African American Comedians

It is said that laughter is the best medicine. The ability to withstand adversity often lies in the ability to envision humor in a given situation. The contribution of comedians, who have put smiles on the faces of millions worldwide and filled homes with laughter is immeasurable. The following are some famous African American comedians.

Moms Mabley (1894 - 1975)
Moms Mabley is a perfect example of using humor to overcome misfortune. Much of her material reflected the trials of her teenage years. Born Loretta Mary Aiken in North Carolina, she adopted the stage name Jackie Mabley from a boyfriend. Her explanation given during a magazine interview was that he had taken so much from her, the least she could do was to take his name. The moniker Moms stemmed from the motherly care she provided to several other comedians on the circuit. She was one of the top women stand-up comediennes of her time, and at her peak she earned US$10,000 a week at Harlem's Apollo Theater. She appeared in clubs, movies and on television, and also recorded more than 20 comedy routines.

Redd Foxx (1922 - 1991)
Born John Elroy Sanford, he was nicknamed Chicago Red due to his reddish hair and complexion. The latter part of his name was borrowed from baseball star Jimmie Foxx. Redd was first recognized due to his immensely popular nightclub act. His popularity soared when he starred in the television series Sanford and Son. He used this position to help his friends get jobs. He is considered a pioneer and greatly influenced future African American comedians. On May 17, 1992 several years after his death, he was given a star on the St. Louis Walk of Fame.

Dick Gregory (1932 - )
Dick Gregory is a comedian, social activist, writer and entrepreneur. A lifelong advocate for civil rights, he has always used his social satire to get across most of his messages. His detached, ironic, and satirical style of humor is well received by both white and black audiences. A high point in his career was when, after a clever routine, he was hired by Hugh Hefner to replace a white comedian at the Chicago Playboy Club. An interesting fact is that he unsuccessfully ran for President of the United States in 1968. He is also an outstanding athlete.

Bill Cosby (1937 - )
Bill Cosby is a living legend. This immensely talented comedian's prowess extends to acting, writing, producing and activism. He started his career as a stand-up comedian in the club circuit. His big break came in 1965 when he became the first African American to star on a prime time television show, titled I Spy. For his spectacular performance, he won three consecutive Emmy Awards for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series. In the following years, he acted in a number of TV shows, including Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids, and also jointly made films like Uptown Saturday Night (1974) and Let's Do It Again (1975). His greatest acclaim came in September, 1984 with the debut of The Cosby Show. Bill Cosby has always maintained a very high standard in his comedy, and has always steered clear of vulgar and profane language and material.

Richard Pryor (1940 - 2005)
This comedian, actor and writer's life was as colorful as the language he loved to use. A life that began with a violent childhood, was marked with multiple marriages, arrests and drug abuse. He came to be identified with the profane language and racial expletives that dotted his routines. A lot of his material brusquely addressed racism and customs in modern life. His long list of accomplishments include recordings, movies and several awards. He gave unforgettable performances in movies such as Blue Collar, Superman III and the comedy Silver Streak. His awards include an Emmy Award in 1973, and five Grammy Awards, two American Academy of Humor Awards and the Writers Guild of America Award. Some of his recordings are Richard Pryor: Live and Smokin' (1971), That Nigger's Crazy (1974), ...Is It Something I Said? (1975), Bicentennial Nigger (1976), Richard Pryor: Live in Concert (1979), Richard Pryor: Live on the Sunset Strip (1982) and Richard Pryor: Here and Now (1983).

Other renowned African American comedians include Whoopi Goldberg, Eddie Murphy and Chris Rock.

These African American comedians overcame personal obstacles to pursue their dreams, achieving fame and fortune in the process. Many of them have used their wit to break down racial barriers. They are legends in their own right and continue to inspire future generations of African Americans to reach for the stars.