Budd Friedman
Born
Gerson Merton Friedman

(1932-06-06)June 6, 1932
Norwich, Connecticut, U.S.[1][2]
DiedNovember 12, 2022(2022-11-12) (aged 90)
Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Occupation(s)Actor, producer
Years active1971–2022

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]

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 his first wife, Silver Saundors, they divorced in 1979.[6][7]

Friedman married Alix Friedman (nee 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.[8][9]

Filmography

Actor

Producer

Awards and recognition

  • Norwich (Connecticut) Native Son Award (1980)[2]
  • Golden Goody Award (2013)[10]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 "How Budd Friedman, Founder of the Improv, Basically Invented the Modern Comedy Club". LA Weekly. September 21, 2017. Retrieved June 17, 2022.
  2. 1 2 "Budd Friedman - 1980 Norwich Native Son - Norwich Rotary Events". Norwich Rotary Events. October 24, 2018. Retrieved November 28, 2018.
  3. ↑ 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.
  4. ↑ A Conversation With Improv Founder Budd Friedman By Nancy Fay Archived July 23, 2007, at the Wayback Machine
  5. ↑ Marc Maron, WTF with Marc Maron Podcast, Episode 339 - Budd Friedman, 20121129
  6. ↑ "Ten Things We Leared from 'The Improv'". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved April 19, 2022.
  7. ↑ https://www.nytimes.com/2022/12/09/theater/silver-saundors-friedman-dead.html
  8. ↑ Barnes, Mike (November 12, 2022). "Budd Friedman, Founder of the Improv, Dies at 90". Retrieved November 13, 2022.
  9. ↑ "Budd Friedman Dies: The Improv Comedy Club Founder Was 90". Deadline. November 12, 2022. Retrieved November 13, 2022.
  10. ↑ "Improv Founder Budd Friedman honored with Golden Goody Award – Goody Awards". goodyawards.com. Retrieved November 28, 2018.
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