A Sad Day For All Of Comedy
I've written about great comedians whom have passed away in previous posts. Legends all of them of course and many people from all walks of life are saddened by their demise. I bet 99% of all Steemians do not know who passed away today... Mitzi Shore. This woman was known and loved in the comedy circles not only of the U.S.A. but worldwide.
You've probably heard of Richard Pryor, Jim Carrey, Robin Williams, Chevy Chase, Jay Leno, David Letterman, Chris Rock. All of these greats and many more talented individuals whom you've seen owe their "starts" to her. She founded the legendary L.A. The Comedy Store in 1972 & two years later became its owner.
Owning a comedy club in the 60's, 70's & 80's was historically not profitable. No female or minority comedians had a true place to show and hone their talents.
Most people do not remember that in the 1970's there were no true working comedian females aside from Phyllis Diller & Lucielle Ball. These ladies were considered actresses and not comedians in Hollywood and it was extremely rare that females were booked at all (except rarely in Las Vegas). Comedy was definitely a "boys club" back then. Mitzi shore opened up a seating section in The Comedy Store known as the "Belly Room" so that female comedians could perform their material. In the 90's once female comics had become more established in the entertainment industry as comedians, she broke barriers again by creating specialty nights for latino, gay and lesbian performers. Mitzi Shore was the woman who started and helped change all of it.
Tom Hanks is currently in pre-production filming the story of Mitzi Shore's life.
It is with heavy heart that I write the following sentence - R.I.P. Mitzi Shore, you helped make the planet a place where comedy and laughter have a place for us all.
The Comedy Store will be closed today.
http://variety.com/2018/biz/news/comedy-store-owner-mitzi-shore-dead-dies-1202750338/
https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/news/mitzi-shore-comedy-store-founder-dead-at-87-w519020
