The Improv

8162 Melrose Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90046 United States Get Directions

323-651-2583

8162 Melrose Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90046

hollywood la improv

Come to the Hollywood Improv – the stage for the most important live venue for new comedians!

For over half a century, the Improvisation Comedy Clubs have remained the premier stages for live comedy in the United States. Over the decades, the talent who have graced our stages represent the Who’s Who in American comedy, including Richard Pryor, Billy Crystal, Lily Tomlin, Freddie Prinze, Andy Kaufman, Eddie Murphy, Jerry Seinfeld, Tim Allen, Jay Leno, Chris Rock, Dane Cook, Ellen DeGeneres, Jamie Foxx, Adam Sandler, Jeff Dunham, and Dave Chappelle.

The Improvisation was founded in New York City by Broadway producer Budd Friedman. Budd hoped for a place where Broadway performers could meet after their shows in an intimate setting where performers could simply eat, drink coffee (the Improvisation did not yet have a liquor license), and, most importantly, sing. The Improvisation quickly gained attention as the gathering spot where young Broadway artists would hold sing-alongs into the wee hours. Budd has a very vivid memory of Judy Garland and Liza Minnelli singing, accompanied at the piano by Peter Allen.

hollywood improv scene

Comedy Boom of the ’80s

In the 1980s, spurred by the growth of cable television and movies, comedy dominated pop culture. Robin Williams was on the cover of virtually every magazine for his movie roles. Along with “An Evening at the Improv,” there were widely popular HBO comedy specials and the comedy juggernaut, “Saturday Night Live.”

The Improv began expanding its comedy empire. After seventeen years of going solo and running the club on a modest budget, Budd realized that he needed some support.

Suddenly, comedy fans across the country were able to see their favorite comedians in an intimate club setting. For the grand opening of the Improv in San Diego, Robin Williams performed and was surprised onstage by his idol, Jonathon Winters. They performed together for the very first time.

hollywood improv crowd

Improv on the Big and Little Screens

The Improv has long been as much a part of Hollywood as any other establishment. We’ve been the site of hundreds of tapings for both film and television, not to mention countless comedy recordings. The critically acclaimed “Funny People” was the latest movie to be filmed at the Hollywood Improv, but other movies such as “Man on the Moon,” “The Aristocrats”, Robert Townsend’s ”Hollywood Shuffle,” and “The Goodbye Girl” also had major scenes shot at the Improv.

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For television – other than the 400+ hours of ‘An Evening at the Improv’– we’ve been featured on Last Comic Standing (which has taped in multiple Improv locations) and dozens of comedy specials on HBO, Showtime, and Comedy Central. Other shows include A&E’s “Gene Simmons’ Family Jewels,” E!’s ”Denise Richards: It’s Complicated”, the NBC series “Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip,” as well as our own HBO’s “An All-star Toast to the Improv” and “The Improv 40th Anniversary Special” on NBC.