Portraits of This Generation’s Brilliant Comedians

Photographer Jill Greenberg, who, in the past, has shown us the funny, emotive facial expressions of wild animals and the tear-stained faces of babies in a moment of utter anguish, manages to capture the equally animated faces of a number of comedy moguls posing for the camera. Whether it's a simple face-forward portrait or a wacky situational setup, each comedic actor and personality shines his or her brand of funny through the lens. Greenberg translates the unique humorous style of each subject all while retaining her own signature lighting scheme.

Like in a typical photo shoot, most of the celebrities are dressed to impress, but it's the tiny quirks that project their particular sense of humor. While Amy Poehler is donning a pretty pink dress with some refined jewelry, she has clearly been eating with her hands, leaving a mess of barbeque sauce on her fingers. She looks great and yet there is something relatable in her appearance with the inclusion of the sauce, poking fun at the balance of “celebrity” and “comedy” for women. Other comedic actors like John Krasinski and Sacha Baron Cohen reflect less layered though equally effective renditions of their humor. Each represents an element of a character they're famous for – “Jim” face and an unusual Borat working out, respectively.


Amy Poehler


Joel McHale


Woody Harrelson


Eric Wareheim


John Krasinski


Sacha Baron Cohen


Tom Green


Nathan Corddry and Rob Corddry


Kristen Bell


Stephen Colbert


Jon Stewart


Andy Samberg


Lewis Black

Pinar

Pinar Noorata (she/her) is the Editorial Director at My Modern Met. She is a writer, editor, and content creator based in Brooklyn, New York. She earned her BA in Film and Media Studies from CUNY Hunter College. She has worked at major TV, film, and publishing companies as well as other independent media businesses. She also runs her own art & culture newsletter called The High Low. She first joined the My Modern Met team in 2011 as a Contributing Writer, pitching and publishing articles about a wide range of topics. Her expertise in visual media lends itself to in-depth analysis of varied art forms, including but not limited to painting, illustration, sculpture, installation, design, and photography. Pinar has a particular affinity for spotlighting up-and-coming artists, affording them a platform and offering a voice to lesser-heard individuals looking to break through, especially BIPOC creatives. She has helped multiple artists make a name for themselves and reach a wider audience over 10+ years as a writer and editor (both through long-form articles and short-form videos). When she isn’t writing, editing, or creating videos herself, Pinar enjoys watching films and TV, reading, crafting, drawing, frequenting museums and galleries, and volunteering at her local animal shelter.
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