As awareness around representation of performers with disabilities has slowly increased in mainstream media outlets, so has the visibility of comedians with disabilities. Reality television competitions introduced comedians like Josh Blue, Zach Anner, and Ryan Niemiller to a broad audience, while Maysoon Zayid and Liz Carr appeared in roles on major scripted television shows. Here are four comedians with disabilities to follow in 2020:
Liz Carr is known to many as the character Clarissa on the BBC One drama Silent Witness, but she is also an accomplished comedian, performing her stand-up routine in venues all over the world for over 15 years. She is the creator of Assisted Suicide: The Musical
Selene Luna may be best recognized as the voice of Tía Rosita in the animated film Coco. The comedian and actress has toured extensively with Margaret Cho and filmed her first hour-long stand-up special, entitled Selene Luna: Pretty Special, in front of a live audience in Los Angeles last year.
Steve Way appears in the critically-acclaimed show Ramy (streaming on Hulu), playing opposite his real-life best friend, Golden Globe-winner Ramy Youssef. Way, who has muscular dystrophy, recently signed on to star in a new show for Apple TV Plus that is in development.
Maysoon Zayid leapt into the spotlight when her 2014 TED Talk, entitled “I got 99 problems…palsy is just one,” went viral. Now, the comedian, actor, writer, and disability advocate tours the United States for stand-up and speaking engagements. She also has a recurring role on General Hospital and released her audio memoir, Find Another Dream, in late 2019.