If you’re looking for a good laugh, look no further than these top Canadian stand-up comedians. These hilarious, boundary-pushing comics will have you rolling in the aisles.
To help you get started, we’ve compiled a list of our 10 favorite Canadian stand-up comedians (in no particular order). Check them out, and be sure to add some of their routines to your next comedy night!
1. Rick Mercer
Rick Mercer is a Canadian institution. If you haven’t seen him before, you need to start watching him now. He’s been performing stand-up comedy for years and is one of the funniest comedians working today.
Mercer is famous for his political sketches on CBC’s Rick Mercer Report, which ended in 2018. He’s not afraid to take on anyone, from the Prime Minister to the Pope. But what I love about him most is his sense of humor. He has a really dry wit and isn’t afraid to make fun of himself.
Here’s a clip from the Rick Mercer Report that deals with the weather.
2. Mike MacDonald
Mike MacDonald was one of Canada’s most successful stand-up comedians. He got his start in the early 1980s, and since then, he’s been making people laugh all over the world. MacDonald was known for his dark humor and sharp wit. He wasn’t afraid to push boundaries.
Sadly, MacDonald died from heart complications in 2018. You can catch some of his material on YouTube. In this clip from An Evening at the Improv, MacDonald riffs about airline travel, death, remote controls, and more in.
3. Yumi Nagashima
Yumi Nagashima is a Canadian comic and actress. She’s popular in Vancouver comedy clubs and has appeared at the 2019 Winnipeg Comedy Festival. In addition to her gigs in Canada, she has performed in Los Angeles, New York, London and Jakarta. Her debut comedy album, My Name is Yumi, was released in 2019.
Here are some collected moments.
4. Russell Peters
If you’re looking for one of the best Canadian stand-up comedians out there, you need to check out Russell Peters. His clever observations about culture and race have made people laugh for years.
Peters got his start performing in Toronto in 1989, and he’s been killing it ever since. He credits the turning point in his career to his 2004 special on the Canadian TV show Comedy Now!
This video clip presents some of Peters’ best moments.
5. Graham Chittenden
Born in Brantford, Ontario, Chittenden has appeared in numerous comedy specials, including his own Comedy Now! special, which aired on The Comedy Network, and received a 2012 Canadian Comedy Award nomination. He’s part of the writing team for the TV series Still Standing, starring Jonny Harris.
Chittenden’s observational humor is sure to have you laughing out loud, so make sure to check him out. In this clip from Just for Laughs, he riffs about adult coloring books, tiny houses and home renovation.
6. Debra DiGiovanni
If you’re looking for a comedian who will make you laugh until you cry, check out Debra DiGiovanni. Known for her sharp wit and hilarious insights into everyday life, she’s one of the most famous comedians in Canada.
Debra started her career as a stand-up comedian in 1999. Since then, she’s become a regular on the comedy scene. She’s performed all over the world, and she has been featured on CBC Radio, The Comedy Network, and Last Comic Standing.
Here’s a clip from the Altdot Comedy Lounge.
7. Ryan McMahon
Ryan McMahon is an Anishinaabe comedian, comedian, writer and podcaster from the Couchiching First Nation. He started performing stand-up in 2008. In 2012, he became the first indigenous Canadian to record an hour-long CBC-TV comedy special.
Here’s a clip from CBC’s Welcome to Turtle Island.
8. Craig Campbell
Craig Campbell’s observational comedy is sure to make you laugh. Currently living in the U.K., he has been performing for years and has won over fans across Canada with his hilarious takes on everyday life. He’s a regular at comedy festivals and clubs, and his act is always a hit with audiences.
If you want to see some top-notch stand-up comedy, check out Craig Campbell. You won’t be disappointed. Here’s a clip from his One Night Stand appearance.
9. Pete Zedlacher
You may not have heard of Pete Zedlacher, but he’s one of the most respected comedians in Canada. Originally from Wawa, Ontario, he’s been headlining comedy clubs for years. His dry wit and clever observations have won him a legion of fans. He’s appeared at Just for Laughs and the Halifax Comedy Festival. He won the 2006 Canadian Comedy Award for Best Male Stand-Up.
In this clip, Zedlacher talks about country music.
10. Eman El-Husseini
Eman El-Husseini is a Canadian comedian currently living in NYC. She has performed at the Just for Laughs Festival in Toronto, Australia, and her hometown of Montreal. El-Husseini regularly headlines at venues across Canada and hasrecorded two comedy albums. In addition to her solo work, she is also one half of the comedy duo El-Salomons, along with her wife, comedian Jess Solomon.
This clip is from Yuk Yuk’s Toronto in 2015.
You may not know all these comedians, but they’re worth checking out. Some are household names, while others are up-and-coming stars on the rise. But they all have one thing in common: they’re hilarious!
Did we leave out one of your favorite Canadian stand-up comedians? Let us know in the comments.
