Budd Friedman
Budd Friedman | |
|---|---|
| Born | Gerson Merton Friedman June 6, 1932 |
| Died | November 12, 2022 (aged 90) Los Angeles, California, U.S. |
| Occupation(s) | Actor, producer |
| Years active | 1971–2022 |
Gerson Merton Friedman[3] (June 6, 1932 – November 12, 2022), known professionally as Budd Friedman, was an American actor and comedian, as well as the founder and original proprietor and MC of the Improvisation Comedy Club, which opened in 1963, on West 44th Street near the SE corner of 9th Avenue, in the Hell's Kitchen neighborhood of Manhattan. He was instrumental in launching the comedy careers of Rodney Dangerfield, Richard Lewis, Robert Klein, Jay Leno, Andy Kaufman, Freddie Prinze, Steve Landesberg, Jimmie Walker, and for a brief time, managed Bette Midler at the early stages of her career. It was with Friedman's help and guidance that Ms. Midler first appeared on The Tonight Show.
He was also an actor and producer. Friedman also opened Improv clubs at other locations including Pechanga Resort and Casino in Temecula, California, on March 23, 2007, in Los Angeles in 1975, and in Fantasy Springs Resort and Casino in Indio, California.[1][4][citation needed]
Korean War
Friedman served in the infantry in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. He was wounded by an enemy grenade during his first day in action in the summer of 1953 while his unit was assaulting Pork Chop Hill. He was awarded the Purple Heart and the Combat Infantryman Badge (CIB). The ceasefire went into effect while he was still recuperating in the hospital.[5]
Personal life and death
Friedman married Alix Friedman (at the time name Alex Mark) in 1981 and remained with her for an unconfirmed number of years. They had 4 children named Zoe, Beth, Ross, and Dax. Friedman died in Los Angeles on November 12, 2022, at the age of 90 from heart failure.[6][7]
Filmography
Actor
- National Lampoon's Funny Money (2003) ... as Announcer
- Man on the Moon (1999) ... as Himself
- Star 80 (1983) ... as Emcee
- An Evening at the Improv (1982) ... as Host
Producer
- National Lampoon's Funny Money (2003) ... executive producer
- An Evening at the Improv (1982) ... executive producer
Awards and recognition
See also
References
- ^ a b "How Budd Friedman, Founder of the Improv, Basically Invented the Modern Comedy Club". LA Weekly. September 21, 2017. Retrieved June 17, 2022.
- ^ a b "Budd Friedman - 1980 Norwich Native Son - Norwich Rotary Events". Norwich Rotary Events. October 24, 2018. Retrieved November 28, 2018.
- ^ Risen, Clay (October 16, 2022). "Budd Friedman, Who Built an Empire of Comedy Clubs, Dies at 90". The New York Times. Retrieved October 16, 2022.
- ^ A Conversation With Improv Founder Budd Friedman By Nancy Fay Archived July 23, 2007, at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Marc Maron, WTF with Marc Maron Podcast, Episode 339 - Budd Friedman, 20121129
- ^ Barnes, Mike (November 12, 2022). "Budd Friedman, Founder of the Improv, Dies at 90". Retrieved November 13, 2022.
- ^ "Budd Friedman Dies: The Improv Comedy Club Founder Was 90". Deadline. November 12, 2022. Retrieved November 13, 2022.
- ^ "Improv Founder Budd Friedman honored with Golden Goody Award – Goody Awards". goodyawards.com. Retrieved November 28, 2018.
External links
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| National | |
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