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Comedians in Crosswords

  • Writer: Stand-Up Comedy Historian
    Stand-Up Comedy Historian
  • Sep 15, 2024
  • 2 min read

Inspired by the one-two punch of Elsie Fisher and INSIDE (not Bo Burnham-related, but close!) appearing in the New York Times Crossword this week on 9/9 and 9/14 respectively, I thought it would be fun to collect comedians whose names have shown up as answers in one of my favorite daily puzzles.


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Here is my list of some of my favorite comics in the crossword, organized in alphabetical order—and obviously there are spoilers ahead, so you've been warned:


  • Aidy Bryant: "SNL" alum Bryant

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  • Kathy Griffin: Comedian Griffin

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  • Bill Hader: Actor Bill of "Barry"

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  • Mitch Hedberg: Comedian Hedberg who said "I'm against picketing but I don't know how to show it"

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  • Lil Rel Howery: Lil ___ Howery ("Get Out" Actor)

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  • Marc Maron: Podcast host Maron

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  • Demetri Martin: "How fast does a ____ have to run before it looks gray?": Demetri Martin

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  • Steve Martin: Martin of Hollywood

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  • Aparna Nancherla: Comedian Aparna who wrote "Unreliable Narrator"

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  • Trevor Noah: Comic Noah who wrote the autobiographical "Born a Crime"

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  • Tig Notaro: Comic Notaro

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  • Patton Oswalt: Comic actor Patton

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  • Jordan Peele (twice!): "Get Out" director Jordan AND Key's partner

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  • Amy Poehler: Comedian with the 2014 comedy book "Yes Please"

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  • Richard Pryor: Comedian Richard who wrote "What I'm saying might be profane, but it's also profound"

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  • Issa Rae: Issa who plays President Barbie in "Barbie"

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  • Amy Sedaris: Comedian Sedaris

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  • Sarah Silverman: Funny Silverman

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  • Wanda Sykes: Comedian Wanda

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  • Ali Wong: Comedian Wong

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  • "Weird Al" Yankovic: Parodist Yankovic

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There have also been some comedy-related clues over the years that have caught my attention:


  • Comedy: "The ultimate form of free speech," to Denis Leary

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  • Netflix Special: Hannah Gadsby's "Nanette" or Hasan Minhaj's "Homecoming King"

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And here are some comedians who have popped up in the smaller daily puzzle, the Mini Crossword:


  • Bill Burr: Comedian Bill

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  • Pete Davidson AND Pete Holmes: Comedians Holmes and Davidson

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  • Marc Maron: Comedian Maron

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And as a bonus, here's one that's ALL about George Carlin from September 18, 2015:


4A: "Would a fly without wings be called a ____?": Carlin

5A: "Why do they call it ____ if it's hot?": Carlin

1D: "Why don't sheep shrink when it ____?": Carlin

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Have you seen any memorable crossword answers relating to stand-up comedians? If so, let me know and I'll add them to the list.




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