Friedman helped launch the careers of everyone from Richard Pryor and Andy Kaufman to Bette Midler and Robin Williams.
Plus, Adam Sandler’s personal tribute.
After graduating high school, he enlisted in the army and fought in the Korean War.
Budd Friedman, comedy icon and founder of The Improv, dies at 90.David Livingston/Getty
“I didn’t have the idea of opening [a venue] for comics.
“The comedy world lost a giant today,” The Hollywood Improvtweeted.
In 1963 he changed the world.
He was a pioneer.
He was a gentleman.
He was a luminary.”
Can’t thank this man enough for what he gave to all of us.
All the stage time.
A place for comedians to hang out and talk about nothing but comedy."
Friedman and Saundors divorced in 1992, and she got the original Improv in the settlement.
Then in 2018, Friedman and his business partner Mark Lonow sold the franchise to Levity Entertainment Group.
He is survived by his wife Alix, four children, and five grandchildren.
