Exclusive: Just for Laughs has selected the New Faces of 2026, with 47 comedians in this year’s class, between comedy shows, personalities, creators and writers.
Also on the list are two comics that Deadline recently highlighted: Englishman Reed Richardson, who made our list of comics to watch in 2026, and Mario Adrion, a German-American comic who was highlighted on our list. Comedy means business Newsletter regarding his first special appearance, My struggle.
Since its inception in 1994, JFL’s New Faces of Comedy Showcase has served as a major launching pad, helping propel the careers of dozens of comedy’s biggest stars, including Kevin Hart, Amy Schumer, Colin Jost, Ali Wong, Jerrod Carmichael, and Jack Whitehall, among many others.
“Every year, New Faces introduces audiences to the next generation of amazing comedic talent from around the world, and 2026 is no exception,” said Nick Brazao, Vice President of Programming and Talent at Just for Laughs. “This year’s performers are smart, authentic and funny. We’re proud to offer them this platform to show audiences just how bright the future of comedy is.”
Just for Laugh’s New Faces shows as part of the festival’s ComedyPRO programming from July 22-25. The festival started on July 15 and continues until July 26.
Just for Laughs has been holding its flagship festival in Montreal – the world’s largest comedy festival – since 1983. Sylvain Parent-Bedard’s Quebec-based ComediHa acquired the company in 2024. This year, JFL welcomed SMOSH as a New Faces: Writers partner for the second year in a row, with Michael Showalter and Jordana Mollick’s Semi-Formal Productions signing a new partnership in New Faces: Writers.
See the full 2026 New Faces lineup below.
New Faces: Stand Up
Ainsley Bailey
Alon Elian
Andrew Packer
Carolina Montesquieu
Chris Renweiss
Christina Mariani
David Drake
Elijah Nevils
El orlando
Always aftos
Esteban is a guest
Fiona Cooley
Freddy Chanel
Gary Simmons
Gus Tate
Hannah Veldhoen
Hassan Fels
Helen Power
Jack Hirschfield
Jackson Banks
Joe Marcy
Joey Dardano
jones joseph
Kenny Lee
Mario Adrion
Mark Thompson
Mitchell Doran
Nikki Paris
Peyton Rudy
Reed Richardson
Tessa Bell
New Faces: Characters
Annie sullivan
Caitlin Frain
Claire McConnell
George C. Owens
Jesse Kendall
John Blair
Russell Daniels
Tiaounda
New Faces: Creators in partnership with SMOSH
Lucas Lopez
Lucy Sandwick
Pooja Tripathi
Tom Cardi
New Faces: A book in partnership with Semi-Formal Productions
Austin S. Harris (Hays Haunted House)
Elliot Connors (Omni)
Jenna Ebersberger (Mary and Me)
Mike Leibenson (Midwestern Realty)
This story originated as part of Deadline Comedy means business Newsletter. Register here.
