The Comedy Cellar is a comedy club in Manhattan where many top New York comedians perform, sometimes referred to as the " Harvard of comedy clubs". It was founded in 1982 by then stand-up comedian, and current television writer/producer Bill Grundfest . It is located in Greenwich Village on 117 MacDougal Street between West 3rd Street and Minetta Lane. Above the club is a restaurant called The Olive Tree Cafe to which it is connected, where many of the comedians hang out after performing. The club is owned by Noam Dworman, who inherited it from his late father Manny in 2003. It is being booked by Estee Adoram, who has developed the club's talent for nearly four decades. The businesses share the same menu, kitchen, and staff as the Olive Tree Cafe.
43-408: The Comedy Cellar, like The Comedy Store , uses a showcase format, as opposed to a headline format like most clubs. A show will consist of between five and seven comics performing sets of roughly 10 to 15 minutes each. Each week consists of three to six shows a night on Sunday through Thursday and ten shows each Friday and Saturday, between both the original room and the larger Village Underground around
86-472: A Certain Age , which he co-created with former Everybody Loves Raymond writer Mike Royce . It co-starred Scott Bakula and Andre Braugher . Romano made an appearance in the seventh season of NBC series The Office as Merv Bronte, a nervous job applicant interviewing for the job left vacant by Michael Scott . Romano made an appearance in the third-season premiere of ABC sitcom The Middle as Nicky,
129-463: A celebrity golf tournament owned by NBC and held at Lake Tahoe each July. Romano married his wife, Anna Scarpulla, in 1987. They met while working at the same bank. They have four children. Romano's character's daughter on Everybody Loves Raymond was named after his real life daughter, Alexandra "Ally" Romano. Also, in the series pilot, Ray and Debra's twin boys were named Gregory and Matthew, after Romano's real life twin sons, but Romano felt it
172-450: A friend of Mike, who ruined his and Frankie's honeymoon. Romano was the second actor from Everybody Loves Raymond to be reunited with Patricia Heaton on The Middle ; Doris Roberts guest starred in three episodes. He joined the cast of Parenthood beginning with its fourth season premiere. He became a semi regular, playing photographer Hank Rizzoli, who hired and later had a romantic relationship with Sarah Braverman and developed
215-575: A friendship with her nephew who has Asperger syndrome . The role was specifically created for him after he expressed his love for the series and met with creator Jason Katims on the set of Friday Night Lights . In 2002, Romano voiced the woolly mammoth Manfred (Manny) in the film Ice Age , and its sequels Ice Age: The Meltdown in 2006, Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs in 2009, Ice Age: Continental Drift in 2012, and Ice Age: Collision Course in 2016. From 2017 to 2019, Romano played
258-590: A leading role in three seasons of the MGM+ television show Get Shorty , created by Davey Holmes and co-starring Chris O'Dowd . In 2019, Romano starred in the Netflix comedy film Paddleton and portrayed mob lawyer Bill Bufalino in Martin Scorsese 's The Irishman . Romano is set to play Jim Valvano in an upcoming movie about the former NC State Wolfpack basketball coach. Romano competed in
301-537: A short-lived labor union and demanded to be paid for their appearances at The Comedy Store. For six weeks (beginning in March), several comedians staged a protest in front of the club, while others crossed the picket line. The comedians involved formed a union called Comedians for Compensation and fought for pay where they had received none before. They eventually picketed in front of the club when their demands were not met. Jay Leno and David Letterman were among those on
344-713: A younger brother, Robert (born c. 1966), a second grade teacher in New York City. Romano attended elementary and middle school at Our Lady Queen of Martyrs in Forest Hills. After transferring from Archbishop Molloy High School , Romano graduated from Hillcrest High School in 1975. He was in the same high school class as Fran Drescher . Before getting into show business, Romano briefly attended Queens College , in Flushing, New York , where he studied accounting. His early comedy career started when he competed in
387-576: Is an American stand-up comedian, and actor. He is best known for his role as Raymond "Ray" Barone on the CBS sitcom Everybody Loves Raymond (1996–2005), for which he won three Primetime Emmy Awards (one as an actor and two as producer). He is also known for being the primary voice of Manny in the Ice Age franchise. He has received several other awards including nominations for two Grammy Awards and two Golden Globe Awards . He created and starred in
