American Comedy Awards
{{Short description|Television and comedy film awards}}
{{more citations needed|date=January 2017}}
{{Infobox award
| name = American Comedy Awards
| current_awards =
| image =
| imagesize =
| caption =
| awarded_for = Outstanding comedy in film, television and stage
| presenter = ABC (1987–97)
Fox (1998–2000)
Comedy Central (2001)
NBC (2014)
| country = United States
| location =
| year = 1987
| year2 = 2014
| website =
}}
The American Comedy Awards were a group of awards presented annually in the United States recognizing performances and performers in the field of comedy, with an emphasis on television comedy and comedy films. They were first presented in May 1987, billed as the "first awards show to honor all forms of comedy."{{cite news |title=Bette Midler Wins 4 Comedy Awards |agency=Associated Press |work=The New York Times |department=Arts |page=C30 |date=1987-05-21 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1987/05/21/arts/bette-midler-wins-4-comedy-awards.html |url-access=subscription |access-date=2008-09-10 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230614115355/https://www.nytimes.com/1987/05/21/arts/bette-midler-wins-4-comedy-awards.html |archive-date=2023-06-14 |url-status=live}} In 1989, after the death of Lucille Ball, the statue was named "the Lucy" to honor the comic legend.
The awards ceased after 2001. NBC revived the awards for a single year in May 2014.{{cite news|url=http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/nbc-revives-american-comedy-awards-650481|title=NBC Revives American Comedy Awards (Exclusive)|work=The Hollywood Reporter|access-date=2013-10-24|date=2013-10-23|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160118112702/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/nbc-revives-american-comedy-awards-650481|archive-date=2016-01-18|url-status=live}}
History
George Schlatter created and produced the American Comedy Awards that first aired on ABC on May 20, 1987, later moving to Comedy Central. Only the title was similar. It was a TV special honoring comedians.
ABC had broadcast a similar awards program for two years in the 1970s; it was called the "American Academy of Humor" and was "founded" by Alan King.[http://www.meltzerpr.com/things_done.html Some Interesting & Creative Things We've Done] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081121050733/http://www.meltzerpr.com/things_done.html |date=2008-11-21 }} from the website of the public relations firm of Barbara Meltzer & Associates
The last ACA ceremony in 2001 was held under the auspices of the cable network Comedy Central; in 2003 that network replaced them with its own Commie Awards in what turned out to be a one-time replacement.{{cite web | title=American Comedy Awards, USA | url=https://www.imdb.com/Sections/Awards/American_Comedy_Awards_USA/ | work=The Internet Movie Database | year=2008 | access-date=2008-09-10 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080723150653/http://imdb.com/Sections/Awards/American_Comedy_Awards_USA/ | archive-date=2008-07-23 | url-status=live }} In 2011 Comedy Central created a new annual awards show, The Comedy Awards, which first aired on April 10, 2011.
