Top British Comedians Who Were Knownfor Their Outlandish Glasses!

Beyond their unique approach to humour, comedians can also make a lasting impact on audiences through
their physical appearance. This entails not only the facial expressions they make onstage and onscreen but
also the styling choices that make them more recognisable to the public. 

Since glasses are commonly associated with sharp intellect, there’s no denying that other comedians have
also donned eyewear not just to correct their vision but to also maintain their public persona. In this light,
below are top British comedians who wear their glasses confidently and have made them an iconic part of
their image.

Since the beginning of his career as a stand-up comedian and a senior British correspondent on The Daily
Show with Jon Stewart, John Oliver has been wearing glasses for vision correction. He continues to wear
them while he hosts Last Week Tonight with John Oliver on HBO, so much so that a Philippines-based
digital artist’s works of Oliver’s greatest TV moments frequently feature his trademark square-shaped
glasses.

Oliver’s signature glasses were identified to be the Morgenthal Frederics’ Holden frames in Black/Silver,
but similar styles can be found amongst Glasses Direct’s online selection of black glasses. Fans who want
to embody Oliver’s minimalist, understated look—which perfectly complements his blend of sharp wit

and political satire—may consider the square-shaped Henry or the wire-rimmed Digby, both
available in Matte Black colourways. These glasses cater to different prescriptions, including single-vision
and bifocals, with affordable options starting at £9.

Like Oliver, Richard Ayoade has been wearing glasses throughout his career. In fact, his role as Maurice
Moss in the sitcom The IT Crowd was made more effective by glasses, which were the perfect addition to
the socially awkward IT technician’s wardrobe. 

The British comedian and actor has also branched out into directing, having directed and co-written the
upcoming film The Semplica Girl Diaries, adapted from George Saunders’s short story of the same name.
Even then, he still wears glasses, though more mature and elevated than the rectangular frames he wore
for his beloved TV character. As Ayoade’s career has progressed, his eyewear choices have evolved from
awkward to sophisticated. One of his most iconic pairs is the Thor model from the optical brand Kirk &
Kirk, which specialises in bespoke Italian acrylic frames.

Best known for co-writing and co-directing the hit TV series The Office, Stephen Merchant stands out
among fellow celebrities not only for his height but also his glasses, which are usually rectangular and in
neutral colours like black, grey, and brown. Interestingly, the award-winning English comedian, actor,
director, and writer has revealed that he continues to wear even though he doesn’t need them
anymore.

At one of his comedy shows, Merchant explained that he had eye surgery to correct his vision but still
wears glasses to remain recognisable to others. Even though he also poked fun at his starkly different
appearance without glasses, this proves how something as simple as eyewear can make a significant
difference in how comedians are perceived by the general public.

Clearly, comedians know how to balance the practicality and style of glasses to better express their stage
or onscreen persona. If you enjoyed this article, continue reading the British Comedy Guide for more
insightful news and features on everything comedy.