430-567: Is located in La Jolla , San Diego , California . The Comedy Store was opened in April 1972 by comedians Sammy Shore (1927–2019), and Rudy De Luca . The building was formerly the home of Club Seville (1935), later, Ciro's (1940–1957), a popular Hollywood nightclub owned by William Wilkerson , and later Ciro's Le Disc, a rock and roll venue, where the Byrds were discovered in 1964. When
473-613: The Epix comedy-drama series Get Shorty . Romano was born in Queens , New York City, the second son of Luciana "Lucie" (née Fortini) (d. 2021), a piano teacher, and Albert Romano (1925–2010), a real estate agent and engineer. He is of Italian descent. He grew up in the Forest Hills neighborhood of Queens. He has an older brother, Richard (born 1956), a sergeant with the NYPD , and
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#1732790659500516-525: The TNT comedy drama Men of a Certain Age (2009–2011). From 2012 to 2015 Romano had a recurring role as Hank Rizzoli, a love interest of Sarah Braverman in the NBC series Parenthood . More recently he co-starred in the romantic comedy The Big Sick (2017) and portrayed mob lawyer Bill Bufalino in Martin Scorsese 's epic crime film The Irishman (2019). From 2017 to 2019 Romano portrayed Rick Moreweather in
559-475: The World Series of Poker in 2007 , 2008 , 2009 , 2010 , 2011 , 2013 and 2015 . In early 2010, Romano starred in the second season of The Golf Channel 's original series The Haney Project in which Tiger Woods ' former coach Hank Haney attempts to improve the golf games of different celebrities and athletes. Romano's goal was to finish the show being able to break 80. Romano took time off from
602-491: The 1980s, numerous comedians resided or just partied there, including Andrew Dice Clay, Marc Maron, Robin Williams, and Richard Pryor. Argus Hamilton and Mike Binder were the first to officially move into the house. Dave Coulier was also an early resident, and Yakov Smirnoff moved in in 1980. The place was known for its all-night parties and heavy consumption of cocaine and alcohol. Bill Hicks moved there in 1980 when he
645-502: The American television sitcom NewsRadio , but was fired and replaced with Greg Lee in the pilot and then Joe Rogan for the rest of the show. He then appeared on Late Show with David Letterman doing his stand up routine which formed his ties with CBS . Shortly thereafter, he became the star of his own show, Everybody Loves Raymond on CBS , that featured a cast and format more suitable to Romano's brand of humor. His work on
688-728: The Cellar as the best comedy club in New York. In March 2016, writers Jessica Pilot and Katla McGylnn wrote an oral history of the club for Vanity Fair . The club has been the location for comedians taping Netflix specials. Aziz Ansari shot his special Nightclub Comedian at the Comedy Cellar in 2021; Ray Romano recorded his special Right Around the Corner there in 2019; Dave Attell and Jeff Ross recorded their Netflix series Bumping Mics with Jeff Ross & Dave Attell at
731-429: The Comedy Cellar, including Dov Davidoff , Mark Normand , Ryan Hamilton , Robert Kelly , Harrison Greenbaum , Sherrod Small , Keith Robinson , Eric Neumann, Gregg Rogell , Nikki Glaser , Ben Bailey and Andrew Schulz . Celebrity comedians Aziz Ansari and Jon Stewart started their comedy careers at the Comedy Cellar, and both continue to occasionally perform there. Other celebrity comics who have performed at
774-474: The Comedy Cellar. Many scenes in the show are filmed in and around the Comedy Cellar and Olive Tree Cafe. Speaking with ESPN's Bill Simmons about the club on a Grantland podcast in June 2012, CK discussed playing shows at the Cellar to empty rooms in the 1990s, stating that then-owner Manny Dworman "kept comedy alive" by making comedians perform on empty stages, in an effort to lure in potential customers. The club
817-784: The Comedy Store La Jolla , at 916 Pearl St., Comedy Store Playhouse, on Las Palmas, Comedy Store at the Sheraton Universal Hotel, in Universal City , and the Comedy Store Las Vegas at the Dunes Hotel . Beginning in 1979, The Comedy Store served for many years as the host location for the annual HBO Young Comedians specials. Tension between the club owners stems from a 1979 strike of Los Angeles comedians against
860-492: The Comedy Store's "no-pay policy". Until that time, neither Shore nor Friedman paid comedians a salary. The theory was that comedians should almost be paying the owners for the exposure the clubs provided. When the comedians' strike began, The Improv (opened in 1974 at 8162 Melrose Avenue) was closed for fire-damage repairs. Therefore, the strike focused on Shore, not Friedman. Also in 1979, stand-up comedians formed
903-513: The Johnnie Walker Comedy Search in 1989, directed by Saturday Night Live short film producer Neal Marshad and appeared on The Comedy Channel . His career included many outlets, such as Comedy Central , where he had been a recurring guest voice on the show Dr. Katz, Professional Therapist . He also was a contestant on Star Search in the stand-up comedy category. He was cast to play Joe (originally named Rick) on
