Karen Williams: I Had To Laugh
Karen Williams burst onto the San Francisco Bay Area comedy circuit in the early 1980s. As the country’s first openly lesbian Black comic to use specifically lesbian material, Karen’s humor was unlike any other. A feminist and LGBTQ+ rights activist, Williams became known for her quick repartee and insightful commentary. But while her popularity as a performer grew, off-stage she was a single mom, struggling to raise her children. In 1988, Karen founded the HaHa Institute, dedicated to helping others find healing through humor. Award-winning director Andrea Meyerson brings Karen Williams' story to the screen, covering her hard-fought battle to break into male-dominated comedy clubs and the joy that has guided her through it all. Rarely-seen vintage performance footage woven together with interviews from family members and industry colleagues—including Kate Clinton, Marga Gomez, and Diane Amos, as well as Karen herself—reveal the life of this amazingly creative and prolific woman.
Director(s)
Andrea Meyerson
Gives off similar vibes
Karen Williams: I Had To Laugh FAQs
Andrea Meyerson is the director of Karen Williams: I Had To Laugh.
The cast of Karen Williams: I Had To Laugh includes Marga Gómez, Karen Williams, Diane Amos, Kate Clinton, Karen Ripley, Linda Moakes, and Andrea Meyerson.
The duration of Karen Williams: I Had To Laugh is 1h 12 mins.
Karen Williams: I Had To Laugh was released on 19 Sep 2026.
Karen Williams: I Had To Laugh is listed under Documentary on Fanbiz.
