary
There is no shortage of talented women in the world of stand-up comedy. While some get their start in coffee houses, some comedians work as comedy writers before taking their stand-up to larger audiences.
The women we have featured are some of the best female comedians in the world, that have overcome numerous struggles and obstacles in their rise to the top. They now have a huge fan following who love and support their unique talents and humor.
Many up-and-coming artists like Irene Tu, Annie Lederman, and Olivia Hill appreciate the industry veterans’ talents and hope to make their own way in the industry just like them.
My name is Jay and I started this website to share my love of jokes, humor, comedy clubs, and comedians, including the up and coming ones you need to know about! Please feel to send me your suggestions and feedback through the contact form.