1987 awards
| class="wikitable sortable"
! Category ! Winner ! Work ! class="unsortable" | Nominees |
| Funniest Actor in a Motion Picture (Leading Role) (Presented by Whoopi Goldberg and Lily Tomlin)
|Rodney Dangerfield – Back to School |
| Funniest Actress in a Motion Picture (Leading Role) (Presented by Walter Matthau)
|Ellen Greene – Little Shop of Horrors |
| Funniest Newcomer – Male or Female (Presented by George Carlin)
|Alf - ALF Mark Linn-Baker - Perfect Strangers (TV series) Roseanne Barr - The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson Sam Kinison - Rodney Dangerfield's Young Comedians |
| Funniest Female Stand-Up Comic (Presented by Carl Reiner)
| |
| Funniest Female Performer of the Year (Presented by Julia Duffy and Peter Scolari)
| |
| Funniest Male Stand-Up Comic (Presented by Whoopi Goldberg)
| |
| Funniest Male Performer of the Year (Presented by Bea Arthur, Betty White, Rue McClanahan and Estelle Getty)
| |
| Funniest Male Performer in a TV Series (Leading Role) – Network, Cable or Syndication (Presented by Roseanne Barr and Louie Anderson)
|Ted Danson - Cheers |
| Funniest Female Performer in a TV Series (Leading Role) – Network, Cable or Syndication (Presented by Shirley MacLaine)
|Julia Duffy – Newhart |
| Funniest Television Star in a Special – Male or Female (Presented by Mark Linn-Baker and Bronson Pinchot in their roles of Larry Appleton and Balki Bartokomous on Perfect Strangers (TV series))
|Robin Williams: An Evening at the Met |Billy Crystal – On Location |
| Funniest Record And/Or Video - Male, Female or Group (Presented by Pee-wee Herman and Carol Channing)
|Dan Aykroyd - Saturday Night Live: The Best Of Dan Aykroyd George Carlin - Playin´ With Your Head |
Creative Achievement Award
- Norman Lear (Presented by Bea Arthur)
Lifetime Achievement Award
Presented for Woman by Walter Matthau, and for Man by Betty White
{{Div col}}
- Steve Allen
- Woody Allen
- Lucille Ball
- Mel Brooks
- Carol Burnett
- George Burns
- Sid Caesar
- Bette Midler
- Mary Tyler Moore
- Lily Tomlin
- Jonathan Winters
{{Div col end}}Special Appearance
1988 awards
| class="wikitable sortable"
! Category ! Winner ! Work ! class="unsortable" | Nominees |
| Funniest Actor in a Motion Picture (Leading Role)
|John Candy – Planes, Trains & Automobiles |
| Funniest Actress in a Motion Picture (Leading Role)
|Diane Keaton – Baby Boom |
| Funniest Female Stand-Up Comic
| | |
| Funniest Female Performer of the Year
| | |
| Funniest Male Stand-Up Comic
| | |
| Comedy Club Stand-Up Comic – Female
| | |
| Funniest Male Performer of the Year
| | |
| Comedy Club Stand-Up Comic – Male
| | |
| Funniest Supporting Male Performer – Motion Picture or TV
|Billy Crystal – The Princess Bride |
| Funniest Female Performer in a TV Special – Network, Cable or Syndication
|On Location: The Roseanne Barr Show | |
| Funniest Male Performer in a TV Special – Network, Cable or Syndication
|Comic Relief '87 | |
| Funniest Supporting Female Performer – Motion Picture or TV |
| Funniest Male Performer in a TV Series (Leading Role) – Network, Cable or Syndication
| |
| Funniest Female Performer in a TV Series (Leading Role) – Network, Cable or Syndication
| |
Creative Achievement Award
Lifetime Achievement Award
1989 awards
| class="wikitable sortable"
! Category ! Winner ! Work ! class="unsortable" | Nominees |
| Funniest Actor in a Motion Picture (Leading Role)
|Big |Kevin Kline – A Fish Called Wanda |
| Funniest Actress in a Motion Picture (Leading Role)
|Lily Tomlin – Big Business |
| Funniest Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture
| |
| Funniest Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture
| |
| Funniest Female Stand-Up Comic
| | |
| Funniest Male Stand-Up Comic
| | |
| Comedy Club Stand-Up Comic – Female
| | |
| Comedy Club Stand-Up Comic – Male
| | |
| Funniest Female Performer in a TV Special – Network, Cable or Syndication
