here this is from me thank you hope you
like it it’s just what I wanted
they’re the original kings and queens of
comedy welcome to watchmojo.com and
today we’re counting down our picks for
the top ten comedy actors of the
pre-1970s
i plan a win the game for this list
we’re scouring Hollywood history to find
the funniest comedic actors and are
categorizing them by the era in which
they proved the most impactful Hey Hey
just hold on she’s just fine just fine
all over isn’t she why you have what
we’re focusing on performers from both
feature films and television but have
decided to exclude talk-show hosts and
voice actors this is part of a series of
videos spanning the decades number ten
Jack lemon puss good proposed to me
we’re planning a June wedding after a
tremendous run throughout the 1950s and
an Academy Award winning performance in
1955 s mr. Roberts this Massachusetts
native became the comedic muse
greatest directors mr. Billy Wilder but
you’re not a girl you’re a guy and why
would a guy want to marry a guy security
over the next 10 years Jack Lemmon was
one of the era’s most prominent comedy
actors with his friendly neighbor
demeanor and exaggerated slapstick
comedy style there anything for a giant
I sell yeah they uh they just don’t know
what it’s like living alone do they
I’d be immensely grateful to you Felix
if you didn’t clean up just now just a
few things he was nominated for several
Golden Globes during the mid-60s and
closed off that decade with the classic
The Odd Couple alongside his friend and
frequent acting partner Walter Matthau I
don’t think that two single men living
alone in a big eight room apartment
should have a cleaner house than my
mother however it was his magnetic
performances and some like it hot and
the apartment that
and above the rest where we go my place
yours might as well go to mine everybody
else does
number nine Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy
I was afraid afraid of what when it
comes to classic comedy routines it was
these two goofballs that helped usher in
the Golden Age of Hollywood
oh what a small world what a small world
while Laurel and Hardy first appeared
together in the 1921 film the lucky dog
the two comedy veterans permanently
joined forces five years later and
killed it with wacky catchphrases and
screwball antics
unlike many double acts they shared the
laughs equally and successfully made the
jump from silent films to talkies unlike
many others in the pale moonshine a
hearts entwined why she carved a name
and I carved my no June the cuckoo theme
became synonymous with the Laurel and
Hardy brand and by the end of their
partnership they provided fans with over
100 collaborations oh why don’t you
stand in the window why don’t you mind
your own business
number eight Harold Lloyd beguiling and
bespectacled this man often took a
backseat to more popular names in the
realm of silent cinema but his resume
stands among the greats known perhaps
most for his famous glasses persona
Harold Lloyd was just your average
American with an uncompromising sense of
humor
a prolific performer he made a couple
hundred films during his over 30 year
career many of which featured stunt
sequences that thrilled audiences of the
era
however his most iconic performance came
in 1923 as he dangled from a clock in
safety last
he was the quintessential boy-next-door
in early Hollywood comedies and gave
audiences plenty to think about beyond
typical gags number seven Bud Abbott and
Lou Costello and he walked like this
today New Yorkers watch films at the AMC
Empire on 42nd Street however back in
1935 it was a burlesque theater and the
stomping grounds of Bud Abbott and Lou
Costello well then it’s gonna cost you
overtime because I’m a union man and I
work only 16 hours a day a union man
only works eight hours a day
I belong to two unions after signing
with Universal Studios in 1940 the
comedic tandem was on the fast track to
fame especially given the success of
their unforgettable bit who’s on first
who’s on first yes I mean the guy’s name
who I got man fights who got played
first base who Abbott and Costello
appeared in a number of comedic gems
during the late 40s but they are most
known for the small screen sensation the
Abbott and Costello show a program
that’s considered a landmark in TV and
inspired perhaps the most popular sitcom
ever I’m gonna she’s I ask you what’s
the first place what’s the second
baseman I don’t even get passed over all
right
who’s on second who’s on first number
six Lucille Ball
this woman’s beloved sitcom made her a
universal star but what many don’t
realize is that she was already 40 years
old when the first episode aired well
hot-diggity you want to know something
this is Ricardo what I liked you too
you’re just my type rant Lucille Ball
appeared in dozens of Hollywood films
with RKO in the 30s and 40s and it was
during this time that she met a band
leader named Desi Arnaz just over ten
