Physical comedy is a form of

comedy Comedy is a genre of fiction that consists of discourses or works intended to be humorous or amusing by inducing laughter, especially in theatre, film, stand-up comedy, television, radio, books, or any other entertainment medium. The term o ...

focused on manipulation of the body for a humorous effect. It can include slapstick, clowning, mime, physical stunts, or making funny faces. Physical comedy originated as part of the Commedia dell'arte. It is now sometimes incorporated into sitcoms; for example, in the sitcom Three's Company, actor John Ritter frequently performed pratfalls (landing on the buttocks). Cartoons, particularly film shorts, also commonly depict an exaggerated form of physical comedy (incorporating

cartoon physics Cartoon physics or animation physics are terms for a jocular system of laws of physics (and biology) that supersedes the normal laws, used in animation for humorous effect. Many of the most famous American animated films, particularly those from ...

), such as in

Tom and Jerry ''Tom and Jerry'' is an American animated media franchise and series of comedy short films created in 1940 by William Hanna and Joseph Barbera. Best known for its 161 theatrical short films by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, the series centers on the ...

and Wile E. Coyote and the Road Runner. Slapstick elements include the trip, the slip, the

double take Double take may refer to: Films, radio, and television * ''Double Take'' (1998 film), a 1998 thriller * ''Double Take'' (2001 film), a 2001 comedy * ''Double Take'' (2009 film), a 2009 film * Double Take (American TV series), a 2018 hidden cam ...

, the collide, the fall (or faint), and the roar.

Examples

Charlie Chaplin Sir Charles Spencer Chaplin Jr. (16 April 188925 December 1977) was an English comic actor, filmmaker, and composer who rose to fame in the era of silent film. He became a worldwide icon through his screen persona, the Tramp, and is conside ...

started his film career as a physical comedian; although he developed additional means of comic expression, Chaplin's mature works continued to contain elements of slapstick. Other comedians to employ physical comedy as a medium for their characters include Don Knotts, Jerry Lewis, Danny Kaye Martin Short , . Benny Hill,

Lucille Ball Lucille Désirée Ball (August 6, 1911 – April 26, 1989) was an American actress, comedienne and producer. She was nominated for 13 Primetime Emmy Awards, winning five times, and was the recipient of several other accolades, such as the Gold ...

, Harpo Marx The Three Stooges, Abbott and Costello Laurel and Hardy Buster Keaton Keystone Kops Mark Twins, In sitcoms, the use of physical comedy was seen in, for example, In the movies, physical comedy is used by, for example,

References

Comedy genres Slapstick comedy {{Comedy-stub

Examples

See also

References