|Tracey Ullman: Backstage | |
| Funniest Supporting Male Performer in a TV Series
| |
| Funniest Male Performer in a TV Special – Network, Cable or Syndication
|Late Show with David Letterman: 6th Anniversary Special | |
| Funniest Supporting Female Performer in a TV Series
| |
| Funniest Male Performer in a TV Series (Leading Role) – Network, Cable or Syndication
|Ted Danson – Cheers |
| Funniest Female Performer in a TV Series (Leading Role) – Network, Cable or Syndication |
Creative Achievement Award
Lifetime Achievement Award
1990 awards
| class="wikitable sortable"
! Category ! Winner ! Work ! class="unsortable" | Nominees |
| Funniest Actor in a Motion Picture (Leading Role)
|Woody Allen – Crimes and Misdemeanors |
| Funniest Actress in a Motion Picture (Leading Role)
|Kirstie Alley – Look Who's Talking |
| Funniest Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture
|Dan Aykroyd – Driving Miss Daisy |
| Funniest Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture
|Olympia Dukakis – Steel Magnolias |
| Funniest Female Stand-Up Comic
| | |
| Funniest Male Stand-Up Comic
| | |
| Funniest Female Performer in a TV Special – Network, Cable or Syndication
|Julie & Carol: Together Again |Jane Curtin – Saturday Night Live: 15th Anniversary |
| Funniest Supporting Male Performer in a TV Series
|Woody Harrelson – Cheers |
| Funniest Male Performer in a TV Special – Network, Cable or Syndication
|Comic Relief III |Billy Crystal – Billy Crystal: Midnight Train to Moscow |
| Funniest Supporting Female Performer in a TV Series
|Julia Duffy – Newhart |
| Funniest Male Performer in a TV Series (Leading Role) – Network, Cable or Syndication
|Ted Danson – Cheers |
| Funniest Female Performer in a TV Series (Leading Role) Network, Cable or Syndication
|Kirstie Alley – Cheers |
Creative Achievement Award
Lifetime Achievement Award
1991 awards
| class="wikitable sortable"
! Category ! Winner ! Work ! class="unsortable" | Nominees |
| Funniest Actor in a Motion Picture (Leading Role)
|Gerard Depardieu – Green Card |
| Funniest Actress in a Motion Picture (Leading Role)
|Mia Farrow – Alice |
| Funniest Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture
|Alan Arkin – Edward Scissorhands |
| Funniest Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture
|Julie Kavner – Alice |
| Funniest Female Stand-Up Comic
| | |
| Funniest Male Stand-Up Comic
| | |
| Funniest Female Performer in a TV Special – Network, Cable or Syndication
|An Evening With... Friends of the Environment |Meryl Streep – An Evening with... |
| Funniest Supporting Male Performer in a TV Series
| |
| Funniest Male Performer in a TV Special – Network, Cable or Syndication
|Jonathan Winters and His Traveling Road Show | |
| Funniest Supporting Female Performer in a TV Series
| |
| Funniest Male Performer in a TV Series (Leading Role) – Network, Cable or Syndication |
| Funniest Female Performer in a TV Series (Leading Role) – Network, Cable or Syndication
|Candice Bergen – Murphy Brown |
Creative Achievement Award
Lifetime Achievement Award
1992 awards
| class="wikitable sortable"
! Category ! Winner ! Work ! class="unsortable" | Nominees |
| Funniest Actor in a Motion Picture (Leading Role)
|Albert Brooks – Defending Your Life |
| Funniest Actress in a Motion Picture (Leading Role)
|The Search for Signs of Intelligent Life in the Universe |Geena Davis – Thelma & Louise |
| Funniest Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture |
| Funniest Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture
|Cathy Moriarty – Soapdish |
| Funniest Female Stand-Up Comic
| | |
| Funniest Male Stand-Up Comic
| | |
| Funniest Female Performer in a TV Special – Network, Cable or Syndication
|Funny Women of Television | |
| Funniest Supporting Male Performer in a TV Series
| |
| Funniest Male Performer in a TV Special – Network, Cable or Syndication
