50 funniest New Yorkers

The best comedians—and most hilarious writers and performers—living in Gotham, as picked by TONY.

By Adam Feldman, Matthew Love, Tim Lowery and Amy Plitt Mon Apr 16 2012

One of our top 50, Kurt Braunohler, sums up the New York scene.


Ambitious, loud, irrepressible, honest, impatient and rude; New Yorkers get called a lot of things, and certainly we all embody these qualities at one time or another. But we'd like to posit one more adjective just as ubiquitous (but much less recognized) in the makeup of those who make their home in our fair metropolis: funny. The writers, comics and storytellers on this list have met the grit and grime of this place head-on, and found ways to laugh in spite of it. Moreover, they've excelled (and, for the purposes of this list, continue to excel) at helping the rest of us find the humor in it as well.

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Comments & ratings

Rated as: 2/5 (5 ratings)

  • all Reggie fans need to watch this vid! http://vimeo.com/36785797

    John Tue Apr 17 2012
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  • So many important and innovative funny people are left off this list of 50 -- surprise -- mostly already famous people. Looks like another missed opportunity to help comedians - some of the most beloved yet under supported performers in the world.

    JasonR Tue Apr 17 2012
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  • I only read this list to make sure that Tom Scharpling was included (and then I stopped there)---great pick, guys! ...But did you really need to tell us that Jerry Seinfeld and Howard Stern are funny New Yorkers? I know this isn't a top "unknowns" list, but telling me that Seinfeld is funny is like telling me water is wet. Could have used those spots for a struggling comic. Just my two cents.

    MsBellaF Tue Apr 17 2012
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  • Dave Hill!

    Popular Charlie Tue Apr 17 2012
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  • I guess I really don't understand why Demetri Martin wouldn't be on the list

    Michael Tue Apr 17 2012
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  • more than a few of these don't live in Nyc at all but solid solid list of greatness

    Joe reiner Tue Apr 17 2012
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  • Chris Gethard? Bobby Moynihan? Will Hines? Sarah Silverman (when shes not in LA)? Kate Beaton (well, until she moves back to Canada)?

    Billy Tue Apr 17 2012
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