Jack Benny influenced several comedians and transitively influenced most famous comedians still today.

Here on All of the Classics, we take a look at the audio version of my presentation on how Jack Benny changed modern comedy. If you don't know who Jack Benny is and you are a comedian, I suggest at least checking him out. He may not make you laugh, but his comic devices are superb. 

 Johnny Carson idolized Jack Benny. Carson in turn, inspired hundreds of young comics, but notably David Letterman who inspired Conan O'Brien. 

We explore the comic origins of some of the top influential comedians of all time.

But I will say that I gave an exception for black and women performers---they are less likely to trace their inspiration back to Benny.