years after exchanging vows their first
child was born as was a television
series that would charm the socks of
American viewers the husband and wife
banter of I Love Lucy immediately found
a following and spawned specials in the
late 50s entitled the lucy-desi comedy
hour it was all in the name we all loved
Lucy
we’re losing our baby honey it’s only
nursery school today nurseries go
tomorrow collie number five the Three
Stooges
yes that’s true originally a vaudeville
act this comedy collective became the
preeminent stars of Columbia Pictures
during the late 30s Oh comprised mainly
of Larry fine and the three Howard
brothers Moe curly and Shemp the Stooges
pumped out one hundred and ninety shorts
during a 15 year span and milked every
bit of farcical comedy one could imagine
– fine room 72 dr. Howard Rome 83 room
66 72 their haircuts were both
devastating and spectacular while their
catchphrases can still be heard today
sure you might not be able to name ten
of their films but you definitely know
who they are and might even be able to
replicate a gag or two I like the job
alright but I can’t leave my two pals
you know our motto has always been one
for all all for me peggeleh ha ha
number four Jerry Lewis they have very
very good taste I might add in 1948 this
comic appeared on a television program
that would eventually become known as
The Ed Sullivan Show the duo of Jerry
Lewis and partner Dean Martin performed
their live act which was often
improvised given their natural comedic
chemistry yeah
good daddy oh boy are you a terrific
daddy oh right
with Lois playing the stooge role in
Martin and Lewis he quickly became a hot
commodity in Hollywood and ultimately
became a leading man most notably in the
1963 classic the Nutty Professor a film
Louis also directed just don’t do
shopping shit there that is that class
dismissed
he went on to become a Hollywood icon
but it was Louis’s early performances on
the Colgate Comedy Hour that captured
the essence of his act number three the
Marx Brothers I welcome you with open
all is that so I’ll let you stay open
Chico Harpo Groucho these three men
changed the face of comedy in the United
States at a time when Hollywood was
still mostly an idea why born and raised
in the Big Apple to Jewish immigrants
the brothers toured America as a
vaudeville act
transitioned from their emphasis on
singing to a hysterical focus on comedy
gonna be ashame yourself when you hear
that story but you told it to me oh yes
I remember
upon commanding the stages of Broadway
with their freeform style you expecting
somebody yes the Marx Brothers signed
with Paramount Studios and films like a
Night at the Opera and Duck Soup became
defining pieces of work in a blossoming
industry I’m a man oh you would I’m a
man of one way it’s Graham number two
Buster Keaton long before he became
known as the great stone face a child
named Joseph Keaton performed for his
father’s traveling vaudeville show which
was cooperated by Harry Houdini just
over 15 years later a chance encounter
with Fatty Arbuckle led the seasoned
performer to Hollywood and the persona
of Buster Keaton was born his
directorial innovations were legendary
but his straight-faced brand of humor
made him the most famous American comic
of his day
part magician part stunt guy and part
leading man Keaton transcended the
perceived possibilities of film before
the existence of talkies we undoubtedly
owe a lot to Buster and his blistering
routines
before we unveil our top pick here are a
few honorable mentions
you know what the bank account is now
it’s going up up
we got $75
this is mr. Hsu say he’s taken over the
direction of the picture how did you
sleep well last night
why maybe you come see come saw you go
to where we go that’s right okay let’s
go
number one Charlie Chaplin in 1913 this
man was already a notable British
performer when he arrived in America but
nobody knew that he was about to
revolutionize the business side of
Hollywood and the art of filmmaking with
his down-and-out character named the
Tramp Charlie Chaplin found a way to
emotionally connect with audiences while
simultaneously lifting their spirits his
roles were tinged with vulnerability and
as the years passed his political
consciousness proved just how powerful a
muted voice could be a secret agent
it’s a afresh it’s gang monolith eda we
got Stefan de strappin see Stefan even
when sound trumped the idea of silent
cinema Chaplin continued to work on his
own terms well into the 1950s Chaplin is
the first the last the everything when
it comes to modern comedy
do you agree with our list who’s your
favorite comedy actor from before the
1970s bro you guys on the stage and all
you people in the technical offices we
thank you from the bottom of our hearts
we’re very grateful to you listening in
all we can say is good night and God
bless for more mind-blowing top 10s
published every day be sure to subscribe
to watchmojo.com
