The American Comedy Awards were a group of awards presented annually in the United States recognizing performances and performers in the field of comedy, with an emphasis on television comedy and comedy films. They were first presented in May 1987, billed as the "first awards show to honor all forms of comedy." In 1989, after the death of Lucille Ball, the statue was named "the Lucy" to honor her.
The awards ceased after 2001. NBC revived the awards for a single year in May 2014.
History George Schlatter created and produced the American Comedy Awards that first aired on ABC on May 20, 1987, later moving to FOX and finally Comedy Central. Previously, ABC had broadcast a similar awards program for two years in the 1970s; it was called the "American Academy of Humor" and was "founded" by Alan King.Some Interesting & Creative Things We've Done from the website of the public relations firm of Barbara Meltzer & Associates
The last ACA ceremony in 2001 was aired and produced by the cable network Comedy Central; in 2003 that network tried to replicate the awards with its own Commie Awards in what turned out to be a one-time replacement. In 2011 Comedy Central created a new annual awards show, The Comedy Awards, which first aired on April 10, 2011.
1987 awards Category Winner Work NomineesFunniest Actor in a Motion Picture (Leading Role) (Presented by Whoopi Goldberg and Lily Tomlin)Woody AllenHannah and Her SistersRodney Dangerfield – Back to SchoolTom Hanks – Nothing in CommonDanny DeVito – Ruthless PeopleSteve Martin – Little Shop of HorrorsFunniest Actress in a Motion Picture (Leading Role) (Presented by Walter Matthau)Bette MidlerRuthless PeopleEllen Greene – Little Shop of HorrorsMeryl Streep – HeartburnDianne Wiest – Hannah and Her SistersGoldie Hawn – WildcatsWhoopi Goldberg – Jumpin' Jack FlashFunniest Newcomer – Male or Female (Presented by George Carlin)Woody HarrelsonCheersAlf - ALF
Mark Linn-Baker - Perfect Strangers
Roseanne Barr - The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
Sam Kinison - Rodney Dangerfield's Young ComediansFunniest Female Stand-Up Comic (Presented by Carl Reiner)Lily TomlinElayne Boosler
Whoopi Goldberg
Bette Midler
Joan RiversFunniest Female Performer of the Year (Presented by Julia Duffy and Peter Scolari)Bette MidlerCarol Burnett
Whoopi Goldberg
Lily Tomlin
Betty WhiteFunniest Male Stand-Up Comic (Presented by Whoopi Goldberg)Robin WilliamsBilly Crystal
Jay Leno
Eddie Murphy
Richard PryorFunniest Male Performer of the Year (Presented by Bea Arthur, Betty White, Rue McClanahan and Estelle Getty)Robin WilliamsJohnny Carson
Steve Martin
George Carlin
Bronson PinchotFunniest Male Performer in a TV Series (Leading Role) – Network, Cable or Syndication (Presented by Roseanne Barr and Louie Anderson)Johnny CarsonThe Tonight ShowTed Danson - Cheers
Michael J. Fox - Family Ties
Pee-wee Herman - Pee-wee's Playhouse
David Letterman - Late Night with David LettermanFunniest Female Performer in a TV Series (Leading Role) – Network, Cable or Syndication (Presented by Shirley MacLaine)Betty WhiteThe Golden GirlsJulia Duffy – NewhartBea Arthur – The Golden GirlsShelley Long – CheersEstelle Getty – The Golden GirlsFunniest Television Star in a Special – Male or Female (Presented by Mark Linn-Baker and Bronson Pinchot in their roles of Larry Appleton and Balki Bartokomous on Perfect Strangers)Robin WilliamsRobin Williams: An Evening at the MetBilly Crystal – On LocationGarry Shandling – The Garry Shandling Show: 25th Anniversary SpecialCarol Burnett – FresnoGeorge Carlin – On LocationFunniest Record And/Or Video - Male, Female or Group (Presented by Pee-wee Herman and Carol Channing)Bette MidlerMud Will Be Flung TonightDan Aykroyd - Saturday Night Live: The Best Of Dan Aykroyd George Carlin - Playin´ With Your Head
Whoopi Goldberg - Jumpin' Jack Flash
Steve Martin - Little Shop of Horrors
