straight man

noun

an entertainer who plays the part of a foil for a comic partner.

Origin

1925-30

British Dictionary definitions for straight man

noun

a subsidiary actor who acts as stooge to a comedian

Slang definitions & phrases for straight man

noun

A comedian's interlocutor and companion, who acts as the foil; stooge: The late George Burns was the archetypal straight man (1923+ Show business)