Comedy films may not receive the critical reception that other genres receive; however, they are beloved by fans and can often lift the viewer’s spirits. Beginning in the early 20th century, comedians and comic actors began to appear all over the world. Whether it’s Charlie Chaplin, Laurel and Hardy, Buster Keaton, Abbott and Costello or many others, comedians have been going strong for over 100 years.
The world of comedy continued to grow throughout the century, introducing a new generation of comedic actors with each passing decade. After many hits in the 1960s and 1970s, comedy movies entered the 1980s with a lot of momentum and some of the funniest actors ever. While some actors have found more success than others, there’s no denying who was the best of the best in the ’80s.
ten Arnold Schwarzenegger was more unintentionally funny
Arnold Schwarzenegger’s big break came in 1984 with the sci-fi blockbuster, The Terminator. While Arnold found success with Conan the Barbarian and its sequel at the beginning of the decade, The Terminator was the launching pad for the Austrian oak. Arnold would go on to dominate the action genre with hits like The running man and Predatorbut his performance in Twins brought out the comedian in the former Mr. Olympia.
Playing an aloof and lovable man who discovers he has a twin brother, Arnold leaves his desert island and travels to America. Twins may have been his only comedy of the decade, but Arnold’s performances in all of his films are filled with hilarious one-liners and enhanced by his heavy Austrian accent.
9 Eddie Murphy’s performance on SNL led to high-profile movie parts
Whereas Saturday Night Live had aired for several successful seasons before, Eddie Murphy joining the cast changed the comedy landscape forever. Creating and playing characters like Mr. Robinson and Gumby, Murphy dominated the late-night show and used it as a launching pad to the big screen.
Eddie’s charisma was undeniable and he ended up starring in some of the best comedy movies of the 80s. 48 hours. was released in 1982 and was Eddie Murphy’s first major film role, mixing his wild humor with non-stop action. He followed it with Stock exchanges, Coming to Americaand the Beverly Hills Cop franchise, all beloved films featuring Murphy at his best.
8 Bill Murray capitalized on his SNL success and became a comedy legend
Another legendary Saturday Night Live The performer, Bill Murray, was so funny that making it to the big screen was inevitable for the Chicago native. Murray’s dry humor and quick wit made him an overnight movie star, starring in Grooves and Caddyshack in the early 1980s. Both films are considered two of the best comedy films of all time and helped propel Murray into another stratosphere of comedic acting.
Murray played a supporting role in the hit film Tootsiefollowed by a starring role in one of the greatest movies of all time, ghost hunters. Murray continued his dominance in the 1980s, ending the decade with strong performances in Scrooged and Ghostbusters II.
seven Chevy Chase’s physical performances and deadpan comedy landed him big roles
Bill Murray and Eddie Murphy are two of the greatest Saturday Night Live alums. However, Chevy Chase was the legendary late-night TV show’s first megastar. Chase’s physical performance and deadpan comedic reactions were second to none. However, he left SNL after only a season and a half.
Chase then co-starred alongside Murray and Rodney Dangerfield in Caddyshack, stealing every scene from the legendary golf movie. After that, Chase’s momentum drove him into National Lampoon’s Holiday and Fletch, two of the most underrated comedies of all time. Chase would have continued the success in the 80s with spies like us, Three Amigos!and several suites in the Holidays and Fletch franchisees.
6 Family Ties, Back to the Future and Teen Wolf Took Michael J. Fox from TV to Film Success
Michael J. Fox crushed it on the small screen with Family ties in the early 1980s, which led to the actor starring in Back to the future. Although Fox’s breakout role in Back to the future almost never happened due to his busy schedule on Family ties. However, after Eric Stoltz was released from Back to the futuredirector Robert Zemeckis pleaded Family ties creators to let Fox do both.
Luckily, Fox was able to take on the film, marking her first major film role. Fox also acted on Family ties for 172 episodes and found further big-screen success with Teen Wolf and Back to the future suites. For a time, Fox dominated screens large and small in the 1980s, cementing him as an actor icon of all generations.
5 Rodney Dangerfield stole every scene with his booming voice and reactions
While his movie references may not be as lengthy as those of other actors, Rodney Dangerfield’s performances in every film have always stolen the show. Dangerfield started out as a stand-up comic and had some memorable performances on The Ed Sullivan Show in 1948, causing the legendary animator to burst out laughing. He would go on to become one of the greatest comedians of all time, portraying himself as an ordinary guy dissatisfied with his life.
Rodney would have several guest spots on SNL and The show tonightultimately leading to his first film, Caddyshack. In addition to his success in stand-up and CaddyshackDangerfield would star in two underrated 80s comedies, Back to school and easy money.
4 Leslie Nielsen’s Deadpan Helped Make Parodies the Funniest Comedies on the Big Screen
A well-respected dramatic actor from the 1950s through the 1970s, Leslie Nielsen changed course and focused on comedies during the 1980s. His first major breakout comedy performance came in the 1980 parody film, Plane! Nielsen plays the hysterical Dr. Rumack, one of the best comedic supporting roles of the decade. Nielsen would also star in the short-lived television series, police squad! as Detective Frank Drebin.
The show served as the basis for The Naked Gun: From Police Squad Files!, one of the greatest parody films ever made. Nielsen’s performance as Frank Drebin was spot on and remains one of deadpan comedy’s greatest performances.
3 John Candy’s Lovable Personality Made His Screen Performances Unforgettable
John Candy is considered one of the funniest Canadian character actors of all time, starting out in his community college drama clubs. Eventually, Candy rose to fame when he joined the Toronto-based comedy group Second City, which included future stars Catherine O’Hara and Rick Moranis. Candy quickly became a fan favorite on SCTVthanks to his quirky sense of humor and perfect impersonations.
His early film roles included Grooves, Splashand National Lampoon’s Holiday, which caught the attention of other filmmakers. His larger-than-life performances in Planes, trains and automobiles, Uncle Buck, space ballsand The great outdoorsare still loved to this day.
Before Tom Hanks landed his roles in Forrest Gump and philadelphia creamthe young actor starred in the hit sitcom bosom buddies, and several light comedies. After his television success in the early 1980s, Hanks landed the lead role in Splash after auditioning for a supporting role.
Splash was a financial success and served as a starting point for Hanks in films, leading to comedies such as Bachelor Party, Volunteersand The silver pit. However, Hanks’ best performances in the 80s would come towards the end of the decade with hits like Big, The Bourbesand Turner & Hooch.
1 Gene Wilder’s dominance of 1970s comedy films carried over into the 1980s
After impressive performances in the 1970s, such as Young Frankenstein, Blazing Saddlesand Willy Wonka and the chocolate factoryGene Wilder brought his success to the 80s. Continuing his perfect pairing with comedian Richard Pryor of the previous decade, Wilder started the 80s with the hilarious movie stir crazy.
Wilder’s solo success continued with underrated comedies such as Hanky Panky, The woman in redand haunted honeymoon. However, his best film of the decade reunites him one last time with Richard Pryor in the timeless comedy, see no evil hear no evil.