The Improvisation Comedy Club, first opened in 1963 in New York, rapidly became the premium stage for established and aspiring comedians. Christopher Plummer and Jason Robards Jr. dropped by on March 11, 1974 to mark the anniversary of Budd Friedman’s sensationally successful establishment. In the early days Danny Aiello and Joe Piscopo worked as door hosts; Karen Black and Elaine Boosler started out as waitresses. Those who did their shtick on stage in front of the iconic red brick wall included such up-and-coming giants as Jay Leno, Andy Kaufman, Bette Midler, Freddie Prinz, and Rodney Dangerfield.