10 Best British Comedy Actors

The British public is lucky enough to have numerous homegrown comedy actors that are truly superb. The catalog of British comedy includes world-famous hits like the hotel-based Fawlty Towers and the legendary Monty Python to a look inside life as a supporting actor in Extras and new and brilliant hit TV series and movies premiering every year.

The genre has an eclectic mix of slapstick, deadpan, physical and subtle humor that spans many decades. Each successful comedy is well written and well cast, and includes some of the most memorable comedic British actors to date.

Ricky Gervais

From mockumentaries to comedy-dramas, from film to television, Ricky Gervais has covered a wide range of acting and it just keeps getting better. He has created much of his own work, notably his most recent show, After Life, which had a third series recently released.

His popularity seems to have no end, from when his fanbase began with The Office, when he portrayed the cringe-worthy but hilarious David Brent, to now. His acting is honest and funny, but he also has the ability to tug at the heartstrings. It remains that Ricky Gervais is a comedic genius and there's no doubt his undeniable talents in comedy will only grow further over time.

Caroline Aherne

The late and immeasurably great Caroline Aherne is an understated gem amongst the best British actors. Her creation, The Royle Family, brought an unseen glimpse into the lives of the British working class, which was witty, heartwarming and clever.

She starred as the dim-witted daughter of the Royle family and had perfect comic timing. As well as the sitcom, she also portrayed the fictional talk show host, Mrs. Merton, keeping celebrities on their toes with a cutting answer to anything they might say. Aherne's untimely death was a true loss to comedy, but her originality and mastery are an ongoing inspiration.

Julia Davis

Actors don't always have to be in a leading role for their part to be memorable. Julia Davis portrayed the supporting role of Dawn in Gavin and Stacey, making her one of the most memorably funny characters on the show. She made the Essex-born drama-queen a stand-out character who couldn't have been played by anyone else.

Her ability to portray deadpan humor was showcased in a bit part on Love Actually and one of her most recent appearances as Kris in Stath Lets Flats. Davis' self-made comedy, Sally4Ever, brought her several awards nominations, a credit to her writing and acting.

Ashley Jensen

Ashley Jensen's talents in comedy acting really came to light after appearing as the main female character Maggie in Extras. Her Scottish charm fit beautifully in the sitcom and she played the naively honest friend to Andy. The inclusion of funny guest appearances in Extras, such as Kate Winslet, was a fantastic test of Jensen's comedic ability, and she passed with flying colors. Her facial expressions and "foot in mouth" innocence were also nothing short of hilariously perfect.

Aside from Extras, her talent took her to star in Nativity and Ugly Betty, whilst she most recently performed as a more down-to-earth, humorous, dead-pan nurse in After Life, delivering some of the show's most meaningful quotes.

Stephen Merchant

Stephen Merchant is often known as being a sidekick to Ricky Gervais, but he is an extremely talented comedy actor, director and writer in his own right.

Whilst his role as the incompetent agent in Extras is worth mentioning, his most recent appearance in his own series, The Outlaws, levels up the work of Ricky Gervais and any other comedy held in high regard. His comedy writing is on par with the talent he conveys on screen, bringing a uniqueness to everything he works on.

Meera Syal

Meera Syal has a plethora of TV and film credits to her name, including Absolutely Fabulous. But it is her notable work on The Kumars At No. 42 and Goodness Gracious Me that showcased her talents as a creator and performer.

The shows were refreshingly original, showing a side of British-South Asian families that had rarely been seen on screen. The Kumars At No.42 featured improvisational as well as scripted comedy, but it was Syal's portrayal of her respective characters in these shows that were so uproariously funny, making her an integral component to the success of each.

David Jason

Cockney Londoners can't get through a day without being fondly compared to the loveable wheeler-dealer, Del-Boy Trotter. David Jason brought to life the main character of Only Fools And Horses some 40 years ago and his outstandingly memorable performance remains at the heart of British comedy.

However, his time as a Peckham lad wasn't his only success story. The likes of Porridge and Open All Hours gave the actor further acclaim for his distinguishable portrayals. The height of his acting career may have passed, but it's surely an accolade to still be at the forefront of people's minds whenever British comedy is mentioned.

Steve Coogan

The first show to come to mind when Steve Coogan's name is mentioned is I'm Alan Partridge, and rightly so. The show's uniqueness was sidesplittingly funny as the overwhelmingly cringeworthy, local (to Norwich) radio presenter tried to get his career on track. Although the character was close to unbelievable, Coogan's acting made the viewer believe it, because of his sincerity.

Partridge may be a favored character of older generations, but Coogan's comic acting knows no limits, with parts in Night At The Museum and Stan And Ollie. The latter required Coogan's renowned ability to impersonate with great precision, as he took on the role of Stan Laurel, only adding to his talents.

Asim Chaudhry

People Just Do Nothing not only starred Asim Chaudhry -- he was also one of the show's creators. As the happy-go-not-so-lucky Chabuddy G, one of People Just Do Nothing's best characters, Chaudhry brings everything needed for an unforgettable character.

His wit, comic timing and physical comedy verge on unmatchable, cleverly delivering an authenticity needed for the show's mockumentary format. His characterization continues on Instagram with a non-stop stream of hilarious short clips, only drawing in more fans.

David Earl

David Earl's most recognized characters are similarly grotesque, vulgar and undeniably hysterically funny. As Kev in Derek and Brian in After Life, the scripting for both characters is full of foul language, rude stories and inappropriate dialogue. For other actors, it may be a tricky task to bring any kind of warmth to the characters or a reason for the audience to not turn off their screens.

But like a form of magic, Earl manages to tread that impossibly fine line, only leaving viewers in hysterics. No matter how crude a line is, it still requires a skill to be delivered properly. A skill that Earl is no stranger to.

NEXT: 10 Best British Sitcom Minor Characters