Creative Achievement Award Norman Lear (Presented by Bea Arthur)
Lifetime Achievement Award
Presented for Woman by Walter Matthau, and for Man by Betty White
Steve Allen Woody Allen Lucille Ball Mel Brooks Carol Burnett George Burns Sid Caesar Bette Midler Mary Tyler Moore Lily Tomlin Jonathan Winters Special Appearance
Lily Tomlin Ed Begley Jr. Shirley MacLaine Whoopi Goldberg Ellen Greene George Carlin Betty White Ed McMahon Steven Wright Mark Russell
1988 awards Category Winner Work NomineesFunniest Actor in a Motion Picture (Leading Role)Robin WilliamsGood Morning, VietnamJohn Candy – Planes, Trains & AutomobilesSteve Martin – RoxanneDanny DeVito – Throw Momma from the TrainNicolas Cage – Raising ArizonaFunniest Actress in a Motion Picture (Leading Role)Bette MidlerOutrageous FortuneDiane Keaton – Baby BoomHolly Hunter – Broadcast NewsCher – MoonstruckGoldie Hawn – OverboardFunniest Female Stand-Up ComicLily TomlinFunniest Female Performer of the YearTracey UllmanFunniest Male Stand-Up ComicRobin WilliamsComedy Club Stand-Up Comic – FemaleJudy TenutaFunniest Male Performer of the YearRobin WilliamsComedy Club Stand-Up Comic – MaleJerry SeinfeldFunniest Supporting Male Performer – Motion Picture or TVAlbert BrooksBroadcast NewsBilly Crystal – The Princess BrideVincent Gardenia – MoonstruckFunniest Female Performer in a TV Special – Network, Cable or SyndicationRoseanne BarrOn Location: The Roseanne Barr ShowFunniest Male Performer in a TV Special – Network, Cable or SyndicationRobin WilliamsComic Relief '87Funniest Supporting Female Performer – Motion Picture or TVOlympia DukakisMoonstruckCarol Kane – The Princess BrideFunniest Male Performer in a TV Series (Leading Role) – Network, Cable or SyndicationGarry ShandlingIt's Garry Shandling's ShowFunniest Female Performer in a TV Series (Leading Role) – Network, Cable or SyndicationTracey UllmanThe Tracey Ullman Show
Creative Achievement Award Blake Edwards
Lifetime Achievement Award George Burns Imogene Coca
1989 awards Category Winner Work NomineesFunniest Actor in a Motion Picture (Leading Role)Tom HanksBigKevin Kline – A Fish Called WandaRobert De Niro – Midnight RunJohn Cleese – A Fish Called WandaLeslie Nielsen – The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad!Funniest Actress in a Motion Picture (Leading Role)Bette MidlerBig BusinessLily Tomlin – Big BusinessSusan Sarandon – Bull DurhamJamie Lee Curtis – A Fish Called WandaMelanie Griffith – Working GirlFunniest Supporting Actor in a Motion PictureArsenio HallComing to AmericaFunniest Supporting Actress in a Motion PictureJoan CusackWorking GirlFunniest Female Stand-Up ComicRoseanne BarrFunniest Male Stand-Up ComicRobin WilliamsComedy Club Stand-Up Comic – FemalePaula PoundstoneComedy Club Stand-Up Comic – MaleBobby SlaytonFunniest Female Performer in a TV Special – Network, Cable or SyndicationTracey UllmanTracey Ullman: BackstageFunniest Supporting Male Performer in a TV SeriesDana CarveySaturday Night LiveFunniest Male Performer in a TV Special – Network, Cable or SyndicationDavid LettermanLate Show with David Letterman: 6th Anniversary SpecialFunniest Supporting Female Performer in a TV SeriesRhea PerlmanCheersFunniest Male Performer in a TV Series (Leading Role) – Network, Cable or SyndicationJohn GoodmanRoseanneTed Danson – CheersFunniest Female Performer in a TV Series (Leading Role) – Network, Cable or SyndicationRoseanne BarrRoseanneCandice Bergen – Murphy BrownKirstie Alley – Cheers
Creative Achievement Award Neil Simon
Lifetime Achievement Award Katharine Hepburn Red Skelton
