Chris Fleming, who went from YouTube sensation to hosting his HBO Chris Fleming: Live at the Palace special, is set to receive the comedy performance of the year at the Just For Laughs festival. He will also perform his live comedy show at the Montreal festival.
In other prize-giving at the festival’s industry event set to run July 22 to 25, Atsuko Okasuka, another viral comic with Hulu and HBO comedy specials among her credits, will receive the breakout comedy star of the year trophy. Canadian actress and comic Lisa Gilroy (Jury Duty, Brooklyn Nine-Nine) will be honored as the rising comedy star of the year, and stand up veteran Gabriel “Fluffy” Iglesias, coming off his Netflix special. Gabriel Iglesias: Legend of Fluffy, will receive the Generation Award.
Elsewhere, former Just For Laughs programming topper Bruce Hills will receive the JFL Legacy Tribute Award.
Nick Brazao, vp of programming and talent at the comedy festival in a statement said: “The Just For Laughs Award honorees each represent a different facet of comedy’s evolution, from global icons who have redefined what’s possible, to groundbreaking voices who are pushing the art form in exciting new directions. We look forward to celebrating their immense 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 Soresi and Jay Jurden will deliver this year’s State of the Industry address, which roasts the comedy business, and ComedyPro will showcase select comic shorts and pilots in partnership with Will Arnett’s Electric Avenue.
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