A biopic can easily be one of the most honorable things that can happen to a celebrity; a movie based on the life of a beloved person, that has touched the hearts of many. A biopic is essentially a documentary of sorts, an actor who resembles the person, physically, and emotionally, telling the iconic story of that individual in the best possible way they can. Films like Chaplin (1992), starring Robert Downey Jr. as the comedian that's well known even to this day, portray what a biopic should be like. It's comedy and drama mixed into one, showing the life of Charlie Chaplin and, more importantly, that it wasn't just laughs all the time for him.
Comedians almost get the short end of the stick when it comes to biopics. Not many have been made about this genre of actors, and when they have, not all of them have received great feedback. Vulture states, that the age-old retelling of "comedian's having real lives" in these biopics is old and tired, and viewers aren't really interested in it anymore. Comedians are supposed to make us happy and laugh until our stomachs ache, and seeing how hard their life could be, and them sullenly looking into the camera, as a perfect singular teardrop falls down their cheek, is somewhat boring. That being said, biopics about comedians aren't entirely out. There are several legendary comics, some old and some new, that deserve to have their story told on the big screen in a way we haven't seen before from them. Here is a list of comedians that should be considered for their own biopics.
5 Chris Farley
Known for being a goofy and loud comic, the late Chris Farley deserves his own biopic. There have been made-for-television movies about Farley, such as Anything For a Laugh, which aired on A&E in 2020; and also a documentary entitled I Am Chris Farley, released in 2015 by Paramount, but he doesn't have his own biopic. Farley is known for his brash characters that were featured on Saturday Night Live, such as Matt Foley, who would often harass David Spade's character in the skit, and tell stories about being "down by the river". The telling of Chris Farley's story would undoubtedly be sad, but also bring closure to many fans who watched SNL because of him. Plus, it would be interesting to see who would be cast as Farley, as well as his close friend such as Adam Sandler and David Spade.
4 Eddie Murphy
Hailed as one of the funniest comedians to come out of SNL, a biopic about Eddie Murphy is long overdue. There's a belief that biopics should only happen after the individual has died, but when you have someone as iconic as Murphy, who has paved the way for so many comedians, you have to give credit where credit is due. Murphy has several acting credits under his belt, has such a recognizable voice, and his stand-up is truly above level, compared to others. A biopic about Murphy is something that should already be in the works, and he's such a versatile actor, people ranging from all ages would enjoy it. As of right now, at fifty-eight years old, Murphy is semi-retired and enjoying the relaxed life, says People. Retired life gives plenty of time to work on a biopic!
3 Jim Carrey
While there hasn't been a biopic made about him yet, Jim Carrey starred in Man on the Moon (1999) based on the life of entertainer Andy Kaufman. Carrey did such a wonderful job of becoming Kaufman, that it was scary, and people on set often noticed that it was difficult to separate Carrey from Kaufman. Jim Carrey has had such a successful career as an actor and a comedian; it would be thrilling to watch a biopic about his life and really get to know the man who can naturally contort his face to look like the Grinch. He has inspired so many people; so many young comics looking to do the same thing, to blaze the same path as Carrey did and still is doing. That recognition of earning a biopic is something Jim Carrey definitely deserves.
2 Wanda Sykes
Starting off her career as a writer on the Chris Rock Show, Wanda Sykes' comedy is something you can't look past. Sykes is unapologetic, real, and somewhat abrasive with her comedy, and she isn't afraid to tell you how it is. She's had Netflix specials, hosted The View, and has been backed by several of her peers that she is one of the top 25 funniest people in America! A biopic about Wanda Sykes would be majorly important, not only because she's a female comedian, but also because she's Black. The representation a biopic about this comedian could bring for hundreds/thousands/millions of people shouldn't be ignored when talking about what films to make, especially since there's such a lack of Black representation in general. Sykes has won several awards for her work and she should continue to be appreciated with a biopic about her life.
1 Robin Williams
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It's hard to imagine that there isn't a biopic, not even one in the works, about the great late Robin Williams. He was the comedian of all comedians, the spine of comedy and the inspiration of so many people. In 2021, comedian Jamie Costa posted a five-minute video of himself impersonating Williams, and the resemblance was uncanny. Fans demanded for Costa to be cast in a biopic honoring Williams, but there has been no news regarding if anything is currently in motion. Robin Williams could do anything, any accent, any genre of film, and could make the grumpiest person laugh. The fact that there isn't a biopic about this legend is extremely disappointing, because no one deserves it more.