Comedians Who Went from Open Mic to Millionaire

Before the Netflix deals, global tours, and multimillion-dollar fortunes, these comedians were unknowns, hustling through late-night open mics, dive bars, and tiny back rooms. What sets them apart isn’t just talent, it’s the grind, the risk, and the sheer will to get up night after night until something clicked.

Every one of these comics began with little more than a mic, a few jokes, and a crowd that may or may not have been paying attention. Now they’re comedy royalty.

Here’s how they made the leap from local stages to international stardom.

💰 Kevin Hart

Born and raised in Philadelphia, Kevin Hart began performing at local clubs like The Laff House. His first performances were rough; he was even booed off stage a few times. But Hart refused to quit, refining his style and slowly building a loyal fan base. His breakthrough came after winning several amateur competitions, leading to small TV roles and eventually his 2009 special I’m a Grown Little Man. Since then, Hart has become a global comedy powerhouse, with blockbuster movies, Netflix specials, a media company, and arena-filling tours under his belt.

🎤 Tiffany Haddish

Tiffany Haddish’s path to fame was anything but smooth. Growing up in foster care and struggling with homelessness, she began doing comedy as a teenager through the Laugh Factory’s comedy camp. She spent years working LA’s open mic scene, often sleeping in her car between gigs. Her explosive role in Girls Trip (2017) introduced her to the world, but her real breakthrough was built on her brutally honest and hilarious stand-up, which drew from a lifetime of pain, resilience, and hustle.

🌍 Trevor Noah

Trevor Noah grew up in apartheid-era South Africa, where comedy wasn’t a mainstream career path, especially for someone of mixed race. He began performing in Johannesburg clubs in his early 20s, often doing stand-up in multiple languages. After years of building his name across South Africa and the UK, he broke into the American market with sharp political observations and personal storytelling. His Netflix specials (Afraid of the Dark, Son of Patricia) and tenure as host of The Daily Show solidified his global influence.

😂 Jo Koy

Jo Koy started out performing at coffee shops in Las Vegas. For years, he opened for bigger acts and struggled to land network deals. After self-funding his own comedy special when no one would buy it, Netflix picked it up, and it exploded. His stories about Filipino family life, cultural identity, and immigrant experiences struck a chord with audiences around the world. Today, he’s a global touring act and a beacon for Asian-American representation in comedy.

🎟️ Gabriel Iglesias

Gabriel “Fluffy” Iglesias started his stand-up career in the 1990s while working a day job at a cell phone company. Despite early success on shows like Last Comic Standing, he faced financial setbacks, including being evicted from his home. But his infectious energy and cartoon impressions helped him develop a devoted fan base. With several comedy specials and a Netflix sitcom (Mr. Iglesias), he’s now one of the most recognized and highest-paid comedians in the world.

🧠 Ali Wong

Ali Wong began doing stand-up in San Francisco, performing in local clubs while working odd jobs. After moving to New York, she hustled relentlessly, sometimes doing 9 shows a night. Her Netflix breakout Baby Cobra (2016), performed while 7 months pregnant, was groundbreaking, not only for its raw content but also for its visual defiance of industry norms. Wong is now a bestselling author, actress, and headliner who helped shift the conversation around women and motherhood in comedy.

🇬🇧 Jimmy Carr

Jimmy Carr left a stable corporate job in his late 20s to pursue comedy, a decision many considered reckless. He hit hundreds of open mics across London, developing a sharp, deadpan delivery and love of dark humour. His break came through British panel shows and relentless touring. Over two decades later, he’s one of the UK’s most successful comedians with global tours, bestselling DVDs, and a massive Netflix presence.

🇨🇦 Russell Peters

Russell Peters began his career in the early ’90s doing gigs around Toronto and Mississauga. His ability to joke about race, accents, and identity made him a hit with multicultural audiences. A 2004 clip uploaded to YouTube went viral, long before viral fame was common. That one video launched a global career, leading to sold-out shows from Dubai to London. Peters is considered one of the first comedians to leverage the internet to break into the mainstream.

🎭 Hasan Minhaj

Hasan Minhaj started in the California stand-up scene while working corporate jobs during the day. After landing a spot on The Daily Show, his voice — personal, political, and passionate — found a global audience. His special Homecoming King told the story of growing up as a first-generation American Muslim, and it helped redefine what stand-up storytelling could be. Minhaj continues to mix art, activism, and entertainment in everything he creates.

🎧 Taylor Tomlinson

Raised in a conservative Christian household, Tomlinson began performing in church talent shows and clean comedy events as a teenager. She quickly outgrew that scene and started hitting comedy clubs around the U.S. Her appearances on Last Comic Standing and Conan led to Netflix specials like Quarter-Life Crisis and Look At You, which made her one of the most-streamed comics in the world under 30.

🪩 Nate Bargatze

Nate Bargatze’s comedy roots lie in his Southern upbringing and laid-back delivery. He toured relentlessly for years, quietly building a strong following through clean, observational humour. His 2021 Netflix special The Greatest Average American was nominated for a Grammy, and his slow-burn approach has turned into arena-selling success.

🎬 Ricky Gervais

Best known for creating The Office, Gervais didn’t enter stand-up until his 40s. But once he did, he brought his unapologetically dry wit to live audiences with massive success. His specials, including Humanity and SuperNature, have earned him global acclaim. Gervais uses comedy to skewer fame, religion, and cancel culture, proving it’s never too late to make a massive impact.

🧠 Final Thoughts

Every comedian on this list had one thing in common: they started with nothing. Open mics. Tough crowds. No guarantees. What separated them was persistence, evolution, and a stage to get better on.

That’s exactly what Comedyville provides.

Whether you’re just getting your first laugh or working toward your first hour, it all starts the same way: five minutes, a mic, and a place willing to give you the shot.

🎤 Ready to take your shot?
Check out our guide on how to perform at a comedy show for the first time.

Because the next Kevin Hart might already be sitting in the crowd, or standing on stage at Comedyville.

Post by Eddie Case, exclusively for Comedyville.com, All rights reserved.
Comedyville is a Comedy Club located in Downtown Montreal.