Del Close’s life was virtually a history of American improvisation.

Mr. Close started his comedy career with Mike Nichols and Elaine May in the Compass Players in St. Louis during the 1950s. Moving on to Second City and eventually to San Francisco as creator and director of the legendary radical political satire comedy troupe The Committee, Del returned to Second City in 1973 and remained for twelve years its highly successful director. He was co-creator of SCTV with Andrew Alexander as well as “House Metaphysician” for three seasons of Saturday Night Live. He is credited for honing the talents of John Belushi, Bill Murray, Gilda Radner, Betty Thomas, John Candy and many others. Close was also co-director of the i.O. (formerly ImprovOlympic) with Charna Halpern.