Summary
The 1970s launched the careers of some of the best comedy actors to date. Films and TV shows were changing and developing in the 1970s, and it was a groundbreaking time for the genre. Some ofthe best movies of all timewere originally released in the ‘70s, and certain titles greatly inspired the future of cinema. The 1970s were an interesting time for films, and it was common for a lot of titles to merge genres to create something new.
In fact, some of themost underrated fantasy movies were from the 1970s. The brilliant thing about comedy, even in the ‘70s, was that it was applicable to any other genre of film and TV show. Satirical TV shows andsitcoms of the ‘70swere extremely popular, and these titles kicked off or continued the ever-growing popularity of many performers' careers. Whether they were big stars of TV, film, or both, there were some impressive and prominent comedy actors in the 1970s.
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10Gene Wilder
Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory
Many know the late Gene Wilder as the iconic Willy Wonka in the original version ofWilly Wonka & the Chocolate Factory, amovie adaptation of the Roald Dahl bookof the same name. After kicking off the decade with his stellar performance as the hilarious and eccentric chocolate factory owner, Wilder later starred in several other brilliant comedy movies. For example, he starred as the alcoholic Jim the Waco Kid inBlazing Saddlesalongside Mel Brooks in 1974.
Wilder also co-wroteYoung Frankensteinwith Brooksin the same year, which earned them an Oscar nomination for Best Adapted Screenplay. In fact, a significant chunk of the titles Wilder was involved in during the ‘70s was in collaboration with Brooks and fellow comedic actor Richard Pryor. Together,Gene Wilder and Richard Pryor’s moviesdominated the ‘70s.While Wilder was a prominent cinematic figurethroughout his entire career, which spanned across multiple decades, his presence in the 1970s was unmatched.
9Mel Brooks
Blazing Saddles
Actor and filmmaker Mel Brooks truly rose to fame in the ‘70s, following his success withThe Producersin 1969. Brooks’ most popular titles includedBlazing Saddles,but in 1975, he returned to the world of TV. Although his showWhen Things Were Rotten, which was released in 1975 and only lasted for one season, didn’t get the best reception, it did help inspire his later 1993 movieRobin Hood: Men in Tights.
Brooks’ first leading role as a performer, however, didn’t come until 1976 withSilent Movie,which he also co-wrote. While the film received mixed reviews, Brooks was praised for his comedic timing.Mel Brooks’ success in parody moviesmade him a standout in the 1970s, especially the likes ofHigh Anxiety,which earned him two Golden Globe nominations—one for Best Actor and the other for Best Motion Picture.
8Madeline Kahn
What’s Up Doc
Madeline Kahn starred in some ofMel Brooks and Gene Wilder’s best films, too, includingHigh Anxiety, Young Frankenstein,andBlazing Saddles. However, outside her collaborations with the two men, Kahn also appeared inWhat’s Up Doc. The film was her feature debut at the age of 30, andKahn provided such a brilliant performance as the hysterical Eunice Burnsthat she received her first Golden Globe nomination in 1973 for New Star Actress of the Year.
She added so many extra layers to every film she featured in
Alongside her screen career, Kahn was a fabulous theatre performer, too. The Broadway legend appeared in multiple comedy plays throughout the ‘70s, but her most notable wasIn the Boom Boom Room,which earned her her first Tony Award nomination for Best Actress in 1974. Kahn’s incredible comedic pacing and memorable delivery in all of her roles, leading or supporting, made her an impressive figure in the ‘70s, and she added so many extra layers to every film she featured in.
7Peter Sellers
The Return Of The Pink Panther
Peter Sellers was best known as Inspector Jacques Clouseau in the originalThe Pink Panthermovies, which cemented his status as one of the biggest comedic legends of his generation.Sellers’ portrayal of the bumbling and extravagant Clouseaumade him a staple in popular culture for decades after its release, and he inspired Steve Martin’s performance in the revival of the franchise. However, Sellers’ talents were also displayed in other roles. A lot ofPeter Sellers’ moviesin the ‘70s were perceived as complete failures, although in later years, appreciation for the titles grew.
For example, his role as the satirically sexually insatiable Queen Victoria in 1974’sThe Great McGonagallwas initially a complete flop, but he was later praised for the sheer ridiculousness of his characterization of the monarch. After a period of ill health while filmingThe Pink Pantherseries, Sellers’ career started to skyrocket once again, and he had appearances in titles such asThe Muppet Show, which earned him an Emmy nomination, andThe Prisoner of Zenda.
6Richard Pryor
The Richard Pryor Show
Richard Pryor revolutionized the world of stand-up comedy in the 1970s because of his brutally honest observational humor, which provided hysterical social commentary on everyday life. After he wrote for shows such asSanford and SonandThe Flip Wilson Show, Pryor made his breakthrough with several comedy albums, which earned him multiple Grammy Awards. In 1975, Pryor was one of thefirst to be a guest host forSaturday Night Live,which premiered in the same year. He was the very first black host of the show.
However, some of Pryor’s best performances were in his own variety show,The Richard Pryor Show. While the show was canceled after only four episodes, the content of the episodes was well ahead of their time. In these four short installments, Pryor portrayed the first black President of the United States, parodiedStar Wars, and shone a light on gun violence in America. These skits were wildly unappreciated at the time, but in recent years, they have been analyzed and celebrated for Pryor’s gritty attitude to society while still ensuring the use of comedy for better translation.
