CHICAGO —Latino comedians continue to grow in numbers and become household names in the United States, even securing multimillion-dollar deals for stadium tours and Netflix specials.
Below are the Latin Times top picks for Latino stand up comics in 2023. The list features both names that are making their way into the scene and powerhouses who have graced the stage for decades.
Ralph Barbosa
At just 26 years old, Ralph Barbosa is one of the newest Latino comedians in the field, but he is already making a huge impact on the scene. Originally from Texas, Barbosa's style is laid back and often invokes his Hispanic heritage to connect with audiences. He had his breakthrough in 2021 and since then produced specials for Netflix and HBO. He's alsoappeared on the Tonight Show and Comedy Central.
Felipe Esparza
Felipe Esparza is a Mexican-born comic and actor who began doing stand up in 1994. Esparza has had a successful career in comedy, winning NBC's Last Comic Standing in 2010 and producing stand up specials on Netflix and HBO. Recently Esparza has shifted more towards the big screen and has appeared in movies such as the popular Blue Beetle and The Opening Act.
Marcello Hernandez
Marcello Hernandez has had a string of very successful years. In 2022, he became the fourth Latino to join Saturday Night Live (SNL) and in 2023, he produced viral skits with notable Latinos such as Pedro Pascal and Bad Bunny. Hernandez is of Cuban and Dominican descent, and his comedy often revolves around his upbringing in a Hispanic-American household.
Gabriel 'Fluffy' Iglesias
Gabriel Iglesias, colloquially known as Fluffy, is one of the most successful Latino comedians ever. Iglesias began doing stand up in 1997 but has also transcended into other forms of entertainment and has a long list of acting credits for films and television shows. Iglesias is credited with being the first comic to sell out a show at Dodger Stadium. He also has a total of five comedy specials on various networks that span back to 2007.
Melissa Villaseñor
Melissa Villaseñor is one of the few Latino comedians to appear on SNL, being a part of the late-night comedy show between 2016 and 2022. Villaseñor was born in California to Mexican parents, and from a young age auditioned for several comedy and reality shows. Besides comedy, Villaseñor is a successful actress and has appeared on Family Guy, Toy Story 4 and Ralph Breaks the Internet.
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