Who are the funniest people to take the stage that have ties to Texas? Here are ten Texas comedians we definitely suggest checking out.

For this list, a comedian doesn't have to be born in Texas to count, but have some significance in their life or career tied to Texas. Also, the person has to be, or have been, an actual stand up comedian. The term "comedian" can sometimes apply to a comedic actor from movies or television, but for this list we are focusing on those who did stand up comedy on stage.

And as there are definitely comedians out there who are not family friendly, there will be some NSFW language. You have been warned!

Did we miss any of your favorite Texas comedians? Let us know in the comments below!

  • Bill Hicks

    Born in Georgia, Bill Hicks moved to Houston with his family when he was 7-years-old. Starting stand up comedy while still in high school, Hicks became a founding member of the infamous Texas Comic Outlaws along with other comedians including Sam Kinison. Starting off with a light-hearted and customary comedic style, Hicks later adopted a dark and hard-edge approach to his comedy style, gaining him national attention with regular appearances on late night television. Unfortunately for Hicks, he wouldn't live to see the height of his popularity. Passing away in 1994 at the age of 32 from pancreatic cancer, Hicks' popularity soared with the release of several posthumous albums. Hicks' take on the country under George H.W. Bush's presidency resulted in a resurgence in his popularity during George W. Bush's presidency when people found much of Hicks' material still applied to the new leader.

    And no, he did not fake his death and become Alex Jones. That's just stupid.

  • Bill Engvall

    From Galveston, TX, it could be argued that Bill Engvall is the criminally underrated member of the Blue Collar Comedy Tour. Starting his career in 1990, it took only two years for Engvall to be recognized as Best Male Standup at the American Comedy Awards. He released his wildly popular debut album "Here's Your Sign" in 1997 and was later inseparable from his friends Jeff Foxworthy, Ron White, and Larry the Cable Guy over multiple 'Blue Collar Comedy Tour' movies and a television show. While still regularly working as a stand up, Engvall had his own show for three seasons on TBS, which served as an early introduction of future Oscar winner Jennifer Lawrence as Engvall's daughter.

  • Sam Kinison

    Though he was born in Washington, Kinison gets credit on this list for breaking into comedy in Houston as a member of the Texas Outlaw Comics. Prior to comedy, Kinison went into the family business of Pentecostal preaching, but switched to comedy after splitting up with his first wife. Adopting a loud and intense comedic style, Kinison appealed the the 80s MTV generation and became a rock star in the comedy world. Partaking in the usual trapping of sex, drugs, and alcohol, Kinison began cleaning up his life before being killed in a car crash in 1992.

  • Ron White

    From Fritch, TX, Ron White began his career as a stereotypical cowboy comedian. Later ditching the cowboy hat and over-sized belt buckle for a suit, White transitioned into a cigar-smoking, scotch-drinking performer who would regularly be drunk by the end of his set. Gaining wide-spread attention for his work with the 'Blue Collar Comedy Tour', White was the only one to not join the TV show, which he jokingly said was due to his work ethic. Known as "Tater Salad" after one of his most beloved jokes, White still tours and performs stand up, with his most recent special debuting this past October on Netflix.

  • Iliza Shlesinger

    Born in New York but raised in Dallas, Iliza Shlesinger became the first woman and the youngest person to win 'Last Comic Standing' at just 25 years old. Though winning in 2008 in the show's final season, she didn't release her first special for another 5 years, and has released another three in the time since. While continuing to work as a stand up, Shlesinger has also released a book and hosted her own late night show.

  • Steve Martin

    Two things people tend to forget about Steve Martin: He is from Waco, TX and that he was a stand up comedian. Starting as a comedy writer, Martin transitioned to working on stage in the late 70s, with a unique style not normally seen from stand ups of the age. While other comedians told funny stories, Martin's delivery was more of a fluid and crazed song and dance show. He became so popular as a stand up that he became a regular guest on 'Saturday Night Live', resulting in a major hike in ratings whenever he appeared, which was so often he became the first host to have a recurring character in skits. Switching over to primarily movies and television, Martin's work in stand up was never forgotten by his peers, and he was named the 6th greatest stand up of all time by Comedy Central.

  • Rick Gutierrez

    One of the lesser known comedians on this list, Rick Gutierrez's career has been on an upswing over the past few years due to his association with Gabriel Iglesias. With the San Antonio comic being a former roommate of Iglesias when they were both struggling comedians, Iglesias brought Gutierrez and other friends on the road with him when his career took off, helping his friends gain much deserved notoriety. Being a scene-stealer on the reality Shows 'Fluffy Breaks Even' and 'Fluffy's Food Adventures', Gutierrez became the first of Iglesias' crew to get his own stand up special on Netflix, 'I'm Not Mad, I'm a Just a Parent."

  • Jamie Foxx

    Like Steve Martin, Jamie Foxx is so known for his work in movies and television that its easy forget he started as a stand up comedian. Born Eric Marlon Bishop in Terrell, TX, Foxx began his stand up career on a dare during an open-mic night. Joining the cast of 'In Living Color' in 1991, Foxx quickly became a standout on the series with his characters of Carl 'The Tooth' Williams and LaWanda. Releasing his first comedy album in 1993, Foxx would direct his attention to his television and movie work and not release another stand up special for 9 years.

  • Jeff Dunham

    Whether or not the Dallas native is a good stand up comedian seems to be a constant debate. While some praise Dunham's comedic work, others say his material is xenophobic and only humorous because its being said through puppets. But its hard to deny the success of Dunham, who is by far the most famous ventriloquist of all time, regularly sells out major venues across the world, has millions upon millions of views on YouTube, and holds the Guinness World Record for "Most tickets sold for a stand-up comedy tour".

  • Rodney Carrington

    With a 20-year-career in stand up, the Longview, TX native released his first album, 'Hangin' with Rodney', in 1998, with a mix of stand up and comedic country music like 'Letter to my Penis' and 'Dancing with a Man'. With regular appearances on the syndicated comedy radio show 'The Bob and Tom Show', Carrington built up a large fanbase among country fans, being a regular staple on CMT and even releasing serious country music along with his comedy albums. Spending two seasons with his own series on ABC, Carrington continued to release stand up specials, with his most recent one in 2017.

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