deadpans Surrealists and scripted spoofs galore welcome to watchmojo.com and
galore welcome to watchmojo.com and
galore welcome to watchmojo.com and today we’re counting down our picks for
today we’re counting down our picks for
today we’re counting down our picks for the top ten comedy actors of the 1970s
the top ten comedy actors of the 1970s
the top ten comedy actors of the 1970s 18 years ago they greet him in small
18 years ago they greet him in small
18 years ago they greet him in small towns by tying yellow ribbon round the
towns by tying yellow ribbon round the
towns by tying yellow ribbon round the old oak tree then they try and hang him
old oak tree then they try and hang him
old oak tree then they try and hang him with it for this list we’re scouring
with it for this list we’re scouring
with it for this list we’re scouring Hollywood history to find the funniest
Hollywood history to find the funniest
Hollywood history to find the funniest comedic actors who ever graced a screen
comedic actors who ever graced a screen
comedic actors who ever graced a screen we’re focusing on performers from both
we’re focusing on performers from both
we’re focusing on performers from both feature films and television but have
feature films and television but have
feature films and television but have decided to exclude talk-show hosts and
decided to exclude talk-show hosts and
decided to exclude talk-show hosts and voice actors in order to be a success in
voice actors in order to be a success in
voice actors in order to be a success in television you have to appeal to
television you have to appeal to
television you have to appeal to everyone this is part of a series of
everyone this is part of a series of
everyone this is part of a series of videos spanning the decades number 10
videos spanning the decades number 10
videos spanning the decades number 10 John Belushi
born in Chicago this energetic comedian
born in Chicago this energetic comedian rose to prominence at the famed second
rose to prominence at the famed second
rose to prominence at the famed second city and became an original cast member
city and became an original cast member
city and became an original cast member of Saturday Night Live by 1975 his
of Saturday Night Live by 1975 his
of Saturday Night Live by 1975 his impressions were second to none
impressions were second to none
impressions were second to none but it was his equally remarkable brand
but it was his equally remarkable brand
but it was his equally remarkable brand of physical comedy that led him to
of physical comedy that led him to
of physical comedy that led him to create The Blues Brothers with fellow
create The Blues Brothers with fellow
create The Blues Brothers with fellow cast member dan Aykroyd
by the end of the decade Belushi’s
by the end of the decade Belushi’s legacy was firmly cemented when he
legacy was firmly cemented when he
legacy was firmly cemented when he starred as Bluto blue tarski in the john
starred as Bluto blue tarski in the john
starred as Bluto blue tarski in the john landis classic Animal House and became
landis classic Animal House and became
landis classic Animal House and became the prototype for collegiate party
the prototype for collegiate party
the prototype for collegiate party animals for generations to come
ah thanks I needed that number 9 John
ah thanks I needed that number 9 John Ritter oh I feel so used as the son of a
Ritter oh I feel so used as the son of a
Ritter oh I feel so used as the son of a country music legend and an actress John
country music legend and an actress John
country music legend and an actress John Ritter was born into a family of
Ritter was born into a family of
Ritter was born into a family of performers I don’t approve of what you
performers I don’t approve of what you
performers I don’t approve of what you stand but in my book you’re OK after
stand but in my book you’re OK after
stand but in my book you’re OK after leaving school he slowly worked his way
leaving school he slowly worked his way
leaving school he slowly worked his way up the comedic chain by landing
up the comedic chain by landing
up the comedic chain by landing television parts in iconic shows like
television parts in iconic shows like
television parts in iconic shows like Hawaii five-o The Waltons
Hawaii five-o The Waltons
Hawaii five-o The Waltons mash and the Bob Newhart show oh you let
mash and the Bob Newhart show oh you let
mash and the Bob Newhart show oh you let me down I had you pegged for a happy
me down I had you pegged for a happy
me down I had you pegged for a happy hazelnut hoo-hah well just show us how
