Comedy has a way of bringing people together through laughter. Throughout the years, primetime TV has been a safe place for a family to relax in front of the television and just unwind. In the '80s and '90s, black TV comedies were at their peak. From The Cosby Show to Martin and down to some of the least favorite such as Moesha and In The House, black actors found their niche.
Martin Lawrence, Dave Chappelle, Bill Cosby, Will Smith, and others have carried that mantle as the new generation tries to keep the tradition going. Here are the top 10 black actors in a TV comedy.
Alfonso Ribeiro (Carlton Banks-The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air)
Why not Will Smith in this spot? While Will was the star of one of the most iconic shows, he didn't add anything groundbreaking to his role. However, Carlton gave the black community a look into what was frowned upon or called a 'sell-out' in the urban areas. He came from money, talked and dressed differently, but most of all, he was just out of touch.
Will had his comedic moments but it was Carlton who garnered the most laughs. The sweater vest and the unawareness that Will was throwing jabs. It was his innocence that made his character the best on The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.
Sherman Hemsley (George Jefferson-The Jeffersons)
It's easily the swag that made George Jefferson so funny. With Martin Lawrence and Bill Cosby, it was in your face jokes. But with George, it was his over-the-top bravado and trash-talking that made his character so iconic. George made something of his life but fans still believe he walked around with a Napoleon complex of sorts.
When he walked, he let you know he meant business. But don't get it wrong, he could deliver some bone-crushing lines. Especially, when they were aimed at Florence or Tom Willis. His character was ahead of its time as TV shows are now focused more on the back and forth than the occasional laugh track lines.
Jaleel White (Steve Urkel- Family Matters)
Everything about Steve Urkel required a laugh. And yet, he's still not mentioned as one of the greats during his era. From the high-pitched voice to his love for cheese and his braces, Urkel was pure comedy. But it was his style of dress that often brought laughter when he stepped on camera.
Steve had a style of his own and did not care what anyone thought. From his suspenders holding up his high water pants to his colorful shoes and flannel shirts, there was no one like him on TV at the time.
Martin Lawrence (Jerome-Martin)
What Martin did as his own character was great but he also took the time and added another element to his show that many have tried to duplicate and failed. Martin Lawrence played many characters on his show but one, in particular, stood out from the rest: Jerome.
The old school player still trying to find his way in the new age was stuck in a time warp. There was nothing smooth about Jerome, but his presence, the moment he stepped on camera was great. The gold tooth, the old MCM tracksuits, and the lingo gave Jerome an aura that will never be duplicated on TV.
Carl Anthony Payne (Cole Brown-Martin)
Martin provides three characters on this list and that should be further proof of how great a show it was. Martin was the joke and one-liner master. But it was Cole who added that raw touch to the show. Cole was like the basement where the lights never worked. You knew going down was a risk but yet, we opened the door anyway knowing we may fall.
A grown man driving a Pacer and living with his mother, he was an easy mark for the jokes of his friends. His character was at the bottom of the pecking order on the show but he played his part and did it well.
Terry Crews (Julius Rock-Everybody Hates Chris)
The dad that everyone had. Julius was a hardworking man doing his best to support his family. But he was tight when it came to money. He could work three jobs in one day and still get on his wife and kids about the power usage in the house or how much food they were eating weekly.
Unlike most on this list, Julius didn't have the classic one-liners or the facial expression that drew in viewers. It was the truth in which he spoke that fathers in the black community dealt with daily. His presence was the comedy.
Joseph Marcell (Geoffrey Butler-The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air)
Some of the best comedy comes from those we don't expect. Geoffrey was the Butler for the Banks family on The Fresh Prince Of Bel-Air. And right from the start, you could tell that his presence would be memorable. Although an employee, Geoffery was treated like family. He was quick with the comebacks as he and Will would often go at it.
But it was his personal life that provided great laughs. The episodes where he was Black Caesar or the one where we found out Geoffrey was a disgrace to his country and was banned from the Olympics were legendary.
Damon Wayans (Homey D. Clown-In Living Color)
In the '90s there was a character that took black household by the throat and choked every but of laughter from us they could. In Living Color was in a league of its own way before Comedy Central gave us The Dave Chappelle Show. Damon Wayans introduced the TV world to Homey D. Clown. Homey didn't smile, didn't like kids and yet, he stole our hearts.
Homey was original. No need for ballons animals and face painting. Homey didn't like anyone disrespecting his personal space. "Homey don't play that" was just a line but it might be one of the funniest ever in a TV show.
Martin Lawrence (Martin Payne-Martin)
How can a man be so rude to his friends and yet be so loved at the same time? That was the engine that made Martin Payne so funny. At least once in every episode, he had to kick his friends out. No feelings were spared on the show as Martin delivered great comedy weekly. The love was real but so was his ranking on them.
His one-liners are legendary. His movements were timed just right with each joke that it seemed that he practiced those for hours in a mirror. But what made his character so fresh was that a lot of it was improv. Martin will go down as one of the funniest black characters in TV history.
Dave Chappelle (Rick James-The Chappelle Show)
The Chappelle Show is still regarded as the greatest skit show ever. And for good reason. What Dave Chappelle did was bring races and generations together and made everyone laugh. Not only at his antics but each other with no malice. He covered many characters but his portrayal of Rick James was the best.
As iconic as James was, Chappelle took his experiences and turned James into a national treasure. Chappelle touched on all of James' demons from cocaine to stepping on Eddies Murphy's couch. Dave told stories about James that many had no idea existed and ended the skit with the famous line--"I'm rich, b****."