Comedymovies hit their peak in the 1980s, and the hilarious stars from that era are still some of the most beloved actors in film history. Though the genre has been around since the beginning of film, comedies have evolved to reflect their respective decades. Each generation has left an indelible mark on humor, but the ’80s was special.
Following the somewhat self-serious 1970s, audiences were ready for laughs, and the blockbuster films delivered. Thebest comedy movies from the ‘80sare also some of the best films from that period, and brilliant writing was elevated by skilled directors and talented actors. The ’80s produced bona fide comedy stars, and many actors specialized in eliciting laughs.
The best comedy actors of the ’80s didn’t just appear in comedy films, they were also often involved in creating them too. Honing their craft as writers and performers in other mediums, these actors understood comedy long before they ever stepped in front of the camera. Some went on to other genres, but most have been defined by humor.
Picking the best comedy actor of the 1980s is tough, not just because there are so many choices, but because the actors are often legitimate film icons. Even if all of their ’80s movies weren’t perfect, the best stars elevated their projects. Comedy was king in the 1980s, but only a handful of actors truly ruled.
10Billy Crystal
After spending years as a stand-up comedian,Billy Crystal finally became a movie star in the 1980s. Though he only made a handful of films in that decade, some have become classics and others are hidden gems. Crystal is known for his everyman persona, andhe specializes in dry wit that clashes perfectly with a playful co-star.
His starring role inWhen Harry Met Sallyis arguably one ofthe best in romantic comedy history, and he even had an iconic and hilarious part inThe Princess Bride. While he would have more financial success in the ’90s,Crystal’s ’80s filmography is truly his most fruitful period.
9Richard Pryor
Richard Pryor is one of the most important stand-up comedians of all time, and he also had an extremely successful stint as a Hollywood actor too. Making over a dozen films throughout the 1980s,Richard Pryor hit his stride as a comic actor, even if some of the movies are forgettable clunkers.
His exaggerated mugging and clever use of words served him well on screen, and he particularly worked well withfrequent co-star, Gene Wilder.Stir CrazyandThe Toyare quintessential ’80s goofball comedies, but his semi-biographical dramedyJo Jo Dancer, Your Life is Callingshowed he could be heartfelt and hilarious simultaneously.
8John Candy
The pride of the sketch comedy showSCTV, John Candy effortlessly transitioned to movies in the ’80s, though he wasn’t always the star. He began stealing scenes in movies likeThe Blues BrothersandStripesbefore finally getting to headline toward the end of the decade. Candy was larger-than-life, buthis versatility was his greatest strength.
Whether he was silly sidekicks like Barf inSpaceballs, or prickly toughs like inUncle Buck,there was a kindness to Candy’s performances that made him instantly lovable. His life was far too short, but his ’80s filmography has stood the test of time. There was hardly a comedy released in the decade that Candy wasn’t involved in.
7Leslie Nielsen
Based on the first 25 years of Leslie Nielsen’s career, it didn’t seem likely that he would go down in history as an all-time comedy great. However, that all changed when he appeared inAirplanein 1980. Bringing his stentorian delivery and old Hollywood style of acting to his comedic parts,Nielsen excelled at being goofy while playing it straight.
The king of the screwball comedy,Nielsen’s work with the Zuckers helped give his lengthy career a much-needed second act. Though he continued to do dramatic work in the ’80s, it wasThe Naked Gunthat finally established him as a humorist. Later films didn’t use him properly, and he finished out his career only starring in spoofs.
6Tom Hanks
Though it would only take a decade or so for Tom Hanks to reach the pinnacle of dramatic success,he started his career firmly in the comedy genre. Hanks’ filmography in the ’80s is jam-packed with some ofthe best cult classic comedies from the decade, though he had a few hits too.
Tom Hanks won Academy Awards for Best Actor inPhiladelphiaandForrest Gump.
Splashmade his name, andBigcemented him as a funnyman with heart. Along the way, Hanks improved through one hidden gem after another, includingMoney Pit. What made Hanks such a compelling comedic actor was that he was relatable, and viewers could sympathize with his plight even as they laughed along with his foibles.
5Chevy Chase
Chevy Chase was the firstSaturday Night Livecast member to leave and start making movies, and he found instant success. The picture of a humorous yuppie,Chase excelled at playing normal people who are pushed to the edgethrough hilarious circumstances. His role as Clark Griswold started a second chapter for Chase, one that would define his legacy.
TheNational Lampoon’s Vacationfilms spanned the ’80s, and they knew how to properly utilize Chase’s talents.He was relatable and charming, and he always brought the right amount of buffooneryinto his comedy roles. While he didn’t make a ton of great films in the ’80s, movies likeCaddyshackandChristmas Vacationare still beloved today.
4Dan Aykroyd
Few comic actors had as big an impact on comedy in the ’80s as Dan Aykroyd, andhe was certainly the genre’s mad scientist for a long time. As was evident during hisSNLdays, Aykroyd came up with a lot of weird ideas that were sometimes good and sometimes bad.
He co-wrote and starred inThe Blues BrothersandGhostbusters, and was usually best when someone else edited his ideas. Outside his creative input, Aykroyd was just plain funny, andhe often played characters that reflected his quirkiness. When paired with other comedy icons, Aykroyd was the perfect sidekick or straight man.
3Steve Martin
Throughout the 1980s,Steve Martin matured from his original goofy onstage persona to a versatile comedic actorwho could carry nearly any film. The early ’80s saw Martin appear in a handful of forgotten classics, likeDead Men Don’t Wear Plaid, but the last few years of the decade were where he really hit his stride.
He showed he could be charming and romantic inRoxanne, or play it straight inPlanes, Trains and Automobiles. However, he wasn’t afraid to completely cut loose when he co-starred inDirty Rotten Scoundrels. Unlike a lot of his comedy movie contemporaries,there was no role that Steve Martin couldn’t nail.
2Eddie Murphy
Eddie Murphy brought something to the screen that most other comic actors couldn’t, and he was both funny and cool. The only bright spot during a truly abysmal period ofSNL’s history, Eddie Murphy’s big screen debut came in48 Hours, a smash success.He would then spend the ’80s making hits, with many ofhis films becoming franchises.
Instead of being the down-and-out everyman,Murphy often played heroes who were able to rise above their situation and laugh along with the audience. Axel Foley inBeverly Hills Copmade him an action star too, and his character work is usually overshadowed by his bracing humor.No comedy actor had as much consistent successas Murphy in the ’80s.
1Bill Murray
Though other actors may have made more consistently successful films,no comedian better exemplifies the 1980s than Bill Murray. Known for his dry and cynical sense of humor, Murray often played characters who were droll and sarcastic, usually as a surrogate for the audience.Ghostbustersalone is enough to cement his legacy, but it wasn’t his only classic.
1980’sCaddyshackput him on the map (besides his stint onSNL) but he also made excellent smaller appearances inTootsieandLittle Shop of Horrors. He got better as the decade wore on, and he wasn’t boxed into one particular role.Comedyis not an easy skill to possess, andMurray’s effortlessness is what made him such an icon.
