The Early History of The Comedy Store in Los Angeles

A graduate of the University of Arkansas, Cameron Writt works as a data analyst at WCI in Bentonville, Arkansas. He also has several years of experience as a touring stand-up comedian. Cameron Writt has performed in several venues, including in the Belly Room of The Comedy Store in Los Angeles, California.

Located at 8433 W. Sunset Boulevard, The Comedy Store is among the most well-known comedy clubs in the world. Comedian Sammy Shore, his wife Mitzi, and comedy writer Rudy DeLuca opened the club in April 1972. Sammy, a former opening act for Elvis Presley, wanted a venue to practice his stand-up when he wasn’t touring. Mitzi managed the club and booked comedians in the early years while Sammy was on the road.

Early on, many of Sammy and Rudy’s comedy friends, including Redd Foxx and Jonathan Winters, worked out new material at the club. The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson relocated from New York to Los Angeles around the same time The Comedy Store opened and several New York comedians followed in hopes of performing on his show.

Mitzi, who came up with the name of the club and helped foster a family-like environment for comics, took full ownership of The Comedy Store in 1974 following a divorce settlement with Sammy. Richard Pryor routinely worked out material from The Sunset Strip album during the 1970s, while Mitzi provided opportunity and exposure for several up-and-coming comedians, including Garry Shandling, Robin Williams and David Letterman.