Written by Del's intern at the end of Del's life, this book recounts the inner working of a genius. Fantastic read.

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Product Description

Jeff Griggs paints a hilarious and ultimately moving portrait of one of improv's most important figures. Chronicling the last years of Del Close's life, when he was assigned to drive Del around for his weekly errands, Griggs relates episodes that will leave you laughing out loud and at the same time capture Del's genius at improv. Close was impossibly irreverent, intelligently witty, and incredibly dedicated to his craft. Griggs brings to life this complex, unpredictable character and adds the essentials of Close's biography.

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Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #311170 in Books
• Published on: 2005-04-25
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 288 pages

From Publishers Weekly
The father of improvisational theater and an inspiration for such comedians as John Belushi, Bill Murray and Chris Farley, Close was once called "the Ted Kaczynski of modern comedy," and his alternately brilliant and self-destructive personality is compellingly recorded in this anecdotal biography. Griggs, a friend and former student of Close's who assisted the ailing artist with his errands during the latter years of his life, takes readers on a jarring and otherworldly journey through the byways of Chicago, recounting the conversations and wild experiences that he shared with the eccentric comedian. Tales of Close's explosive, sometimes harsh teaching style (he was fond of yelling and of cutting people up with criticism when they made mistakes) will make readers cringe in sympathy for his students, but Griggs's description of the relationship between Close and Farley brings out the artist's humanity. By the end, Close emerges as a complex figure-a dedicated teacher, a brilliant comedian, a lonely artist and a suicidal misfit who was consistently outrageous and seemingly obsessed with himself. (Before his death on March 4, 1999, Close made Griggs promise to find a way to keep his skull and ashes in the Del Close Theater at Improv Olympic so that he could still "affect the work.") Griggs's descriptions of Close's filthy living habits and his obscene bombast will put some readers off their lunch and, by focusing almost exclusively on private, affectionate anecdotes, Griggs is rarely able to convey the enormity of Close's talent. However, this book succeeds as a personal tribute to a tortured but beloved friend.
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From Booklist
*Starred Review* Actor, director, and improv guru Del Close is best remembered as teacher, director, and mentor of several generations of much more famous comic actors, including John Belushi, Bill Murray, John Candy, and Chris Farley. Griggs' memoir recounts Close's last year, during which Griggs was a combination errand boy, chauffeur, and man Friday for Close. Griggs took the job in return for free acting classes with Close at Close's theater, the Chicago-based ImprovOlympic. Griggs' account follows a predictable, if natural, arc. Early on, the notoriously prickly and sharp-tongued Close holds the only somewhat less prickly and sharp-tongued Griggs at a distance and cuts him no slack. As time goes on, however, Griggs earns Close's begrudging trust as Close takes Griggs on a series of unlikely adventures in the most mundane locations: bank lobbies, grocery stories, city streets at night. Griggs alternates his recollections with chapters devoted to Close's life and work; his troubled youth in Manhattan, Kansas; his days as a director for the Committee and the Second City; and his many experiments with turning Viola Spolin-style theatrical improvisation into an art. Griggs writes like an inspired amateur, and much of the book reads like a series of quickly written blog entries. Griggs' prose may be rough, but it is also energetic and heartfelt, honest and utterly riveting. Jack Helbig
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Review
A particularly detailed and complete picture. -- kopete.org

Get inside the brain of Del Close and witness the evolution of comedy. -- Matt Besser, Upright Citizens Brigade

God bless Jeff for hitting the mark.... Every improviser should read this book. Twice. -- Ike Barinholtz, MADtv

Griggs's portrait is touching, funny and captures Del's essence beautifully. -- Dan Aykroyd, Second City 1971-75 Toronto/Chicago/Pasadena

Griggs's timed and textured prose is anything but improvisational…. Sensitive, discerning, and deeply affectionate without ever slopping over into hagiography. -- Kirkus Reviews

Guru is a fitting homage to Close’s place in the comedy pantheon. -- Jonathan Messinger, Tim Out Chicago

It sounds like Del, it feels like Del. Hell, it IS Del.... It’s good to hear his ‘voice’ again. -- John Ostrander, comic book author

Jeff Griggs treats us to the inside story of a man who was complicated, larger than life and murderously entertaining. -- Andrew Alexander, Second City

This book succeeds as a personal tribute to a tortured but beloved friend. -- Second City

…Offers insight into the world of improvisational theater. Recommended… -- Library Journal, Rosellen Brewer

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Customer Reviews

A great portrayal of Del, and of Improvisers in general
What impressed me most about this book was not Griggs' compelling portrayal of Del Close (although I loved it), nor the way that it filled in gaps in Close's biography that I only had to guess at before. What I liked most about it was Griggs' descriptions of what it's like to be an improviser in the scene; taking classes, being in ensembles and learning from giants. I certainly can relate, and that's what helped make this book such an essential read for me. This book is a must for disciples of Close. It's funny, touching, wonderfully human, highly informative. It made me feel like I had gotten to know Close well. After reading this book, I truly wish I had that honor.

Something Wonderful Right Away...
I couldn't put the book down. I loved Mr. Griggs' invocation of Del Close.

For improvisers it's a must-read: you witness Del's clarity and passion regarding the craft.
For you pop-culture buffs, it's a must read: you get to learn of Del's impact on American comedy, and his intersections with 1960s counterculture.
For those who love a good story, it's a must read: I loved how seemingly innocuous errands became adrenaline rushing adventures, and was fascinated by the reflections of a man who lived a tremendously full life.

With his book, Mr. Griggs took me back to when I studied under Del in 1998. Seven years later, his teaching is very much vital and relevant to us as we are building a longform improv community in Houston, TX. Thanks for your work, Jeff. Well done!

Read it, Loved it.
This book is such a good read, you'll be hard pressed to put it down once you pick it up. The essence of Del is so meticulously laid in front of you, that you truly feel you knew him by the book's end. All of the true life stories presented by Griggs hit home and give insight into the fearless, crazy, and sometimes lonely world of an incredible genius. If you have enjoyed any comedian or comedic actor in the past 35 years, then you must read this book, as Del has been noted by nearly every one as a person of influence and inspiration. Kudos to Griggs for bringing this to us.