Paul Sills, who passed away last June, was to Improv Comedy what Steve Allen was to Late Night Comedy. Any time you see anything these days that even vaguely passes for "improv," it probably owes a debt, often a large one, to Mr. Sills, the founder of the legendary Story Theater and the first director of the Compass Players and Second City. (It probably also owes a considerable amount to his mother, Viola Spolin.) Sills directly or indirectly helped the careers of dozens of actors and comedians, the "direct" list including Mike Nichols, Elaine May, Ed Asner, Alan Alda, Barbara Harris and Alan Arkin.
A public memorial/remembrance of Sills will be held on Monday evening, September 22, at the El Portal Theater in North Hollywood. Details are here. Many brilliant people will be there.