like it it’s just what I wanted
they’re the original kings and queens of
comedy welcome to watchmojo.com and
today we’re counting down our picks for
the top ten comedy actors of the
pre-1970s
i plan a win the game for this list
we’re scouring Hollywood history to find
the funniest comedic actors and are
categorizing them by the era in which
they proved the most impactful Hey Hey
just hold on she’s just fine just fine
all over isn’t she why you have what
we’re focusing on performers from both
feature films and television but have
decided to exclude talk-show hosts and
voice actors this is part of a series of
videos spanning the decades number ten
Jack lemon puss good proposed to me
we’re planning a June wedding after a
tremendous run throughout the 1950s and
an Academy Award winning performance in
1955 s mr. Roberts this Massachusetts
native became the comedic muse
greatest directors mr. Billy Wilder but
you’re not a girl you’re a guy and why
would a guy want to marry a guy security
over the next 10 years Jack Lemmon was
one of the era’s most prominent comedy
actors with his friendly neighbor
demeanor and exaggerated slapstick
comedy style there anything for a giant
I sell yeah they uh they just don’t know
what it’s like living alone do they
I’d be immensely grateful to you Felix
if you didn’t clean up just now just a
few things he was nominated for several
Golden Globes during the mid-60s and
closed off that decade with the classic
The Odd Couple alongside his friend and
frequent acting partner Walter Matthau I
don’t think that two single men living
alone in a big eight room apartment
should have a cleaner house than my
mother however it was his magnetic
performances and some like it hot and
the apartment that
and above the rest where we go my place
yours might as well go to mine everybody
else does
number nine Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy
I was afraid afraid of what when it
comes to classic comedy routines it was
these two goofballs that helped usher in
the Golden Age of Hollywood
oh what a small world what a small world
while Laurel and Hardy first appeared
together in the 1921 film the lucky dog
the two comedy veterans permanently
joined forces five years later and
killed it with wacky catchphrases and
screwball antics
unlike many double acts they shared the
laughs equally and successfully made the
jump from silent films to talkies unlike
many others in the pale moonshine a
hearts entwined why she carved a name
and I carved my no June the cuckoo theme
became synonymous with the Laurel and
Hardy brand and by the end of their
partnership they provided fans with over
100 collaborations oh why don’t you
stand in the window why don’t you mind
your own business
number eight Harold Lloyd beguiling and
bespectacled this man often took a
backseat to more popular names in the
realm of silent cinema but his resume
stands among the greats known perhaps
most for his famous glasses persona
Harold Lloyd was just your average
American with an uncompromising sense of
humor
a prolific performer he made a couple
hundred films during his over 30 year
career many of which featured stunt
sequences that thrilled audiences of the
era
however his most iconic performance came
in 1923 as he dangled from a clock in
safety last
he was the quintessential boy-next-door
in early Hollywood comedies and gave
audiences plenty to think about beyond
typical gags number seven Bud Abbott and
Lou Costello and he walked like this
today New Yorkers watch films at the AMC
Empire on 42nd Street however back in
1935 it was a burlesque theater and the
stomping grounds of Bud Abbott and Lou
Costello well then it’s gonna cost you
overtime because I’m a union man and I
work only 16 hours a day a union man
only works eight hours a day
I belong to two unions after signing
with Universal Studios in 1940 the
comedic tandem was on the fast track to
fame especially given the success of
their unforgettable bit who’s on first
who’s on first yes I mean the guy’s name
who I got man fights who got played
first base who Abbott and Costello
appeared in a number of comedic gems
during the late 40s but they are most
known for the small screen sensation the
Abbott and Costello show a program
that’s considered a landmark in TV and
inspired perhaps the most popular sitcom
ever I’m gonna she’s I ask you what’s
the first place what’s the second
baseman I don’t even get passed over all
right
who’s on second who’s on first number
six Lucille Ball
this woman’s beloved sitcom made her a
universal star but what many don’t
realize is that she was already 40 years
old when the first episode aired well
hot-diggity you want to know something
this is Ricardo what I liked you too
you’re just my type rant Lucille Ball
appeared in dozens of Hollywood films
with RKO in the 30s and 40s and it was
during this time that she met a band
leader named Desi Arnaz just over ten
years after exchanging vows their first
