Being smart or funny is the choice of personality to be the center of attraction amid a crowd. We can’t deny that life has its favorites by creating a unique set of people who happen to have the best of both worlds, a third breed we know as witty comedians! It is a mind-blowing fact that some of these witty comedians even graduated as valedictorians, degree holders, and Ivy League schools! Who could have known wit and humor were the perfect recipes to plummet the careers of these witty comedians that are currently racking up the stage or cinema with laughter?
Here are just a few witty comedians from around the world that are so intelligent that stand-up comedy could be a laughing matter with the profession they already have. Still, you’ve got to do what you love. We adore how they chose comedy, and even so, we still get to see how these witty comedians add a hint of math, science, history, and politics to their skits.
Rowan Atkinson
The comedic alias “Mr. Bean” has been known in every nook and cranny of the world! Mr. Bean is played by one of the most notable names in comedy, the one and only British actor, Rowan Atkinson. Mr. Bean is a character who isn’t particularly bright; however, Rowan Atkinson, the actor who created the now-famous character, is a genius. For starters, Atkinson’s ability to fully create Mr. Bean and successfully resuscitate him so many times is a credit to his acting prowess.
As a confession from the genius himself, Rowan says being Mr. Bean is physically and mentally exhausting. That’s more than enough for him to earn the witty comedian badge by being naturally creative. But so that you know, this witty comedian’s degree is not a joke. Even better, Oxford honored Rowan as an Honorary Fellow decades later, publicly honoring his contributions to science and entertainment.
Richard Pryor
As an African-American actor and comedian, Richard Pryor was widely known for his vulgar language during his live comedy acts and fast-paced life, several marriages, and drug addiction issues. The witty comedian used comedy as a medium to tackle unspoken injustices about racism.
Many current comics credit him as a major influence on their work. Pryor’s observational comedy on African-American life in the United States during the 1970s was razor-sharp brilliance.
Richard rose to popularity with his successful appearance in the action/comedy Silver Streak (1976), Which Way Is Up? (1977), Greased Lightning (1977), The Muppet Movie (1979), and so much more. Surprising to many, Pryor was a longtime animal rights activist who battled against fast-food restaurants and circus events to raise awareness about animal care issues.
Eddie Murphy
Murphy, an American actor, was a bright youngster raised on the streets of New York, focused more on impressions and comedic stand-up routines than academics. His witty humor made him stand out among his Roosevelt Junior-Senior High School classmates. By fifteen, Murphy worked as a stand-up comedian in New York’s lower east side, enchanting audiences with his dead-on portrayals of celebrities and life perspectives.
Eddie was recognized for his roles in films such as The Golden Child (1986), Beverly Hills Cop II (1987), a remake of Jerry Lewis’ The Nutty Professor (1996), Doctor Dolittle (1998), Mulan (1998), Bowfinger (1999), and the animated hit Shrek (2001). He has shown himself to be a witty comedian with an impressive array of characterizations and mannerisms from time to time.
Murphy has lived the Hollywood lifestyle surrounded by controversy, criticism, scandal, and the adoration of millions of people around the world for his abilities. Murphy settled down with more family-oriented humor as he matured over the years, learning many lessons about the Hollywood game in the process.
Ken Jeong
Starring as Ben Chang, Ken Jeong, an American actor with Korean roots, is more than just a witty comedian; he is also a physician. Ken took acting classes at Duke University when he was a sophomore. He even began doing stand-up comedy at Ochsner Medical Foundation in New Orleans during his internal medicine residency. Being a comedian, actor, and doctor may be difficult, but Ken is up to the task. In reality, he can put his white coat back on whenever he needs it, whether he’s on stage or at the onset.
He is known for starring on NBC/Yahoo! Community (2009) and gangster Leslie Chow in The Hangover (2009) Trilogy. In Michael Bay’s Pain & Gain (2013), he played Johnny Wu, a motivational speaker.
Ali Wong
Ali Wong, a witty comedian with Chinese-Vietnamese roots, was an Asian-American major at the University of California, Los Angeles before she became the darling of stand-up comedy. Ali continued her academic adventure after graduating from Summa Cum Laude by studying in Vietnam as a Fulbright scholar. Giving it a shot, Ali came home and chose to try stand-up comedy. She continues to excel at being a witty comedian.
Movies such as Always Be My Maybe, which she produced and co-wrote with co-star Randall Park. She previously starred in Are You There, Chelsea? and was a cast member on the ABC television shows American Housewife and Inside Amy Schumer. She worked as a writer on the comedy “Fresh Off the Boat” for the first three seasons. In the critically acclaimed cartoon comedy, Tuca & Bertie, Wong also portrays the titular character Roberta “Bertie” Songthrush, a polite songbird and aspiring baker, and new student “Ali” in the hit series Big Mouth.
Ali was one of Time’s 100 Most Influential People of 2020 who empowered women.