Generations Of Laughter - Famous Comedians

Richard Pryor, Bill Cosby, Peter Cook, Eric Morecambe, Robin Williams, Peter Kay, Tommy Cooper, Lenny Bruce, George Carlin, and Peter Sellers – they are all famous comedians of the 20th century. Apart from being 10 of the most famous comedians that ever lived, there is one thing common to them – they can make any generation laugh. The veterans, as they are referred to by comical enthusiasts, this selection of most famous comedians features the comical legends of all time.

Richard Pryor's demise in December 2006 might have caused thousands to grieve, but his jokes and acts are etched on people's minds. Pryor's trademark was his use of vulgarities, racial epithets, and made audiences laugh with his language that described a truly seasoned comedian.

The Bill Cosby Show would not be named after this entertainer if not for his craft in comedy. The said show was a huge success in the 1980's, which made him one of the highest paid entertainers in this decade. Bill Cosby has won several Grammy awards for his comedy albums, not to mention receiving awards annually from 1965-1970 and once more in 1987.

Next on the list of famous comedians is the English Peter Cook, who was a writer, comedian and famous for his satires. He's well recognized as the father of the British satire boom that started in the 1960's.

Eric Morecambe, one of the famous comedians, was born Eric John Bartholomew. He's revered as UK's "comic genius". Eric performed with a double act named Ernie Wise. They made their name on the radio, prior to landing on television in 1955, and appeared in many series including "Two of a Kind".

The famous comedian behind Popeye and Mrs. Doubtfire, Robin Williams is natural in improvisation comedy. A multi-awarded actor/comedian, his first appearance on the limelight was as a stand-up comedian doing routines in San Francisco. Robin got the highest spot after being voted by fellow comedians in the Top 50 comedy acts ever in 2005.

Tommy Cooper is considered among the most inventive and funny comedians next to Charlie Chaplin. This British actor's trademark is magic tricks to fail. Despite this, he was actually adept in magic and member of the Magic Circle. His last act was in 1984 when he collapsed in front of his audience who thought it was part of his act.

Lenny Bruce was a celebrated British stand-up comedian who turned the stand up comedy into a real form of entertainment. He was a popular satirist of the 1950's and 60's. Following in the footsteps of one of the famous comedians Lenny was George Carlin, a comedian who made leaps in cultural boundaries. He started in stand-up comedy in the 1960's after doing radio. He was hailed to the Comedy Hall of Fame in November of 1994.

Richard Henry Sellers was one of the celebrated British famous comedians, who starred in "The Goon Show", a BBC radio show that ran from 1951-1960. Director Blake Edwards awarded him the description the "mercurial clown" for being able to turn comedy into drama and vice versa, instantly.