15 Australian comedians you need to add to your list

Popular Australian comedians include Hannah Gadsby, Jim Jefferies, Rebel Wilson, Adam Hills and Celia Pacquola. Many of them have gained worldwide recognition for their unique humour and storytelling. Whether on stage, TV, or in films, their comedy resonates with audiences worldwide.

Key takeaways

• Hannah Gadsby rose to global fame with her 2018 Netflix special Nanette, winning an Emmy and Peabody Award.
• Jim Jefferies built an international career with stand-up specials and The Jim Jefferies Show.
• Carl Barron became one of Australia’s top-selling comedians through hit DVDs like Whatever Comes Next.
• Adam Hills gained worldwide recognition as host of The Last Leg and Spicks and Specks.

Best Australian comedians

In creating this list of the best Australian comedians, we used publicly available information, such as reviews, awards, popular opinion, and general recognition. Note that comedy is subjective, and what one person finds hilarious may not resonate with someone else.

1. Adam Hills

• Full name: Adam Christopher Hills
• Date of birth: 10 July 1970
• Age: 55 years old (as of 2025)
• Place of birth: Sydney, Australia

Adam Hills is a multi-award-winning comedian and television presenter best known for his insightful, family-friendly stand-up. He first became famous in Australia for hosting the fun music quiz show Spicks and Specks, and later became a huge hit in the UK with his television show, The Last Leg.

2. Hannah Gadsby

• Full name: Hannah Gadsby
• Date of birth: 12 January 1978
• Age: 47 years old (as of 2025)
• Place of birth: Smithton, Australia

Hannah Gadsby is an award-winning Australian comedian, writer, and actress. She is best known for her groundbreaking Netflix special Nanette (2018), which won both a Peabody Award and a Primetime Emmy. Gadsby often addresses topics like gender, sexuality, and mental health. Gadsby has also released more specials, including Douglas and Something Special.

3. Jim Jefferies

• Full name: Geoff James Nugent
• Date of birth: 14 February 1977
• Age: 48 years old (as of 2025)
• Place of birth: Sydney, Australia

Jim Jefferies is a well-known Australian stand-up comedian, actor, and writer. Famous for his bold and often controversial humour, Jim gained international fame with his Netflix special BARE. He has released multiple comedy specials, including Legit, and hosted his own late-night show, The Jim Jefferies Show. In 2023, Jim began hosting The 1% Club.

4. Carl Barron

• Full name: Carl Barron
• Date of birth: 11 June 1964
• Age: 61 years old (as of 2025)
• Place of birth: Longreach, Australia

Carl Barron is Australia's biggest-selling comedian, according to the BBC. He is best known for his observational humour about everyday life. He became very popular through his live shows, which often sell out, and his comedy DVDs, including Carl Barron: Live and Whatever Comes Next, which are among the best-selling in Australia.

5. Kitty Flanagan

• Full name: Kitty Flanagan
• Date of birth: 1968
• Age: 57 years old (as of 2025)
• Place of birth: Manly, Australia

Kitty Flanagan is a famous actress and comedian best known for her clever and relatable humour. She has performed stand-up comedy around the world and appeared on TV shows such as The Project and Good News Week. Kitty is also the star and co-creator of the hit comedy series Fisk, which won several awards.

6. Tom Gleeson

• Full name: Thomas Francis Gleeson
• Date of birth: 2 June 1974
• Age: 51 years old (as of 2025)
• Place of birth: Gunnedah, Australia

Tom Gleeson is widely known for his clever jokes, playful roasts, and unique style that mixes sarcasm with smart comedy. He hosts the hit quiz show Hard Quiz and Taskmaster Australia. He has appeared on shows like The Weekly with Charlie Pickering alongside Judith Lucy and The Project. In 2019, Gleeson won the Gold Logie Award for Most Popular Personality on Television.

7. Wil Anderson

• Full name: William James Anderson
• Date of birth: 31 January 1974
• Age: 51 years old (as of 2025)
• Place of birth: Heyfield, Australia

Wil Anderson is another celebrated Australian comedian, writer, presenter, and podcaster known for his sharp wit and satirical take on politics, media, and pop culture. He gained prominence as host of the ABC talk show, The Glass House. He has also hosted TV shows like The Gruen Transfer and Question Everything. Anderson currently co-hosts TOFOP and WILOSOPHY.

8. Dave Hughes

• Full name: David William Hughes
• Date of birth: 26 November 1970
• Age: 54 years old (as of September 2025)
• Place of birth: Warrnambool, Australia

Dave Hughes is one of Australia's best male comedians, known for his larrikin personality, drawling Australian accent, and deadpan comedic delivery. He is famous for his stand-up shows, radio programs like Hughesy & Kate, and appearances on TV shows such as The Footy Show and Hughesy, We Have a Problem.