hazelnut hoo-hah well just show us how
hazelnut hoo-hah well just show us how wrong before snagging the role of his
wrong before snagging the role of his
wrong before snagging the role of his life as Jack Tripper
life as Jack Tripper
life as Jack Tripper on Three’s Company what are you doing
on Three’s Company what are you doing
on Three’s Company what are you doing I’m loosening up my wrist I didn’t know
I’m loosening up my wrist I didn’t know
I’m loosening up my wrist I didn’t know you guys had a practice with a screwball
you guys had a practice with a screwball
you guys had a practice with a screwball style of comedy Ritter produced one of
style of comedy Ritter produced one of
style of comedy Ritter produced one of the most unforgettable characters of the
the most unforgettable characters of the
the most unforgettable characters of the 70s and closed off the decade by
70s and closed off the decade by
70s and closed off the decade by starring as president check Roosevelt in
starring as president check Roosevelt in
starring as president check Roosevelt in America thon Lucy I am the president
America thon Lucy I am the president
America thon Lucy I am the president I’ve got an emergency budget meeting at
I’ve got an emergency budget meeting at
I’ve got an emergency budget meeting at nine o’clock an emergency foreign policy
nine o’clock an emergency foreign policy
nine o’clock an emergency foreign policy meeting at 10:00 charming and uniquely
meeting at 10:00 charming and uniquely
meeting at 10:00 charming and uniquely gifted John Ritter will bring a smile to
gifted John Ritter will bring a smile to
gifted John Ritter will bring a smile to anyone’s face just with the mention of
anyone’s face just with the mention of
anyone’s face just with the mention of his name what lost Missy know what is
his name what lost Missy know what is
his name what lost Missy know what is yes number eight Woody Allen the old
yes number eight Woody Allen the old
yes number eight Woody Allen the old lady at the end of the table is that
lady at the end of the table is that
lady at the end of the table is that classic jew-hater
classic jew-hater
classic jew-hater Bourne Alan Stewart conics birth this
Bourne Alan Stewart conics birth this
Bourne Alan Stewart conics birth this Brooklyn raised performer wrote comedy
Brooklyn raised performer wrote comedy
Brooklyn raised performer wrote comedy sketches for NBC as a teenager and hit
sketches for NBC as a teenager and hit
sketches for NBC as a teenager and hit the stand-up circuit throughout the 60s
the stand-up circuit throughout the 60s
the stand-up circuit throughout the 60s honestly think that I tried to run you
honestly think that I tried to run you
honestly think that I tried to run you over
over
over you just happened to hit the gas as I
you just happened to hit the gas as I
you just happened to hit the gas as I walked in front of the car I did I do it
walked in front of the car I did I do it
walked in front of the car I did I do it on purpose
on purpose
on purpose by the mid 70s Woody Allen had already
by the mid 70s Woody Allen had already
by the mid 70s Woody Allen had already directed written and starred in a number
directed written and starred in a number
directed written and starred in a number of box-office hits but it was the cinema
of box-office hits but it was the cinema
of box-office hits but it was the cinema classics Annie Hall and Manhattan that
classics Annie Hall and Manhattan that
classics Annie Hall and Manhattan that established him as the quintessential
established him as the quintessential
established him as the quintessential quirk of mainstream comedy films you at
quirk of mainstream comedy films you at
quirk of mainstream comedy films you at Grammy Hall would call you
Grammy Hall would call you
Grammy Hall would call you do thank you this frenetic insecure
do thank you this frenetic insecure
do thank you this frenetic insecure manner of speech is often imitated but
manner of speech is often imitated but
manner of speech is often imitated but never duplicated she said my grandma
never duplicated she said my grandma
never duplicated she said my grandma never gave gifts you know she she was
never gave gifts you know she she was
never gave gifts you know she she was too busy getting raped by Cossacks he
too busy getting raped by Cossacks he
too busy getting raped by Cossacks he hustled his way to the top and set the
hustled his way to the top and set the
hustled his way to the top and set the bar for all observational comics that
bar for all observational comics that
