Top 15 Christian comedians who spread joy with clean humour

Top 15 Christian comedians who spread joy with clean humour

Clean comedy spreads joy and laughter without including innuendos, politics, or crude or abusive language. Finding good, clean, and fun faith-based comedians may be an uphill task for wholesome family moments. This article dives into the comedy world to fish out details of the most impressive Christian comedians.

Christian comedians (L-R): Chonda Pierce, John Crist, Jim Gaffigan, and Sinbad
Christian comedians (L-R) Chonda Pierce, John Crist, Jim Gaffigan, and Sinbad. Photo: Jay Medeiros/Icon Sportswire, Terry Wyatt, Alberto Rodriguez/Variety, Albert L. Ortega (modified by author)
Source: Getty Images

TABLE OF CONTENTS

To create this list, we have combed through comical material from self-declared Christian comedians and other humorists who strive to create fun and wholesome comedy. This data has been sourced from YouTube and user reviews on social news forums such as Reddit and Quora. Remember, this list isn't exhaustive, as comedy is highly subjective.

Best Christian comedians

To paraphrase Psalm 126: 2, Christians are shown the possibility of filling their mouths with laughter and tongues with joy. Scripture emphasizes the importance of happiness and cheerfulness. Check out this list of the best male and female Christian comedians.

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1. Michael Jr.

Michael Jr. performs on a stage at A Time To Laugh comedy show
Michael Jr. performs during the A Time To Laugh comedy show at the Kay Bailey Convention Center on 30 June 2017 in Dallas, Texas. Photo: Peter Larsen/MegaFest 2017 (modified by author)
Source: Getty Images
  • Full name: Michael Jeffrey Joiner
  • Date of birth: 1958
  • Age: 66 years as of 2024
  • Place of birth: Grand Rapids, Michigan, United States

Michael Jr. is a multi-talented humorist known for his It's Funny How material. His entry into comedy began at a faulty movie theatre in his hometown, where his talent kept the crowd entertained. In addition to stand-up comedy, Michael has appeared in films such as War Room, One Heart, and Selfie Dad.

2. Jeff Allen

Jeff Allen tells jokes on stage.
Clean comedian Jeff Allen performs at Flappers Comedy Club on 15 October 2021 in Burbank, California. Photo: Michael S. Schwartz (modified by author)
Source: Getty Images
  • Full name: Jeffrey Allen Mishler
  • Date of birth: 5 June 1956
  • Age: 68 years as of 2024
  • Place of birth: Chicago, Illinois, United States

Throughout his career, Allen has distinguished himself as the true definition of a clean comedy, making him a common feature in churches and family-friendly radio and television shows. His family-based comedy genre has received noteworthy appearances on Netflix, YouTube, PureFlix, and Warmer Bros.

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3. Tim Hawkins

Tim Hawkins poses with a dog against a red background. The comedian poses, sitting.
Tim Hawkins poses with a dog against a red background and looks up. Photo: @timhawkinscomic (modified by author)
Source: Twitter
  • Full name: Timothy Aaron Hawkins
  • Date of birth: 30 March 1968
  • Age: 56 years as of 2024
  • Place of birth: Saint Charles, Missouri, United States

Hawkins’ comedy speciality extends from stand-up to singing and songwriting. He is best known for his parodies such as Cletus Take the Reel, a parody of Carrie Underwood’s Jesus Take the Wheel and singles such as Barbie Nation, Buc-Ee’s and Yoga Pants. In an interview with the Daily Independent through Movie Guide, he spoke on his entry into the career, saying:

I had no other choices or skills. I tried everything, and I have been fired from every other job. But this one seemed to fit. I am lucky there is a profession where I can be an idiot and get paid for it.

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4. Mark Lowry

Mark Lowry on stage during the 49th Dove Awards
Mark Lowry performs during the 49th Dove Awards on 16 October 2018 at Allen Arena in Nashville, Tennessee. Photo: Jamie Gilliam/Icon Sportswire (modified by author)
Source: Getty Images
  • Full name: Mark Alan Lowry
  • Date of birth: 24 June 1958
  • Age: 56 years as of 2024
  • Place of birth: Houston, Texas, United States

Mark Lowry has become an expert at finding hilarity in Scripture and sharing it with family-friendly crowds. The comedian who doubles as a minister is a singer and songwriter. He has been a member of the Gaither Vocal Band between 1988 and 2013. He is best known for the song, Mary, Did You Know?, one of the most popular Christmas songs.

