The 10 Funniest Performers Of The Decade
(This article is part of ourBest of the Decadeseries.)
Choosing the top ten funniest performers of the 2010s was not easy. If there’s one thing to know about comedy, it’s that it is subjective. What’s funny to one person may not be funny to someone else.
One thing I took into account while making this list is how reliable these performers were over the past decade. Did they have stand-out moments in one film or in multiple films over the years? How should a late bloomer be evaluated? If someone delivered a breakthrough performance late in the decade, should that wipe away someone else if they were consistently reliable for years? These are the questions I pondered.
As this decade comes to an end, one can only hope to see Daniel Craig and Charlize Theron take on more comedic performances. Craig crushed it in bothLogan LuckyandKnives Out. While bothYoung AdultandTullywere more of a dramedy than outright comedies, Theron’s performance inLong Shotshows that she’s ready to be taken seriously as a comedic actress. That being said, if a film otherwise classified as a dramedy was submitted to an awards show as a comedy, I’m counting it as a comedy.
Christian Bale
Christian Bale probably isn’t the first person you think of when it comes to comedy. Regardless, the actor can really deliver in any film, no matter the genre. After all, this is an actor who takes a method approach to his performances. Bale lost weight for his Oscar-winning role inThe Fighterwhile putting on weight to portray Dick Cheney inVice. Even if it’s the smallest of subtle facial gestures or the way he interacts on screen with other actors, there’s something about the performances that Bale brings with him to his roles inAmerican Hustle,The Big Short, andVice, respectively. Writer-director Adam McKay directed the actor in two of these films and as such, audiences have gotten a side to Bale that they might not have expected.
Ryan Reynolds
Reynolds has a real knack for comedy and we see it by way of what roles he opts to take on. Look at what he did by portraying Wade Wilson in bothDeadpoolfilms. It’s hysterical even if there are some cringe-worthy moments in the sequel. Sure, he’s taken on some dramatic roles such as playing Randy Schoenberg inWoman in Gold(Full disclaimer: Randy is my cousin’s cousin). There’s also an action role inGreen Lanternthat he’d prefer to forget altogether. The fact that Reynolds can be self-deprecating about it in films let alone in teasers shows that the actor has an amazing sense of humor. After twoDeadpoolfilms, it was hard to watchPokemon Detective Pikachuwithout thinking of the Marvel character. Or any Reynolds performance for that matter. The trailer forFree Guyshows that Reynolds is going to be off to promising start in the 2020s.
Kumail Nanjiani
Thedrive-through scenealone inThe Big Sickis a masterclass performance in acting. While the comedian doesn’t have that many leading film roles, he delivers in his supporting performances. His success as an actor on television has been able to successfully translate to a promising big screen career. This year alone, Nanjiani crushed it in bothStuberandMen In Black: Internationaleven if the films weren’t critically acclaimed. The latter of which came as a cute CGI alien. Moreover,The Big Sickis certainly one of the top comedies of the decade. Take away all of Nanjiani’s acting credits and his performance inThe Big Sickwould get him on this list without a doubt. Now thatSilicon Valleyis over, one can only look forward to his work over the next decade.
Melissa McCarthy
Prior to taking on a role inBridesmaids, Melissa McCarthy was known for her work inGilmore Girls. The actress had recently started onMike and Mollywhen the film hit theaters in 2011. Not only did McCarthy blow us away inBridesmaidsbut she would continue to do so throughout the decade. Some of the films haven’t been well-received but the films directed by Paul Feig turn into comedy gold. Listen, no matter what you think ofGhostbusters: Answer the Call, it’s a solid film and the jokes hit their landing. McCarthy is consistently reliable inThe Heat,Spy, andSt. Vincent. One can’t help but go back to her role inBridesmaidsbecause it’s a non-stop laugh riot. The actress would also display her dramatic range as Lee Israel inCan You Ever Forgive Me? When it comes to comedic talent in the 2010s, McCarthy is near the top of the Mount Rushmore contenders.
Kristen Wiig
Bridesmaidsis one of the funniest comedies in the 21st century and the film doesn’t happen without co-writers Kristen Wiig and Annie Mumolo. When Wiig first appeared some years before onSaturday Night Live, all it took was one scene before coming to the realization that Kristen Wiig is the real deal. Even when appearing in a drama, she finds a way to let the comedic light shine through. Over the deacde, Wiig displayed brilliant performances in 2012’sGirl Most Likelyand a pair of 2014 films,The Skeleton TwinsandWelcome to Me. Wiig has provided her voice to a number of animated films, including theHow To Train Your Dragonfranchise. In 2016, Wiig would join theGhostbustersfranchise when Paul Feig directed the star-studded reboot. When it comes to comedy, she’s the type of talent that is once-in-a-generation.
Paul Rudd never ceases to age but that’s beside the point. Filmmakers can always count on him to bring his A game. Rudd’s ability to improvise is one of the reasons why he’s on the list. He started the decade inDinner for Schmucksand he finished in the biggest film of 2019,Avengers: Endgame. For such a serious film, Rudd still brought some comical relief to the ultimate MCU film. In between these films are many others, includingThis is 40,Anchorman 2, twoAnt-Manfilms, and many more credits including collaborations with David Wain. It’s apparently a law that Paul Rudd is legally required to appear in every David Wain film.They Came Togetherwill go down as one of the best romantic comedy satires of all time. While we may not know what the next decade will look like, the big question is whether or not Rudd will ever age.
Emma Stone
Emma Stone has come a long way from breaking through in 2007’sSuperbadand 2009’sZombieland. One year afterZombieland, Stone was given her first leading role inEasy A. The actress didn’t disappoint in one of the best performances of 2010. If you haven’t readThe Scarlet Letter,don’t bother as Stone’s Olive recaps it in the film. It’s one of the best performances let alone films of the last ten years. Things would only get better for Stone when she co-starred inCrazy, Stupid, Lovein 2011. It wouldn’t be long before Stone received her first Oscar nomination forBirdmanin 2014. She would win an Oscar for Best Actress inLa La Landand then play tennis great Billie Jean King inBattle of the Sexes. While Stone’s final film role of the decade came inZombieland: Double Tap, her performance inThe Favouriteshows that hard work pays off.
Tiffany Haddish
In a perfect world, Tiffany Haddish would have gotten an Oscar nomination forGirls Tripwhen the film came out in 2017. Haddish’s role as Dina was a breakthrough performance that put her on the map much in the same way thatBridesmaidsdid for Melissa McCarthy. Haddish has since appeared in a small number of film roles but she’s mostly taken to television and stand-up. If she gets some more regular film work over the next decade, Haddish will be a strong contender on any list.
Kate McKinnon
If there’s an actress who is consistently reliable in supporting roles, it’s Kate McKinnon. She’s appeared inGhostbusters,Office Christmas Party,Rough Night, andThe Spy Who Dumped Meto name a few. When Kate McKinnon gets the chance to outright lead a film rather than be a co-lead or supporting actress, it’s going to be a complete game-changer. There’s no limit to her abilities, be it physical or verbal comedy.
