Black Female Comedians - 10 Most Popular and Talented You Should Follow

Black women in comedy date as far back as the early 1900s when the likes of American female comedian Loretta Mary Aike A.K.A Jackie ‘Moms’ Mabley emerged in 1919. Time progressed and so does the number of black female comedians in different spheres of the world.

While many of these female comedians have gained international recognition, there is quite a number who may be struggling to get to the peak of the ladder of their careers. Well, this is not so in the case of a number of them who have made it huge in the male-dominated entertainment world of comedy. This then leads us to the question of who the most popular are talented are. Here are the top popular and talented black female comedians in no particular order.

10 Most Popular and Talented Black Female Comedians to Know

1. Whoopi Goldberg

Real Name: Caryn Elaine Johnson
Age: 68 years old
Date of Birth: 13 November 1955
Nationality: America
Other works: actress and author
Active Since: 1982

Although she is mostly remembered for her acting roles, Whoopi Goldberg became the first African-American to win Grammy Award for Comedy. She also became the only black woman and one of only 16 entertainers to achieve the four major American awards – Emmy (TV), Grammy (music), Oscar (film), and Tony (theatre).

In comedy, she is greatly known for the genres of observational comedy, black comedy, insult comedy, surreal humour, character comedy and satire. The entertainer creates humour using sensitive societal topics such as African-American culture, politics, racism, marriage, and sex among others.

Some Notable Works Whoopi Goldberg features in

Star Trek: Picard (2020)
Nobody’s Fool (2018)
Furlough (2018)
Sea Witch (2017)
Strut (2016)
Toy Story series 3 (2010)
For Coloured Girls (2010)
Wake Up Whoopi (2006-2008)
Whoopi (2003)
Ghosts of Missisipi (1996)
Eddie the Associate (1996)
The Lion King (1994)
Made in America (1993)
Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit (1993)
Sister Act (1992)
Sarafina (1992)
Bagdad Cafe (1987)

Awards

Walt Disney Company named her a Disney Legend (2017)
Ride of Fame honoured her with Double Decker Tour Bus in New York (2010)
Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Talk Show Host (2009)
Tony Award (2002)
First African American female to receive the Mark Twain Prize for American Humour (2001)
Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation Vanguard Award for Supporting the Gay and Lesbian Commmunity (1999)
3x Favourite Movie Actress for Kids’ Choice Award
2X American Comedy Awards for Ghost for Funniest Actress (1991, 1993)
Golden Globe for Best Actress and Best Supporting Actress (1986, 1991)
Drama Desk Award for Outstanding One-Person Show (1985)
Grammy Award for Best Comedy Recording (1985)
2x Daytime Emmy Award winner
The first African-American to receive an Academy Award nomination for Best Actress and Best Supporting Actress

2. Tifanny Haddish

Real Name: Tiffany Sara Cornilia Haddish
Age: 44 years old
Date of Birth: 3 December 1979
Nationality: Eritrean-American
Other works: actress and author
Active Since: 1997

Tiffany Haddish has hit the record of being the only black woman to win a Grammy Awards for Best Comedy Album since Whoopi Golberg in 1985. With so much energy, she creates humour and has risen to become a true queen of comedy in the world.

Tiffany’s comedy falls in the genres of observational comedy, surreal humour, satire, sketch comedy, blue comedy, and black comedy. The comedian started her career in 1997 at the age of 17 and first gained recognition when she participated in a comedy competition Bellamy’ Who’s Got Jokes. At present, she has comedy albums that include The Last Black Unicorn and Black Mitzvah.

Although her standup comedy is one of the most beautiful and recognised aspects of her career, she is greatly known for her roles in movies where her sense of humour couldn’t let many people get enough of her in many characters.

Some of the TV series, and movies she featured in

Here Today (2021)
On the Count of Three (2021)
Like a Boss (2020)
The Angry Birds Movie 2 (2019)
Kids Say the Darndest Things (2019-present)
Live in Front of a Studio Audience (2019)
The Last O.G (2018-present)
Mad Families (2017)
Girls Trip (2017)
Legends of Chamberlain Heights (2016-2017)
Real Husbands of Hollywood (2013-2014)
Meet the Spartans

Awards won by Tiffany Hadish

Grammy Awards for Best Comedy Album (2021)
Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series (2018)

3. Maya Rudolph

Real Name: Maya Khabira Rudolph
Age: 52 years old
Date of Birth: 27 July 1972
Nationality: American
Other works: actress, singer
Active Since: 1996

Once it comes to making a difference in comedy, there is no denying that for decades, the world has been feeling the impact of the comedy of Maya Rudolph. At many times, she has found herself going to lengths and places creating humour on stages in standup comedy and also showing her other side of talent in many comedy movies as an actress. Little wonder she makes it to the list of popular black female comedians.