bar for all observational comics that would follow that’s great that’s
would follow that’s great that’s
would follow that’s great that’s terrific
terrific
terrific number seven Madeline Kahn would you
number seven Madeline Kahn would you
number seven Madeline Kahn would you want me like this now so soon before our
want me like this now so soon before our
want me like this now so soon before our wedding so near we can almost touch it
wedding so near we can almost touch it
wedding so near we can almost touch it this former Broadway star was a Mel
this former Broadway star was a Mel
this former Broadway star was a Mel Brooks muse and about danovich beauty
Brooks muse and about danovich beauty
Brooks muse and about danovich beauty she made her feature debut at almost 30
she made her feature debut at almost 30
she made her feature debut at almost 30 years of age and was so impressive in
years of age and was so impressive in
years of age and was so impressive in what’s up-dock that she was nominated
what’s up-dock that she was nominated
what’s up-dock that she was nominated for a Golden Globe for her performance
for a Golden Globe for her performance
for a Golden Globe for her performance who was what I heard a voice they saw
who was what I heard a voice they saw
who was what I heard a voice they saw beautiful end with a natural knack for
beautiful end with a natural knack for
beautiful end with a natural knack for inciting laughter Cohn reached the
inciting laughter Cohn reached the
inciting laughter Cohn reached the pinnacle of her career in a trilogy of
pinnacle of her career in a trilogy of
pinnacle of her career in a trilogy of mid-70s Mel Brooks films including
mid-70s Mel Brooks films including
mid-70s Mel Brooks films including Blazing Saddles for which she earned an
Blazing Saddles for which she earned an
Blazing Saddles for which she earned an Academy Award nomination by the end of
Academy Award nomination by the end of
Academy Award nomination by the end of the decade Kahn was going strong with
the decade Kahn was going strong with
the decade Kahn was going strong with high anxiety and the chief detective
high anxiety and the chief detective
high anxiety and the chief detective thus securing her role as the most
thus securing her role as the most
thus securing her role as the most hilarious female actor of the decade
hilarious female actor of the decade
hilarious female actor of the decade open the package quickly I wanted to
open the package quickly I wanted to
open the package quickly I wanted to look good tonight
look good tonight
look good tonight number six John Cleese I have no quarrel
number six John Cleese I have no quarrel
number six John Cleese I have no quarrel with you good tonight this towering Brit
with you good tonight this towering Brit
with you good tonight this towering Brit began his career as a scriptwriter
began his career as a scriptwriter
began his career as a scriptwriter before establishing his own unique and
before establishing his own unique and
before establishing his own unique and wonderfully bizarre brand of comedy
wonderfully bizarre brand of comedy
wonderfully bizarre brand of comedy Camelot he told me a model after making
Camelot he told me a model after making
Camelot he told me a model after making numerous appearances on British
numerous appearances on British
numerous appearances on British television during the late 60s he
television during the late 60s he
television during the late 60s he co-founded the comedy sketch group Monty
co-founded the comedy sketch group Monty
co-founded the comedy sketch group Monty Python which led to a groundbreaking TV
Python which led to a groundbreaking TV
Python which led to a groundbreaking TV show and cult film series shot in your
show and cult film series shot in your
show and cult film series shot in your general direction
general direction
general direction your mother was a hamster and your
your mother was a hamster and your
your mother was a hamster and your father smelt of elderberries in Flying
father smelt of elderberries in Flying
father smelt of elderberries in Flying Circus as well as his other farcical
Circus as well as his other farcical
Circus as well as his other farcical creation Fawlty Towers his black humor
creation Fawlty Towers his black humor
creation Fawlty Towers his black humor and stream-of-consciousness
and stream-of-consciousness
and stream-of-consciousness technique provided for spontaneous
technique provided for spontaneous
technique provided for spontaneous moments of comedic brilliance in exactly
moments of comedic brilliance in exactly
