15 Favorite Funnymen

Photo: George Burns/Harpo Studios

Jim Carrey

When the double-jointed, surprisingly spiritual comedian Jim Carrey is here, we learn to expect the unexpected!

"I'm a totally peaceful person. I really am," Jim said during a 2004 Oprah Show appearance. "So when people come up to me in the street, and I grab them and kiss them and lick them, it's just because I love them."

Jim teams up with Steve Carell

Steve Carell

Whether he's starring on one of television's funniest shows—The Office—as the bumbling boss at Dunder Mifflin or acting on the big screen alongside some of Hollywood's most hilarious, Steve Carell never fails to make us laugh.

Though Steve is known for his comedic timing and improv skills, he said he doesn't feel pressure to live up to the hype. "If you ever invited me to a cocktail party, I would so go against [the image people have of me]," he told Oprah in April 2010. "I never really thought of myself as funny, per se. ... I don't sit and watch myself and say, 'Damn, that is hilarious.'"

The people Steve does find funny are Steve Martin, John Cleese and Peter Sellers, he said. "Those are people that I emulate and respect."

Steve and Tina Fey

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Bill Cosby

He's an actor, activist, author, television producer and educator—but regardless of what role he's filling, one thing is certain: Bill Cosby is one of the original comic talents.

Bill is also known for being a devoted father and family man. In fact, on his Oprah Show appearance in 1991, one audience member asked Bill what discipline strategies have worked on his children. "First, as the father, find out what the mother said," he responded. "That saves a marriage!"

The cast of The Cosby Show

Photo: George Burns/Harpo Studios

Will Ferrell

This Saturday Night Live alum has starred in a string of blockbuster hits since leaving the weekly sketch show, showcasing his unique brand of playful humor.

In addition to working with fellow comedians like Chris Kattan, Mike Myers and Steve Carell, Will has also worked with some of Hollywood's dramatic actors, including Nicole Kidman. During his 2005 appearance on The Oprah Show, he recalled his first meeting with Nicole, his Bewitched co-star, on the set of her movie The Stepford Wives.

"We had like five minutes because you were about to go start shooting again," Will told Nicole. "We were both, like, 'Hello. How are you?' And then I just started talking...and you said, 'I just saw Old School. I thought it was very funny.' And then there was a big silence, and you just started laughing. So I said, 'What? Are you thinking about my butt right now?'"

Will and Nicole Kidman on their movie Bewitched

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Steve Harvey

Stand-up comedian and author Steve Harvey always brings the laughs—especially when giving relationship advice to women looking for love. On one memorable Oprah Show appearance, an audience member named Lynell told Steve she was looking for a God-fearing, spontaneous African-American millionaire with straight teeth and nice shoes who wants children...among other things.

"That would be the Lord," Steve joked. "I'll be trying to meet him the same time you do."

Steve takes women inside the male mind

Jay Leno

Oprah has called this talk show funnyman one of the hardest-working men in Hollywood and "one of the coolest dudes I know."

Jay's first Oprah Show appearance was in 1992, the same year he officially took over The Tonight Show from Johnny Carson. When Oprah asked Jay if he was nervous about his new role, he said, "Yes and no. I mean, I've been [filling in for Johnny] for about five years now, so it's a bit like living with a women for five years and then telling your parents you're getting married. They're not shocked. They're just relieved that the thing is finally working out."

Jay introduces us to some pint-size prodigies

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Tracy Morgan

Another Saturday Night Live alum, Tracy Morgan's talents now come to life in primetime as he plays the outrageous Tracy Jordan on 30 Rock.

One of Tracy's ongoing bits is joking about his "relationship" with Oprah, once telling David Letterman that she was his Valentine. Tracy also claimed he ran into Stedman at an airport and got in a fight over Oprah. "This goes back to high school, you know, when me and you was messing around," Tracy joked with Oprah. "You always running up on me, trying to approach me. You know, this is my woman. [Stedman] know it."

