Doing comedy is no joke. It entails a lot of brain work and the confidence to concoct really funny jokes that would induce laughter from the audience. This is why success at making a living out of other people’s happiness is such an elusive dream in Hollywood. It takes talent and natural propensity for jokes to truly fly and stand out among the rest of the jesters in Tinsel Town. Here are just some of the comedians who truly made it big in Hollywood.

Alan Stewart Konisberg a.ka. Woody Allen

When it comes to intelligent comedy writing and directing and acting, no one beats the power and charisma of Woody Allen. He draws his inspiration from literature, philosophy, psychology, and European cinema. Born to a Jewish family living in New York, Woody Allen’s comedy was heavily influenced by his upbringing. His persona in his films depicts him as socially challenged and inept, but in real life, Woody Allen was the total opposite. He lived a fairly popular life in high school and experienced success for his writing during his teenage years.

He began writing gags for agent, David O. Alber, who in turn, submitted his articles to newspapers. At age 16, he was discovered and hired by Milt Kamen, who landed him his first writing job with Sid Caesar. 3 years later, he was already writing for the biggest shows on TV like The Ed Sullivan Show, Caesar’s Hour, and The Tonight Show. He was already experiencing heaping success even before he reached the age of 20. In an interview, Allen said that he owes his structured writing style to Danny Simon, who helped him perfect his style.

From writing, Allen moved on to stand up comedy and it was then that he fully developed the famous neurotic persona he exudes on screen. He then launched a career in filmmaking as an actor, playwright and director. Allen’s films include What’s New, Pussycat?, What’s Up, Tiger Lily?, Take the Money and Run, Match Point, Cassandra’s Dream, and Vicky Christina Barcelona among others.

Jerry Seinfeld

Very few comedians can succeed at portraying their own selves in a sitcom, and Jerry Seinfeld is just one of the handfuls who pulled through. He rigged in monumental success at being a stand up comic and this landed him his biggest role and career move to date. From being a stand up comic, he moved on to being a regular on the Tonight Show with David Letterman and the Mery Griffin Show.

Even after the finale of his multi-awarded TV show, Jerry Seinfeld has still remained as a famous household name. In 2007, he rendered his voice to an animated character in the Bee Movie.

David Chappelle

American comedian, writer, television and film producer, and actor, Dave Chappelle reached the pinnacle of success with his television series, Chappelle’s Show. But before experiencing great leaps in his career, Dave Chappelle had to face tough times when he was still starting out. He was booed off the stage during his first try at stand up. However, the comedian was not disheartened. He continued to perfect his act, and appeared in several movies like Con Air, The Nutty Professor, Blue Streak, Half Baked, You’ve Got Mail, and Undercover Brother.

Finally, in 2003, Chappelle broke new grounds with his show rightfully entitled, Chappelle’s Show in Comedy Central. His really funny jokes and sketches about pop culture, politics, and racial stereotypes became a hit among audience in the United States. Just when the show was already receiving massive success, he dropped from his network and snobbed the $55 million dollar contract offered to him for two more years on the show. The comedian disappeared from the limelight and reportedly went to South Africa. News and rumors of drug abuse and insanity swirled all over Hollywood as primary reasons for his imposed exile. When the comedian went back to the US, he dispelled all the rumors and went back to television.