Seven Jewish Comedians Sparking Joy

Humor is a staple of Jewish life. In Eastern Europe, the badkhen (a Yiddish term often translated as "wedding jester") filled roles ranging from wedding entertainer, to poet, to musician, to jester. This role dates to the medieval era and could be considered a forerunner of today's stand-up comedians. While the badkhen was originally a role reserved for men, today Jews who identify as women, genderqueer, and nonbinary have made their own marks on the comedy world. Here are just a few modern-day female and genderqueer badkhens who have broken the mold as they share their own brand of Jewish joy with the world. 

Amy Schumer

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Schumer got her start in comedy in 2007, when she recorded an episode of "Live at Gotham" for Comedy Central. The same year, she rose to national fame by competing in the fifth season of NBC's "Last Comic Standing," where she eventually won fourth place. Since then, she's appeared on several television shows. Her work on her own show, "Inside Amy Schumer," won her a Primetime Emmy in 2015. She's also written two books and starred in several movies, including "Kinda Pregnant," "I Feel Pretty," and "Snatched." Schumer's also done some voice work, voicing Gummy Bear in "IF" and Velvet in "Trolls Band Together."

Iliza Schlesinger

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Like Amy Schumer, Schlesinger also got her start on NBC's "Last Comic Standing," winning the sixth season in 2008. Since then, she has released seven comedy specials. Her work has expanded to television shows and feature films. In 2021, she wrote, executive produced, and starred in her semi-autobiographical film "Good on Paper," which was based on her own dating experience.

Schlesinger has written two books ("Girl Logic: The Genius and the Absurdity" and "All Things Aside: Absolutely Correct Opinions") and hosts her own podcast ("AIA: Ask Iliza Anything").

Sarah Silverman

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Silverman began as a writer and cast member on Saturday Night Live between 1993 and 1994, after which she starred in and produced the Sarah Silverman Program, which earned her a nomination for a Primetime Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series.

Since then, Silverman's starred in "School of Rock," 'A Million ways to Die in the West," and "I Smile Back," among other films. Her work in "I Smile Back" earned her a nomination for a Screen Actors Guild Award. If you enjoy Disney movies, you may recognize Silverman as the voice of Vanellope Von Schweetz in "Wreck-It Ralph" and "Wreck-It Ralph 2: Ralph Breaks the Internet."

Ilana Glazer

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Glazer got their start co-creating and co-starring in the series Broad City alongside Abbi Jacobson. They have since appeared in four films, toured the United States and Canada with their tour "Ilana Glazer live" and released a standup special, "Human Magic," on Disney +. Glazer has also co-founded the nonprofit organization Generator Collective, which, according to their website, "aims to humanize policy."

Rashida Jones

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Jones may be primarily known for her work on television, including "Boston Public," "The Office," and "Parks and Recreation," but her career has been far more diverse, encompassing writing, online comedy series, and philanthropy efforts, as well as a documentary that won the 2019 award for Best Music.

In 2009, she created a comic book series, "Frenemy of the State," about a socialite who is recruited by the CIA. She also has written for movies and television, co-writing the story for "Toy Story 4," writing the screenplay for the 2012 comedy film "Celeste and Jesse Forever," and is currently working on co-writing a script for an animated Tom and Jerry feature film.

Fran Drescher

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Fran Drescher, known to many 90's kids for her role in "The Nanny," didn't originally start working in comedy. In fact, her earliest film credits are in horror movies! However, Drescher's work on "The Nanny" (which she co-created and produced with her then-husband Peter Marc Jacobson) was what cemented her place in the world of comedy. Her portrayal of Fran Fine earned her two Emmy Award nominations and two Golden Globes for Best Actress in a Comedy Television Series.

Since the show's end in 1999, she's starred in three more sitcoms, the animated "Hotel Transylvania" films, and made her Broadway debut in "Cinderella" as the stepmother.

In 2021, Drescher was elected as the president of SAG-AFTRA, leading the union during the actors' strike in 2023.

Bette Midler

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No list of modern-day Jewish comedians would be complete without Bette Midler. Over the course of her 50+-year career, Midler has earned four Golden Globes, three Grammys, three Primetime Emmys, two Tony Awards, and two Academy Award nominations. Midler didn't begin working in comedy for 15 years. She began her professional acting career by playing an ensemble role in the Broadway musical "Fiddler on the Roof" in 1966 and assuming the role of Tevye's oldest daughter, Tzeitel, four months later. She went on to establish herself as a singer. Since her first album in 1972, she has released 14 more studio albums.

Midler has appeared in many movies and comedies since she started her film career in 1966. She voiced Georgette in "Oliver & Company," Grandmama in the 2019 animated "Addams Family" and its sequel "Addams Family 2" in 2021. Her film acting roles include C.C. Bloom in "Beaches," Winifred Sanderson in Disney's "Hocus Pocus" franchise, Brenda Cushman in "The First Wives Club," and Bobbie Markowitz in "The Stepford Wives." Midler has appeared on television as well, including hosting "Saturday Night Live;" guest appearances on "The Simpsons" and "The Nanny," and starring in her own sitcom, "Bette."

Whether you're looking for a healthy dose of nostalgia or a modern comedy tour that takes on today's pressing issues with a lighter tone, these modern Jewish comedians will be sure to tickle your funny bone!