5. Chonda Pierce

Chonda Pierce poses with an award at the 2015 Dove Awards
Chonda Pierce receives an award at the 2015 Dove Awards at Allen Arena, Lipscomb University, on 13 October 2015, in Nashville, Tennessee. Photo: Terry Wyatt (modified by author)
Source: Getty Images
  • Full name: Chonda Ruth Courtney
  • Date of birth: 4 March 1960
  • Age: 64 years as of 2024
  • Place of birth: Covington, Kentucky, United States

Pierce’s thirty-year experience as one of the most popular female Christian comedians has earned her the Queen of Clean Comedy title. The Emmy-nominated comic uses her platform to discuss her experience overcoming depression. She is the number one-selling female comedian of all time on the Recording Industry Association of America.

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6. Bob Nelson

Bob Nelson poses with an award at the Independent Spirit Awards
Bob Nelson received an award for the best screenplay at the Independent Spirit Awards on 1 March 2014 in Santa Monica, California. Photo: Adrian Sanchez-Gonzalez/AFP (modified by author)
Source: Getty Images
  • Full name: Bob Nelson
  • Date of birth: 3 March 1958
  • Age: 56 years as of 2024
  • Place of birth: Massapequa, New York, United States

Bob Nelson’s successful stand-up career began on a 70s television series, The Big Laff Off. In addition to growing a decades-long career in clean comedy, the male comedian is an accomplished writer and actor with appearances on Brain Donors, Kindergarten Cop and The Falcon and the Snowman.

7. Jim Gaffigan

Jim Gaffigan at SiriusXM studios in LA
Jim Gaffigan attends SiriusXM's 'Unfrosted' Town Hall on 30 April 2024 in Los Angeles, California. Photo: Emma McIntyre/SiriusXM (modified by author)
Source: Getty Images
  • Full name: James Christopher Gaffigan
  • Date of birth: 7 July 1966
  • Age: 58 years as of July 2024
  • Place of birth: Elgin, Illinois, United States

Gaffigan, who often uses swear words, has maintained his position in the genre despite the industry prohibiting it. His fans and other clean comedy enthusiasts can enjoy a variety of his content in music, television shows, movies, live tours, and books.

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8. Ken Davis

Ken Davis poses with a spider (L). The comedian poses with a mic (R).
Ken Davis poses with a spider on the shoulder (L). The comedian poses with a mic against a black background (R). Photo: @Ken Davis, @Tri-State Praise KGCR (modified by author)
Source: Facebook
  • Full name: Ken Davis
  • Date of birth: 15 November 1946
  • Age: 77 years as of (July 2024)
  • Place of birth: Minnesota, United States

Davis is one of the most famous Christian comedians known for his stand-up content, written material, and appearances on live and television shows. He explores the comic genre in various topics through books such as Jumper Fables, Fully Alive: Lighten Up and Live, and How to Live with Your Kids.

9. Henry Cho

Henry Cho tells jokes at the at Ryman Auditorium
Henry Cho performs the NASCAR Night At The Opry at Ryman Auditorium on December 3, 2019, in Nashville, Tennessee. Photo: Jared C. Tilton (modified by author)
Source: Getty Images
  • Full name: Henry Cho
  • Date of birth: December 30, 1962
  • Age: 61 years (as of July 2024)
  • Place of birth: Knoxville, Tennessee, United States

Cho is among the best Asian-born comedians. His role as an actor in The Farmer and the Belle: Saving Santaland earned him a Best Ensemble Cast award at the Great Lakes Christian Film Festival. The writer, actor and producer is known for works such as Saving Faith, McHale's Navy, Say It Isn't So and The Henry Cho Show.

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10. John Crist

John Crist laughs on a stage at The Grand Ole Opry
John Crist speaks during the 6th KLOVE Fan Awards at The Grand Ole Opry on 27 May 27 2018, in Nashville, Tennessee. Photo: Jason Davis/KLOVE (modified by author)
Source: Getty Images
  • Full name: John Crist
  • Date of birth: 20 March 1984
  • Age: 40 years as of July 2024
  • Place of birth: Atlanta, Georgia, United States

John Crist is one of the few popular Christian comedians in the genre who has appealed to broader audiences. Since 2009, his stand-up routines, clips, and sketches featuring relatable storytelling and clean universal humour have received over 255 million views on YouTube.

In addition to claiming the best male Christian comedians on YouTube, Crist has won relatively significant recognition by opening for Seth Meyers, Jeff Foxworthy, Dave Chappelle, and Tim Hawkins.

11. Paul Aldrich

Paul Aldrich speaks (L). The comedian poses for a photo (R).
Paul Aldrich is a clean-humoured comedian whose art extends to singing and songwriting. Photo: Paul Aldrich & Friends (modified by author)
Source: Facebook
  • Full name: Paul Aldrich
  • Place of birth: Fresno, California, United States

Paul Aldrich is a public speaker, singer, guitarist and comic who founded Laugh For Life. According to his website's greeting card, the Mock 'n' Roll singer has had over thirty-five years of experience in the genre with a variety of faith based material in parodies, shows, and impressions.