|The 63rd Annual Academy Awards | |
| Funniest Supporting Female Performer in a TV Series
| |
| Funniest Male Performer in a TV Series (Leading Role) – Network, Cable or Syndication |
| Funniest Female Performer in a TV Series (Leading Role) – Network, Cable or Syndication |
Creative Achievement Award
Lifetime Achievement Award
1993 awards
Creative Achievement Award
Lifetime Achievement Award
1994 awards
Creative Achievement Award
Lifetime Achievement Award
1995 awards
Creative Achievement Award
Lifetime Achievement Award
1996 awards
| class="wikitable sortable"
! Category ! Winner ! Work ! class="unsortable" | Nominees |
| Funniest Actor in a Motion Picture (Leading Role)
|Jim Carrey – Ace Ventura: When Nature Calls |
| Funniest Actress in a Motion Picture (Leading Role)
|Annette Bening – The American President |
| Funniest Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture
|Michael J. Fox – The American President |
| Funniest Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture
|Joan Cusack – Nine Months |
| Funniest Female Stand-Up Comic
| | |
| Funniest Male Stand-Up Comic
| | |
| Funniest Female Performer in a TV Special – Network, Cable or Syndication
|Women of the Night IV | |
| Funniest Supporting Male Performer in a TV Series
|Jason Alexander – Seinfeld |
| Funniest Male Performer in a TV Special – Network, Cable or Syndication
|Dennis Miller: State of the Union Undressed | |
| Funniest Supporting Female Performer in a TV Series
|Jennifer Aniston – Friends |
| Funniest Male Performer in a TV Series (Leading Role) – Network, Cable or Syndication
|David Letterman – Late Show with David Letterman |
| Funniest Female Performer in a TV Series (Leading Role) – Network, Cable or Syndication
|Roseanne Barr – Roseanne |
Creative Achievement Award
Lifetime Achievement Award
1997 awards
| class="wikitable sortable"
! Category ! Winner ! Work ! class="unsortable" | Nominees |
| Funniest Actor in a Motion Picture (Leading Role)
|Eddie Murphy – The Nutty Professor |
| Funniest Actress in a Motion Picture (Leading Role)
|Diane Keaton – The First Wives Club |
| Funniest Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture
|Hank Azaria – The Birdcage |
| Funniest Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture
|Lauren Bacall – The Mirror Has Two Faces |
| Funniest Female Stand-Up Comic (Presented by Roseanne Barr and Lily Tomlin)
| |
| Funniest Male Stand-Up Comic (Presented by Roseanne Barr and Lily Tomlin)
| |
| Funniest Female Performer in a TV Special – Network, Cable or Syndication
(Presented by Kelsey Grammer) |Ellen DeGeneres - 38th Annual Grammy Awards Rosie O'Donnell - To Catch A Rising Star's 50th Anniversary Lily Tomlin - 10th American Comedy Awards |
| Funniest Supporting Male Performer in a TV Series (Presented by Brooke Shields) |
| Funniest Male Performer in a TV Special – Network, Cable or Syndication (Presented by Jamie Foxx)
|Nathan Lane - 50th Tony Awards David Letterman - Late Show with David Letterman Vídeo Special 2 Bill Maher - Politically Incorrect Convention Coverage Robin Williams - Comic Relief 10th Anniversary |
| Funniest Supporting Female Performer in a TV Series (Presented by Chevy Chase and Jane Curtin) |
| Funniest Male Performer in a TV Series (Leading Role) – Network, Cable or Syndication (Presented by Eric Idle)
|Tim Allen - Home Improvement (TV series) |
| Funniest Female Guest Appearance in a TV Series (Presented by Jonathan Lipnicki and Mae Whitman) |
| Funniest Female Performer in a TV Series (Leading Role) – Network, Cable or Syndication (Presented by Bill Maher) |
| Funniest Male Guest Appearance in a TV Series (Presented by Paul Reiser)
Jim Carrey - Saturday Night Live |
Creative Achievement Award
- Rob Reiner (Presented by Kathy Bates)
Lifetime Achievement Award
- Walter Matthau
- Debbie Reynolds (Presented by Carrie Fisher)
Special Appearances
1998 awards
