The funniest black female comedians you should watch right now

Luenell attends Imagine LA's 8th Annual Imagine Ball at The Peppermint Club on November 04, 2023, in Los Angeles, California. Photo: Vivien Killilea Source: Getty Images

Black female comedians have broken boundaries and are now bringing unique voices to the comedic world. With their sharp wit, bold perspectives and fearless storytelling, these beautiful women aren’t only making waves in the traditionally male-dominated industry but are also giving some of the most memorable and relatable laughs.

Comedians Luenell, Wanda and Monique
Comedians Luenell, Wanda and Monique. Photo: Randy Holmes/Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic (modified by author)
Source: Getty Images

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Standup comedy is more than mere jokes; it has always been a cultural commentary. Black female comedians use artful humour to attack stereotypes and talk about racial inequality. They expose something about the experience of being black in America.

These comedians are ranked based on their years of experience in comedy, fan votes, and the success of their top shows. This list has been carefully sourced from Funtimes and The Ranker.

Comedian Career start year
Luenell Campbell 1993
Wanda Yvette Sykes 1987
Monique Angela Hicks 1990
Sherri Evonne Shepherd 1995
Lori Ann Rambough 1992
Sheryl Patrice Underwood 1988
Kimberly Nichole Wayans 1982
Loni Love 2000
Adele Givens 1989
Jasmine Luv 2016

1. Luenell Campbell

  • Full name: Luenell Campbell
  • Date of birth: March 12, 1959
  • Age: 65 years old (as of 2024)
  • Place of birth: Tollette, Arkansas, US
  • Nationality: American

Luenell Campbell, the self-described “Original Bad Girl of Comedy”, rose to fame in the early 1990s after her regular appearances on Soul Beat TV alongside journalist Chauncey Bailey. She is known for her big personality, infectious laughter and booming voice.

Luenell has been thrilling audiences for over 30 years and is one of the most sought-after and in-demand black female stand-up comedians. She has appeared in two trendy Eddie Murphy films and others, including Apollo Night LA and God Save the Queens.

2. Wanda Sykes

Wanda Sykes attends the Los Angele premiere for Hulu's
Wanda Sykes attends the Los Angele premiere for Hulu’s “History of the World, Part II” at Hollywood Legion Theater on February 27, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. Photo: Rodin Eckenroth
Source: Getty Images
  • Full name: Wanda Yvette Sykes
  • Date of birth: March 7, 1964
  • Age: 60 years old (as of 2024)
  • Place of birth: Portsmouth, Virginia, US
  • Nationality: American

Wanda Sykes is among the most famous black female comedians. She was first recognised for her writing on The Chris Rock Show, which won her the 1999 Primetime Emmy Award. In 2004, Entertainment Weekly named her among the 25 funniest people in the USA.

Wanda Sykes is known for her roles in The New Adventures of Old Christine, Curb Your Enthusiasm, Black-ish, The Good Fight, The Other Two, The Upshaws, and more. She has also had a career in film, featuring in My Super Ex-Girlfriend and Monster-in-Law, as well as voicing animated characters in the Ice Age franchise, Brother Bear 2, and more.

3. Mo’Nique

Comedian Mo'Nique performs onstage during The Bridge Comedy Show at Stockbridge Amphitheater on October 14, 2023 in Stockbridge, Georgia.
Comedian Mo’Nique performs onstage during The Bridge Comedy Show at Stockbridge Amphitheater on October 14, 2023 in Stockbridge, Georgia. Photo: Paras Griffin
Source: Getty Images
  • Full name: Monique Angela Hicks
  • Date of birth: December 11, 1967
  • Age: 56 years old (as of 2024)
  • Place of birth: Woodlawn, Maryland, US
  • Nationality: American

Mo’Nique began as a stand-up comedian, debuting in The Queens of Comedy. She then transitioned into mainstream TV and film, starring in The Parkers, Phat Girlz and Welcome Home Roscoe Jenkins.

In 2009, she gave an incredible performance in the film Precious, winning numerous awards, including the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress, making her the fourth black woman to win it. She has since hosted The Mo’Nique Show and starred in Bessie.

4. Sherri Shepherd

Sherri Shepherd attends 18th Annual Evening Under The Stars Gala on October 19, 2024 in Pasadena, California.
Sherri Shepherd attends 18th Annual Evening Under The Stars Gala on October 19, 2024 in Pasadena, California. Photo: Leon Bennett
Source: Getty Images
  • Full name: Sherri Evonne Shepherd
  • Date of birth: April 22, 1967
  • Age: 57 years old (as of 2024)
  • Place of birth: Chicago, Illinois, US
  • Nationality: American

Sherri Shepherd is a black female comedian with a talk show. Her first TV job was in the 1995 short-lived sitcom Cleghorne! She later rose to fame for her Sheila Yarborough role on The Jamie Foxx Show and recurring roles on Everybody Loves Raymond and Suddenly Susan.

She has appeared in several blockbuster TV shows and films such as The War at Home, 30 Rock, Friends, Sherri, How I Met Your Mother, Cinderella, Trial and Error, etc. The American comedian currently hosts the daily syndicated daytime talk show Sherri.

5. Sommore

Comedian Sommore performs onstage during
Comedian Sommore performs onstage during “Festival of Laughs” tour at Philips Arena on April 7, 2017 in Atlanta, Georgia. Photo: Paras Griffin
Source: Getty Images
  • Full name: Lori Ann Rambough
  • Date of birth: May 15, 1966
  • Age: 58 years old (as of 2024)
  • Place of birth: Trenton, New Jersey, US
  • Nationality: American

Sommore, also known as the “Diva of Contemporary Comedy” or the undisputed “Queen of Comedy,” is one of America’s top comedic female entertainers. Her comedic style includes frank discussions and biting sarcasm about money, sexuality, and gender equality.

