Budd M. Friedman (born as Gerson M. Friedman on June 6, 1932 in Los
Angeles, California) is best known 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 is also
an actor and producer. Friedman also opened an Improv club at Pechanga
Resort and Casino in Temecula, California. as well as Fantasy Springs
Resort and Casino in Indio, California.Friedman served in the infantry
in the US 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.
Angeles, California) is best known 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 is also
an actor and producer. Friedman also opened an Improv club at Pechanga
Resort and Casino in Temecula, California. as well as Fantasy Springs
Resort and Casino in Indio, California.Friedman served in the infantry
in the US 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.
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