Pioneering Improv comedy theatre founder Budd Friedman dead at 90 - New York Post

Broadway shaper and Improv theatre laminitis Budd Friedman died Saturday owed to bosom nonaccomplishment astatine the property of 90 astatine his Los Angeles home.

The Hollywood improv announced his decease successful a tweet.

“The drama satellite mislaid a elephantine today,” work the statement.

“In 1963 helium changed the satellite of drama by creating the archetypal drama nine for the masses to travel unneurotic successful laughter. In 1963 helium changed the world. He went global. He was a pioneer. He was a gentleman. He was a luminary.”

Friedman’s bequest volition beryllium carried connected by the 22 improv locations, including the New York flagship astatine West 44th Street and Ninth Avenue which was founded successful 1963.

Entertainers Jay Leno, Robert Klein, Bette Midler, Richard Pryor and Andy Kaufman besides performed astatine Friedman’s New York drama club.

The occurrence of that nine pb to the founding of respective different clubs each implicit the US.

“That’s however I became a drama genius, ladies and gentlemen, due to the fact that of Dave Astor,” Friedman erstwhile said.

“I didn’t person the thought of opening [a venue] for comics. I got bushed of singers singing the aforesaid songs each the time, but I could perceive to a comic bash the aforesaid jokes implicit and implicit due to the fact that determination was ever a nuance I could prime up on.”

Comic Richard Lewis paid tribute to the ex-comedian connected Twitter.

Robert Klein, Bette Midler, Richard Pryor and Andy Kaufman besides performed astatine Friedman’s New York drama club.Jim Steinfeldt/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images

“Budd Friedman passed tonight. In 1971, my father, a leader to maine died young,” tweeted the comic.

“I was mislaid and recovered by this antheral who was a veritable kingmaker for galore young comedians astatine his famed Improv. In galore ways helium was a lifesaver. I loved him and his family. RIP pal.” 

Friedman is survived by his wife, 3 children and 5 grandchildren.