We’re now 10 DAYS till Gator Growl 2012 and to celebrate, we’re giving you TEN of the best comedians Growl has featured in its history.
10. Bob Hope
Bob Hope was the symbol of comedy for an entire generation of Americans, and continued to entertain soldiers on his USO tours even as he neared a 100 years of age.
9. Jay Leno
Before he became NBC’s late-night host and Johnny Carson’s Tonight Show successor, he played the Swamp at Gator Growl!
8. Daniel Tosh
Tosh, a former UCF student, made the trek to Gainesville to play Growl before he turned his shtick to viral videos on Comedy Central’s Tosh.0.
7. Jim Gaffigan
Gaffigan’s observational comedy continues to entertain fans even after his Growl performance with his platinum-selling album Beyond the Pale.
6. Tracy Morgan
Okay, so he hasn’t played Growl just yet, but his various roles on Saturday Night Live and his memorable performance on 30 Rock earn him a spot on this list.
5. Dave Chapelle
Chapelle’s Show on Comedy Central inspired a generation of jokes that crossed boundaries and united his fans.
4. Aziz Ansari
After Growl, Aziz continues to be a huge stand-up draw, and keeps his fans laughing with his role on NBC’s Parks and Recreation.
3. Kevin Hart
Hart, Aziz’s partner at Growl, continues to experience success: he’s been featured in various roles on film and TV after playing in 2010.
2. Jerry Seinfeld
Before the show about nothing existed, Seinfeld played Growl. Then his namesake TV show transformed the 1990s.
1. Bill Cosby
You’ve gotta make it big to play Gator Growl. You’ve gotta be really big to play twice. Bill Cosby, a comedy supernova, played Gator Growl in 1984 and 2002, and has inspired a generation of comedians and fans.