Tracy talks about Tina Fey, comedy and his crazy reputation

Eddie Murphy

Over the years, we've seen the surprisingly reserved Eddie Murphy go from legendary stand-up comic to compelling dramatic actor. Though his appearances on The Oprah Show have been tame compared to his stage acts, Eddie's passion for comedy has always been evident.

"I think stand-up comedy is the purest art form that there is," he told Oprah in 1997. "It's so cut-and-dry. It's just you and the audience, and it's either you're funny or you suck."

Steve Martin

He's starred in countless movies—from 1979's The Jerk to 2009's It's Complicated—and made millions laugh out loud with his performances on Saturday Night Live. With his physical humor and "wild and crazy guy" routine, it's no wonder our audience loved it when Steve stopped by.

"Oh, I really didn't deserve that applause. I deserved much more," he joked after walking onto The Oprah Show stage for the first time in 1991.

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Ray Romano

From Everybody Loves Raymond to Men of a Certain Age, Ray Romano's television shows have been inspired by funny situations in his real life, like a scene in the latter when his character tells friends that even his butt is looking old!

"That's when I knew middle age was hitting," Ray told Oprah in 2009. "I caught my ass in the mirror ... and I'm like, 'That's not my ass.'"

The cast of Everybody Loves Raymond looks back at nine successful seasons

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Chris Rock

He's the comedian with the most Oprah Show appearances in our 25-year history, but that's not all: Chris Rock is also the person Oprah called "the funniest guy in America."

He's had many laugh-out-loud moments on The Oprah Show, but one staff favorite was his take on the hardships of marriage. "Marriage is so tough, Nelson Mandela got a divorce," Chris said on April 15, 2004. "He spent 27 years in a South African prison—beaten and tortured. Made to eat horrible food. For 27 years! He spent six months with his wife and said, 'I can't take it!'"

Chris' final Oprah Show appearance and his five funniest moments

Adam Sandler

He started at the Apollo and ended up one of Hollywood's most successful funnymen—and he stopped by The Oprah Show in between.

For our farewell season, Adam Sandler returned to the show and shared some advice for his 20-year-old self. "Immediately, I'd get that nose job," he joked.

Adam's first movie with real-life buddy Jennifer Aniston

Jerry Seinfeld

After the incredible success of his "show about nothing," Jerry Seinfeld continued to make people laugh with his stand-up routines, movies and more—but not another sitcom.

Despite the success of Seinfeld, Jerry told Oprah in 2004 that he wasn't interested in doing another show. "You know, I watch Sesame Street a lot, because I have two little kids," Jerry said. "I sit there, and I watch this Elmo guy—he is so likable and so funny and so charming—and I sit there with my daughter and I think, 'Let him bust his little red ass every week.'"

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Jon Stewart

Never before has fake news been so funny. As host of The Daily Show, Jon Stewart stopped by The Oprah Show for several hilarious host-to-host chats.

During our farewell season, Jon revealed a "missing page" from his book, Earth (The Book): A Visitor's Guide to the Human Race. Jon read a passage from the page: "As you dig through our civilization's ruins, you will find references to a powerful and ubiquitous entity known as Oprah. An American media figure and entrepreneur in the 20 and 21st century and possibly 22nd century. Oprah did, indeed, possess extraordinary powers. But let's be clear. She was not a god."

Jon breaks the news

Robin Williams

Since his first Oprah Show appearance in 1987, Robin Williams has performed on stages, on television and in films, showcasing his often offbeat, adult sense of humor.

One of Robin's appearances was in 1997, the day after Ellen DeGeneres came out as a lesbian on her sitcom. "[Now] everyone's coming out," Robin said. "Cartoon characters are coming out."

"Who came out?" Oprah asked him.

"The eighth dwarf—Kinky," Robin joked. “And Elmer Fudd came out: 'I've been vewwy vewwy attracted to men for years...'"