Arts & Entertainment

It's where many of today's stars were born and continue to shine. The World Famous Improv Comedy Showcase has been the career launching pad for dozens of the familiar faces of television and film. Before becoming a cast member on NBC's "Saturday Night Live", David Spade was a "local comedian" at the Improv, in Tempe, Arizona, hosting shows regularly. Improv alumni include Lily Tomlin, Robin Williams, Jonathan Winters, Adam Sandler, Jerry Seinfeld, Drew Carey and the list goes on. Today, the Improv continues to showcase performers well on their way to join the ranks of the Improv's famous veterans.

The Improv was established in 1963, in New York City, by owner and founder Budd Friedman. Friedman's vision was to provide a venue where aspiring performers could showcase their talent before an audience and the entertainment industry. Friedman's concept flourished in New York and he decided to take it to the West Coast, where an entertainment community called Hollywood was quickly prospering. Again, Friedman's Improv was met with much success, becoming synonymous in the entertainment industry as the exclusive venue for up and coming performers.

In the early 1980's, the Arts & Entertainment Network began airing "An Evening at the Improv", a weekly comedy feature which was taped at the Hollywood Improv and hosted by Budd Friedman and a number of celebrity guests. With the widespread availability of cable television to almost every home in America, Budd Friedman's face and signature monocle became as well known to viewers as Johnny Carson and Ed Sullivan. "An Evening at the Improv" offered television exposure to lesser known comics and brought stand-up comedy into homes across the country.

It was also during the 1980's that the Improv began expanding its comedy empire. Visionary Budd Friedman franchised the Improv, opening locations in San Francisco, San Diego, Brea, Irvine, Tempe, Washington D.C., Dallas, Addison, Cleveland, Miami, Las Vegas, Reno and across the Atlantic in London, England. The Improv's intimate club setting welcomed the public giving comedy lovers an opportunity to see their favorite comic up close and in person in their own city.

In 1987, franchisee Mark Wilson Anderson opened his first Orange County Improv in Irvine, California. For the first time Orange County residents had a slice of Hollywood I their own backyard. A pre-sitcom Jerry Seinfeld was the Irvine Improv's Grand Opening Night's headlining comedian. Since that amazing summer night in 1987, the Improv has been providing Orange County with some of the biggest and brightest stars in entertainment.

To the delight of north Orange County residents, Anderson opened another Improv in Brea, California in 1991. Since its opening, well-known comedians and actors have graced the Brea Improv's stage drawing audiences from Los Angeles County, the Inland Empire and Riverside County. Such stars as Jeff Foxworthy, Damon Wayans, Jamie Foxx, Jay Mohr, Kevin Pollak, Tim Allen, Ellen Degeneres, Margaret Cho and dozens of others have offered the little town of Brea "Hollywood" style recognition and media attention. The Brea Improv's state of the art sound and video system was ideal for Special Events and recording. Both Showtime Cable Network and Comedy Central, cable's popular all-comedy channel had chosen the Brea Improv to tape several television specials. A handful of comedians have also found the Brea Improv to be a great venue to record their comedy CD's. Bobby Collins, Pablo Francisco and Jeff Garcia are just a few of the comics to immortalize the laughter of the Brea Improv's audiences on CD.

In 2000-2002 Al Copeland Investments took an ownership position in 5 of the Improv Comedy Clubs located in the Hollywood, Brea, Ontario, San Jose and Irvine, California as well as clubs in Baltimore. MD and Pittsburgh, PA.

In an ever-changing entertainment industry, the Improv continues to maintain its position as America's Original Comedy Showcase. Hollywood's talent management and agencies, actors, comedians and performers consider the Improv the premiere venue for showcasing new talent. The Improv's reputation has also attracted a star-studded audience over the years. Some of the famous faces in the audience include John Travolta, David Ducovney, Will Smith, Jasmine Guy, Shaquille O'Neill and many more. With some of Hollywood's biggest stars lighting up our stage, The Improv is bound to attract some of the brightest stars through our doors!