In addition to her career in comedy, she is also a singer. However, what sets her to more fame is her skills as an actress who portrays hilarious roles among others.

Selected TV series, movies she featured in

Hubie Halloween (2020)
The Angry Birds 2 (2019)
Life of the Party (2018)
The Emoji Movie (2017)
Big Mouth (2017-present)
Mr Pig (2016)
Comedy Bang! Bang! (2015)
Grown Ups 2 (2013)
Bridesmaids (2011)
Grown Ups (2010)
Chuck & Buck (2000)
Saturday Night Live (2000-2007)

She won some awards

4x Primetime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Character Voice-Over Performance and Outstanding Guest Actress in Comedy, (2021, 2020)
Independent Spirit Awards for Robert Altman (2014)
MTV Movie Awards for Best Jaw Dropping Moment (2012)

4. Wanda Sykes

Real Name: Wanda Ykette Sykes
Age: 42 years old
Date of Birth: 7 March 1982
Nationality: American
Other works: Writer, actress
Active Since: 1987

Wanda Sykes was listed among the 25 funniest people in America by Entertainment Weekly in 2004. This is not far-fetched from her great sense of humour mostly displayed in films or specials.

She is greatly known for her HBO special Wanda Sykes: Sick and Tired which started in 2006. she is also famous for featuring in another HBO show Curb Your Enthusiasm. At present, she has her own special titled Herlarious.

Currently, she features in many Hollywood movies and series of different sorts.

A number of Wanda Sykes TV series and Movies

Q-Force (2021)
The One and Only Dick Gregory (2021)
The Good Fight (2021)
Tig n’ Seek (2020)
Wanda Sykes: Not Normal (2019)
A Bad Moms Christmas (2917)
Vamparina (2017-present)
The Wanda Sykes Show (2009-2010)
Evan Almighty (2007)
Sick and Tired (2006)
Wanda Does It (2004)
Down to Earth (2001)
The Chris Rock Show (1997-2000)

Wanda Sykes comedy special

Not normal (2019)
What Happened… Ms Sykes (2018)
I’ma Be Me (2010)
Sick & Tired (2007)
Tongue Untied (2003)

Awards

Primetime Creative Arts Emmy Award for Outstanding Writing Achievement in Variety (1999)
2x Sports Emmy Award for Outstanding Studio Show (2005, 2006)
GLAAD Media Stephen F. Kolzak Award (2010)

5. Anne Kansiime

Real Name: Kansiime Kubiryaba Anne
Age: 38 years old
Date of Birth: 13 April 1986
Nationality: Ugandan
Other works: writer, actress
Active Since: 2007

In Africa, there are only a few female comedians to compete comfortably with Anne Kansiime who started her career in drama skits. This is one good reason she is regarded as the Queen of comedy in Africa.

Kansiime who is greatly known for the Swahili accent she infuses in her comedy hosts a comedy show titled Don’t Mess With Anne Kansiime. As of 2021, she has already amassed more than 261 million views on YouTube where she posts many of her works.

Awards

She was named Queen of Comedy by the SIIKETV Rising Star Academy Awards (2018)
Comedy YouTube Sub-Saharan Africa Creator Award (2016)
Outstanding Female Comedian (2016)
Teeniez Funniest Comedian (2016)
African Entertainment Awards USA for Best Comedian’s Award (2015)
Rising Star for Comedian of the Year (2015)
African Oscar Award for favourite comedian (2015)
Nollywood & African People’s Choice Award for Favourite Comedian (2015)
AIRTEL Women of Substance Awards (2014)
BEFFTA for Best Comedian (2012)
Lagos International Festival, Best Actress (2013)

6. Gina Yashere

Real Name: Gina Obedapo Iyashere
Age: 52 years old
Date of Birth: 27 July 1972
Nationality: Nigerian-British
Other works: actress
Active Since: 1996

She started her career in 1996 when she participated in the Hackney Empire New Act of the Year competition. Since then, Gina Yashere has found her footing as one of the sort after black female comedians with her genres that include social satire, character comedy, and observational comedy.

One of her most notable works of Gina is being part of the writing and acting in the CBS sitcom comedy series, Bob Hearts Abishola. As a comedian, she became the first Briton to perform on Def Comedy Jam. She also was able to secure a place among the ten finalists of Last Comic Standing in 2007.