5John Cleese
Monty Python & Fawlty Towers
John Cleese was a huge star throughout the 1970s and was famous for his over-the-top, slapstick characters. The two most prominent projects Cleese was best known for were one ofthe best sitcoms of all time,Fawlty Towers,and as a member of the comedy troupeMonty Python.Monty Pythonspawned several films, includingFlying Circus, the Holy Grail,andLife of Brian, as well as multiple TV shows. While his characters were different,Cleese brought an incredible level of humor and talent to each of his roles.
However, Cleese’s talents weren’t restricted to just performance. He also co-wrote two of theMonty Pythonfilms, which were rewarded with multiple BAFTA Awards over the years. Cleese’s comedic talents were also displayed in many other movie and TV show roles as well, such as Nearly Headless Nick intheHarry Pottermovies, King Harold in theShrekseries, and Archie Leach in A Fish Called Wanda, the latter awarding him with an Oscar for Best Actor. While Cleese may have become a huge star in the ‘70s, he continued to be a huge success for decades after.
4Mary Tyler Moore
The Mary Tyler Moore Show
Mary Tyler Moore, the iconic titular personality ofThe Mary Tyler Moore Show,created a huge legacy throughout her career, but the ‘70s were a particularly notable era. Her portrayal of Mary Richards inThe Mary Tyler Moore Show’s best episodeswas revolutionary, andMoore’s depiction of a single career-focused woman challenged gender roles. Her presence on TV screens was massively empowering, yet her use of humor and wit didn’t dilute the seriousness of the topic that was at hand. The show was a massive success through the ‘60s and ‘70s, and Moore received several Golden Globe nominations for it.
However, Moore’s astonishing career was so much more thanThe Mary Tyler Moore Show.She was also a prominent figure in politics in the ‘70s, and Moore used her status and comical skills to encourage the general public to be more politically involved. Moore’s dedication to the feminist movement was not only reflected in her work but also her personal life. Even though Moore dedicated a lot of the ‘70s toThe Mary Tyler Moore Show,her work on it set her up for a huge movie career throughout the ‘80s and beyond.
3Alan Alda
MASH
Alan Alda’s career took off massively in the 1970s, mainly because of his role as Hawkeye Pierce inMASH,his most famous role. Throughout the course of the show, which first began in 1972, Alda won five Emmy Awards out of 21 nominations. He was also a part ofMASH’s writing team and contributed to multiple episodes, including “Goodbye, Farewell and Amen,” one ofthe best sitcom finales ever.Alda’s portrayal of Hawkeye was praised for what he brought to the character, primarily his brilliant pacingbut also the extra level of humanity he added to the war doctor.
Even though Alda was mainly focused onMASHin the ‘70s, he also starred in a few films, including 1978’sSame Time, Next Year, for which he was nominated for a Golden Globe. He also appeared as Bill Warren in the comedy anthology movieCalifornia Suitein the same year, alongside acting legends Michael Caine and Jane Fonda. Although Alda’s comedy skills through performance were solid, his true talents shone within writing and directing, both forMASHand future projects in the decades that followed.
2Carol Burnett
The Carol Burnett Show
The legendary Carol Burnett was a staple personality in the 1970s, and among the notable female comedians at that time, she stood above them all. At the peak of her career,The Carol Burnett Showlaunched as a variety show that parodied various TV series and films at that time.Burnett went from famous to a superstar with her titular show,and it led to the spinoffMama’s Family, which was also a massive success. During and afterThe Carol Burnett Showended in 1978,Carol Burnett’s best rolesallowed her career to continue to soar.
While filmingThe Carol Burnett Show,she starred in comedy-drama movies like 1972’sPete ‘n’ Tillieand 1974’sThe Front Page. Even though her later projects veered away from comedy and she took on more dramatic roles, Burnett’s humor was still hugely relevant to the genre overall. In 2019, she was the first recipient of the Carol Burnett Lifetime Achievement Award for Television, which has since been awarded to the likes of Ellen DeGeneres and Ryan Murphy.
1Bob Newhart
The Bob Newhart Show
Bob Newhart’s comical talents were nothing short of spectacular throughout his career, but especially in the ‘70s.Newhart was known for his deadpan delivery and bumbling stammer,which he demonstrated in several roles. From 1972 to 1978, he portrayed psychologist Robert Hartley inThe Bob Newhart Show, which earned him two Emmy nominations. Despite primarily being a TV star, Newhart also appeared in a few films during the 1970s.
He was praised for his character’s ridiculous villainous qualities
For example, he portrayed tobacco advertising executive Merwin Wren in the 1971 movieCold Turkey, and he was praised for his character’s ridiculous villainous qualities. He also starred in the satirical comedy movieCatch-22as Major Major Major, which was unbelievably funny, especially because of his character’s terrible luck and constant comparisons to Henry Fonda. Although there were so many brilliant comedy actors in the 1970s, Bob Newhart stood out because his use of humor was unique at the time, and he didn’t feel the need to be loud and boisterous to be funny.
