Amy Schumer was accused of stealing other people’s jokes by stand-up comics Wendy Liebman, Kathleen Madigan and Tammy Pescatelli. Schumer has denied the accusations, but she’s far from the first comedian to face such claims.
Milton Berle was dubbed the Thief of Bad Gags for his alleged penchant for joke-stealing.
Robin Williams was also accused of lifting other comedians’ material during his early comedy club days.
Carlos Mencia was famously called out as a joke thief by Joe Rogan.
Denis Leary has been accused of lifting heavily from comedian Bill Hicks.
Bill Cosby even admitted to borrowing from a George Carlin routine … he’s since been accused of much worse.
Dane Cook has been accused of stealing material from Louis C.K. Cook has sharply denied doing so, and the pair addressed the topic of joke theft on an episode of C.K.’s “Louie.”
Elderly comedian Chuck Esterly gained Internet notoriety late last year thanks to a viral video of his act, but Slate has claimed that his jokes are nearly as old as he is.
