10 Funny Comics Who Are Secret Musicians

Music and comedy might seem worlds apart, but they share a crucial foundation: timing and rhythm. It’s fascinating how many well-known comedians, like the banjo-strumming Steve Martin, have also carved out successful paths in music. Get ready to discover 10 hilarious comics who’ve also made a significant impact as musicians.

10 Craig Ferguson

When the wonderfully absurd Craig Ferguson concluded his decade-long late-night show in 2014 with Dead Man Fall’s “Bang Your Drum,” it was more than an inspiring finale. It was a nod to his earlier life. In his younger, wilder days in Scotland, Ferguson was a drummer for several bands. One memorable group was initially called Bastards from Hell, later renamed Dreamboys, which notably featured future Doctor Who star Peter Capaldi as the lead singer.

It was during his time with Dreamboys that Ferguson’s comedic destiny began to surface. He found he enjoyed the on-stage banter even more than playing the drums. While his career in comedy and acting has far outshone his musical beginnings, Ferguson hasn’t entirely abandoned his drumming roots, occasionally performing on The Late Late Show.

9 Harpo Marx

The Marx Brothers were a remarkably musical family. Chico was skilled on the piano, and Groucho played guitar and mandolin. Harpo, true to his stage name, was a proficient harpist. He also mastered the clarinet and piano. Known as the silent Marx brother, Harpo relied on physical comedy but still made plenty of noise, and not just with his signature horn.

The Marx Brothers actually began their showbiz journey as a musical act in vaudeville. Their mother sent Harpo a harp while they were touring, having learned that harpists could earn more. Largely self-taught, he later received instruction from renowned harpist Mildred Dilling, who noted his serious dedication to music.

Harpo frequently played the harp on stage and screen throughout his extensive career, crafting his own intricate arrangements for the instrument. Perhaps the most surprising aspect of Harpo’s musical legacy is his inspirational impact. Concert harpist Carrol McLaughlin, Ph.D., has said, “I’ve met people around the world who say they play the harp because of Harpo Marx.”

8 Katherine Ryan

Canadian-born, London-based comedienne Katherine Ryan first gained attention with humor drawn from her experiences working at Hooters. She has since built a career skewering celebrities in her many TV appearances across Canada, the UK, and the U.S. Beyond her often sharp comedy, Ryan is also a singer with roots in musical theater. She participated in several small stage productions in Canada, including Jesus Christ Superstar, Annie, and The King and I.

In 2023, Ryan appeared on the popular UK show The Masked Singer three times, disguised in a pigeon costume. After being eliminated following her performance of “Fight for This Love,” Ryan humorously attributed her loss to challenges like the costume’s weight and the difficulty of performing a choreographed dance routine while eight months pregnant.

7 Ricky Gervais

The hilariously irreverent Ricky Gervais is a man of many talents. Alongside his success in acting, stand-up comedy, and television writing, he also possesses a musical side. It might surprise some fans to learn that he was once the lead singer for Seona Dancing, a British new wave band he formed with keyboardist Bill Macrae in 1982 during their final year at University College London.

Although the synth-pop duo was largely unsuccessful, one of their singles, an upbeat track called “More to Lose,” became a massive hit in the Philippines. Remarkably, the song has endured over time, becoming what Time magazine described as “a cultural landmark in the Philippines.”

Gervais looks back on this period with his typical humor. He told the Philippine Daily Inquirer, “People always find that picture of me looking thin and young. It’s terrible, isn’t it? I had a jaw and lovely, thick hair.” After Seona Dancing disbanded in 1984, Gervais didn’t immediately leave music; he worked as a band manager and in radio before his comedy career skyrocketed.

6 Adam Sandler

When Adam Sandler’s musical endeavors come to mind, people often think of his parody songs and humorous numbers like “Lunchlady Land” and “Ode to My Car.” However, Sandler, who sings, plays guitar, and writes songs, has also created some deeply moving pieces. His irreverent yet heartfelt “Chris Farley Song,” for instance, garnered critical acclaim.

While Sandler delivered plenty of laughs as Robbie Hart in the 1998 comedy The Wedding Singer, performing quirky songs like “Somebody Kill Me,” one of the film’s most touching moments is when he serenades Julia (Drew Barrymore) with the sweet ballad “Grow Old with You.”

Recognized as a talented guitarist, Sandler has played the instrument many times on television, including a notable performance on Conan in 2020 and during his 2018 Netflix special 100% Fresh. He has made the guitar a key part of his live shows, even showcasing his impressive collection on tour.

