Stand-up comedy is in a new golden age. Thanks to social media, podcasts, Netflix specials, and viral moments, fresh voices are being discovered at a faster pace than ever before. These rising comedians of 2025 are not just riding the wave; they’re reshaping the future of stand-up itself.

Some are already playing theatres, others are still shaking hands after bar shows, but all of them have the talent and buzz to blow up in 2025.

Let’s meet the next big names in comedy.

1. Zarna Garg (USA/India)

Zarna Garg is proof that there’s a global audience hungry for comedy that reflects immigrant life, culture clash, and mother-in-law drama. A former lawyer turned stand-up late in life, she won the Ladies of Laughter competition and went viral with her Indian mom bits on TikTok. Her Amazon Prime special One in a Billion earned praise for its clean but cutting humour, a rare combo that makes her accessible and sharp. In 2025, she’s headlining international tours and working on a sitcom deal.

Why she’s on this list: She’s tapped into a massively underserved demographic with honest, hilarious material — and she’s just getting started.

2. Daniel Sloss (Scotland)

Daniel Sloss isn’t exactly new, but 2025 is giving him a second wave. His two Netflix specials, Dark and Jigsaw, reached millions, with Jigsaw rumoured to have “ended 100K relationships” because of its emotional gut punch. Sloss blends dark humour with clever philosophy, making him a favourite among thinking millennials. His global tours are now hitting new countries, and his upcoming book-comedy hybrid has critics curious.

Why he’s on this list: Smart, edgy, and emotionally raw — he’s converting viewers into lifelong fans.

3. Ramy Youssef (USA/Egypt)

Ramy first broke out with his award-winning Hulu show Ramy, but in 2025, he’s shifting focus back to stand-up, and it shows. His recent HBO special blended religion, race, and mental health in a way that felt both intimate and laugh-out-loud funny. Ramy’s strength is his ability to take deeply personal material and make it relatable across cultures. With his new podcast and a fresh tour, he’s regaining spotlight on the stage.

He’s also a favourite guest on smart, comedic podcasts, many of which made our list of the top stand-up comedy podcasts to follow in 2025.

Why he’s on this list: He bridges storytelling, stand-up, and cultural identity like few others in comedy.

4. Anjelah Johnson-Reyes (USA)

Anjelah went viral early in her career with her “Nail Salon” character, and while that gave her a massive audience, she’s evolved into so much more. Her recent special Say I Won’t showed maturity, range, and the ability to tap into marriage, faith, and heritage without losing her punchline flow. She performs clean but never corny — a rare skill. In 2025, she’s growing her podcast, touring with her husband, and becoming a go-to name for family-friendly stand-up that still hits hard.

Why she’s on this list: A seasoned comic having a fresh career wave with substance and reach.

5. Josie Long (UK)

Josie Long is a beloved figure in the UK’s alt-comedy circuit. Whimsical, sharp, and politically aware, she’s been nominated multiple times for the Edinburgh Comedy Award. Her storytelling feels like a Ted Talk collided with a hug and a punchline. In 2025, she’s expanding into North America with her new show Re-Enchantment, and fans are finally catching up to her niche brilliance.

Why she’s on this list: Quirky and insightful, Josie is the voice for those who love comedy with a brain and a heart.

6. Lara Ricote (Mexico/Netherlands)

Lara Ricote is redefining multilingual stand-up. Born in Miami, raised in Mexico, and based in the Netherlands, she blends English, Spanish, and Spanglish into a style that’s deeply personal and globally relatable. After winning the prestigious Funny Women Stage Award and gaining traction with her Edinburgh Fringe set, Lara is becoming a favourite on international comedy circuits. Her material explores disability, identity, and being the odd one out, all with warmth and razor-sharp timing.

Why she’s on this list: Lara Ricote represents where stand-up is going: personal, bilingual, and boundary-pushing.

Lara proves that small rooms and sharp writing can still launch global careers, just like the stars in our roundup of comedians who went from open mic to millionaire.

7. Sydnee Washington (USA)

A fearless comic who can destroy on stage and on a mic, Sydnee is known for her podcasts The Unofficial Expert and Hobby Hunter, but her stand up is next level. Her material about dating, queerness, race, and NYC life is delivered with electric charisma. In 2025, her Comedy Central set continues to rack up millions of views, and she’s reportedly working on her first special.

Why she’s on this list: Bold, hilarious, and already a cult favourite, she’s just one special away from breakout fame.

8. Ricky Velez (USA)

Ricky Velez came up through the NYC circuit and gained attention as a writer and performer on The King of Staten Island with Pete Davidson. He’s gritty but likable, often diving into gentrification, class, and growing up with a chip on your shoulder. His HBO special Here’s Everything flew under the radar but built a cult following. With Apatow backing and new projects coming, Ricky’s mainstream moment is close.

Why he’s on this list: He’s authentic, hungry, and hitting his stride on both stage and screen.

