"Who are your top 5 comedy actresses of all time (film & TV, no sketch)"
1. Lucille Ball 2. Mary Tyler Moore 3. Julia Louis Dreyfus 4. Marla Gibbs 5. Amy Poehler
Didn't give this too much thought so if I get good feedback here I will change it.
The truth is Mary Tyler Moore and Julia Louis Dreyfus are probably my top two but I had to pay respect to the GOAT.
I wanted to exclude sketch because they just have an unfair advantage getting to play so many different characters and I didn't want this to be an SNL list only.
I also couldn't give it to an actress who only played on character.
Also this list easily could have been dominated by women from the last 15 years as women no longer had to play the "straight guy" so much but had to recognized women who were hilarious without the freedom to be as silly and as raunchy as the guys.
I will acknowledge that Marla Gibbs might be a reach.
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17. "1. M. Kahn 2. Lucille Ball 3. Burnett 4. JLD 5. Betty White" In response to Reply # 2 Thu Dec-12-13 12:51 PM by Castro
Marla Gibbs or Lawanda Page would be my choices for Black actresses, but this really made me think- when do Black Actresses get to do comedy where they aren't the butt of the joke?
13. "I clicked to make sure somebody put her up top" In response to Reply # 5
Her omission would cause flames, flames, flames on the side of my face. Breathing, breath, heaving breaths.
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10. "'The New Adventures of Old Christine', you mean?" In response to Reply # 9
yeah. she was funny on that. or at least I laughed alot while watching the show.
that show was pretty good despite not getting alot of attention.
it had a good cast were all good on there:
Wanda Sykes Hamish Linklater Clark Gregg
Julia's character on the show was alot like Elaine on Seinfeld. Both are sarcastic, maybe a little too self-confident and well-meaning, if not lacking in self-awareness. Both are also comedic gold.
Whoopi Goldberg Amy Poehler Marla Gibbs Julia Louis Dreyfus Madeline Kahn
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24. "Bea Arthur, Betty White, Lucy, Roseanne, Katey Sagal" In response to Reply # 0
I dunno though. Jane Kaczmarek beasted through 7 seasons of MITM in a way that kinda sons (HA!) a lot of actresses. IMO she was more consistent than the mighty Roseanne and played a greater character overall. Any episode with Cloris Leachman was fucking brilliant and they made for as good a duo as there's ever been.
Naturally, Rosanne steamrolled a new lane for herself and spoke to a aspect of American families that had largely been ignored on tv up to that point. She brought us real life portrayals of lower class family life in ways that were so easy to relate to it was downright scary. How many actresses hit this close to home for so many?
Sagal has three significant, quality shows under her comedic belt in addition to a stunning drama turn. Say what you want about the low-rent nature of Married...... but that shit was ground breaking and Peg Bundy is as iconic as they come. Further, that character was her creation. They originally wanted a behemoth of a wife and the Peg Bundy we all know, love, and lusted after was Sagal's doing. The fact that she has a long ass animated run in that mix is also a plus in her favor. 8 Simple Rules was solid if unspectacular, and who knows where it could have wound up if tragedy hadn't struck. Has anyone comedic actress enjoyed as much television success as her?
Phylicia Rashad also springs to mind. Her timing and interplay with Bill Cosby was vital to the success of that show and really helped glue the whole thing together. Arguably among the most subdued female comedy actresses in that her portrayal of Claire didn't need to resort to the comparatively slapstick personas of others, and genuinely gave us a great American depiction of a loving mother with a successful career.
As far as movies.... that's a tough list. I'm drawing blanks outside of the modern era. I'll just say Melissa McCarthy has done enough in a short span to bumrush her way into this convo. Sandra Bullock is also in this convo.
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25. "RE: Who are your top 5 comedy actresses of all time (film & TV, no sketc..." In response to Reply # 0
Lily Tomlin Carol burnette Whoopi Goldberg Tracee Ellis Ross Lucille ball ~~~~ When you are born, you cry, and the world rejoices. Live so that when you die, you rejoice, and the world cries. ~~~~ You cannot hate people for their own good.
33. "*searches for RBO's list* *not found*" In response to Reply # 31
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