Biography
Gerson Merton Friedman (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.
Filmography
all 14
Movies 13
self 7
TV Shows 1
Producer 1
The Improv: 50 Years Behind the Brick Wall (2013)
Funny People (2009)
The Boneyard Collection (2008)
Laughing Out Loud: America's Funniest Comedians (2001)
Man on the Moon (1999)
That's Adequate (1989)
Star 80 (1983)
Information
Known ForActing
Birthday1932-06-06
Deathday2022-11-12 (90 years old)
Birth NameGerson M. Friedman
CitizenshipsUnited States of America
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