Del P. Close (March 9, 1934 – March 4, 1999) was an American actor, writer, and teacher who coached many of the best-known comedians and comic actors of the late twentieth century. In addition to a prolific acting career in television and film, he was considered a premier influence on modern improvisational theater. Close co-authored the book Truth in Comedy, which outlines techniques now common in longform improvisation, and describes the overall structure of "Harold", which remains a common frame for longer improvisational scenes.
How to Speak Hip, Beam Me Up feat. Charlene Soraia & Scuba - Remixes, Close, Getting Closer
Star Sign
Pisces
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Quote
1
Fall, then figure out what to do on the way down. [his advice on improvisation]
2
It's a grim business, this being funny. Every time you come up with a strong satiric idea, the world tops it. None of our reactionary military characters in the past decade could top the real-life line that came out of Vietnam: "We had to destroy the village in order to save it."
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Fact
1
A graduate of Manhattan (KS) High School in 1952, he and classmate, Inger Stevens, were inducted into the MHS Hall of Fame in January 2007.
2
Was the Voice of Baron Barracuda in The Diver Dan Shows of the '60s.
3
Had once said that the purpose in creating the Harold was to create the first Biological Computer.
4
He was awarded the 1985 Joseph Jefferson Award for Actor in a Supporting Role in a Play for "Hamlet", at the Wisdom Bridge Theatre in Chicago, Illinois.
5
He was nominated for a 1984 Joseph Jefferson Award for Actor in a Supporting Role in a Play for "The Time of Your Life", at the Goodman Theatre in Chicago, Illinois.
6
He was awarded the 1981 Joseph Jefferson Award for Director of a Revue for "Miro, Miro on the Wall", at the Second City Theatre in Chicago, Illinois.
7
He and Bernard Sahlins were nominated for a 1975 Joseph Jefferson Award for Best Director of a Musical for "Once More With Feeling", at the Second City Theatre in Chicago, Illinois.
8
He was nominated for a 1975 Joseph Jefferson Award for Best Director of a Musical for "For A Good Time, Dial", at the Second City Theatre in Chicago, Illinois.
9
He's the only actor to appear in two "Blob" movies: he's in both Beware! The Blob (1972) and the 1988 The Blob (1988) remake.
Biography in: "Who's Who in Comedy" by Ronald L. Smith. Pg. 109. New York: Facts on File, 1992. ISBN 0816023387
12
Co-authored with John Ostrander a comic book for DC Comics entitled Wasteland. It ran for 18 issues from 1988 to 1989 and included several pseudo-autobiographical stories by Close.
13
Co-founded, with Charna Halpern, the ImprovOlympic (now known simply as the i.O.) in Chicago, Illinois, USA.
14
Del Close appeared as a book publisher in the comic book "Marvels" (starting in issue #2, page 6) published in late 1993/early 1994. Close and illustrator Alex Ross shared a mutual acquaintance, and Close became the only actual actor to pose for Ross, a fan-favorite, award-winning painter.
One of the people, along with Mike Nichols, Elaine May, and Severn Darden, most responsible for giving popularity and legitimacy to improvisational comedy.
Willed his skull to the Goodman Theatre in Chicago, Illinois, USA, so he could play Yorick in Hamlet, or for any other theatrical use. The skull was handed over on July 1, 1999. However in July 2006, the Chicago Tribune published a story questioning the authenticity of the skull. In October 2006, it was revealed that Del's skull had been cremated with the rest of his body and the skull at the Goodman Theatre was a fake.
Actor
Title
Year
Status
Character
Upright Citizens Brigade
1998-2000
TV Series
Narrator
Mommy's Day
1997
Warden
The Public Eye
1992
H.R. Rineman
Opportunity Knocks
1990
Williamson
Fat Man and Little Boy
1989
Dr. Kenneth Whiteside
Next of Kin
1989
Frank
Dream Breakers
1989
TV Movie
Dr. Stone
The Blob
1988
Reverend Meeker
Sable
1987
TV Series
Middlebury
The Big Town
1987
Deacon Daniels
The Untouchables
1987
Alderman
Light of Day
1987
Dr. Natterson
One More Saturday Night
1986
Mr. Schneider / Large Tattooed Man
Ferris Bueller's Day Off
1986
English Teacher
First Steps
1985
TV Movie
Zoologist
Thief
1981
Mechanic #1
The Last Affair
1976
American Graffiti
1973
Man at Bar (Guy)
Gold
1972
Hawk (as Del Clos)
Beware! The Blob
1972
Hobo Wearing Eyepatch
My Mother the Car
1965-1966
TV Series
Camp Counselor / Cheskin / Dr. Kadigan
Get Smart
1965
TV Series
Minelli
Goldstein
1964
Armstrong Circle Theatre
1960
TV Series
Ringo Cat
Miscellaneous
Title
Year
Status
Character
Upright Citizens Brigade
2000
TV Series mentor - 10 episodes
Saturday Night Live
1982
TV Series acting coach - 1 episode
Writer
Title
Year
Status
Character
SCTV
1976
TV Series idea - 1 episode
Soundtrack
Title
Year
Status
Character
Broken Noses
1987
Documentary "How to Speak Hip"
Thanks
Title
Year
Status
Character
Employee of the Month
2004
special thanks: "Yes and..."
Self
Title
Year
Status
Character
E! True Hollywood Story
1999
TV Series documentary
Himself
The Second City Toronto 15th Anniversary
1988
TV Movie
Himself
You Are What You Eat
1968
Documentary
Himself
Archive Footage
Title
Year
Status
Character
Thank You, Del: The Story of the Del Close Marathon
2016
Documentary
Himself
The Delmonic Interviews
2002
Documentary
Himself
Known for movies
Ferris Bueller's Day Off (1986) as English Teacher
$5 Million
