For that located in Sydney, Australia, see The Comedy Store, Sydney.
The Comedy Store is a comedy club located in West Hollywood, California, at 8433 Sunset Boulevard on the Sunset Strip.
The Comedy Store was opened in April 1972 by comedians Sammy Shore and Rudy DeLuca. The building was formerly the home of Ciro's, a rock and roll nightclub at which The Byrds were discovered in 1964. Sammy Shore's ex-wife Mitzi Shore gained ownership of the club in a divorce settlement.
Beginning in 1979, The Comedy Store served for many years as the host location for the annual HBO Young Comedians specials aired on the eponymous network.
Also, in 1979, stand-up comedians formed a short-lived labor union and demanded to be paid for their appearances at the Comedy Store. For five weeks, several famous comedians staged a protest in front of the club. Some comedians crossed the picket line. After the strike, some comedians were no longer allowed to perform at the club, including Steve Lubetkin who committed suicide in front of the building by jumping off the roof of the Continental Hyatt House next door. His suicide note read: "My name is Steve Lubetkin. I used to work at the Comedy Store."
In 2005, Sammy's son Pauly Shore starred in the TBS reality show Minding the Store. The series followed Shore as he took control of The Comedy Store and attempted to revitalize it.
Famous stand-up alumni include Tim Allen, Roseanne Barr, John Belushi, Billy Braver, Jim Carrey, George Carlin, Dave Chappelle, Chevy Chase, Andrew Dice Clay, Rodney Dangerfield, Brian Figarol, Red Foxx, Gallagher, Whoopi Goldberg, Joel Hodgson, Bill Hicks, Ralphie May, Andy Kaufman, Bobby Lee, Jay Leno, David Letterman, Sam Kinison, Jay London, Thomas F. Wilson, Rik Mayall, Edie McClurg, Dennis Miller, Eddie Murphy, Russell Peters, Dat Phan, Richard Pryor,Saab Salesman Billy Braver, Jerry Seinfeld, Joe Rogan, Robert Thompson, Dick Savage, The Unknown Comic, Ari Shaffir, Carlos Mencia and Gaylord Dingler.
An additional The Comedy Store is operated in La Jolla, San Diego, California. http://www.thecomedystore.com/2000/lajolla.htm
