Comedian
The Resume
(March 9, 1934-March 4, 1999)
Born in Manhattan, Kansas
Member of the Second City comedy troupe
Appeared in the films 'Ferris Bueller's Day Off' (1986), 'Light of Day' (1987), 'Fat Man and Little Boy' (1989) and 'The Public Eye' (1992)
Recorded the album 'How to Speak Hip' (1959)
Co-founder of the ImprovOlympic (1981)
Co-author of 'Truth in Comedy: The Manual of Improvisation' (1994)
Why he might be annoying
He ran away from home at 17 to become a fire-eater in a sideshow.
He was often described as a founder of Second City, but when most of the members of his St. Louis comedy troupe went to Chicago to form Second City, he went to New York.
He was fired from Second City over his drug abuse (1965).
He had a recurring role in My Mother the Car.
Why he might not be annoying
His father was a neglectful alcoholic.
He quit heroin and cocaine after being scared by John Belushi's death.
His students included John Belushi, Gilda Radner, Bill Murray, John Candy, Harold Ramis, Dave Thomas, Shelly Long, George Wendt, Mike Meyers, Chris Farley, Andy Richter, Stephen Colbert, Tina Fey and Amy Poehler.
His last words were, 'I'm tired of being the funniest person in the room.'
Credit: C. Fishel
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Year In Review:
For 2009, as of last week, Out of 30 Votes: 60.0% Annoying
In 2008, Out of 19 Votes: 57.89% Annoying
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