Chris Fleming, who moved from YouTube to hosting HBO Chris Fleming: Living in the Palace In particular, he is set to receive Comedy Performance of the Year at the Just For Laughs Festival. He will also perform his live comedy show at the Montreal Festival.
In the other awards ceremony at the festival’s industry event scheduled for July 22-25, Atsuko Okasuka, another viral comedian with Hulu and HBO comedy specials among her credits, will take home the Outstanding Comedy Star of the Year award. Canadian actress and comedian Lisa Gilroy (Jury Duty, Brooklyn Nine-Nine) will be honored as Rising Comedy Star of the Year, and veteran Gabriel “Fluffy” Iglesias will be coming off her own Netflix show. Gabriel Iglesias: The Slave Legend, He will receive the Generation Award
Elsewhere, former Just For Laughs frontman Bruce Hills will receive the JFL Legacy Tribute Award.
“Each of the Just For Laughs Award winners represents a different side of the evolution of comedy, from global icons who have redefined what is possible, to pioneering voices pushing the art form in exciting new directions,” Nick Brazow, vice president of programming and talent at the Comedy Festival, said in a statement. “We look forward to celebrating their tremendous contribution to the comedy industry.”
The Just For Laughs award show will be part of the ComedyPRO 2026 industry programming in Montreal.
As part of the program, Gianmarco Sorrisi and Jay Jordan will deliver this year’s State of the Industry address, grilling comedic acts, and ComedyPro will screen select comedy shorts and pilots in partnership with Will Arnett’s Electric Avenue.
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