1990 awards Category Winner Work NomineesFunniest Actor in a Motion Picture (Leading Role)Billy CrystalWhen Harry Met Sally...Woody Allen – Crimes and Misdemeanors Morgan Freeman – Driving Miss Daisy Steve Martin – Parenthood Jack Nicholson – BatmanFunniest Actress in a Motion Picture (Leading Role)Meg RyanWhen Harry Met Sally...Kirstie Alley – Look Who's Talking Bette Midler – Beaches Michelle Pfeiffer – The Fabulous Baker Boys Jessica Tandy – Driving Miss DaisyFunniest Supporting Actor in a Motion PictureRick MoranisParenthoodDan Aykroyd – Driving Miss Daisy Beau Bridges – The Fabulous Baker Boys Ted Danson – Dad Robin Williams – The Adventures of Baron MunchausenFunniest Supporting Actress in a Motion PictureJulie KavnerNew York StoriesOlympia Dukakis – Steel Magnolias Carrie Fisher – When Harry Met Sally... Shirley MacLaine – Steel Magnolias Dianne Wiest – ParenthoodFunniest Female Stand-Up ComicRita RudnerFunniest Male Stand-Up ComicJeff FoxworthyFunniest Female Performer in a TV Special – Network, Cable or SyndicationCarol BurnettJulie & Carol: Together AgainJane Curtin – Saturday Night Live: 15th Anniversary Whoopi Goldberg – Comic Relief III Andrea Martin – Andrea Martin... Together AgainFunniest Supporting Male Performer in a TV SeriesDana CarveySaturday Night LiveWoody Harrelson – Cheers John Larroquette – Night Court Alex Rocco – The Famous Teddy Z Peter Scolari – NewhartFunniest Male Performer in a TV Special – Network, Cable or SyndicationRobin WilliamsComic Relief IIIBilly Crystal – Billy Crystal: Midnight Train to Moscow Jay Leno – The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson: 27th Anniversary ShowFunniest Supporting Female Performer in a TV SeriesJulie KavnerThe Tracey Ullman ShowJulia Duffy – Newhart Faith Ford – Murphy Brown Jan Hooks – Saturday Night Live Rhea Perlman – CheersFunniest Male Performer in a TV Series (Leading Role) – Network, Cable or SyndicationJohn GoodmanRoseanneTed Danson – Cheers Arsenio Hall – The Arsenio Hall Show Bob Newhart – NewhartFunniest Female Performer in a TV Series (Leading Role) Network, Cable or SyndicationTracey UllmanThe Tracey Ullman ShowKirstie Alley – Cheers Roseanne Barr – RoseanneCandice Bergen – Murphy Brown Betty White – The Golden Girls
Creative Achievement Award Garry Marshall
Lifetime Achievement Award Art Carney Betty White
1991 awards Category Winner Work NomineesFunniest Actor in a Motion Picture (Leading Role)Macaulay CulkinHome AloneGerard Depardieu – Green Card Johnny Depp – Edward Scissorhands Marlon Brando – The Freshman Robin Williams – Cadillac ManFunniest Actress in a Motion Picture (Leading Role)Meryl StreepPostcards From The EdgeMia Farrow – Alice Andie MacDowell – Green Card Julia Roberts – Pretty Woman Tracey Ullman – I Love You To DeathFunniest Supporting Actor in a Motion PictureAl PacinoDick TracyAlan Arkin – Edward Scissorhands Hector Elizondo – Pretty Woman Dustin Hoffman – Dick Tracy Joe Pesci – Home AloneFunniest Supporting Actress in a Motion PictureWhoopi GoldbergGhostJulie Kavner – Alice Shirley MacLaine – Postcards From The Edge Laura San Giacomo – Pretty Woman Dianne Wiest – Edward ScissorhandsFunniest Female Stand-Up ComicEllen DeGeneresDiane FordCathy LadmanCarol LeiferPam StoneFunniest Male Stand-Up ComicDennis WolfbergTim AllenWill DurstBill HicksRichard JeniFunniest Female Performer in a TV Special – Network, Cable or SyndicationLily TomlinAn Evening With... Friends of the EnvironmentMeryl Streep – An Evening with...Funniest Supporting Male Performer in a TV SeriesDana CarveySaturday Night LiveFunniest Male Performer in a TV Special – Network, Cable or SyndicationJonathan WintersJonathan Winters and His Traveling Road ShowFunniest Supporting Female Performer in a TV SeriesEstelle GettyThe Golden GirlsFunniest Male Performer in a TV Series (Leading Role) – Network, Cable or SyndicationTed DansonCheersJohn Goodman – RoseanneFunniest Female Performer in a TV Series (Leading Role) – Network, Cable or SyndicationTracey UllmanThe Tracey Ullman ShowCandice Bergen – Murphy BrownKirstie Alley – CheersRoseanne Barr – Roseanne
Creative Achievement Award Carl Reiner
Lifetime Achievement Award Doris Day Jack Lemmon
1992 awards