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EXCLUSIVE: Just for Laughs has made its New Faces selections for 2026, pinch 47 comedic artists successful this year’s class, betwixt nan stand-ups, characters, creators and writers programs.
On nan Stand-Ups database are 2 comics highlighted precocious by Deadline: Englishman Red Richardson, who made our database of nan Comics to Keep an Eye connected successful 2026, and Mario Adrion, a German-American comic spotlighted successful our Comedy Means Business newsletter successful narration to his debut special, My Struggle.
Since its inception successful 1994, JFL’s New Faces of Comedy Showcase has been regarded arsenic a premier launchpad, helping propel nan careers of dozens of comedy’s biggest stars, including Kevin Hart, Amy Schumer, Colin Jost, Ali Wong, Jerrod Carmichael and Jack Whitehall, among galore others.
“Each year, New Faces introduces audiences to nan adjacent procreation of superb drama talent from astir nan globe, and 2026 is nary exception,” said Nick Brazao, VP of Programming & Talent astatine Just for Laughs. “This year’s performers are sharp, original and hilarious. We’re proud to connection them this level to show audiences really agleam nan early of drama is.”
Just for Laugh’s New Faces showcases are taking spot arsenic portion of nan festival’s ComedyPRO programming betwixt July 22 and July 25. The fest kicked disconnected connected July 15 and runs done nan 26th.
Just for Laughs has been holding its flagship Montreal show — nan world’s largest for drama — since 1983. Sylvain Parent Bédard’s Quebec-based ComediHa acquired nan institution successful 2024. This year, JFL has welcomed SMOSH arsenic its New Faces: Creators partner for a 2nd consecutive year, pinch Michael Showalter and Jordana Mollick’s Semi-Formal Productions signing connected for a caller business connected New Faces: Writers.
View nan afloat 2026 New Faces lineup below.
NEW FACES: STAND UPS
Ainsley Bailey
Alon Elian
Andrew Packer
Carolina Montesquieu
Chris Renois
Cristina Mariani
David Drake
Elijah Nevels
Elle Orlando
Elouise Eftos
Esteban Gast
Fiona Cauley
Freddie Shanel
Gary Simons
Gus Tate
Hannah Veldhoen
Hassan Phills
Helen Bauer
Jack Hirschfield
Jackson Banks
Joe Marrese
Joey Dardano
Jonis Josef
Kenny Lee
Mario Adrion
Mark Thomson
Mitchell Doran
Nicky Paris
Peyton Ruddy
Red Richardson
Tessa Belle
NEW FACES: CHARACTERS
Annie Sullivan
Caitlin Frain
Clare McConnell
George C. Owens
Jesse Kendall
Jon Blair
Russell Daniels
Tiyawnda
NEW FACES: CREATORS successful business pinch SMOSH
Lucas Lopez
Lucy Sandwick
Pooja Tripathi
Tom Cardy
NEW FACES: WRITERS successful business pinch Semi-Formal Productions
Austin S. Harris (The Hayes House is Haunted)
Elliot Connors (Omni)
Jenna Ebersberger (Me & Marie)
Mike Liebenson (Midwestern Realty)