moments of comedic brilliance in exactly 30 seconds from now thank you so much
30 seconds from now thank you so much
30 seconds from now thank you so much and when combined with his remarkable
and when combined with his remarkable
and when combined with his remarkable script writing and physical humor please
script writing and physical humor please
script writing and physical humor please was at the top of his game I didn’t
was at the top of his game I didn’t
was at the top of his game I didn’t expect the Spanish Inquisition
nobody expects the Spanish Inquisition
nobody expects the Spanish Inquisition number five Benny Hill for almost seven
number five Benny Hill for almost seven
number five Benny Hill for almost seven decades this English comedian kept folks
decades this English comedian kept folks
decades this English comedian kept folks cackling away especially during his
cackling away especially during his
cackling away especially during his brilliant run on the small screen Benny
brilliant run on the small screen Benny
brilliant run on the small screen Benny Hill not only starred in his own comedy
Hill not only starred in his own comedy
Hill not only starred in his own comedy program but also wrote voraciously
program but also wrote voraciously
program but also wrote voraciously throughout the 70s how anybody could
throughout the 70s how anybody could
throughout the 70s how anybody could think that I’m trying to get my hands on
think that I’m trying to get my hands on
think that I’m trying to get my hands on anything that is not rightfully mine
anything that is not rightfully mine
anything that is not rightfully mine I shall never his slapstick style of
I shall never his slapstick style of
I shall never his slapstick style of humor and spectacular impressions
humor and spectacular impressions
humor and spectacular impressions inspired would be performers half his
inspired would be performers half his
inspired would be performers half his age and the closing runoff sequence
age and the closing runoff sequence
age and the closing runoff sequence became an integral part of pop culture
he’ll thrived with his edgy comedy and
he’ll thrived with his edgy comedy and innovative production techniques as he
innovative production techniques as he
innovative production techniques as he challenged viewer perceptions of what it
challenged viewer perceptions of what it
challenged viewer perceptions of what it meant to be politically correct
number four Richard Pryor inspired by
number four Richard Pryor inspired by Bill Cosby yet intrigued by the early
Bill Cosby yet intrigued by the early
Bill Cosby yet intrigued by the early 70s counterculture movement Richard
70s counterculture movement Richard
70s counterculture movement Richard Pryor made a significant turn towards
Pryor made a significant turn towards
Pryor made a significant turn towards artistic independence in the early 70s
though his television show was canceled
though his television show was canceled after only four episodes over creative
after only four episodes over creative
after only four episodes over creative differences
differences
differences he’s more than 20 film credits of the
he’s more than 20 film credits of the
he’s more than 20 film credits of the decade established him as a true
decade established him as a true
decade established him as a true crossover star with writing and starring
crossover star with writing and starring
crossover star with writing and starring credits and Blazing Saddles and
credits and Blazing Saddles and
credits and Blazing Saddles and box-office hits like the Mack
box-office hits like the Mack
box-office hits like the Mack blue-collar and Silver Streak there was
blue-collar and Silver Streak there was
blue-collar and Silver Streak there was a physique for the lake priors
a physique for the lake priors
a physique for the lake priors commanding stage presence influenced a
commanding stage presence influenced a
commanding stage presence influenced a young Eddie Murphy as well as many
young Eddie Murphy as well as many
young Eddie Murphy as well as many others and he undoubtedly played by his
others and he undoubtedly played by his
others and he undoubtedly played by his own rules
number three Gene Wilder this icon of
number three Gene Wilder this icon of comedy made his film debut in the 1967
comedy made his film debut in the 1967
comedy made his film debut in the 1967 classic Bonnie and Clyde and just one
classic Bonnie and Clyde and just one
classic Bonnie and Clyde and just one year later he became one of the most
year later he became one of the most
