The official National Comedy Hall of Fame is a not-for-profit entity that pays tribute to the legacy of all forms of comedy in our history and the laughter we have enjoyed over all the years. Our mission is pure, to preserve and celebrate the history of Comedy and to honor the “Great Legends of Comedy” who have dedicated their lives to improve the world we live in by sharing with us their humor and bestowing upon us the greatest gift of all, LAUGHTER.

In 1991, The National Comedy Hall of Fame was established by Jan Murray, Morey Amsterdam, Sid Caesar, Milton Berle and Tony Belmont at the L.A. Friar’s Club. At the time, there was no official organization that honored the work of comedians or the history of comedy. With the participation of members in various areas of entertainment, such as actors, writers, musicians and of course, comedians, The National Comedy Hall of Fame became an official organization, authorized by the Library of Congress and trademarked in the United States, United Kingdom, Northern Ireland, and Canada.

The National Comedy Hall of Fame induction ceremonies were televised on popular cable networks, garnering a viewership of over 20 million. Significant celebrities and politicians were present to honor the people who brought joy to their lives. Family members of inductees were also in attendance to share personal anecdotes and humorous stories.

After a few years of development, The National Comedy Hall of Fame opened it’s first traveling museum, visiting numerous cities all across the United States. The museum then found a home at John’s Pass, which is located in Madeira Beach, Florida. Due to popularity and capacity limitations, the museum had to move to a larger building that could accommodate the collection and interested visitors in Holiday, Florida. 

Our organization also has a traveling show called, The Comedy Time-Tunnel©, which continues to perform all over The United States. The show consists of recorded interviews, rare footage and trivia games that interacts with audience members to teach them about the history of comedy. Informational and entertaining, The Comedy Time- Tunnel is perfect for civic organizations, nursing homes, fundraisers and school events.