Budd Friedman died on Saturday in Los Angeles. He was the man who started the careers of many well-known comedians. He turned 90 this year. Adam Sandler was happy to meet Friedman, who helped him become known in the comedy world. “Bud Friedman. Sandler wrote on Twitter on Sunday, “I am so thankful for the kindness this man has shown to all of us.” All stage times for “A Comedy House.”
Friedman opened the first Improv in New York City in 1963. In 1974, he opened the second one on Melrose Avenue in West Hollywood. He was the first person to manage Bette Midler and helped Richard Pryor, Jay Leno, Jerry Seinfeld, Chris Rock, Larry David, and Andy Kaufman get started in the business.
Budd Friedman, who started The Improv, passed away on Saturday. He was 90 years old. Adam Sandler is just one of many famous people honoring the legend.
The Hollywood improv shared a clip of Friedman talking about how his goal of bringing people together through comedy “changed the world.” The club wrote, “The comedy world has lost a giant.” “In 1963, when he opened the first comedy club that made many people laugh, he changed the comedy world. In 1963, he made a big difference. He went global. He was an early mover. He was a nice guy. He was a great person.”
The Hollywood Reporter said that Friedman died of a heart attack. Jay Leno wrote the introduction to his 2017 book, The Improv: An Oral History of the Comedy Club That Revolutionized Stand-Up.
In the book, he wrote: “From the moment he walked in, it was clear to me and everyone else that he was going to be a superstar, maybe one of the best we’d ever seen. Of course, he turned out to be more real than we thought.”
Bud’s comedy career began when he opened a place in Manhattan where Broadway artists could perform after their shows. Liza Minnelli was hired to sing, Barry Manilow to play the piano, Rodney Dangerfield as the host, and Danny Aiello as a bodyguard.
Rob Schneider sent out a tweet that said, “Bud Friedman died yesterday. Bud created the modern stand-up comedy club from scratch. He made it possible for me and many others to make money doing what we love.
Bud’s help and kindness made it possible for me to follow my dreams and be found. Richard Lewis wrote in his 1971 book The Hero that Friedman became a father after his father died.
“In his famous improv, this man was a real kingmaker for many young comedians, and I got lost and found him again,” Lewis wrote on Twitter. “He saved my life in many ways. I love him and all of his family. Guys, rest in peace.” George Wallace gave Friedman a picture and wrote, “One day, we’ll all have light.