year later he became one of the most prominent names in comedy by earning an
prominent names in comedy by earning an
prominent names in comedy by earning an Academy Award nomination for his work in
Academy Award nomination for his work in
Academy Award nomination for his work in Mel Brooks the producers that kicked off
Mel Brooks the producers that kicked off
Mel Brooks the producers that kicked off the 70s on the right foot and soon came
the 70s on the right foot and soon came
the 70s on the right foot and soon came his iconic portrayal of Willy Wonka in
his iconic portrayal of Willy Wonka in
his iconic portrayal of Willy Wonka in Mel Stuart’s 1971 film intervention
Mel Stuart’s 1971 film intervention
Mel Stuart’s 1971 film intervention ninety-three percent perspiration six
ninety-three percent perspiration six
ninety-three percent perspiration six percent electricity four percent
percent electricity four percent
percent electricity four percent evaporation and two percent butterscotch
evaporation and two percent butterscotch
evaporation and two percent butterscotch Ripple a trilogy of Mel Brooks
Ripple a trilogy of Mel Brooks
Ripple a trilogy of Mel Brooks collaborations and a burgeoning
collaborations and a burgeoning
collaborations and a burgeoning partnership with Richard Pryor that
partnership with Richard Pryor that
partnership with Richard Pryor that established Wilder as a legitimate
established Wilder as a legitimate
established Wilder as a legitimate box-office giant maybe you should eat
box-office giant maybe you should eat
box-office giant maybe you should eat something first
something first
something first no thanks sick he committed fully to his
no thanks sick he committed fully to his
no thanks sick he committed fully to his unforgettable characters and his
unforgettable characters and his
unforgettable characters and his over-the-top high jinks kept audiences
over-the-top high jinks kept audiences
over-the-top high jinks kept audiences in stitches if you’re blue and you don’t
in stitches if you’re blue and you don’t
in stitches if you’re blue and you don’t know where to go – why don’t you go
know where to go – why don’t you go
know where to go – why don’t you go where fashion see number two Mel Brooks
where fashion see number two Mel Brooks
where fashion see number two Mel Brooks are you crazy
are you crazy
are you crazy don’t ever go for it and then again they
don’t ever go for it and then again they
don’t ever go for it and then again they might little red devils they love toys
might little red devils they love toys
might little red devils they love toys may I try one please do sir I kill thank
may I try one please do sir I kill thank
may I try one please do sir I kill thank you they say is it effective it’s one
you they say is it effective it’s one
you they say is it effective it’s one thing to write and direct legendary
thing to write and direct legendary
thing to write and direct legendary seventies films a few of which are
seventies films a few of which are
seventies films a few of which are considered some of the funniest movies
considered some of the funniest movies
considered some of the funniest movies of all time it’s quite another to
of all time it’s quite another to
of all time it’s quite another to consistently steal the show as well work
consistently steal the show as well work
consistently steal the show as well work work work work work work work work hello
work work work work work work work hello
work work work work work work work hello boys have a good night’s rest
boys have a good night’s rest
boys have a good night’s rest mister whether it was as Governor
mister whether it was as Governor
mister whether it was as Governor William J lahpet Amane and Blazing
William J lahpet Amane and Blazing
William J lahpet Amane and Blazing Saddles or a Richard H Thorndyke
Saddles or a Richard H Thorndyke
Saddles or a Richard H Thorndyke in high anxiety Mel Brooks was a master
in high anxiety Mel Brooks was a master
in high anxiety Mel Brooks was a master of farcical scenarios that often had
of farcical scenarios that often had
of farcical scenarios that often had viewers crying from laughter come on we
possibly even better known as a comedy
possibly even better known as a comedy director his roles were few and far
director his roles were few and far
director his roles were few and far between but when he did appear on camera
between but when he did appear on camera
between but when he did appear on camera Brooks owned every minute and that’s how
Brooks owned every minute and that’s how
Brooks owned every minute and that’s how you do it in show business
