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  • Writer's pictureStand-Up Comedy Historian

Comedians in Crosswords

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.


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

  • Kathy Griffin: Comedian Griffin

  • Bill Hader: Actor Bill of "Barry"

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

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

  • Marc Maron: Podcast host Maron

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

  • Steve Martin: Martin of Hollywood

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

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

  • Tig Notaro: Comic Notaro

  • Patton Oswalt: Comic actor Patton

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

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

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

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

  • Amy Sedaris: Comedian Sedaris

  • Sarah Silverman: Funny Silverman

  • Wanda Sykes: Comedian Wanda

  • Ali Wong: Comedian Wong

  • "Weird Al" Yankovic: Parodist Yankovic

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

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


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


  • Bill Burr: Comedian Bill

  • Pete Davidson AND Pete Holmes: Comedians Holmes and Davidson

  • Marc Maron: Comedian Maron


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





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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