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1). Lenny Bruce

If it were not for Lenny Bruce, comedy as we know it would not exist. He is the true innovator of the edgy comics of today. During the late 60's he was arrested and tried multiple times on obscenities charges, all which led to his bankruptcy. He was found dead of a morphine overdose in his home on June 25, 1966.

2). Richard Pryor

Richard Pryor brought the pain and anguish of his drug addiction and other tragedy in his life into his stand-up, and made it hilarious. No one can forget how he told the stories of his free-base, his heart attacks, or his failed marriages. He brought a new raw edge to observational comedy. You will be hard pressed to find comedians who do not list him as one of their major influences.

3). George Carlin

George Carlin began his stand up career in 1960. He is best known for his observational humor about politics, religion, and any other subject he can think of that people are afraid to talk about. He is best known for his "Seven Dirty Words You Can Never Say on Television" routine, which eventually led to a Supreme Court case that put limits on what is acceptable free speech.

4). Roseanne Barr

Rosanne Barr is best known for her character "Roseanne Conner" and her show "Roseanne", which helped to redefine the modern sitcom. She brought a new light on what it really is to be a working mother in current times. She pulled no punches exposing the truth on dysfunctional families, but was sure to show that no matter what chaos ensued in the Conner household, the conclusion was always that they loved one another dearly.

5). Eddie Murphy

He is the most lucrative comedian to date. He has grossed almost 3 1/2 billion dollars through his films alone. He also created some of the most well-known Saturday Night Live characters. He was nominated for an Academy Award for his portrayal in "Dream Girls."

6). Bill Murray

He began his career as a part of the original ensemble of Saturday Night Live, along with the likes of John Belushi, Chevy Chase, Rita Radner, Albert Brooks, and Dan Aykroyd. He starred in some of the biggest cult comedy films, and also built a strong film resume, which includes many Wes Anderson films, and the indie hit "Lost in Translation", in which he was nominated for the Academy Award.

7). Steve Martin

Commonly misconstrued as a SNL alumnus, he had the ability to perform his stand-up to sold out arenas. He has built an impressive filmography, and has become a successful author. His book Shop Girl was later turned into a movie.

8). Bill Cosby

He was one of the funniest story tellers you've ever bared witness to. The Cosby Show offered positive African-American role models, and he has an impressive list of stand-up albums and novels.

9). Chris Rock

His HBO comedy special "Bring the Pain" dealt with racial issues in a way that had not been brought before, and resulted in much controversy. It also cemented him as one of the best comedians in the industry.

10). Margaret Cho

Her short-lived sitcom "All American Girl" was the first to showcase an Asian American family. Her stand up deals with struggling with her ethnicity and weight issues in the entertainment industry. She has been a strong advocate for gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender rights.

Learn more about this author, Katy Andrews.
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