by Ryan Gray

Created on: January 30, 2010

When considering which performers can make people laugh, the list can get pretty long since so many of them are able to do it every now and then.

But the comedians who can do it consistently – and without using the same material – belong in a special class. They must truly be considered the funniest of all time.

Any list with the word 'funniest' should begin with Bill Cosby. Whether it was live on stage or on television, 'Cos' had several different ways to come at an audience to make them laugh.

His stand-up comedy video “Bill Cosby: Himself” is a true classic. It includes a series of skits discussing dental visits, childbirth, driving, and much more, and each one comes with a fresh set of laughs.

Then there was his mega-hit TV show from the 1980s, “The Bill Cosby Show”. The plots, the lines, his ad-libs, even just his facial expressions or the occasional “Heh, heh, heh, heh.” Each episode had laughs stashed in a different place.

Speaking of laughs, just the sight of Robin Williams' big, wide grin was often enough to draw a hearty chuckle or two. When he began to talk, the laughter was nearly impossible to avoid.

What started on television with Mork and Mindy and slowly grew on stage with some successful stand-up comedy routines exploded onto the big screen.

Williams kept moviegoers roaring with his antics in movies such as “Good Morning Vietnam”, “Mrs. Doubtfire” and “Patch Adams”. He kept us “rockin' from the Delta to the DMZ”.

A pair of 'Saturday Night Live' comrades who had successful careers doing sketch comedy and working as actors were Chevy Chase and Eddie Murphy. Each was hysterical in his own way.

There were plenty of smiles to go around when Chevy Chase was involved. It didn't matter if he was offering a 'Weekend Update' on Saturday Night Live, or traveling on 'Holiday Road' while on “Vacation”.

Chase's sketch comedy work on SNL and the offbeat humor he provided as the center of the “National Lampoon's Vacation” movies drew most of the laughs and the attention. His portrayal of the detective/comedian “Fletch” proved hysterical as well.

Murphy made a splash with his portrayal of 'Buttwheat' on SNL and enjoyed a successful career as stand-up comedian. Later he collected more laughs as a donkey in the “Shrek” series and in several other voice acting roles.

Perhaps his most memorable performances came as Axel Foley in the “Beverly Hills Cop” series, along with his roles in “48 Hours” and “Trading Places”. The unforgettable big, wide smile and high-pitched voice could be found at almost every turn.

Though he may be the shortest person in this group, Billy Crystal is capable of producing some of the biggest laughs.

Like the other comedians here, Crystal had a successful TV career, as he worked on SNL and the sitcom “Soap”. He also gained notoriety as a stand-up comic.

But most of his exposure came on the big screen, as he entertained viewers and produced miles of smiles for his work in movies like “Analyze This”, “When Harry Met Sally...” and “City Slickers”.

These five comedians are the best at what they do. The easiest way to determine that? Just thinking about them or some of the work they have done brings a series of big smiles or perhaps even laughter. They have left an impression, and that's just one more reason to be happy.

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