One of America's best-loved comediennes, Gracie Allen developed the Burns and Allen weekly radio program with husband George Burns.
1905-1964
One of America's most beloved comedians, Lucille Ball is particularly known for her iconic TV show I Love Lucy.
1911-1989
Roseanne Barr is an Emmy Award-winning actress and comedian known for her hit sitcom, Roseanne.
1952-
Sandra Bernhard is an actress and stand-up comedian best known for her role on Roseanne and in Martin Scorsese's The King of Comedy.
1955-
1891-1951
Carol Burnett is a comedian and actress who had a long-running sketch and variety show, The Carol Burnett Show, in the 1960s and '70s.
1933-
Charo is a singer, musician and actress best known for her Latin sassiness, sexy outfits and signature phrase during the 1970s, "Cuchi-cuchi."
1951-
American actress Jane Curtin rose to fame in 1975 as one of the original cast members of Saturday Night Live. She went on to star in the popular sitcoms Kate & Allie (1984) and 3rd Rock from the Sun (1996).
1947-
With her own talk show, Ellen DeGeneres is one of America's most well-known comedians, also serving as a prominent gay/lesbian role model.
1958-
First noticed as a contestant on Groucho Marx's game show in 1955, Phyllis Diller went on to become a successful comedian, actress and author.
1917-2012
1868-1934
Tina Fey is an American actress, comedian, writer and producer best known for her roles on Saturday Night Live and 30 Rock.
1970-
Janeane Garofalo is an Emmy Award-nominated TV and film actress, comedian and political activist known for work like Reality Bites and The Truth About Cats & Dogs.
1964-
1955-
With her late-night talk show, Chelsea Lately, Chelsea Handler became one of the most-watched women in comedy.
1975-
1944-2007
Emmy-award winning television and film actress Shelley Long played Diane Chambers on the TV sitcom Cheers and was Carol Brady in The Brady Bunch: The Movie.
1949-
1894-1975
Actress Melissa McCarthy starred as Sookie in the show Gilmore Girls. In 2011, she received an Oscar nomination for best supporting actress in the film Bridesmaids.
1970-
Kate McKinnon is an American actress best known as a cast member on the television sketch comedy show Saturday Night Live.
1984-
Bette Midler sang "Wind Beneath My Wings" for the film Beaches and earned Oscar nods for her roles in The Rose and For the Boys.
1945-
Rosie O'Donnell is a comedian who made the move to the big screen with 1992's A League of Their Own, going on to co-host TV's The View
.
1962-
Amy Poehler is an actress and comedian famous for her work on Saturday Night Live and Parks and Recreation.
1971-
The daughter of comedian Richard Pryor, Rain Pryor is a multifaceted actress, singer, comedian and artistic director.
1968-
Gilda Radner was an award-winning actress and comedian known for her work on Saturday Night Live. She was married to fellow comedian Gene Wilder.
1946-1989
Comedian Joan Rivers created a Grammy nominated comedy album, launched a syndicated daytime talk show, and went on to win a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
1933-
Maya Rudolph is a comedian and actor who became a household name via her Saturday Night Live tenure, which ran from 2000 to 2007.
1972-
American comedian Sarah Silverman is best known for her controversial statements and performances on her one-woman show, Jesus is Magic.
1970-
Comedian Wanda Sykes became famous for her intelligent, sometimes political, stand-up comedy and television appearances on shows including The New Adventures of Old Christine.
1964-
Lily Tomlin is an actress and comedian known for roles on TV shows such as Laugh-In and films such as Nashville.
1939-
Danitra Vance appeared on Saturday Night Live in 1986 and acted in films such as Limit Up and Little Man Tate.
1954-1994
Betty White is a comedic actress who has been in show business, from TV to film, since the 1950s, most notably on The Golden Girls.
1922-
1973-
Australia's Rebel Wilson is best known for her funny film roles, including Kristen Wiig's roommate in Bridesmaids and the character Fat Amy in Pitch Perfect.
1986-