what is this a game show why don’t I be
what is this a game show why don’t I be in a Pinto I’m sorry so we’re going
in a Pinto I’m sorry so we’re going
in a Pinto I’m sorry so we’re going after 30 before we unveil our top pick
after 30 before we unveil our top pick
after 30 before we unveil our top pick here are a few honorable mentions what
here are a few honorable mentions what
here are a few honorable mentions what in the hell do you think you’re doing
in the hell do you think you’re doing
in the hell do you think you’re doing here this is a closed set yes on you I’m
here this is a closed set yes on you I’m
here this is a closed set yes on you I’m working for Mel Brooks not in the face
working for Mel Brooks not in the face
working for Mel Brooks not in the face Wow what was that shit man you just did
Wow what was that shit man you just did
Wow what was that shit man you just did the most acid I’ve ever seen anybody eat
the most acid I’ve ever seen anybody eat
the most acid I’ve ever seen anybody eat in my life
it’s my piece I found it and I’m gonna
it’s my piece I found it and I’m gonna put it up for auction I just decided but
put it up for auction I just decided but
put it up for auction I just decided but his hand mine we partners daily and I
his hand mine we partners daily and I
his hand mine we partners daily and I want to sell well what was his name
want to sell well what was his name
want to sell well what was his name Cruz Oh Inspector Clouseau
Cruz Oh Inspector Clouseau
Cruz Oh Inspector Clouseau number one Peter Sellers get over ten
number one Peter Sellers get over ten
number one Peter Sellers get over ten years after first appearing in the
years after first appearing in the
years after first appearing in the career-making role of the bumbling
career-making role of the bumbling
career-making role of the bumbling Inspector Clouseau in the Pink Panther
Inspector Clouseau in the Pink Panther
Inspector Clouseau in the Pink Panther Peter Sellers reprised his iconic roles
Peter Sellers reprised his iconic roles
Peter Sellers reprised his iconic roles twice during the 70’s and displayed what
twice during the 70’s and displayed what
twice during the 70’s and displayed what it meant to truly be a comedic genius
it meant to truly be a comedic genius
it meant to truly be a comedic genius what sort of stupid question is that are
what sort of stupid question is that are
what sort of stupid question is that are you bland
you bland
you bland yes
yes
yes I see yes yeah from the walk to the top
I see yes yeah from the walk to the top
I see yes yeah from the walk to the top sellers always brought a unique identity
sellers always brought a unique identity
sellers always brought a unique identity to his characters and he book ended his
to his characters and he book ended his
to his characters and he book ended his Pink Panther rolls with equally
Pink Panther rolls with equally
Pink Panther rolls with equally extravagant performances in the
extravagant performances in the
extravagant performances in the optimists of nine elms.young
with an uproarious contrast of highbrow
with an uproarious contrast of highbrow characters and lowbrow humor sellers
characters and lowbrow humor sellers
characters and lowbrow humor sellers found a way to sell every aspect of his
found a way to sell every aspect of his
found a way to sell every aspect of his performance through extraordinary
performance through extraordinary
performance through extraordinary preparation and a natural gift for
preparation and a natural gift for
preparation and a natural gift for comedy I’ve seen it done before in a
comedy I’ve seen it done before in a
comedy I’ve seen it done before in a film on television at all it did hurt do
film on television at all it did hurt do
film on television at all it did hurt do you agree with our list who’s your
you agree with our list who’s your
you agree with our list who’s your favorite comedy actor of the 70s that’s
favorite comedy actor of the 70s that’s
favorite comedy actor of the 70s that’s why I don’t drink so much take acid
why I don’t drink so much take acid
why I don’t drink so much take acid either why dudes take acid they do they
either why dudes take acid they do they
either why dudes take acid they do they take acid and go see the excesses for
take acid and go see the excesses for
take acid and go see the excesses for more mind-blowing top 10s published
more mind-blowing top 10s published
more mind-blowing top 10s published every day be sure to subscribe to
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