[brodouevencode]

Exactly this. Bill Burr spent many, many years as an opener for other people way less funny than him. Dave Chappelle was in several bit parts and pilots before Half Baked. Richard Pryor was a writer for several years before even starting stand up. George Carlin in his early career is not the Carlin you may have seen, in the ~mid-70s after about a decade he completely changed his look and act. It may take a long time to hone in on an act that works.

[slg]

Chappelle is an interesting example here. He was doing standup on TV and staring in a Mel Brooks movie before he turned 20. But he also wasn't an overnight success. He supposedly started standup at 14 and spent years honing his craft before most comedians even start their career.

Most comics I have heard talk about it say a person needs to do standup for 5-10 years before even naturally funny people actually become good at it. There is much more to it than just being a funny person.

[nickthemagicman]

Being a funny person is the pre requisite.

[WalterBright]

No wonder nobody laughs at my jokes!