child was born as was a television
series that would charm the socks of
American viewers the husband and wife
banter of I Love Lucy immediately found
a following and spawned specials in the
late 50s entitled the lucy-desi comedy
hour it was all in the name we all loved
Lucy
we’re losing our baby honey it’s only
nursery school today nurseries go
tomorrow collie number five the Three
Stooges
yes that’s true originally a vaudeville
act this comedy collective became the
preeminent stars of Columbia Pictures
during the late 30s Oh comprised mainly
of Larry fine and the three Howard
brothers Moe curly and Shemp the Stooges
pumped out one hundred and ninety shorts
during a 15 year span and milked every
bit of farcical comedy one could imagine
– fine room 72 dr. Howard Rome 83 room
66 72 their haircuts were both
devastating and spectacular while their
catchphrases can still be heard today
sure you might not be able to name ten
of their films but you definitely know
who they are and might even be able to
replicate a gag or two I like the job
alright but I can’t leave my two pals
you know our motto has always been one
for all all for me peggeleh ha ha
number four Jerry Lewis they have very
very good taste I might add in 1948 this
comic appeared on a television program
that would eventually become known as
The Ed Sullivan Show the duo of Jerry
Lewis and partner Dean Martin performed
their live act which was often
improvised given their natural comedic
chemistry yeah
good daddy oh boy are you a terrific
daddy oh right
with Lois playing the stooge role in
Martin and Lewis he quickly became a hot
commodity in Hollywood and ultimately
became a leading man most notably in the
1963 classic the Nutty Professor a film
Louis also directed just don’t do
shopping shit there that is that class
dismissed
he went on to become a Hollywood icon
but it was Louis’s early performances on
the Colgate Comedy Hour that captured
the essence of his act number three the
Marx Brothers I welcome you with open
all is that so I’ll let you stay open
Chico Harpo Groucho these three men
changed the face of comedy in the United
States at a time when Hollywood was
still mostly an idea why born and raised
in the Big Apple to Jewish immigrants
the brothers toured America as a
vaudeville act
transitioned from their emphasis on
singing to a hysterical focus on comedy
gonna be ashame yourself when you hear
that story but you told it to me oh yes
I remember
upon commanding the stages of Broadway
with their freeform style you expecting
somebody yes the Marx Brothers signed
with Paramount Studios and films like a
Night at the Opera and Duck Soup became
defining pieces of work in a blossoming
industry I’m a man oh you would I’m a
man of one way it’s Graham number two
Buster Keaton long before he became
known as the great stone face a child
named Joseph Keaton performed for his
father’s traveling vaudeville show which
was cooperated by Harry Houdini just
over 15 years later a chance encounter
with Fatty Arbuckle led the seasoned
performer to Hollywood and the persona
of Buster Keaton was born his
directorial innovations were legendary
but his straight-faced brand of humor
made him the most famous American comic
of his day
part magician part stunt guy and part
leading man Keaton transcended the
perceived possibilities of film before
the existence of talkies we undoubtedly
owe a lot to Buster and his blistering
routines
before we unveil our top pick here are a
few honorable mentions
you know what the bank account is now
it’s going up up
we got $75
this is mr. Hsu say he’s taken over the
direction of the picture how did you
sleep well last night
why maybe you come see come saw you go
to where we go that’s right okay let’s
go
number one Charlie Chaplin in 1913 this
man was already a notable British
performer when he arrived in America but
nobody knew that he was about to
revolutionize the business side of
Hollywood and the art of filmmaking with
his down-and-out character named the
Tramp Charlie Chaplin found a way to
emotionally connect with audiences while
simultaneously lifting their spirits his
roles were tinged with vulnerability and
as the years passed his political
consciousness proved just how powerful a
muted voice could be a secret agent
it’s a afresh it’s gang monolith eda we
got Stefan de strappin see Stefan even
when sound trumped the idea of silent
cinema Chaplin continued to work on his
own terms well into the 1950s Chaplin is
the first the last the everything when
it comes to modern comedy
do you agree with our list who’s your
favorite comedy actor from before the
1970s bro you guys on the stage and all
you people in the technical offices we
thank you from the bottom of our hearts
we’re very grateful to you listening in
all we can say is good night and God
bless for more mind-blowing top 10s
published every day be sure to subscribe
to watchmojo.com
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