The Improv facts for kids

L.A. Improv on Melrose Avenue in Los Angeles

Irvine Improv

The Improv is a famous chain of comedy clubs. It began as one small club in New York City in 1963. Later, in the late 1970s, it grew into many clubs across the country.

History of The Improv

How The Improv Started

The Improv first opened its doors on April 20, 1963. It was a small club in the Hell's Kitchen area of New York City. Budd Friedman and his future wife, Silver Saundors, started it. At first, it was a place for Broadway performers to relax after their shows. They could also sing or play music on an open mic.

From Music to Comedy

In 1964, Dave Astor was the first comedian to perform there. Over time, more and more comedians started using The Improv. It became a popular spot for them to try out new jokes. TV shows like The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson would send people to find new funny acts. By the 1970s, The Improv was mostly known for stand-up comedy.

Growing Across the Country

In 1974, a second Improv club opened in Los Angeles, California. This helped the club become even more famous. In 1979, Mark Lonow joined Budd Friedman to help run the Los Angeles club. They worked together to make The Improv a successful chain of clubs.

The Improv on TV

In 1982, the Los Angeles Improv became the home for a TV show. It was called An Evening at the Improv and aired on the A&E Network. The show ran for many years, until 1996. Budd Friedman was often the host for the show. Since then, more Improv locations have opened in different cities. In 2014, Budd Friedman sold the Improv chain to a company called Levity Live.

Famous Performances at The Improv

Stars Who Started Here

Many famous comedians performed at The Improv when they were just beginning. Some of these stars include Richard Pryor, Bette Midler, Lily Tomlin, and Jay Leno. Even Dustin Hoffman played the piano there before he became a famous actor.

Comedy Legends on Stage

In the late 1970s, you might have seen Robin Williams, Larry David, or Gilbert Gottfried perform. Famous comedians would often drop by to practice their jokes. They would do this before appearing on The Tonight Show. It was also common to see other celebrities in the audience.

Many Big Names

Almost every major comedian has performed at The Improv. This includes stars like George Carlin, Billy Crystal, Rodney Dangerfield, Jerry Seinfeld, and Drew Carey. Even young comedians like Jeremy Ruder (at 18) and Jim Carrey (at 19) performed there.

Other Talented People

Some people who later became famous worked at The Improv in other jobs. For example, Karen Black and Debra Winger worked as waitresses. Barry Manilow was a musician there. Many new and rising comedians still perform at Improv clubs today.

Improv Locations

Current Locations

Here are some of the Improv clubs that are open today:

Past Locations

These are some of the Improv clubs that are no longer open:

See also

In Spanish: The Improv para niños

• List of New York Improv comedians
• Traffic School by Improv