Mark Lonow
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Born Name:
Mark Lonow
Born Date: May 11, 1944
Born Place: Brighton Beach, New York City
Died Date:
Died Place:
Occupations: Actor, comedian, producer, comedy club owner
Brief Biography: Mark Lonow is best known as the longtime co-owner and general partner of the legendary comedy club chain, The Improv. Born on May 11, 1944, in Brooklyn, New York, Lonow played a monumental role in shaping the landscape of mainstream stand-up comedy from the late 1970s onward.
Early Life and Career Roots:
Brooklyn Upbringing: He was raised in Brighton Beach by his Yiddish-speaking, Russian-immigrant grandparents. He did not learn English until age five.
Early Training: Passionate about performance, he lied about his age at 13 to train at the HB Studio under Herbert Berghof and Uta Hagen. He also studied dance at the Joffrey Ballet.
Comedy Beginnings: In New York, he formed an influential comedy improv troupe called Off the Wall alongside his wife, JoAnne Astrow, and actor Henry Winkler. They toured colleges and opened for major musical acts like Frankie Valli.
The Improv and Comedy Business:
Ownership: Lonow moved to California and became Budd Friedman’s business partner in 1979. He bought into the Melrose Avenue location in Los Angeles and spearheaded The Improv's national expansion into a highly successful franchise chain.
Industry Influence: He owned and operated the club chain for 38 years before selling it in 2018 to Levity Entertainment Group. He was highly regarded for running orientation sessions for new comics, guiding legendary talents, and serving as a chief negotiator during the historic 1979 Comedy Store strike.
Acting and Producing Highlights:
Film Appearances: Lonow has appeared in multiple notable films, including a leading role in the 1978 disco film Thank God It's Friday, The Last Married Couple in America (1980), Billy Crystal's Mr. Saturday Night (1992), and Adam Sandler's hit comedy The Wedding Singer (1998).
Television Work: His extensive television credits include the Joan Rivers-written sitcom Husbands, Wives and Lovers, Archie Bunker's Place, Moonlighting, Quantum Leap, and Beverly Hills 90210.
Playwriting: He co-wrote and premiered the dark comedy play Jews, Christians and Screwing Stalin with his wife in 2018 at the Matrix Theatre, drawing from his childhood experiences.
Born Date: May 11, 1944
Born Place: Brighton Beach, New York City
Died Date:
Died Place:
Occupations: Actor, comedian, producer, comedy club owner
Brief Biography: Mark Lonow is best known as the longtime co-owner and general partner of the legendary comedy club chain, The Improv. Born on May 11, 1944, in Brooklyn, New York, Lonow played a monumental role in shaping the landscape of mainstream stand-up comedy from the late 1970s onward.
Early Life and Career Roots:
Brooklyn Upbringing: He was raised in Brighton Beach by his Yiddish-speaking, Russian-immigrant grandparents. He did not learn English until age five.
Early Training: Passionate about performance, he lied about his age at 13 to train at the HB Studio under Herbert Berghof and Uta Hagen. He also studied dance at the Joffrey Ballet.
Comedy Beginnings: In New York, he formed an influential comedy improv troupe called Off the Wall alongside his wife, JoAnne Astrow, and actor Henry Winkler. They toured colleges and opened for major musical acts like Frankie Valli.
The Improv and Comedy Business:
Ownership: Lonow moved to California and became Budd Friedman’s business partner in 1979. He bought into the Melrose Avenue location in Los Angeles and spearheaded The Improv's national expansion into a highly successful franchise chain.
Industry Influence: He owned and operated the club chain for 38 years before selling it in 2018 to Levity Entertainment Group. He was highly regarded for running orientation sessions for new comics, guiding legendary talents, and serving as a chief negotiator during the historic 1979 Comedy Store strike.
Acting and Producing Highlights:
Film Appearances: Lonow has appeared in multiple notable films, including a leading role in the 1978 disco film Thank God It's Friday, The Last Married Couple in America (1980), Billy Crystal's Mr. Saturday Night (1992), and Adam Sandler's hit comedy The Wedding Singer (1998).
Television Work: His extensive television credits include the Joan Rivers-written sitcom Husbands, Wives and Lovers, Archie Bunker's Place, Moonlighting, Quantum Leap, and Beverly Hills 90210.
Playwriting: He co-wrote and premiered the dark comedy play Jews, Christians and Screwing Stalin with his wife in 2018 at the Matrix Theatre, drawing from his childhood experiences.