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#1732790659500946-581: The United States. The film was released in theaters on April 7, 2010, by ThinkFilm . In August 2006 Romano was interviewed in front of a live audience at UCLA by fellow stand-up veteran David Steinberg , for an episode of Sit Down Comedy with David Steinberg . The program first aired on the TV Land network in March 2007. Romano returned to television with a new dramedy for TNT in 2008, Men of
989-499: The background at Geoffrey and Michael's school in season 6's episode titled "The Angry Family". In February 2012, Romano revealed that his wife, Anna, had successfully battled stage one breast cancer in 2010. Romano told People magazine that "the reason we're going public is to share our experience, yeah, but to have an effect. Our goal is to help people." Romano was close friends with Doris Roberts , who played Marie Barone , Ray Barone's mother, on Everybody Loves Raymond . At
1032-462: The club and could work on their material in front of casting agents and other talent scouts who would possibly hire them as professionals if they were good enough. The comedians at the club became unhappy when the club was expanded several times and it was perceived that Shore's profits were quite substantial. Shore also paid the rest of her staff, including waitresses and bartenders. After the strike, some comedians were no longer allowed to perform at
1075-672: The club in 2018. In 2018, the Comedy Cellar opened a third location at the Rio Hotel in Las Vegas. 40°43′48″N 74°00′01″W / 40.730131°N 74.000403°W / 40.730131; -74.000403 The Comedy Store The Comedy Store is an American comedy club opened in April 1972. It is located in West Hollywood, California , at 8433 Sunset Boulevard on the Sunset Strip . An associated club
1118-527: The club include Sarah Silverman , Amy Schumer , Robin Williams , Patton Oswalt , Kevin Hart , Chris Rock , Patrice O'Neal , Bill Burr , and Matteo Lane . Musician John Mayer has also been seen performing stand-up. Much of Jerry Seinfeld's 2002 documentary Comedian was filmed at the club, and it also can be seen in a 2006 Pepsi commercial starring Jimmy Fallon . The beginning sequence of Louis CK 's television series Louie shows him walking into
1161-476: The club, including Steve Lubetkin, who committed suicide by jumping off the roof of the Continental Hyatt House next door. His suicide note included the line: "My name is Steve Lubetkin. I used to work at The Comedy Store." Lubetkin hoped that his suicide would resolve the labor dispute. He also cited Shore as the reason he no longer had a job. The union ceased to exist in 1980, although from
1204-551: The corner. Notable comedians started with stage time at the Comedy Cellar, going on to become legends, such as Louis C.K. , Dave Chappelle , Amy Schumer , Ali Wong , Dave Attell , Andrew Schulz , Todd Barry , Judah Friedlander , Colin Quinn , Kevin Hart , Jim Norton , Jeff Ross , Jon Stewart , Ray Romano , Darrell Hammond , Michael Mittermeier , Rich Vos , Nick Di Paolo , Artie Lange , Greer Barnes , and Marc Maron . Popular established comedians frequently perform at
1247-517: The daughter of Ray Barone's nemesis, Peggy the Cookie Lady. Romano's father, Albert Romano, has made various appearances as Albert, one of Frank Barone's lodge buddies in various episodes, such as "Debra at the Lodge", and "Boys' Therapy". Romano's brother, Richard Romano, appeared in the episodes "Golf For It", "Just a Formality", and "The Toaster". Romano's wife, Anna, appeared as one of the moms in
1290-512: The debauchery that had been going on for years, Mitzi Shore kicked everybody out of the house and turned it into a recovery house. By the early 1990s, Her son Pauly moved into the house, and by the end of the 1990s, the house was sold. Knoedelseder, William (2009). I'm Dying Up Here: Heartbreak and High Times in Standup Comedy's Golden Era (1st ed.). New York: PublicAffairs . ISBN 9781586483173 . — "A history of
1333-448: The highest revenue, at $ 3.9 billion. On December 13, 2003, Romano was a guest star, sending a birthday card to Bob Barker for Barker's 80th birthday on the 27th "Million Dollar Spectacular" special of the CBS game show The Price Is Right . Romano was the subject of the documentary film 95 Miles to Go . The film documents Romano's road trip for a series of rides across the south of
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1376-403: The picket line while Garry Shandling and Yakov Smirnoff crossed the line . The job action was not legally a strike as the comedians were classified as " independent contractors " and were not under contract with the club. Mitzi Shore argued that the club was and had always been a showcase and training ground for young comedians and was not about profits. She alleged that comedians came to
