THE IMPROV

'The Improv' is a comedy club founded in 1963 in New York City. A second location was opened in 1974 at 8162 Melrose Avenue in the Fairfax District of Los Angeles, California.
Started by Budd Friedman, it was the place to see Richard Pryor, Robert Klein, Steve Landesberg, Bette Midler, Lily Tomlin, Jay Leno, and others when they were just starting out. Dustin Hoffman played piano there.
On any given night in the later 1970's, one could see Gilbert Gottfried, Joe Piscopo, Bruce Mahler, Steve Wishman, Mark Schiff, Larry David, and many others. Often famous comedians would walk in to "work out" before appearances on the Tonight Show. It was not unusual to find celebrities in the audience.
Nearly every big name in show business has played The Improv, including Milton Berle, Drew Carey, George Carlin, Chevy Chase, Bill Cosby, Billy Crystal, Rodney Dangerfield, David Letterman, Steve Martin, Freddie Prinze, Joan Rivers, Jerry Seinfeld, and Lily Tomlin.
Even Liza Minnelli appeared at The Improv, and Jim Carrey bombed on his first appearance at the club.
New and upcoming performers such as Dane Cook and Pablo Francisco,have performed there as well. Comedy Central's Dave Attell also frequents Improv locations in Tampa and Hollywood.
Comedian Eddie Murphy was a regular at The Comic Strip in New York, but in California performed at the Improv when he was only 16 years old, Jeremy Ruder at 18, and Jim Carrey at 19.
The Improv has a bar and a restaurant named "Hell's Kitchen" that features Italian entrees named for comedy stars, such as ''Billy Crystal's Gnocchi Alla Bolognese'' and ''Tim Allen's Eggplant Parmigiana''. Actresses Karen Black and Debra Winger worked there as waitresses before getting their big breaks as movie stars.

Contents

References

References

★ Improv website history

★ Interview with Chris Albrecht

★ article about Improv founder Budd Friedman