From Flop to Funny: 5 Famous Comedians Who Bombed Their First Open Mic

Aug 1

3 min read

1. Jerry Seinfeld: The King of Comedy's Humble Beginnings

Jerry Seinfeld's first open mic night was a disaster. He took the stage at Catch a Rising Star in New York City, but his jokes fell flat. "I remember thinking, 'This is it. I'm done. I'm out of show business,'" Seinfeld recalled. Despite the rough start, Seinfeld persisted and went on to become one of the most successful comedians of all time.

First TV appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson in 1981
Regular comedian on Late Night with David Letterman in the 1980s
Created and starred in the hit TV show Seinfeld, which aired from 1989 to 1998

2. Chris Rock: From Heckled to Headlining

Chris Rock's first open mic night was a baptism by fire. He took the stage at the Catch a Rising Star comedy club in NYC, but was met with hecklers and tough crowds. "I got booed off the stage... I thought I was gonna get fired from a free gig!" Rock joked about the experience. But he didn't let the hecklers bring him down, and instead used the experience to fuel his rise to comedy stardom.

Grew up in Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn, and began stand-up career in the 1980s
Cast member on Saturday Night Live from 1990 to 1993
Stand-up specials include Bring the Pain (1996) and Kill the Messenger (2008)

3. Amy Schumer: Laughing Through the Tears

Amy Schumer's first open mic night was a tear-filled disaster. She took the stage at the Gotham Comedy Club in NYC, but her jokes fell flat and she faced hecklers. "I cried like a baby... I thought I was gonna quit," Schumer recalled. But she didn't let the tears stop her, and instead used the experience to create some of the raunchiest, most hilarious comedy out there.

Appeared on Last Comic Standing in 2007 and finished fourth
Created and starred in the hit TV show Inside Amy Schumer, which aired from 2013 to 2016
Stand-up specials include Mostly Sex Stuff (2012) and Growing (2019)

4. Dave Chappelle: Finding His Voice

Dave Chappelle's first open mic night was a struggle. He took the stage at the Apollo Theater in Harlem, but his jokes fell flat and he faced tough crowds. "I bombed so bad... I thought I was the worst comedian in the world," Chappelle joked about the experience. But he didn't give up, and instead used the experience to find his unique voice and become one of the most respected comedians of all time.

Appeared on Russell Simmons' Def Comedy Jam in 1992
Created and starred in the hit TV show Chappelle's Show, which aired from 2003 to 2006
Stand-up specials include Killin' Them Softly (2000) and Sticks & Stones (2019)

5. Maria Bamford: Embracing the Awkward

Maria Bamford's first open mic night was a surreal experience. She took the stage at the Comedy Store in LA, but forgot her own name and faced awkward silences. "I was so nervous... I forgot my own name," Bamford recalled. But she didn't let the awkwardness stop her, and instead used the experience to create a comedy style that's both offbeat and endearing.

Appeared on The Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien in 2007
Created and starred in the Netflix series Lady Dynamite, which aired from 2016 to 2017
Stand-up specials include The Special Special Special (2012) and Weakness is the Brand (2020)