1419-536: The salesman comedy Grilled as two average Joes of the same profession who are both desperate to land a big sale. Romano was featured on a 2000 episode of Who Wants to Be a Millionaire , on which he won $ 125,000 for the NYPD 's D.A.R.E. unit. The following year, he and one of his brothers appeared on a New York Police Department recruiting poster. In 2004, Romano became the highest-paid television actor in history for his role of Raymond on CBS's Everybody Loves Raymond . The show broke another record by having
1462-470: The series earned him six Primetime Emmy Award nominations as Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series, a category he won in 2002. He also shared two Emmy Awards as an executive producer when his show won as Outstanding Comedy Series in 2003 and 2005. Romano performed the opening monologue at the 1998 White House Correspondents' Association dinner. Romano and his comedian friend Kevin James starred in
1505-561: The show to be with his father, Albert Romano, who died in March 2010. Romano is also a regular competitor in the AT&;T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am , where he finished fifth in 2012 with his partner, Australian professional Steven Bowditch . It was the first time Romano had qualified for the final round after failing to do so on 11 successive occasions. He also competes annually in the American Century Championship,
1548-454: The time of Lubetkin’s suicide(After a bitter labor dispute between comedians and management ), she essentially gave the place over to the comedians who worked at the Store." Mitzi Shore also owned a 5,000-square-foot house a few doors away from the club, on 8420 Cresthill Road. The house was bought with the club in 1976. In 1979, she started to let the comedians from the clubs sleep there. During
1591-518: The time of the job action onward, comedians in Los Angeles were paid for their shows. This included The Comedy Store and The Improv . "When she and Sammy divorced in 1974, he gave her the club to lower his alimony payments; two years later, after being briefly evicted (and opening a new Comedy Store location in Westwood), she negotiated a deal to buy the entire building — plus Cresthill...around
1634-445: The venue reopened as The Comedy Store in 1972, it included a 99-seat theatre. As a result of a divorce settlement, Sammy Shore's ex-wife Mitzi Shore began operating the club in 1973, and she was able to buy the building in 1976. She immediately renovated and expanded the club to include a 450-seat main room. In 1974, The Comedy Store hosted the wedding reception of newlyweds Liza Minnelli and Jack Haley, Jr. The Comedy Club signage
1677-548: The young comedians coming to Los Angeles in the 1970s and performing at the club." A docu-series based on The Comedy Store debuted on Showtime in October 2020. Each episode is an hour long and breaks down a different time period throughout the existence of the Comedy Store. The director, Mike Binder goes on a podcast with a different comedian to set the tone and help provide the narrative of each episode. Ray Romano Raymond Albert Romano (born December 21, 1957)
1720-420: Was 18 and running away from his parents to pursue his career as a comedian. Many of those comedians developed their style while residing there. Sam Kinison was a pillar there, and Jim Carrey turned his act around in this house. Mitzi Shore had a plan to cash in on the house's unique atmosphere, and even shot a 12-minute pilot around 1987 starring Daphne Davis, Nancy Redman, and Tamayo Otsuki. In 1988, because of
1763-584: Was also featured in Chris Rock 's film Top Five , including a performance by his character, Andre Allen. It appeared regularly on HBO's Crashing, and is the home for Comedy Central's This Week at The Comedy Cellar . In September 2015, the club launched its public-policy debate series with a debate on the Iran nuclear deal. The debate featured professor and lawyer Alan Dershowitz and journalist Fred Kaplan , among others. The New York Post regularly rates
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1806-523: Was covered, for the evening, by signs reading "Ciro's", denoting the venue's prior identity. The event was attended by many dozens of Hollywood glitterati, including Elizabeth Taylor , Sammy Davis Jr. , Cher , Bob Fosse , Johnny Carson , Goldie Hawn , Cesar Romero , Priscilla Presley and other stars, past and present. The original Comedy Store on Sunset at Ciro's had been joined by the Comedy Store Westwood , at 1621 Westwood Blvd.,
1849-433: Was inconvenient to have all his television children have the same names as his real children and changed the twins' names to Geoffrey and Michael onscreen. He also said his brother was not pleased with Ray Barone 's television brother. Romano's family has made various appearances in the show. Romano's daughter made several appearances on Everybody Loves Raymond as Molly, the best friend of his on screen daughter, Ally, and
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