Funny Men Punch Above Their Weight in Dating, Study Finds

According to a study published in November 2025, women are more likely to date funny men who are less attractive than themselves, while men are willing to sacrifice their own looks to be with attractive partners. The research, conducted by experts from the University of New Mexico and Queensland University, surveyed over 1,200 heterosexual adults in the UK.

The findings suggest that women rate their own attractiveness as more important, with a score of 7.01 out of 11, compared to men who scored their beauty at just 4.77. Conversely, men valued their own humor more highly, with a score of 7.08, while women's desire to be funny was lower at 5.81.

This dynamic helps explain some peculiar celebrity pairings, like the nine-month relationship between comedian Pete Davidson and socialite Kim Kardashian. It also sheds light on the marriages of other famous comedians, such as Ricky Gervais and Sacha Baron Cohen, who have dated women typically considered more attractive than them.

The researchers conclude that the intrinsic value of attractiveness is much greater for women, as it is a predictor of fertility, which is the "currency of evolution." Meanwhile, men's desire to be attractive is largely driven by the goal of dating attractive women.