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12. Thor Ramsey

Thor Ramsey makes a face while performing at the Thou Shalt Laugh show
Thor Ramsey performs during Thou Shalt Laugh, a Christian comedy show on 15 March 2006, at Faith Community Church in West Covina, California. Photo: Michael Schwartz/WireImage (modified by author)
Source: Getty Images
  • Full name: Thor Ramsey
  • Profession: Comedian, film producer, author

Christian comedian Thor Ramsey began developing his talent in 1987. His writing, screenwriting, acting, and production talents have produced award-winning works like Speed Film, The Nose Job, Skip Listening, and Church People.

His accomplishments include being a 168 Film Festival 2017 nominee for Best Scriptural Integration, a 168 Film Festival 2014 nominee for Best Comedy Screenplay, a 168 Film Festival 2010 nominee for Best Actor, and a 168 Film Festival 2010 nominee for Best Comedy Screenplay.

13. Rik Roberts

Rik Roberts performs on stage (L). The performer poses in a police costume (R).
Rik Roberts performs on stage wearing a blue cap (L). The performer poses in a police costume (R).Photo: @ComedianRikRoberts (modified by author)
Source: Facebook
  • Full name: Rik Roberts
  • Place of birth: Kentucky, United States

Roberts is one of the few older Christian comedians with over three decades of experience. His family and church's clean comedy material makes him one of the few titans in the genre.

14. Leland Klassen

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Leland Klassen performs during a comedy show in the US (L). The comedian poses for a picture (R).
Leland Klassen performs during a comedy show in the US (L). The comedian poses for a close-up picture (R). Photo: @leland.klassen (modified by author)
Source: Facebook
  • Full name: Leland Klassen
  • Place of birth: Prince Albert, Saskatchewan, Canada
  • Place of residence: Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
  • Profession: Actor, comedian

Leland Klassen has an established presence in the industry with roles on Popcorn TV, Just For Laughs and Thou Shalt Laugh. In addition to playing roles on television and film, his gospel-inspired stand-up comedy is often used in church outreach events.

15. Sinbad

Comedian Sinbad performs at the NAMM Show in 2020
Comedian Sinbad performs on stage at the NAMM Show at Anaheim Convention Center on 17 January 2020 in Anaheim, California. Photo: Daniel Knighton (modified author)
Source: Getty Images
  • Full name: David Adkins
  • Date of birth: November 10, 1956
  • Age: 67 years (as of July 2024)
  • Place of birth: Benton Harbor, Michigan, United States

Sinbad is one of the best Christian comedians whose acting career started in the late 1990s. The 1997 Blockbuster Entertainment Award winner is known for his stand-up career and roles in The Lion Guard, American Dad!, Steven Universe, and Are We There Yet?

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How much is it to book a Christian comedian?

According to GigSalad, booking costs for Christian comedians range between $300 and $500 per hour. However, comedians on other agencies, such as Ken Davis, charge up to $15,000 for in-person appearances.

Who are the best female Christian comedians to watch out for in 2024?

In addition to Chonda Pierce, other female Christian humorists to watch out for include Karen Mills and Christy Conder. Fans can also enjoy clean comedy from comedians such as Tara Brown, Meghan Hanley, and Leslie Norris Townsend.

Who are the best young Christian comedians of 2024?

Several young have broken onto the clean comedy scene through viral Dry Bar Comedy episodes. These include Shayne Smith, Jay Stevens, Aaron Woodall, and Jonnie W.

Christian comedians take on an exclusive niche that uses principles of faith to bring laughter to audiences. These humorists use their unique abilities to explore everyday topics such as ageing, marriage, parenting, employment, and more from a Biblical perspective without using derogatory or suggestive language, making them the ultimate source of entertainment for families.

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Legit.ng has published an article on famous female comedians on a mission to get you laughing. Described by different names, comedienne or humorist, these notable personalities fill the modern era with laughter and have carved out a lasting impression on the comedic landscape.

Female comedians such as Ali Wong, Ellen DeGeneres and Whoopi Goldberg achieved such accomplishments despite prejudice against minorities. Read the above article for details of some of the best comedians in the world.

Source: Legit.ng

Authors:
Ciku Njuguna avatar

Ciku Njuguna (Lifestyle writer) Ciku Njuguna is a journalist with four years of experience in content creation working with Sports Brief and CyberSchool technologies. She has a BSc in Nutrition and Dietetics (2018) and a Postgraduate Diploma in Education from the University of Nairobi (2022). Ciku joined Legit.ng in 2024, where she currently covers lifestyle content. In 2023, she finished the AFP course on Digital Investigation Techniques. In 2024, she participated in the Google News Initiative training program. Email: ciku.njuguna1@gmail.com

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