Introduction
Whether you are a humorist, your dog is a comedian, or you are just a perfect pair of laughter-seeking goofballs, giving your dog a famous comedian’s name is a great way to endlessly associate both you and them with a good time. Of course, it tends to work better when you and your dog are already pretty funny, but then again, Carrot Top used props, Gallagher used watermelons and the Stooges used their heads, as much figuratively as they did literally, so feel free to use anything at your disposal to come up with something, even if it means crossing a few eyes and dirtying a few tees.
Dogs with Famous Comedian Names in Pop Culture
Since anyone can seem to remember, dogs have been tied to comedy in one way or another. If not for the fact that they are just so different from us, they seem to be helplessly goofy, whether they try to be or not, which may also be an inherent byproduct of our anthropocentrism.
But of course, there are dogs who are just inherently funny, like the ones we have at home or at least the ones we’ve been watching on Funniest-Home-Video-type shows for years, and dogs who are trained to be funny, the ones we see “acting” on television or in film.
While there have undoubtedly been decades of humorous dogs, few have held a name more appropriate for the featured dog section than that of Rimshot, the sidekick of Ernest P. Worrell of the Ernest movies. He may not feature the name of an actual comedian, but his name is the name of the physical action that followed old punchlines, the old snare-snare-hat-roll bit, and given his duty in the two Ernest movies he was featured in, is perfectly suitable — although to be fair, his real name was Barkely.
Ironically enough, Ernest was much more the comedian than Rimshot was. In fact, Rimshot was more often the hero and Ernest the dopey slave to flawed intuition — a subtle yet poignant role reversal that added additional comedic dynamic and social commentary to what was generally considered low-brow half-slapstick comedy.
But Rimshot surely wasn’t the first, last, or even most recognizable dog to enter the limelight of stardom, as many more have risen in the ranks of comedy fame.
The first real somewhat funny dog to reach a mainstream audience in the era of color film was likely Wildfire, a Bull Terrier and star of the 1955 movie It’s a Dog’s Life. But strangely enough, as funny as dogs seem to be naturally, most of history’s greatest dog comedians aren’t even real. Most of them were, and are, animated.
Since Snoopy every poked his black and white beagle head out of the comic section of the newspaper in 1950, nearly every famous dog in comedy has been animated (barring Beethoven, Hooch, and a few select others). Consider the following: Scooby Doo, Pluto, Goofy, Odie, Droopy, Underdog, Spike and Tyke, Astro, Huckleberry Hound, Augie Doggie, Marmaduke, Hong Kong Phooey, Ren, Sam Sheepdog, Santa’s Little Helper, and most recently, Brian Griffin.
Ok, so it may be difficult to coax that type of proper English out of your average Retriever and it’s hard to execute complex comedy without words, which most real dogs don’t have, but our use of canines in comedy throughout history has made one statement very clear whether they're real or not: as our closest companions, dogs provide us accessibility and ulterior perspective we can’t always attain on our own. Sometimes it takes a dog to poke fun of true human flaws. And that’s why they make us all the better for it.
Famous Comedian Dog Name Considerations
The world of comedy is a vast place, full of big names, bright lights, and a whole lot of laughs. But where do you start when trying to think of what will best suit your dog individually? Well, if you want to start simple, put together a list of a few of your all-time favorites and see if their first or last name sounds good and creates the appropriate amount of association you are seeking. If you're looking for something deeper, there is a lot to consider that you can use to generate some ideas. Elements like your dog’s looks and personality can go a long way to provide significant sources of inspiration.
Looks are usually one of the easiest ways to go, as comedians are a little more liberal with their hairstyles and facial hair and are more likely to share a similar appearance with certain dogs. For instance, a stout Poodle mix with extra fluff on their head would be a good candidate for Betty, after Betty White, just as much as a funny little Shih Tzu or Lhasa Apso with a thick dark mustache would be a great candidate for Cheech or Groucho.
But personality and overall character traits also make great fodder. For instance, if you have a dog that tends to lift only one side of its lip when it whines or gives you a look, or tends to hack a lot after barking, eating, or drinking, Buddy or Hackett would surely be suitable names. If you have a dog that never really seems to sound like an actual dog because of its odd voice, maybe Bobcat would be more suitable.
Whatever you choose, don’t be afraid to have fun with it. Exercise them, play with them in the house, do your best to coax out the full weirdness of their character just like your parents probably did with you.
Male Famous Comedian Dog Names
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Pryor
After Richard Pryor, stand up comedian, social critic, and actor
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Carlin
After George Carlin, one of America's greatest stand up comedians
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Lenny
Lenny Bruce, stand up comedian, satirist
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Woody
After Woody Allen, writer, director of films like Annie Hall and Manhattan
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Martin
After Steve Martin, Martin Lawrence, Martin Short
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Rodney
As in Rodney Dangerfield, stand up, actor, "I get no respect!"