| class="wikitable sortable"
! Category ! Winner ! Work ! class="unsortable" | Nominees | |
| Funniest Actor in a Motion Picture (Leading Role)
|Jim Carrey – Liar Liar | |
| Funniest Actress in a Motion Picture (Leading Role)
|Minnie Driver – Gross Pointe Blank | |
| Funniest Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture
| | |
| Funniest Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture
| | |
| Funniest Female Stand-Up Comic
|Mary Ellen Hooper | | | |
| Funniest Male Stand-Up Comic
| | | |
| Funniest Female Performer in a TV Special – Network, Cable or Syndication
|Bette Midler in Concert: Diva Las Vegas |Ellen DeGeneres – The 39th Annual Grammy Awards | |
| Funniest Supporting Male Performer in a TV Series
| | |
| Funniest Male Performer in a TV Special – Network, Cable or Syndication
|George Carlin: 40 Years of Comedy | | |
| Funniest Supporting Female Performer in a TV Series | Christine Baranski – Cybill Kristen Johnston – 3rd Rock from the Sun Kathy Najimy – Veronica's Closet Lily Tomlin – Murphy Brown |
| Funniest Male Performer in a TV Series (Leading Role) – Network, Cable or Syndication | Michael J. Fox – Spin City Kelsey Grammer – Frasier John Lithgow – 3rd Rock from the Sun Paul Reiser – Mad About You Jerry Seinfeld – Seinfeld |
| Funniest Female Guest Appearance in a TV Series
| | |
| Funniest Female Performer in a TV Series (Leading Role) – Network, Cable or Syndication
|Helen Hunt – Mad About You | |
| Funniest Male Guest Appearance in a TV Series
| |
Creative Achievement Award
Lifetime Achievement Award
1999 awards
| class="wikitable sortable"
! Category ! Winner ! Work ! class="unsortable" | Nominees |
| Funniest Actor in a Motion Picture (Leading Role)
|Jim Carrey – The Truman Show |
| Funniest Actress in a Motion Picture (Leading Role)
|Drew Barrymore – The Wedding Singer |
| Funniest Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture
|Ben Affleck – Shakespeare in Love |
| Funniest Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture
|Whoopi Goldberg – How Stella Got Her Groove Back |
| Funniest Female Stand-Up Comic
| |
| Funniest Male Stand-Up Comic
| |
| Funniest Female Performer in a TV Special – Network, Cable or Syndication
|The Marriage Fool |Rosie O'Donnell – The 52nd Annual Tony Awards |
| Funniest Supporting Male Performer in a TV Series
|Jason Alexander – Seinfeld |
| Funniest Male Performer in a TV Special – Network, Cable or Syndication
|The 70th Annual Academy Awards |David Letterman – Late Show with David Letterman: 5th Anniversary Special |
| Funniest Supporting Female Performer in a TV Series
|Jennifer Aniston – Friends |
| Funniest Male Performer in a TV Series (Leading Role) – Network, Cable or Syndication
|Michael J. Fox – Spin City |
| Funniest Female Guest Appearance in a TV Series
|Carol Burnett – Mad About You |
| Funniest Female Performer in a TV Series (Leading Role) – Network, Cable or Syndication
|Ellen DeGeneres – Ellen |
| Funniest Male Guest Appearance in a TV Series
|Hank Azaria – Mad About You |
Creative Achievement Award
2000 Awards
| class="wikitable sortable"
! Category ! Winner(s) ! Work ! class="unsortable" | Nominees |
| Funniest Actor in a Motion Picture (Leading Role)
|Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me |Jim Carrey – Man on the Moon |
| Funniest Actress in a Motion Picture (Leading Role)
|Drew Barrymore – Never Been Kissed |
| Funniest Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture |
| Funniest Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture
|Cameron Diaz – Being John Malkovich |
| Funniest Motion Picture
| |
| Funniest Female Performer in a TV Special – Network, Cable or Syndication
|Whoopi Goldberg – The 71st Annual Academy Awards |
| Funniest Supporting Male Performer in a TV Series
|Peter Boyle – Everybody Loves Raymond |
| Funniest Male Performer in a TV Special – Network, Cable or Syndication
