The Crossover: 15 Black Comedians Loved by the Mainstream
These comedians have names that ring bells.
1 / 16
#WeMadeIt - These comedians did more than just the unthinkable. Not only did they become famous, they became world famous. Check out who followed the blueprint and came out like Hov (get it?). (Photo: BET)
2 / 16
Chris Rock - Chris Rock helped set a new standard for comedians everywhere in the '90s. If Richard Pryor begot Eddie Murphy, then Eddie Murphy begot Chris Rock. His keen take on race, relationships and politics laid the groundwork for comedy specials everywhere. Don't believe us? Re-watch BET Awards 2014, which he hosted, and tell us otherwise. (Photo: Kevin Winter/Getty Images for BET)
Photo By Kevin Winter/Getty Images for BET
3 / 16
Donald Glover - When you come up as a comedy writer under Tina Fey, star in the cult TV series Community and perform at various millenial music festivals, it's safe to say you've garnered mainstream success. (Photo: Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images)
Photo By Photo: Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images
4 / 16
Dave Chappelle - Prior to his show on Comedy Central, Chappelle had made a name for himself through Def Comedy Jam and roles in the films like Half-Baked and Robin Hood: Men in Tights. With his show, Chappelle managed to fill a void in comedy that had been missing for a while: a variety show with witty, raunchy and unfiltered racial and political humor with a hip hop twist. (Photo by Mike Coppola/Getty Images)
Photo By Mike Coppola/Getty Images
5 / 16
Maya Rudolph - Maya Rudolph's tipping point for mainstream success was when she debuted on SNL. She held the spot for roughly seven years and has since branched out and appeared in various movies, including the hilarious Bridesmaids. (Photo: Larry Busacca/Getty Images)
ADVERTISEMENT
6 / 16
Wayne Brady - Wayne Brady's first commerically-recognized appearance was as a regular on Whose Line Is It Anyway? Throughout the years, he managed to maintain a family-friendly image that even your grandmother could love. That same image helped him score his role as host on Let's Make a Deal which, much to your grandmother's delight, airs every day of the week. (Photo: Larry French/BET/Getty Images for BET)
Photo By Photo: Larry French/BET/Getty Images for BET
7 / 16
Key and Peele - Interestingly enough, Key and Peele's show on Comedy Central fills a void that Chappelle's Show left once it ended: a hilarious mix of racial and social satire in the form of clever sketches. (Photo: John Ricard / BET)
8 / 16
Bill Cosby - Who can deny the Cos? He (and his sweaters) were a fixture on primetime in the '80s and '90s and, let's face it, you're probably still eating pudding because of him. (Photo: Jemal Countess/Getty Images)
9 / 16
Tracy Morgan - Tracy Morgan was a hilarious fixture on SNL for many years, but his turn on 30 Rock as Tracy Jordan (a character inspired by himself) made him a primetime regular that America looked forward to watching. (Photo: Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
10 / 16
Eddie Murphy - It wasn't just Eddie's stand-up that made him famous, it was his lead roles in just about every '80s comedy classic: The Golden Child, Coming to America, Beverly Hills Cop — the list goes on. In the '90s he went the family-friendly route with movies like Dr. Dolittle and The Nutty Professor, making him a viable commercial success once again. (Photo: Christopher Polk/Getty Images)
Photo By Photo: Christopher Polk/Getty Images
ADVERTISEMENT