Her work has taken her to many stages in UK, America, Australia, Singapore, Cambodia, Vietnam, Hong Kong and Malaysia among other places.

She features in a number of TV Series and Films

The Barbarian and the Troll (2021-present)
Bob Hearts Abishola (2019-present)
The Standups with Gina Yashere (2018)
Early Man (2018)
The Daily Show with Trevor Noah (2017-2018)
The Comedian’s Guide to Survival (2016)
The Nightly Show with Larry Wilmore (2015)
Comics Unleashed (2014)
The Time of the End (2008)
The Wright Stuff (2005-2015)
Mr In-Between (2001)
Kiss Kiss (Bang Bang (2001)
Blouse and Skirt (1996-2006)

Awards

She was listed as of the top 10 rising talents by Hollywood reporter
She was voted Best Female Stand-Up at the Black International Comedy Awards (2002)
4x Black Entertainment & Comedy Awards for Best Comedian (UK)

7. Andi Osho

Real Name: Yewande Morenike Osho
Age: 51 years old
Date of Birth: 27 January 1973
Nationality: Nigerian-British
Other works: actress, writer
Active Since: 2003

In Britain, there aren’t many female comedians who have risen to the same level as Andi Osho. Her role in standup comedy cannot be overemphasized. She performed in different stages in comedy clubs and festivals. Some of which include Jongleurs, the Comedy Store, the Reading Festival and Hackney Empire.

Regardless, she has been able to carve a niche for herself in writing and acting. Currently, she has written for FOX, BBC, and Sky among others.

Andi Osho Appears in Many TV series and films

Line of Duty Death in Paradise
Lights Out
Swinging With The Finkels
Shazam
I May Destroy You
National Treasure: Kri
A Castle For Christmas
Live at the Apollo
Mock The Week
Room 101
Never Mind The Buzzocks

Awards

Loaded LAFTA Awards, Funniest Woman (2012)
Screen Nation Film and Television Awards for Best Comedy Performance (2011)
Nivea Funny Woman Award (2007)

8. Tumi Morake

Real Name: Tumi Morake
Age: 42 years old
Date of Birth: 22 December 1981
Nationality: South Africa
Other works: actress, writer, TV personality
Active Since: 2005

Morake started chasing her dream in the entertainment industry earlier, but it was in 2005 that she joined the comedy industry. The earliest days of her career saw her performing in Johannesburg and Pretoria until she was able to travel to other parts of the world.

Some of her popular works

Skin
Seriously single
Tumi or Not Tumi
Kota Life Crisis
Laugh Out Loud
The Bantu Hour
High Rollers
Soul Buddyz
The Queen
Rockville

Honours and Awards of Tumi Morake

The first woman to host Comedy Central Presents in Africa
She was named as one of The Free State Province’s Icons
Savanna Comic Choice Awards as the Comic of the Year
The first African woman to have her own set on Netflix (2018)
YOU Spectacular Award for Best Comedian Category (2016)
Award for Excellence in Comedy for Mboko Women in the Arts (2013)
Entertainer of the Year, Speakers of Note Award (2012)

9. Sommore

Real Name: Lori Ann Rambough
Age: 58 years old
Date of Birth: 15 June 1966
Nationality: American
Other works: actress
Active Since: 1992

Sommore isn’t just a comedian, she has proven that her name could be written as the first female host of the Black Entertainment Television (BET) stand-up showcase ComicViews alongside 3 other women.

Her role in the comedy has earned her the title of the Queen of Comedy. Sommore has a unique style where she adds intelligence and sarcasm where she deals with the aspects of sex and equality in gender among others.

TV series and movies she appeared in

Love & Hip Hop: Atlanta (2014)
Hit the Floor (2014)
Celebrity Fit Club (Season 6, 2008)
Nick Cannon Presents: Wild ‘N Out (2007)
Def Comedy Jam (1995, 2006)
ComicView (1994-1995, 2014-present)

10. Michelle Buteau

Real Name: Michelle Buteau
Age: 47 years old
Date of Birth: 24 July 1977
Nationality: Haitian-American
Other works: actress, TV host, podcast host
Active Since: 2001

Her career kicked off in 2001 and since then, there hasn’t been looking back for Michelle Buteau. She later found a space to perform on Comedy Central TV show and in 2017, she was listed among the 10 comedians to watch out for.

Michelle expanded her career with that of being a podcast host. She is also a writer who published her first book in 2020 called Survival of the Thickest

She has appearances in TV series and movies