Different Types of Humour Every Actor Should Know

1. Slapstick 

Think someone slipping on a banana skin or falling down a ladder is funny? Then you’re probably a fan of slapstick, which relies more on physical humour than dialogue. It has been around for centuries, with the likes of Charlie Chaplin becoming a pioneer of the form. Slapstick often involves exaggerated movements, big facial expressions, carefully staged falls, and dramatic reactions that turn everyday mishaps into hardcore laughs.  

For actors, getting the physicality right matters, but so does acting as if everything is happening in the moment. Surprise is important! And, ultimately, timing is everything; the smallest delay can be the difference between a physical moment landing and it falling (get it?) flat. 

2. Dark humour 

“Dark humour mostly revolves around the use of taboo subjects in comedy, leaning on topics that are more difficult and confronting, like illness, trauma, violence, and death,” says comedian Andrew White, who discussed the deaths of some of his family and friends in the brilliant 2026 show What a Life. Often, the humour comes from the absurdity of a situation, an unexpected reaction or the contrast between something terrible and someone’s completely inappropriate response. “I personally try to use comedy to open up these topics, and explore things that we don’t often talk about publicly because of their controversial or uncomfortable nature,” White says. “It can be incredibly cathartic and helpful to attach laughter to these darker themes as it softens the blow behind it, and makes audiences more amenable to hearing about them.” 

For an actor, dark humour requires control, and it can be difficult to perfect. “It’s very tricky to walk the line with dark humour, as it requires a lot of empathy, confidence, and often a personal connection to the topic to put most audiences at ease,” White says. 

3. Character comedy 

Character comedy relies on performing as someone else, or an exaggerated version of yourself. “Character comedy is all about being funny as yourself by pretending to be someone else,” says comedian, director, and actor Jonathan Oldfield. “By changing aspects of themselves – voice, job, costume, etc. – character comedians connect with an audience in a way they wouldn’t be able to otherwise.” 

For actors, character comedy is a useful technique to hone because it draws on many of the same skills as dramatic character work. You’re thinking about things like your voice and physicality, and understanding what makes a person tick. The difference is that these elements are often heightened or exaggerated for comic effect. Performers such as Catherine Tate use many of these ideas in their work. 

“Character comedy is ultimately the exploration of a person and their views about the world or a subject,” says character comedian group Lady Bolognese. “You start with a kind of person, and then you layer loads of stuff that makes it feel richer and true to life – even if it is totally nuts, strange stuff.”  

4. Political humour 

Political humour uses comedy to explore politics, the government, and the wider issues society is facing. It can take the form of satire, parody, and impersonation, and it often involves laughing at the state of things.  

TV shows such as Have I Got News for You and The Thick of It use political humour to show how complex, timely, and sensitive subject matter can still be entertaining. Comedians may imitate a politician’s mannerisms – just as George Fouracres does with his Andy Burnham impression on SNL UK. “Even though all jokes live in emotion, with political comedy you’re not necessarily having to convey an emotional journey,” says writer, producer, and comedian Ishan Ganjoor. Comedians such as Nish Kumar and Rosie Holt also use it in their work. 

5. Dry humour 

Dry humour often works through restraint. A performer may deliver an absurd line in an entirely matter-of-fact way, creating a contrast between what they’re saying and how seriously they’re saying it. 

It can be as straightforward as a sarcastic remark, but the technique can also involve a more subtle mismatch between a character’s words, tone, and intentions. For actors, it helps to remember that sometimes doing less can be more. 

6. Self-deprecating humour 

Self-deprecating humour involves making yourself – or your character – the butt of the joke. A comedian may joke about their appearance, personality, or past mistakes. Basically, you want people to laugh at you! In standup, it’s a particularly common technique because it can make an audience feel as though the performer is inviting them into their world. It can also make a character more vulnerable.  

The humour usually comes through your perspective; maybe you’re talking about your political beliefs, religion, or lifestyle. Your unique point of view and how you see the world is where the humour comes from. 

7. Observational humour 

Observational humour takes the ordinary and finds something funny hiding inside it. It may focus on relationships, commuting, family, work, dating, or the strange little things people do without noticing. “Observational standup is Britain’s favourite genre of comedy,” writes Chortle.  

“Because it is the most popular, I think it’s a lot harder to stand out in the pool,” says comedian Harry Jenkins. “It very much has to be substance over style.”  

Observational humour is a staple of standup because comedians can turn everyday experiences into material. But actors can use the same principle when building a character; notice how people actually speak, move, react, and behave. Comedians such as Phil Wang and Frank Skinner use it heavily in their work.