The National Comedy Hall of Fame®
Induction Guidelines
To be eligible, a comedian must have over twenty-five years of comedic experience in Canada, the United Kingdom, or the United States of America. All of our nominations are brought to our Honor Board, which is made up of several members of The Friars Club, and veterans of the entertainment industry who specialize in film, television, and of course, comedy. Once the Board approves of a nominee the National Comedy Hall of Fame schedules the event. Take a peak at Minnie Pearl for her nationally televised induction to see the show we put on for this prestigious honor. Her induction was watched by over 13 million viewers with special guests like George H. W. Bush and many of the giants of country music in the audience.
Visit Our Museum
Once inside of the National Comedy Hall of Fame® you will be met with a wide variety of material and memorabilia! With exhibits on the history of theatre from the early Greeks up until the Reconstruction Era of the United States. From there we have exciting exhibits on the comedic industry from the era of Vaudeville, radio, TV to the present time. While there stop by our National Comedy Hall of Fame Museum Library in order to read or watch some of our vast content we have accumulated over the decades. We have plenty of posters, photographs, videos, and items from comedians estates to make this trip one to remember.
Want To Help?
The National Comedy Hall of Fame Museum depends on your tax-deductible donation to operate and update the museum as well as induct the Legendary comedians who have made us laugh. We accept cash or “in-kind” donations such as films, books, artifacts, memorabilia, or any comedy related items, items needed for the museum and services needed to operate the museum.
Hall of Fame Inductees
Abbott & Costello
Laurel & Hardy
Milton Berle
Minnie Pearl
Charlie Chaplin
George Kirby
Jimmy Durante
W.C. Fields
George Carlin
Sid Caesar
Timmie Rogers
Lucille Ball
Moms Mabley
Jack Benny
Red Skelton
Burns & Allen
Ernie Kovacs
Flip Wilson
Richard Pryor
Jackie Gleason
Senor Wences
Bob Newhart
Lifetime Achievement Award Winners
Jackie Mason
Mort Sahl
Norm Crosby
Mimi Hines* & Phil Ford
David Letterman
*Lady Ambassador of the NCHOF
Charlie Chaplin Award: Best Comedic Play
Shear Madness
The award was given at the prestigious Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C. at a sold out auditorium on Saturday, September 4, 1999. Standing in as the guest presenter for John Kennedy Jr, who had passed away a few months
earlier was the celebrated director and actor Dwayne Hickman Known for his famous role as Dobie Gillis on television,
Honoring Those Who've Made Us Laugh!
Museum Information
Phone: 727-541-7876
Email: comedyhall@aol.com