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Carson
After Johnny Carson, late night TV show host of the Tonight Show
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Newhart
Refers to Bob Newhart, actor, the Bob Newhart Show
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Rickles
As in Don Rickles, stand up comedian, film and voice actor
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Kinison
After Sam Kinison, wild stand up comedian
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Dreyfus
After Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Elaine from Seinfeld
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Kaufmann
After Andy Kaufmann, unconventional comedian, entertainer, wrestler
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Hackett
Refers to Buddy Hackett, comedian best known in the 60s, the Love Bug, the Music Man
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Myers
After Mike Myers, from SNL, Wayne's World, Austin Powers
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Attell
After Dave Attell, stand up comedian, TV show host
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Wilder
After Gene Wilder, film comedian, Young Frankenstein, Willy Wonka
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Slayton
Referring to Bobby Slayton, "the Pit Bull of comedy"
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Cross
After David Cross, actor, voice actor, writer, stand up comedian, Tobias Funke of Arrested Development
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Carvey
After Dana Carvey, from SNL, Wayne's World
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Breuer
Refers to Jim Breuer, from SNL and comedy films like Half Baked
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Belushi
As in John Belushi, from SNL, Blues Brothers
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Schumer
After Amy Schumer, writer, producer, comedian, Trainwreck, Snatched
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Murray
After Bill Murray, from SNL, the funniest movies you've ever seen, Caddyshack, Stripes, Ghostbusters
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Tucker
After Chris Tucker, film actor, Rush Hour, Friday series
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Tomlin
After Lily Tomlin, writer, producer
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Chevy
Refers to Chevy Chase, from SNL, National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation
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Vivek
After the Indian comedian Vivek
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Carell
After Steve Carell, Michael from The Office, comedy films
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Female Famous Comedian Dog Names
Votes | Name | Vote |
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Lucy
As in Lucille Ball, funny redhead from I Love Lucy
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Bette
For Bette Midler, actress and comedian, in Hocus Pocus, Beaches
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Rosie
After Roseanne Barr or Rosie O'Donnell
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Barr
After Roseanne Barr, of TV's Roseanne
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Murphy
As in Eddie Murphy, from Saturday Night Live, film actor
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Robin
After Robin Williams, stand up, film comedies, Mrs. Doubtfire, Mork and Mindy
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Winters
For Jonathan Winters, comedian, actor, artist
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Plaza
After Aubrey Plaza, April Ludgate from TV show Parks and Recreation
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Redd
As in Redd Foxx, vulgar stand up, star role in Sanford and Son
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Hope
After Bob Hope, vaudeville, comedian, film actor best known in 1940s and 50s
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Berle
For Milton Berle, radio, movies, television, best known 30s-50s
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Carrey
After Jim Carrey, wild actor from Ace Ventura, the Mask
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Phyllis
After Phyllis Diller, famous laugh
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Diller
After Phyllis Diller, eccentric stage performer
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Crystal
Billy Crystal, great American icon, actor, writer, When Harry Met Sally, City Slickers
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Keaton
After Buster Keaton, physical comedian, 1920s era
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Flip
Flip Wilson, TV actor and comedian from 1960s and 70s
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Chappelle
After Dave Chappelle, stand up comedian, film actor, Half Baked, the Chappelle Show
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Rivers
As in Joan Rivers, eccentric stand up comedian, TV host
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Griffin
After Eddie or Kathy Griffin
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Jackie
After Jackie Mason, stand up comedian, film and TV actor
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Betty
Betty White, hilarious 'little old lady', Mary Tyler Moore Show, Golden Girls
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Wanda
After Wanda Sykes, writer of Chris Rock show, stand up comedian
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Handler
After Chelsea Handler, comedian, actress, writer, producer, TV show Chelsea Lately
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Rebel
After Rebel Wilson, Australian actress and comedian, Pitch Perfect, Bridesmaids
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Poehler
After Amy Poehler, from SNL, Leslie Knope from Parks and Recreation
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Lily
As in Lily Tomlin, actor, singer
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Quinn
Referring to Colin Quinn, from SNL, comedic actor
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Iliza
As in Iliza Shlesinger, Last Comic Standing winner 2008, Excused, Separation Anxiety
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Fey
After Tina Fey, from SNL, 30 Rock, numerous comedy films, writer, producer
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Whoopi
Referring to Whoopi Goldberg, comedian, actor, Sister Act, the View
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Alley
After Kirstie Alley, comedian, actor, Cheers, Look Who's Talking Now
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