Budd Friedman is the original owner, founder, and emcee of the legendary comedy club, The Improvisation (better known as The Improv). Opening in 1963, The Improv was the first of its kind to present comedians in a continuous format, and the first one to give unknown performers the opportunity to try out new material in front of a live audience—with the opportunity to be discovered by talent agents and late-night TV bookers.

Friedman lives in Los Angeles, California.