9. Jimeoin

• Full name: James Eoin Stephen Paul McKeown
• Date of birth: 24 January 1966
• Age: 59 years old (as of 2025)
• Place of birth: Royal Leamington Spa, United Kingdom

Jimeoin is a Northern Irish-born Australian comedian celebrated for his clever observational humour and expressive facial antics. He rose to fame in the 1990s with his self-titled TV show Jimeoin, and has since appeared on numerous comedy specials like Jimeoin: The Craic.

10. Judith Lucy

• Full name: Judith Mary Lucy
• Date of birth: 25 March 1968
• Age: 57 years old (as of 2025)
• Place of birth: Perth, Australia

Judith Lucy has had a long career in stand-up, written several books, and appeared on numerous TV programs and radio, including her own shows, such as Judith Lucy’s Spiritual Journey and Judith Lucy Is All of Me. Known for her witty, honest, and observational humour, Lucy has also appeared on The Weekly and Spicks and Specks.

11. Celia Pacquola

• Full name: Celia Pacquola
• Date of birth: 12 February 1983
• Age: 42 years old (as of 2025)
• Place of birth: Yarra Glen, Australia

Celia Pacquola is best known as the co-creator, co-writer, and star of the ABC TV comedy series Rosehaven alongside Luke McGregor. She has hosted the improvised comedy series Thank God You're Here. Her comedy special All Talk was released globally on Amazon Prime in 2020.

12. Rebel Wilson

• Full name: Rebel Melanie Elizabeth Wilson
• Date of birth: 2 March 1980
• Age: 45 years old (as of 2025)
• Place of birth: Sydney, Australia

Rebel Wilson is one of the top female Australian comedians, known for her roles in the comedy films Bridesmaids and A Few Best Men. She also appeared in the SBS comedy series Pizza and the sketch comedy show The Wedge. Wilson wrote, produced and starred in the musical comedy series Bogan Pride (2008).

13. Tim Minchin

• Full name: Timothy David Minchin
• Date of birth: 7 October 1975
• Age: 49 years old (as of 2025)
• Place of birth: Northampton, United Kingdom

Tim Minchin is famous for his clever and funny songs that he performs while playing the piano. He became world-famous for writing the music and lyrics for the hit stage musicals Matilda the Musical and Groundhog Day The Musical. Minchin has also starred in his own TV show, Upright, and had a role on the American show Californication.

14. Chris Lilley

• Full name: Christopher Daniel Lilley
• Date of birth: 10 November 1974
• Age: 50 years old (as of 2025)
• Place of birth: Sydney, Australia

Chris Lilley is an Australian comedian, writer, actor, and film producer best known for his mockumentary-style TV shows, where he plays multiple exaggerated and quirky characters. He has created and played multiple characters in hit series such as We Can Be Heroes, Summer Heights High, Angry Boys, and Ja’mie: Private School Girl.

15. Shaun Micallef

• Full name: Shaun Patrick Micallef
• Date of birth: 18 July 1962
• Age: 63 years old (as of 2025)
• Place of birth: Adelaide, Australia

Shaun Micallef became famous through TV shows like Full Frontal, Micallef Tonight, and Shaun Micallef’s Mad as Hell, where he mixes jokes with political and social satire. Shaun also writes books and has acted in dramas like The Ex-PM.

Who are some of the famous Australian comedians?

Some of the most famous Australian comedians include Hannah Gadsby, Jim Jefferies, Carl Barron, Kitty Flanagan, Tom Gleeson and Wil Anderson.

Who are the famous female Australian comedians?

Famous female Australian comedians include Hannah Gadsby, Kitty Flanagan, Celia Pacquola, Judith Lucy, Magda Szubanski and Denise Scott.

Who are some of the male Australian comedians from the 1980s?

Famous male Australian comedians from the 1980s include Barry Humphries, Paul Hogan, Austen Tayshus, Trevor Marmalade and Greg Fleet.

Who are the oldest male Australian comedians?

Some of the oldest male Australian comedians, as of 2025, include Ugly Dave Gray (91), Barry Humphries (89), Paul Hogan (85), Rodney Rude (82), and Kevin Bloody Wilson (78).

Australian comedians have made a big impact with their unique humour and relatable stories. Popular Australian comedians such as Hannah Gadsby, Jim Jefferies, Carl Barron and Kitty Flanagan have entertained millions with their talent. They shine in stand-up, TV, and film, and have gained recognition in Australia and worldwide.

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Proofreading by Kola Muhammed, copy editor at Legit.ng.

Source: Legit.ng