9. Aditi Mittal (India)

Aditi is one of India’s original female stand-up stars. Her Netflix special Things They Wouldn’t Let Me Say was groundbreaking, and she’s since become a voice for feminism and humour in South Asia. She blends social commentary with sarcasm and is increasingly appearing on global panels, podcasts, and international tours. 2025 marks her largest North American presence to date.

Why she’s on this list: Global comedy needs more voices like hers — fearless, hilarious, and overdue for worldwide attention.

10. Robbie Collins (South Africa)

A favourite opener for Trevor Noah and a star in his own right, Robbie is bringing African comedy to global stages. His delivery is smooth, and his content — from race to travel to awkward fame — hits home with international audiences. His recent Edinburgh Fringe appearance gained rave reviews, and his 2025 tour is extending across Europe and Canada.

Why he’s on this list: A rising voice from Africa who’s cracking through comedy’s global ceiling.

Final Thoughts About Rising Comedians 2025

The future of comedy isn’t just in sold-out arenas or late-night TV — it’s in small clubs, social feeds, and international stages. These comedians are proving that talent, hustle, and a killer mic presence can still break through in a crowded world.

If you’re looking for fresh laughs or future headliners, these are the names of rising comedians 2025 to remember.

Want to take the mic yourself? Check out our guide on how to perform at a comedy show for the first time. It might just be your turn next.

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

The post Top 10 Rising Stand Up Comedians to Watch in 2025 appeared first on Comedy Club in Montreal - Comedyville.

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.

The post From Open Mic to Millionaire: Comedians Who Made It Big appeared first on Comedy Club in Montreal - Comedyville.

Looking for the best stand-up comedians to watch in 2025? Stand-up comedy in 2025 is thriving. From massive Netflix specials to international tours, comedians are pushing boundaries, exploring new formats, and keeping audiences laughing all over the world. Whether you’re a longtime fan or just getting into stand-up, these are the names you’ll be hearing (and binge-watching) all year long.

Here are the top 10 stand-up comedians to watch in 2025:

1. Taylor Tomlinson

Fresh off her role hosting After Midnight, Taylor is evolving into one of the most relatable and sharp-witted comics of her generation. Her specials blend vulnerability, millennial chaos, and impeccable timing — and she’s only getting better.

2. Andrew Schulz

Schulz continues to dominate both live stages and the digital space. His crowd work clips go viral weekly, and his no-holds-barred comedy has earned him a massive, loyal following. Expect more self-produced specials and arena-level shows in 2025.

3. Ramy Youssef

After starring in Poor Things and releasing a thoughtful HBO special, Ramy brings a fresh, introspective voice to comedy. His blend of cultural commentary, spirituality, and sharp humour is exactly what modern stand-up needs.

4. Ali Wong

Ali Wong is having another breakout year. Her continued success in both stand-up and acting, with her bold, unfiltered style, proves she’s one of comedy’s most bankable stars.

5. Matt Rife

Still controversial, still selling out. Rife’s global tours are packed with energy and charisma, and his Gen Z appeal isn’t fading anytime soon. Whether you love or hate the hype, he’s one to watch.

6. Zarna Garg

Zarna exploded on TikTok, and now she’s playing to packed theatres across the U.S. Her unique voice as an Indian mom and immigrant woman hits home with multigenerational audiences, all while keeping things hilariously real.

7. Ricky Gervais

With Armageddon II out now, Gervais shows no signs of softening. His unapologetic, biting style continues to spark laughs (and debates), keeping him one of the most relevant voices in global comedy.

8. Trevor Wallace

From YouTube sketches to major comedy tours, Wallace is transitioning into a full-fledged stand-up star. His bro-culture satire is maturing into tight, crowd-pleasing sets, with more specials rumoured for this year.

9. Dulcé Sloan

A standout from The Daily Show, Dulcé’s presence on stage is fierce and unforgettable. She’s building buzz for her new hour, mixing political jabs and personal stories with pure comic force.

10. Shane Gillis

Banned by SNL, but beloved on YouTube — Shane Gillis had one of the most talked-about specials last year. Now he’s headlining bigger venues and gaining industry respect, all while staying true to his raw, blue-collar humour.

Keep an Eye on These Comics in 2025

These comedians are redefining the art form, blending old-school delivery with modern storytelling and viral formats. From Netflix to live shows, if you’re looking for stand-up that hits hard in 2025, this list is your ultimate cheat sheet.

And if you’re in Montreal? Come catch some of the city’s best stand-up comedy shows at Comedyville, where the next future star could be on stage this weekend.

Comedyville is where rising stars hit the stage before they make it big. Come see the next wave of comedy in downtown Montreal. Grab your tickets now at comedyville.com and be part of what’s next.

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

The post Top 10 Stand-Up Comedians to Watch in 2025 appeared first on Comedy Club in Montreal - Comedyville.