Del Close

Del Close (1934-1999) was an American actor, improviser, and theater director who helped establish modern improvisational theater and influenced generations of comedic performers. He is particularly known for developing The Harold, a long-form improvisational structure that became foundational to contemporary improv comedy. As one of the pioneers of Chicago's Second City theater, Close worked with and mentored numerous comedic talents including Bill Murray, John Belushi, Tina Fey, and Mike Myers. His teaching methods emphasized truth in comedy and treating improvisation as a legitimate artistic medium rather than merely a tool for generating laughs. Close's influence extended beyond theater into television and film, with many of his students going on to join Saturday Night Live and create influential comedy movies. His philosophical approach to improvisation was documented in the book "Truth in Comedy," which he co-authored with Charna Halpern. Despite his struggles with substance abuse and mental health issues, Close remained dedicated to teaching until his death, leaving behind a lasting legacy in American comedy. His skull was bequeathed to the Goodman Theatre in Chicago, reflecting his lifelong dedication to theatrical arts.

Readers describe Close as both a comedy genius and a chaotic mentor figure. Most reviews focus on "Truth in Comedy," his main published work. What readers liked: - Clear explanation of long-form improv principles - Real examples from actual performances - Practical techniques that work in both comedy and life - Stories about famous comedians he trained What readers disliked: - Book feels unstructured and scattered - Some sections read like transcripts without context - Teaching methods described as too abstract for beginners - Limited practical exercises compared to other improv books Ratings: - Goodreads: 4.1/5 from 2,800+ ratings - Amazon: 4.5/5 from 300+ reviews A frequent comment in reviews: "Changed how I think about improv." Multiple readers note the book works better as a companion to hands-on training than as a standalone guide. Several former students praise his methods but mention his unpredictable teaching style could be challenging for newcomers.

Truth in Comedy: The Manual of Improvisation (co-written with Charna Halpern and Kim Johnson) A practical guide detailing the techniques and philosophy of long-form improvisation, including the Harold format.

Honor & The Idiot: Academic Year (co-written with Gary Marks and Mark Orr) A comic book series following the adventures of two college students dealing with supernatural phenomena.

How to Speak Hip (with John Brent) A comedic instruction manual and accompanying album that parodies the process of learning "hip" culture and language.

The DC Comics Guide to Creating Comics: Inside the Art of Visual Storytelling (with Klaus Janson) A technical manual explaining the fundamentals of comic book storytelling and visual narrative techniques.

Keith Johnstone pioneered improvisation techniques and wrote "Impro: Improvisation and the Theatre." His methods for status play and spontaneous creativity parallel Close's teachings at Second City and the ImprovOlympic.

Viola Spolin developed theater games and wrote "Improvisation for the Theater," which laid groundwork for modern improv. Her focus on transformation and presence influenced Close's approach to long-form improvisation.

Paul Sills co-founded Second City and transformed Spolin's exercises into performance techniques. His work with story theater forms connects to Close's interest in narrative improvisation.

Charna Halpern collaborated with Close to create the Harold format and wrote "Truth in Comedy." She continued developing Close's methods after his death and runs the iO Theater.

David Shepherd founded the Compass Players and helped establish improvisational theater in Chicago. His concepts about social commentary through improvisation align with Close's political theater work.