5 Maya Rudolph

Former Saturday Night Live cast member Maya Rudolph carries a rich musical lineage. She is the daughter of the late soul singer Minnie Riperton and composer/producer Richard Rudolph, who frequently collaborated. With such a strong musical background, it’s no surprise she’s a talented musician herself. She briefly played keyboards for The Rentals and has built an impressive resume as a singer.

In an NPR interview, she spoke about her musically infused upbringing, stating, “Music poured out of my mother, and I’m sure I heard it before I even got here when I was in her belly.”

Best known for her comedic roles in films like Grown Ups and Bridesmaids, Rudolph has also recorded many songs. This includes contributions to major motion picture soundtracks, such as Disenchanted, which features a duet between Rudolph and Amy Adams. And sometimes, her comedic and musical worlds delightfully collide, like her unforgettable impersonation of Beyoncé on SNL.

4 Woody Allen

Fans of Woody Allen’s films will often notice the prominent use of jazz music in his soundtracks. The iconic filmmaker, actor, and comic isn’t just a fan of the genre; he has been playing the clarinet publicly for decades. Allen, whose comedic persona is built on neuroticism, might not fit the typical mellow, confident image of a jazz musician. Nevertheless, he and his New Orleans-style jazz band have regularly performed at venues like Manhattan’s Carlyle Hotel for years.

Allen began playing the clarinet around the same time he developed a passion for jazz as a teenager after World War II, preferring early 20th-century styles like ragtime. One of his first televised clarinet performances was on The Dick Cavett Show in 1971. Years later, Woody Allen & His New Orleans Jazz Band’s 1996 European tour became a central focus of the documentary Wild Man Blues. Their album of the same name was released in 1998.

3 Steve Martin

It’s widely known that legendary comedian Steve Martin is a skilled banjo player. The instrument has been a staple of his act since his early career. Now, he’s nearly as famous for his music as he is for his humor. Though he dedicated immense effort to his comedy routines, Martin initially incorporated banjo playing into his shows to enhance his credibility as a professional entertainer. He explained, “My act was so crazy I thought it’s probably good to show the audience I can do something that looks hard, because this act looks like I’m just making it up.”

Self-taught from the age of 17, Martin was influenced by artists such as Earl Scruggs, Pete Seeger, and The Kingston Trio. Initially, he used the banjo to perform satirical songs within his comedy. Over time, however, his banjo playing and composing have evolved into a serious pursuit.

A significant turning point occurred in 2001 after he joined musicians Earl Scruggs, Vince Gill, Marty Stuart, Leon Russell, Jerry Douglas, and Scruggs’ sons Randy and Gary on The Late Show with David Letterman for their rendition of “Foggy Mountain Breakdown.” The group later recorded a Grammy-winning studio version. Since then, Martin has released several more albums and established an award for banjo players.

2 Dudley Moore

Best remembered for his endearingly quirky characters in comedy films like Arthur (1981), Dudley Moore was also an accomplished pianist. He performed with his own jazz trio and released over a dozen records.

The British comedian, who cited artists like Miles Davis as influences, had a strong musical foundation. He earned a scholarship to the Guildhall School of Music at age 11 and later to Magdalen College, Oxford. Though classically trained in piano, Moore typically performed jazz in public, though he worked across various genres.

Moore began his career in both music and comedy on stage, achieving early success with the satirical revue “Beyond the Fringe.” He went on to combine his comedic and musical talents in numerous television and film performances, often through song parodies.

One of his most beloved characters was songwriter George Webber in the hit film 10. In real life, Moore was also a prolific composer, writing music for several big and small screen projects, including the score for the 1967 movie Bedazzled.

1 Jamie Foxx

Many actors without a musical background have portrayed musicians. However, actor/comedian Jamie Foxx had the advantage of being a highly skilled pianist when he played Ray Charles in the 2004 biopic Ray. Foxx, who attended college on a classical piano scholarship, described playing the instrument for the movie as “a blessing and a curse.” He elaborated that due to Charles’ unique performance style, he had to dedicate many hours to learning “all of the fingering of the piano in order for it to look authentic.”

Foxx has since built an impressive career as a singer and musician in his own right, primarily in R&B. He has released several albums, including the double-platinum Unpredictable in 2005 and the platinum-selling Intuition (2008), which featured collaborations with high-profile artists like Kanye West and Lil Wayne.

It’s clear that the worlds of comedy and music often intertwine, with many comedians possessing remarkable musical talents. These performers demonstrate that humor and harmony can go hand in hand, enriching their artistic expressions in surprising and delightful ways.

Which comedian’s musical talent surprised you the most? Share your thoughts in the comments below!