She rose to fame as the first female host of the long-running BET show ComicView and has starred in several TV films, including Soul Plane and Friday After Next.

6. Sheryl Underwood

Actress Sheryl Underwood at The Grio Awards 2022 held at The Beverly Hilton on October 22, 2022 in Beverly Hills California.
Actress Sheryl Underwood at The Grio Awards 2022 held at The Beverly Hilton on October 22, 2022 in Beverly Hills California. Photo: Tommaso Boddi
Source: Getty Images
  • Full name: Sheryl Patrice Underwood
  • Date of birth: October 28, 1963
  • Age: 61 years old (as of 2024)
  • Place of birth: Little Rock, Arkansas, US
  • Nationality: American

The American comedian, actress, and TV host made a name in the comedy world as the first female finalist in the Miller Lite Comedy Search in 1989. Following her stand-up comedy success, Sheryl Underwood took several minor and major acting roles in TV films and shows, including I Got the Hook Up and Beauty Shop.

She’s one of the CBS show The Talk’s longest-running co-hosts, having begun the role in September 2011. She has been nominated for the Daytime Emmy Award seven times and only won it once.

7. Kim Wayans

Actor Kim Wayans attended the Tribeca Film Festival after-party for
Actor Kim Wayans attends the Tribeca Film Festival after-party for “In Living Color” hosted by Bulleit at the Bulleit Lounge on April 27, 2019, in New York City. Photo: Lars Niki
Source: Getty Images
  • Full name: Kimberly Nichole Wayans
  • Date of birth: October 16, 1961
  • Age: 63 years old (as of 2024)
  • Place of birth: New York City, New York, US
  • Nationality: American

Kim, who grew up with ten lively siblings, some of them now famous, is one of the top comedians in the USA. She made her film debut in Hollywood Shuffle, and her earliest TV roles include appearances on China Beach, A Different World, I’m Gonna Git You, and A Low Down Dirty Shame.

Because of her popularity as a comedian, Kim claims she struggled to find roles in other niches. But she finally managed and has appeared in Criminal Minds, Hawaii Five-0, Reckless, The Soul Man, and more.

8. Loni Love

Loni Love attends the 26th Annual Women's Image Network Awards at The Beverly Hilton on October 23, 2024, in Beverly Hills, California.
Loni Love attends the 26th Annual Women’s Image Network Awards at The Beverly Hilton on October 23, 2024, in Beverly Hills, California. Photo: Paul Archuleta
Source: Getty Images
  • Full name: Loni Love
  • Date of birth: July 12, 1971
  • Age: 53 years old (as of 2024)
  • Place of birth: Detroit, Michigan, US
  • Nationality: American

Loni Love’s career journey is fascinating. She began as an electrical engineer, switched to music engineering, and finally launched a career in stand-up comedy in the early 2000s.

In 2003, she was the runner-up on Star Search, and in 2009, she was listed among the “Top 10 Comics to Watch in both Comedy Central and Variety. She co-hosted the talk show The Real (2013-2022).

9. Adele Givens

Comedian and actress Adele Givens is seen arriving at her comedy show on January 14, 2023, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Comedian, actress Adele Givens is seen arriving to her comedy show on January 14, 2023 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Photo: Gilbert Carrasquillo
Source: Getty Images
  • Full name: Adele Givens
  • Date of birth: July 1, 1960
  • Age: 64 years old (as of 2024)
  • Place of birth: Chicago, Illinois, US
  • Nationality: American

Adele Givens began her comedy career in the late 1980s. In 1989, she was the Grand Prize Winner of the Crown Royal Comedy Content in Chicago. She has had major roles in several blockbuster TV films and shows, including The Player Club, Beauty Shop, The Source, The Parkers, Comedy Central Presents, Tracey Takes On and more.

10. Jasmine Luv

Actress Jasmine Luv speaks at the
Actress Jasmine Luv speaks at the “Pull Up & Park” cancer awareness & BET Her film screening event at RFK Stadium on October 14, 2020, in Washington, DC. Photo: Paul Morigi
Source: Getty Images
  • Full name: Jasmine Luv
  • Date of birth: July 5, 1989
  • Age: 35 years old (as of 2024)
  • Place of birth: Columbia, South Carolina, US
  • Nationality: American

Jasmine Luv is one of the new young black female comedians famous for her female-driven sketch comedy. VH1 named her the top influencer slaying the online comedy world. She has appeared in several TV films and shows, including Tell It Like a Woman, Chicago Med, and Starter Pack.

Final word

Black female comedians have brought unique perspectives, humour, and resilience to audiences everywhere, opening doors for the next generation of comedians. Their success and longevity in the competitive industry showcase their incredible talent and determination.

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Whether China, Hong Kong, South Korea, Japan, or Thailand, each Asian country has a unique way of presenting humour. So, who are the funniest Asian comedians? Read this article for details.

Authors:

Bill Cyril Salasya avatar

Bill Cyril Salasya (Lifestyle writer) Bill Cyril Salasya is an experienced writer who joined the Tuko team in 2023. He holds a Bachelor of Education (Arts) degree from Kisii University. Bill has 5 years of experience in the field and has worked as a content writer at Strikingly, Urban Ambiance, and WOW Travels and as a freelance writer at Upwork. He works on various topics, including technology, lifestyle, travel, entertainment, marketing, etc. In 2023, Bill finished the AFP course on Digital Investigation Techniques. In 2024, he expanded his skills through Google News Initiative courses. You can reach him at billsalasya@gmail.com

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