|Chris Rock: Bigger & Blacker |Billy Crystal – Saturday Night Live 25 |
| Funniest Supporting Female Performer in a TV Series
|Megan Mullally – Will & Grace |
| Funniest Male Performer in a TV Series (Leading Role) – Network, Cable or Syndication
|Michael J. Fox – Spin City |
| Funniest Female Guest Appearance in a TV Series
|Christine Baranski – Frasier |
| Funniest Television Series
| |
| Funniest Female Performer in a TV Series (Leading Role) – Network, Cable or Syndication
|Debra Messing – Will & Grace |
| Funniest Male Guest Appearance in a TV Series |
Lifetime Achievement Award
2001 awards
| class="wikitable sortable"
! Category ! Winner ! Work ! class="unsortable" | Nominees |
| Funniest Actor in a Motion Picture (Leading Role)
|George Clooney – O Brother, Where Art Thou? |
| Funniest Actress in a Motion Picture (Leading Role)
|Tracey Ullman – Small Time Crooks |
| Funniest Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture |
| Funniest Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture |
| Funniest Motion Picture
| |
| Funniest Female Stand-Up Comic
| |
| Funniest Male Stand-Up Comic
| |
| Funniest Male Performer in a TV Special – Network, Cable or Syndication
|Saturday Night Live: Presidential Bash 2000 |Billy Crystal – The 72nd Annual Academy Awards |
| Funniest Female Performer in a TV Special – Network, Cable or Syndication
|Ellen DeGeneres: The Beginning |Judi Dench – The Last of the Blonde Bombshells |
| Funniest Supporting Male Performer in a TV Series
|Robert Downey Jr. – Ally McBeal |
| Funniest Supporting Female Performer in a TV Series
|Jennifer Aniston – Friends |
| Funniest Male Performer in a TV Series (Leading Role) – Network, Cable or Syndication
|Late Show with David Letterman |Kelsey Grammer – Frasier |
| Funniest Female Guest Appearance in a TV Series
|Julia Louis-Dreyfus – Curb Your Enthusiasm |
| Funniest Television Series
| |
| Funniest Television Series – Animated
| |
| Funniest Female Performer in a TV Series (Leading Role) – Network, Cable or Syndication
|Debra Messing – Will & Grace |
| Funniest Male Guest Appearance in a TV Series
|Dana Carvey – Saturday Night Live |
Lifetime Achievement Award
2014 awards
| class="wikitable sortable"
! Category ! Winner ! Work ! class="unsortable" | Nominees |
| Funniest Motion Picture
|{{N/A}} |Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues |
| Comedy Actor – Film
|Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues |Bruce Dern – Nebraska |
| Comedy Actress – Film
|Lake Bell – In a World... |
| Comedy Supporting Actor – Film
|Steve Carell – Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues |
| Comedy Supporting Actress – Film
|Scarlett Johansson – Her |
| Comedy Director – Film
|Evan Goldberg and Seth Rogen |Paul Feig – The Heat |
| Comedy Screenplay
|Spike Jonze – Her |
| Comedy Series
|Parks and Recreation (NBC) |{{N/A}} |Brooklyn Nine-Nine (Fox) |
| Alternative Comedy Series
|Key & Peele (Comedy Central) |{{N/A}} |Archer (FX) |
| Late Night Talk Show
|The Colbert Report |{{N/A}} |Conan (TBS) |
| Comedy Actor – TV
|Brooklyn Nine-Nine (Fox) |Fred Armisen – Portlandia (IFC) |
| Comedy Actress – TV
|Parks and Recreation (NBC) |Zooey Deschanel – New Girl (Fox) |
| Comedy Supporting Actor – TV
|Saturday Night Live (NBC) |Aziz Ansari – Parks and Recreation (NBC) |
| Comedy Supporting Actress – TV
|Saturday Night Live (NBC) |Vanessa Bayer – Saturday Night Live (NBC) |
| Comedy Writing – TV
|Modern Family (ABC) |{{N/A}} |Arrested Development (Netflix) |
| Comedy Directing – TV
|Key & Peele (Comedy Central) |Arrested Development (Netflix) |
| Comedy Special of the Year
|Oh My God |Aziz Ansari: Buried Alive |
| Best Club Comic
|{{N/A}} |Bill Burr |
Ratings
See also
- Canadian Comedy Awards
- The Comedy Awards
- Mark Twain Prize for American Humor
- BBC Radio New Comedy Awards
- Robert Benchley Society Award for Humor