They're amongst the most famous people in the world - with their lives dedicated to making us chuckle.
And the leading lights of the comedy industry can earn millions of dollars from live tours, television programmes and movies.
Add in money-spinning advertising and sponsorship deals, and shrewd investments, and these funny people can become seriously wealthy.
The Sun recently carried out research into which British comedians are currently worth the most, using the value of companies they pay their earnings to and haw much their property portfolios are worth. It should be pointed out this this largely restricts the list to British-based comedians and those who use companies to organise their finances.
Here’s who they reckon the richest 10 are.
9. Sarah Millican
Yet another comedian who has graduated from tiny shows at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe to selling out arenas is Sarah Millican. She won the Edinburgh Comedy Award for Best Newcomer in 2008 Edinburgh Festival Fringe and was nominated for the Main Award two years later. She's now also a successful author and a regular on television and radio. Millican is said to be worth £3.2 million. | Getty Images
10. Hugh Dennis
Formerly an advertising brand manager for Lynx Deodorant, Hugh Dennis has enjoyed a long an profitable comedy career since shooting to fame alongside David Baddiel, Rob Newman and Steve Punt. Since then he's teamed up with Punt on various other projects, provided voices for 'Spitting Image', acted in hit BBC shows 'My Hero' and 'Outnumbered', and appeared in every episode of panel show 'Mock The Week'. He's worth £2.7 million and competes our list. | Getty Images